best car GPS software for laptop??

rrwfotr

I've got a small laptop /pc that I want to use when I'm driving around as a nav system.

Does anyone know the best software to use for this type of application??

I intend to use a bluetooth 32 channel GPS device for coms.

Can you install Tom Tom/garmin software on laptops???

BigAl94

Complete waste of time and effort using a laptop for this purpose. I know, I tried it!!

Get a Garmin i3 from Halfords, brilliant piece of kit, great value and easy to operate. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&productId=163644&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=31468&categoryId=33962&crumb=31468&varient=&CarSelectorCatalogId= (assuming it is just for UK use)

amcluesent

>a small laptop /pc that I want to use when I'm driving<

IMHO you are risking a quick £30 fine from the coppers. They are already cracking down on drivers where the GPS unit is not located in the centre of the screen. (Yes, I know, it's not as if they already solved all the real crime is it... :mad: :mad: )

rrwfotr

Yep laptop will be located on the centre of car, also considering using a smartphone. Any ideas which smart phone/software. The main purpose is that I want a mobile device that I can take from car to car and also use when walking....

Phew_2

The TomTom is very easy to take from car to car and for walking. My brother tried the laptop thing and he also find it more hassle than it was worth.

rrwfotr

Has anyone used tom tom on a nokia etc smart phone with a seperate gps device?? ......

Is it worth the agro??? Main reason lookig at this option is that when walking I can take the smart phone out and about with the mobile GPS device....

Phew_2

The tomtom thing has an option to track a route while walking, and I have used it for that once in London. Only thing is I did feel a little self concious about it, whereas I guess you wouldn't with a smartphone. I'm sorry but I haven't tried it with a smartphone.

MarkyMark_2

rrwfotr wrote:

Has anyone used tom tom on a nokia etc smart phone with a seperate gps device?? ......

Is it worth the agro??? Main reason lookig at this option is that when walking I can take the smart phone out and about with the mobile GPS device....

The problem doing it that way is the cost.If you need to buy a phone? lets say a nokia 6630 (recommended for tomtom) which can be bought for £100ish new,then you got to add the official tomtom software and that is around £150 (includes the gps receiver) So in the end its pretty expensive that way especially when the likes of garmin are selling for £130 mark nowadays.

zenmaster

I got a T-mobile SDA with CoPilot, which I find pretty good. It was all free, but I had to take out an 18 month £30/month contract (which I was going to do anyway).

Recently they dropped the 18 month requirement, added half price line rental for 3 or 6 months, upgraded the phone to SDA II which came with the latest release of CoPilot.

Now the bad news. This phone has now gone from their website. Since I was thinking of upgrading shortly I emailed them. Their CS rang me a few days later to tell me that there will soon be another similar product available.

rrwfotr

Any other people had experiances with smart phones and GPs receivers? Pros and cons........

BigAl94

The Garmin i3 will run for up to 5 hours continual use on 2 rechargeable AA batteries, completely portable as well as in-car