new guy with GPS questions

[SpeedyG]

Originally Posted by Guardian

Unless you use a software that preloads the maps and then uses the GPS to locate and place you on that map, then yeah data plan is not critical. however, in order for the phone to FETCH the data that it needs to tell you where you and show you, it needs to get it from somewhere. Its "data" that it gets, it is "data" that it needs. simple.

in regards to the search comment, conflicting or not it has been discussed but for the reason you mentioned is why everyone is still helping you and answering your question, including me.

well I'm not deaf but if the the internal receiver is a full GPS and the maps are stored locally then you should have a fully functional mapping solution with the exception of real time traffic and weather updates. That's really all I need as I have the laptop on a travel station in the work vehicle with GPS and a big screen.

Data plan may happen at some point but I simply don't use my phone the way most of you do. It is simply a tool to check email on the road and receive phone calls. If my usage changes then I will consider giving ATT another $500/yr. I am also looking at how the Act! integration works, which could change my needs.

My minutes average under 200 a month. My wife averages 10. I currently have about 3K roll over minutes. That should give you an idea of why I really have yet to see the need for the data plan. Honestly the best argument for an unlimited data plan is as an emergency connection for the laptop.

I understand what it's like to see a newb ask the same question for 1000 time and I generally search quite thoroughly before I post. In this case my searches did not give me the specific answers I was looking for.

Thanks for the help.

[Guardian]

Originally Posted by PacoJr67

Even the garmin or copilot setups most likely don't come with ALL of the maps...

Yeap, that's the point being made but I think he might have taken offense to the reply to clear that up.

[SpeedyG]

Originally Posted by Guardian

you are welcome and if you are on vista I can help you more but with xp it has been a while since I have done it and someone else might have it in front of them easier to show you.

XP Pro. No vista until someone holds a gun to my head.

I see no reason why all the maps couldn't easily be held on an SD card with something like copilot. My data install of Delorme on the laptop is about 600 meg for US & Canada. If I just want the data for say the east coast that should easily fit on the phone.

Only time will tell.

I do far prefer the motoQ over my blackjack and plan to take the time to make this one work for me. The blackjack was obviously just an interim step from the moment I got it.

[U-2]

Originally Posted by Guardian

I think he wants all the maps to be in his machine no matter where and that is unreasonable since that would require so many gigs of information your phone wouldn't be able to hold it. we are not talking generic GPS units like Garming or Tom tom or whatever that have ability to hold it on the SD. Even then they can only hold so much.

What are you talking about? I have 8GB Micro SD card, Garmin map for the whole US is ~1GB, TomTom Map for US and Canada ~1.4GB. I have both on my phone and have plenty of space for couple of other navigation programs. And I do not have a data plan.

[Guardian]

Originally Posted by SpeedyG

well I'm not deaf but if the the internal receiver is a full GPS and the maps are stored locally then you should have a fully functional mapping solution with the exception of real time traffic and weather updates. That's really all I need as I have the laptop on a travel station in the work vehicle with GPS and a big screen.

Data plan may happen at some point but I simply don't use my phone the way most of you do. It is simply a tool to check email on the road and receive phone calls. If my usage changes then I will consider giving ATT another $500/yr. I am also looking at how the Act! integration works, which could change my needs.

My minutes average under 200 a month. My wife averages 10. I currently have about 3K roll over minutes. That should give you an idea of why I really have yet to see the need for the data plan. Honestly the best argument for an unlimited data plan is as an emergency connection for the laptop.

I understand what it's like to see a newb ask the same question for 1000 time and I generally search quite thoroughly before I post. In this case my searches did not give me the specific answers I was looking for.

Thanks for the help.

no one said you were deaf, you are just not getting the fact that it is a REAL GPS receiver but only gets the maps when it needs it and when you ask it to and based on where you are. It does not and will not download everything for you to have and hold when you need it and neither does a tradition GPS, granted they hold some.

I personally don't use a data plan. So I use mine as a digital planner basically by sync with my laptop and keep my information with me when I need it and text message plan and phone, that's it. I have a 1000 minutes with rollover and I use maybe 400 and I have nearly 6000 minutes in rollover most of which expire by the hundreds each month they are so old and until recently that my wife started using my phone to make all her on-call conferences, she was burning her 400 minutes all the time and now burns mine since I don't use them. Even then she can't hit 1000 a month.

I use my GPS on emergencies and only when I REALLY don't know where I am and that uses per use data and I pay for it. But I don't see the need for regular data plans to the giant either. Don't get offended so easily, we always help but we also try to get you to develop a thick skin for your own benefit and for you to get more out of things, we are all friends here. Good times.

[SpeedyG]

Originally Posted by Guardian

Yeap, that's the point being made but I think he might have taken offense to the reply to clear that up.

I think my last posts sums that up. Real time info=data. Static maps should be no problem with a decent size SD card.

[Guardian]

Originally Posted by SpeedyG

XP Pro. No vista until someone holds a gun to my head.

I see no reason why all the maps couldn't easily be held on an SD card with something like copilot. My data install of Delorme on the laptop is about 600 meg for US & Canada. If I just want the data for say the east coast that should easily fit on the phone.

Only time will tell.

I do far prefer the motoQ over my blackjack and plan to take the time to make this one work for me. The blackjack was obviously just an interim step from the moment I got it.

trust me I know the feeling, I got stuck with it because it was on the laptop I use for work and I have no choice. On top of it, its the piece of crap AMD 64 which makes my life so miserable I hate it. But I have learned to fight back so I am good

[Guardian]

Originally Posted by U-2

What are you talking about? I have 8GB Micro SD card, Garmin map for the whole US is ~1GB, TomTom Map for US and Canada ~1.4GB. I have both on my phone and have plenty of space for couple of other navigation programs. And I do not have a data plan.

Good for you, then tell him how to do it and make him happy and maybe we can learn from you too. Otherwise, it doesn't do anyone any good to say you have it and do it.

[U-2]

Originally Posted by Guardian

Good for you, then tell him how to do it and make him happy and maybe we can learn from you too. Otherwise, it doesn't do anyone any good to say you have it and do it.

May be, you missed it, but I already did. Check this thread
http://www.everythingq.com/forum/mot...q9h-20473.html

[SpeedyG]

Originally Posted by Guardian

no one said you were deaf, you are just not getting the fact that it is a REAL GPS receiver but only gets the maps when it needs it and when you ask it to and based on where you are. It does not and will not download everything for you to have and hold when you need it and neither does a tradition GPS, granted they hold some.

I personally don't use a data plan. So I use mine as a digital planner basically by sync with my laptop and keep my information with me when I need it and text message plan and phone, that's it. I have a 1000 minutes with rollover and I use maybe 400 and I have nearly 6000 minutes in rollover most of which expire by the hundreds each month they are so old and until recently that my wife started using my phone to make all her on-call conferences, she was burning her 400 minutes all the time and now burns mine since I don't use them. Even then she can't hit 1000 a month.

I use my GPS on emergencies and only when I REALLY don't know where I am and that uses per use data and I pay for it. But I don't see the need for regular data plans to the giant either. Don't get offended so easily, we always help but we also try to get you to develop a thick skin for your own benefit and for you to get more out of things, we are all friends here. Good times.

Your are misinterpreting my reaction - I am not offended nor trying to offend. I participate in plenty of religious and political discussion on the net so my skin is most definitely thicker than it may appear.

Understand that technology is my business, as I'm sure it is for many here. So even if my my expectations are different from reality, those expectations come from a firm understanding of how this stuff works.

My experience with GPS (I'm a VERY early adopter of GPS) simply is different than what you are stating. With the laptop I have never needed to update the maps except yearly software releases. I've had GPS on the laptop for about eight years. With other mobile solutions you could load enough data at once to cover your area for the day. No updates to the maps were necessary as long as you were in the expected area.

There is no technical reason why constantly updated data is necessary for this to work to work as a stand alone device. Everything all of you are saying is not a technical limitation of the device but a software limitation.

Your point is well taken that if I'm going to use GPS for emergency only then I can just pay by the kb and maybe that's the solution.

Edit - I type slow - three or four more responses since I last posted. Nothing like landing with a BANG