Upgrading my expedition GPS Navigation System

[latinoguy]

So recently I have purchased a Netbook (to replace my aging laptop) with enough power to really substitute my old Acer laptop which has Garmin Topo 8 and Nroute that i link up with my hand held Garmin Etrex Vista for navigating off pavement and was really satisfied with that set up, down to the lap top mount.

I am digging the Acer Netbook with 11.6" inch screen, keyboard, 4 GB of RAM and 500 GB of storage. Not being a gamer, and intended use is mostly email, travel PC etc, and navigational tool when doing off road trips, It will serve my needs just fine. Cons: not Bluetooth enabled (can buy the accessory to make it so however)

I also have recently upgraded my cellphone to an Apple Iphone 4, which has a ton of app supporting this model and have read a abit about some GPS software that works descent with this phone.

I would prefer to stay with the garmin Etrex Vista linked to the netbook (for the larger screen) set up. and Topo 8 version.

However, garmin is no longer suppporting the Nroute software and am not sure what other software I can download to be able to link both pieces of hardware together so that they communicate with each other, and i can see the info live on the netbook screen.

Am i missing something? I know I am missing the software piece but perhaps others can chime in with a combo setup involving my iphone or not, and my Etrex Vista or not, I think there is a laptop GPS that you can hoop up via a USB port, but I am not too sure if that is the case.....

 

[nwoods]

You can get a USB powered GPS antenna puck and just run Topo!

 

[1leglance]

I run an Acer netbook with a globalsat gps puck for $40 shipped
http://www.semsons.com/glbrmogpsref.html

It has been going strong for over 3 yrs and works great with Delorme Topo and OziExplorer
I run Franson GPSgate to let me split the GPS signal so more than 1 program can see it at a time, I know there are free options for this but for as cheap as GPSgate was I am very happy.

Lastly at RadioShack you can get the Igo netbook inverter for around $50 which gives you a 12vdc plug, wall plug and aircraft setup...this way I can leave the Acer wall setup at home and have everything I need

 

[latinoguy]

So something like this I see....thus making the Garmin Vista GPS no longer necessary for this solution.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PKX2KA...d=16613137941508077784&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

You can get a USB powered GPS antenna puck and just run Topo!

 

[latinoguy]

OK I am starting to get the gps puck idea/set up. Once I load up Garmin Topo on my acer netbook, how do I get "live" navigation coverage which is what Nroute used to provide?

Lastly at RadioShack you can get the Igo netbook inverter for around $50 which gives you a 12vdc plug, wall plug and aircraft setup...this way I can leave the Acer wall setup at home and have everything I need[/QUOTE]

 

[latinoguy]

Still not clear how running a USB powered GPS like you and others have mentioned, coupled with my current topo 8 will give me a live coverage? I feel I am still missing the software piece that Nroute used to provide me....

You can get a USB powered GPS antenna puck and just run Topo!

 

[1leglance]

I am not sure if the Garmin Topo will see the GPS puck but if it works with a Garmin unit then it should worth with the puck.

Otherwise it would make sense to stick as close to possible to what has worked for you in the past.

 

[evldave]

There are different TOPO programs out there...National Geographic TOPO!, Delorme TOPO, etc. I use most of them, with either a bluetooth 'puck' a Garmin 60Cs, a Montana, or a USB 'puck' - the best 'inexpensive' solution, especially running on a netbook, is to get Delorme Topo 8 (runs $50 on sale, and some of the packages come with a GPS) and then connect it to your eTrex. The Delorme software will recognize your eTrex (it reads Garmin format output over both USB and serial if you have it).

Topo 8 gives the both on-road routing (decent) and off-road topographic-like maps. It's a great simple solution and you shouldn't have speed issues on your netbook. I ran this same setup (delorme + external GPS) for years and it worked great.

 

[latinoguy]

This is looking like a descent solution without reinventing the wheel too much. So I guess I replace Garmin's Topo for Delorme's, if this is going to give me "live" tracking when I am off payment.

There are different TOPO programs out there...National Geographic TOPO!, Delorme TOPO, etc. I use most of them, with either a bluetooth 'puck' a Garmin 60Cs, a Montana, or a USB 'puck' - the best 'inexpensive' solution, especially running on a netbook, is to get Delorme Topo 8 (runs $50 on sale, and some of the packages come with a GPS) and then connect it to your eTrex. The Delorme software will recognize your eTrex (it reads Garmin format output over both USB and serial if you have it).

Topo 8 gives the both on-road routing (decent) and off-road topographic-like maps. It's a great simple solution and you shouldn't have speed issues on your netbook. I ran this same setup (delorme + external GPS) for years and it worked great.