recommendations for linux compatible GPS

[cpackham]

Hi Forum,

I'm in the market for an in car GPS. The rental car I'm currently driving came with a TomTome one which is the only GPS I've used but I'm guessing the feature set is fairly common - Tell me where I am, tell me how to get from point A to point B etc.

One area where the TomTom fell down was their PC based software for updating the unit was Windows only and didn't work under Wine so I can't get updates/new maps.

Has anyone got any recommendations for a GPS unit that can be updated from a Linux PC (openSUSE 11.2)? I asked mister google and found a lot of links to using a GPS receiver to display maps on a desktop but I just want to be able to upload the vendors maps to the hand held unit.

I'd prefer if there was simply a native tool but given the vendor lock-in nature of the beast I'd settle for something that can be made to work under Wine.

Thanks,

P.S. I guessed when I chose the hardware forum so feel free to tell me to go post somewhere else

[malcolmlewis]

Hi Forum,

I'm in the market for an in car GPS. The rental car I'm currently
driving came with a TomTome one which is the only GPS I've used but I'm
guessing the feature set is fairly common - Tell me where I am, tell me
how to get from point A to point B etc.

One area where the TomTom fell down was their PC based software for
updating the unit was Windows only and didn't work under Wine so I can't
get updates/new maps.

Has anyone got any recommendations for a GPS unit that can be updated
from a Linux PC (openSUSE 11.2)? I asked mister google and found a lot
of links to using a GPS receiver to display maps on a desktop but I just
want to be able to upload the vendors maps to the hand held unit.

I'd prefer if there was simply a native tool but given the vendor
lock-in nature of the beast I'd settle for something that can be made to
work under Wine.

Thanks,

P.S. I guessed when I chose the hardware forum so feel free to tell me
to go post somewhere else

Hi
I use crossover and mapsource to copy maps to my Garmin nuvi 260w. It
acts as a usb storage device so I can even drag/drop stuff on to it.
Create my own POI's with a text editor etc.

In wine, you need to create a dos device to link to the USB, this
should be the same for the tomtom?

Else you can always look at using virtualbox or similar to run windows
and the application.

--
Cheers Malcolm ��� (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.42-0.1-default
up 20 days 4:52, 4 users, load average: 0.14, 0.15, 0.16
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - CUDA Driver Version: 190.53

[malcolmlewis]

Pardon my ignorance but is mapsource the equivalent of TomTom Home? i.e.
You get a copy when you by a Garmin GPS?

Hi
It's a mapping program, you can add POI's, destinations, routes,
waypoints etc on the map, then upload depending on the model GPS you
have. I have a DVD for my 2009NT Maps as well as topo maps on my nuvi.
I can just have parts of maps, all the maps etc on my GPS.

Then you can use gpsbabel for other things, I also use gpsd and just
use the GPS as a receiver on the netbook.

--
Cheers Malcolm ��� (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.42-0.1-default
up 20 days 6:03, 4 users, load average: 0.36, 0.29, 0.16
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - CUDA Driver Version: 190.53

[cpackham]

Thanks. Just after I posted that I found it on the garmin website saying that it is included when you by a GPS. I think they've also got a separate webupdater which is probably in the same boat as TomTom Home.

I might give TomTom Home another go while I still have the rental any hints on the dos device thing?

[malcolmlewis]

Thanks. Just after I posted that I found it on the garmin website saying
that it is included when you by a GPS. I think they've also got a
separate webupdater which is probably in the same boat as TomTom Home.

I might give TomTom Home another go while I still have the rental any
hints on the dos device thing?

Hi
Down in the ~/.wine directory should be a folder called dosdevices.
Simce the application is looking for a storage device it just needs a
softlink created to a windows drive. For example mine shows up
as /media/GARMIN, so all I need to do is;

ln -s /media/GARMIN d:

Start up Mapsource and it sees the device.

Updating firmware is another kettle of fish, whilst I have had it work
once and did a how too, I don't think it's reliable. Besides if it
ain't broke don't fix it

--
Cheers Malcolm ��� (Linux Counter #276890)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 (x86_64) Kernel 2.6.27.42-0.1-default
up 20 days 6:38, 4 users, load average: 0.03, 0.07, 0.08
GPU GeForce 8600 GTS Silent - CUDA Driver Version: 190.53

[cpackham]

OK to answer my own post according to WineHQ TomTom seem to use more than just simple drive mapping to connect to the device.

So it looks like TomTom is off my shopping list.