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GPS, WiFI, BT and Camera All in One Phone

:!: Sorry for the shameless attempt to get you here with a dreamy subject but it's relevant to the topic - honestly. :!:
I'm after a PDAPhone with built in everything. But looks so far like I'm going to have to compromise and get an external GPS receiver, however was just hoping someone might have a little gem that I couldn't find anywhere else in the forums.
I have owned and loved the O2 XDA range ever since my first XDA years ago and have since lugged around an XDAII. I damaged my II recently and have a nice cheque for £550 burning a hole in my pocket courtesy of the insurance company. This means that for the first time ever I don't need to go to a subsidised model. My initial thought was that I'd stump up a few extra quid and get a JamJar :lol: from expansys but now I'm a bit more mature I decided to check out the options first.
So far I've found (Ignoring Naming Variations):
Prices quoted are from expansys - they could be cheaper elsewhere. Pls let me know if you find any (UK Only though)
:arrow: iPAQ hw6515 - Looks a bit crap, small screen and no wi-fi listed but DOES have GPS & 1.3Mp Cam - Anyone know of any Square Aware issues with programs?
:idea: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=120563
:idea: £439.95
:arrow: i-mate JAM - Small and sexy but no Wi-Fi and no GPS but would stop people asking if I've got a brick taped to my head. + 1.3Mp, COuld afford external GPS with this one.
:idea: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=I-MATE_JAM
:idea: £359.95
:arrow:Qtek 9090- Has everything But GPS but would leave enough money for a BT GPS - No camera spec but I think it's 0.3Mp like the XDAIIs - Could be upgraded to WM5, My Mate has one and the Thumb Keyboard is easy to use whilst walking - If I use my head not my geekometer this is my favourite.
:idea: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=QTEK_9090
:idea: £414.95
:arrow: i-mate JASJAR - Dogs balls but still no GPS and not much more than the 9090 + v Expensive & Getting Bigger - 1.3Mp Cam I think. (I have no 3G service anywhere near me so that's not a bonus) I really like the 3.5mm Jack - Overall a severe number of geek points! NO CRADLE Still needs GPS Seperate, not sure how useable while walking the keyboard will be. I really want one.
:idea: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=119353
:idea: £669.95
:arrow: i-mate K-JAM - WiFi, BT etc, Smaller and lighter than Universal, WM5, 1.3Mp. I like the keyboard. Maybe my new best choice. JUST leaves enough money to think about an external GPS. Thanks JamiJam
:idea: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=125518
:idea: £504.95
My criteria to consider are as follows, argue with them and persuade me otherwise with reasons if you so wish:
Phone + PDA Essential (Tri Band+)
Camera - Prefer 1+Mp
BT - Must Have
Wi-Fi - Optional but Preferred a lot
3G - Not required
Keyboard - Like to Have (It's awkward using handwriting when travelling)
GPS - Very Nice to Have I Drive a lot and would like to use TT in the future.
OS - Not Bothered, these can be changed
I have 1 Month to decide before I burst and spray money all over the place so I'd really appreciate any comments you might have.
Don't go off on any obscure tangents though please, post them in a new topic and link to it if you wish.

Wizard...
(aka K-Jam, aka Qtek 9100)

Not sure when it will be out but Orange are going to release the Wizard and call it the SPV M600. If you can wait then you'll have it subsidised. :wink:

hmmmmm
Ok, so far the Wizard is my favourite now. I'd completely forgotten about that. What's the keyboard like though? I'm not too fussed about the size (the one on the XDA III is smaller and still useable)? It's more the key action I'm bothered about.
Does it have those rubbish 'rubbery' 'spectrum' style keys? It looks like it does.
I'm still yearning for a Universal cos none of my mates will have one but my head is still saying I don't need it and one of the others will do everything I want.

AFAIK HTC has some kind of arrangement with compaq - HTC will not make a phone with GPS as it competes with a model HTC makes for compaq that does have GPS or something like that (the hw6515 maybe ?)
I have a Blue Angel (O2 XDA IIs) and it does all of this.
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=I-MATE_III
WM5 now available and working fine on it.
It has a keyboard too, it's those blister things (more like a ZX81 than a spectrum) but it is useable, although the keyboard layout is a bit ****e.
What with the newer models coming out you should be able to pick one up cheapish.
I run mine with a Globalsat Bt-338 Bluetooth GPS and Tomtom 5

oh, and FYI, this PDA holder from halfords holds the BA perfectly and can be mounted to your dash. It obscures no ports.
(The pic is upside down BTW)
http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=16600&type=0&cat=397

The keyboard on the wizard is excellent, in my humble opinion!
It also snaps in and out in a way that makes you feel it won't break down easily.
Finally, it automatically turns the phone's display into landscape mode, which is very handy.

Wizard or BA
I have to say I'm still impressed with the Wizard. Just made a scale model out of card (how sad is that) and it's tiny!
I like the BA but if the keyboard doesn't let the Wizard down I think it'll be my PDA of choice. The one thing I really didn't like about the Jam was its lack of Wi-Fi and that's solved in the K-Jam.
I assume the screen's readable, I like to think that I'll have good eyesight for a couple of years yet so I don't think the size will be an issue.

iPaq HW6515
I have tried without success to get details of the built-in GPS. The one authoritative source to whom I spoke was scathing about its performance. So whatever you do choose, I do not recommend the iPaq.
On a separate note I saw my first Jasjar close up today. It is lighter than you might think, but heavier than is reasonable for prolonged use as a phone. A bluetooth earpiece was being used that included a display for caller ID. As a data device it is pretty impressive.
I too run a GlobalSat BT-338 GPS, in my case with Mapopolis.

if you are going GPS, make sure it is SIRFstar III chipset (the current latest-and-greatest), especially if you live in a city as they are really good at "urban canyon" reception.
I have seen new BT-338s on ebay for £65 "buy it now" recently

plus another thing to think about...
a seperate BT GPS unit has various advantages:
1) Battery
It won't drain your PPC battery when operating, except the charge needed to communicate via BT.
2) Upgrading
If a new improved GPS unit comes out and you have an onboard GPS unit, you are carrying useless baggage and can't sell the old one.
Also bear in mind there will likely be new features added to GPS units.
one example: digital compass. At the moment, if you stand still and rotate, a GPS unit has no clue which way you are facing until you move. A GPS does already transmit heading AFAIK - it works out which way you are facing by assiming you are looking in the direction of travel. Integration of a digital compass therefore would probably require no changes to the protocol. This does exist ( see http://www.xemics.com/internet/solutions/compass.jsp?productID=108 )
3) Switching.
BT GPS units work on laptopss too you know
4) Safety. I use my GPS for a sport called mountain boarding. Same kinda deal as downhill mountain biking, I trace a route I have done using GPS software. I ride with my XDA in a reinforced case with foam in, but find the GPS reception suffers, so I keep the BT GPS unit in my bag and the XDA in the case.
Seeing as the XDA is MUCH more valuable than the GPS this makes sense.
5) Reception versus viewing position.
Sometimes the position with best reception is not the same as the position you can see the screen of your PPC best.

????
Good point.
Ok, more questions on the K-Jam
Camera: Says 1.3/2 Is this 1.3 with software to 'frig' it to 2?
Keyboard: Is the expansys keyboard silver ( http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=125518 ) or black ( http://www.expansys.com/zoompic.asp?type=item&code=125518 )
Silver ones look plastic whereas black ones look rubbery. Which have you got JamiJam? Is it from Expansys?
Processor: 200Mhz? Is that right? Seems quite a drop. Do you have any problems with media playback? I remember my XDA I used to have a problem playing big avi files.
Ta Very Much

Camera is 1.3MP, and it is ****.
Yes, it's better than the Magician, but it's still pretty bad. I wouldn't buy the Wizard hoping to use the camera for anything useful. In my opinion this is the #1 point on which HTC is lacking. They've worked on everything else, now they need to start putting decent cameras in these devices.
I have the silver keyboard and I bought my Wizard in a store. I believe that if you order from expansys you'll get a silver one.
Processor is 200MHz (different CPU architecture) but it seems to be on par with the Magician in practice, maybe 10% slower. So yes, you should be able to watch full screen movies, once you find a bit-rate/resolution/format that works for you. Not sure which XDA you had, but I would expect similar ballpark performance.
Hope this helps.

Ta
The 'performance lacking' XDA was the original XDA I and I'll take your word for it that performance is ok. I don't use it for anything too hot and my XDA II never had a problem with films.
To be honest, every camera phone I've had from the XDA Range was ****ty quality (Very grainy) but I spend a fair bit of time on site collecting info on wagons and stuff for my job and it's always handy to be able to snap a quick video or pic of something. The only reason I want a higher res is so that when some tit with a Sony Ericson goes on about his 2Mp camera I don't loose too many 'top trumps' points. I never print the pics and my main contract doesn't support GPRS so I don't often send MMS. You'd be surprised how easily you can still get by with just plain old WAP.
Good news on the silver buttons. I prefer them. Has anyone bought one from Expansys who can verify?

Sweetness & Joy
Just thought I'd post my decision for those of you who like seing things through to a conclusion.
After much ponderation and constructing various cardboard models I have decided on the HTC Wizard, purchased from expansys (i-Mate K-Jam). There's a delay on delivery at the moment (3 Days!!!! I can't wait) but once it arrives I'll post back with my oppinions.
I've also heard that my mate is buying the JasJar so I'll be able to make a comparison and post it back.
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:!: Come on Friday! :!:
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D'oh! Just a note not say the expansys delivery has been put back but they've dropped the price too.
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:!: Come on Some-Day! :!:
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Just been looking at some larger photos of the buttons
http://forum.xda-developers.com/files/keyboard-flash.jpg
I take back my spectrum comments, they look pretty good.

Hurrah!
Ok! I've got my Wizard at last. I ended up buying the Qtek 9100 rather than the K-Jam. Looks like I'll miss out on Club i-Mate. :-(
Thought I'd post my views on the phone here just to give closure to anyone reading this thread.
The screen is very sharp. Everything obviously is smaller because the pixels are closer together but the overall effect is a very good screen. The guy in our office with really bad eyesight liked it and he's normally a miserable git when it comes to gadgets.
I take back my comments about the keyboard, it looks fantastic, the action is really great and you can use it to type replies to text messages on the move, which is something I've always struggled with before using the Transcriber. People are also really impressed when the screen rotates thru' to landscape.
I've used it for playing some music and although the speakers built in are tinny as you'd expect, the headphones are really good. I don't know if they'd be the same for the i-Mate but they fit comfortably in my ears and have a very good sound compared to the old XDA & XDA II headphones (Not that that would be hard)!
I miss having a cradle. It was nice to be able to display your phone on your desk while it was charging. Just using a USB cable makes it all feel a bit less sexy as an experience but then you can't have everything I suppose.
The coolest thing I found was the Stylus. It's about 50mm long when it first comes out of the phone. Then you give it a little pull and it extends to... hold on let me get a ruler... 85mm. It's not as comfy to use as the XDA/XDA II styli but since i haven't used it for writing much it doesn't matter. The keyboard is so easy to pull out and use that I've only really used the stylus to point at stuff so that my fingers don't get the screen dirty. The softkeys in WM 2005 also mean that you rarely need to touch the screen.
It's a bit chunkier than I expected but still not big. It's only marginally bigger than my girlfriends Nokia 6230 and compared to an older XDA model it feels like it's tiny!
Voice recognition button on the side works really well so far. I've got about 10 contacts programmed in and it seems to be picking them up ok, even in the car.
Overall, i'm yet to find much of a fault with it. I'll try to get some piccies of bits posted sometime next week.
Feel free to ask any questions.

JASJAR II
When the damn thing releases.....of course
I really wouldnt auction my spare kidney and buy it, and then suffer with a RAM deficit! My xda 2 currently running on wm5, has 128megs ram and 32megs rom....compared to 43megs ram & rom of jasjar........one word.......RIDICULOUS!
i cant believe seeing a 7MB RAM free on a device, and i dont ever want to see it! HTC/ IMATE/ Whoever claim they put in less RAM for extended battery life....bucket of crap! I really dont care for those couple extra hours that i'd probably get, and i dont mind carrying a spare battery or a charger wherever i go....
Its a handicap which is BIG! Besides this, the Jasjar is divinely irresistable, and i cant stop oggling at it :shock:
So, i guess i'll wait for a JJ II to come out with same form factor, and somemore ram which would make the device practical....
HTC do you hear me??????
San

weeel
:shock:
RAM isn't everything. I have been using the device for a day now (Non-stop), often running WMP10, Outlook, PIE etc also playing Tomb Raider. I haven't noticed any diference between this and my XDA II which had I think 64Mb and a 400 odd MHz processor. The odd app is a trifle slow to load up but nothing more major than that.
If the battery life sacrifice is true, then it's not for this little puppy. All this usage (with wi-fi on but not actually using a wi-fi network) and the battery didn't drop below 60% yesterday (Using lightly whilst at work and heavily in the evening. I even synced using bluetooth).
Memory has crept down to 1Mb program mem free at times but I assume windows is just doing its thing because this comes back up after a while and I don't notice any drop in performance.

Re: Hurrah!
eayuwna said:
I miss having a cradle. It was nice to be able to display your phone on your desk while it was charging. Just using a USB cable makes it all feel a bit less sexy as an experience but then you can't have everything I suppose.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This site: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/5735.htm claims that this desktop charger/cradle is compatible with the K-Jam so if that's true then it should be OK for your QTek. 8)

CoPilot versus TomTom

<rant>
I bought CoPilot bundled with my Orbit (Artemis) and at the time there were a lot of CoPilot .v. TomTom questions about. I joked that CoPilot was half the price, and you got what you paid for. I take all that back.
When I tried to add European maps to the 2006 installation they simply weren't available (Even when they had been it took forever to find where to get them from). So much for supporting customers.
I've installed TomTom 6, and to suggest that it's only twice as good as CoPilot is frankly an insult to TomTom. If you are offered CoPilot bundled I suggest you save yourself hours of tedious fiddling and bad user interface experiences and chuck it in the bin. Tom Tom is so much better that there's no point in comparing them. IMHO.
/<rant>

TomTom Mobile seems to own the market, no doubt about it. But it is still an open market and just a matter of time before iGo and smart2go (The next big GPS software providers after TomTom) start to add the right features to set themselves apart from the pack as TomTom has done so nicely.
I can't wait for the next generation of TomTom since it looks like they can really deliver.

I am planning on a TomTom upgrade soon, seen CoPilot on a friends Artemis and not even considered it.
P.S. </rant> works better

"I joked that CoPilot was half the price, and you got what you paid for. I take all that back."
sounds like to be that you confirmed it rather then take it back

I have both on my orbit2 (copilot came with the phone). I haven't found a significant difference yet, although I haven't really used TomTom properly (will do soon, of to Grand Rapids (MI).
I also have Google maps, and I was very impressed with the hybrid map view of my route to work today. OK it's not navigation, but it was awesome seeing the dot moving along the road and being able to even read the markings on the road on my Orbit screen. Needs at least 3G data rates if you're moving at speed though.

strongp said:
<rant>
I bought CoPilot bundled with my Orbit (Artemis) and at the time there were a lot of CoPilot .v. TomTom questions about. I joked that CoPilot was half the price, and you got what you paid for. I take all that back.
When I tried to add European maps to the 2006 installation they simply weren't available (Even when they had been it took forever to find where to get them from). So much for supporting customers.
I've installed TomTom 6, and to suggest that it's only twice as good as CoPilot is frankly an insult to TomTom. If you are offered CoPilot bundled I suggest you save yourself hours of tedious fiddling and bad user interface experiences and chuck it in the bin. Tom Tom is so much better that there's no point in comparing them. IMHO.
/<rant>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree - i have tryed atleest 5 different GSP softwares and i allways returns to TomTom. At this time i´m using TomTom Navigator 6 with the newest cards and its working so well -

Sorry to say that, but I would search for an alternative software (for PDAs). AFAIK Tomtom won't update their software anymore. They even didn't update the maps for a long period and it doesn't seem that they'll do it in future. Therefore I would have a look at some alternatives.

sat nav with gps or external gps

Hi all,
not been here for ages. anyhow,
i am getting a varioIV on saturday, i was wondering should i carry on using my sat nav (if it works) with the external gps unit or use it with the phones gps.
i ask because i have breifly read about lag with internal gps, and it would be no big issue for me to use the external still.
if i want to use the internal i can use it with google maps or something.
i am actually dilemming over the touch pro or touch HD.
any suggestions greatfully appreciated.
mahender

Use either depending upon the access of the situation.
An external unit will provide a faster performance and a better receiver thereby returning better precision. When not in a car and at a much slower pace, use the internal when you need a quick fix for a location.

GPS issue
Great Question,the forums are full of fear for the built in gps on touch pro devices! However the vast majority of these quotes are 2008, I just picked up an 02 serra (touchpro) and it works great, the first ever gps link on googlemaps took about 5 minutes and the second ten miles away was around fifteen seconds. My tomtom gps receiver has been gifted to my (happy!) eleven year old!

Hmm, if you ask me, I would recommend trying the internal GPS first to see whether it works to your liking or not, then buying an external receiver if it doesn't.
See, I prefer internal GPS due to sheer convenience. I only have to charge one device and I only have to carry one device. However, it is true that external GPS receivers are just way better. I have an i.Trek M6 GPS receiver that works so well, it can get a signal deep inside my house, and it can do it quickly. The Touch Pro, on the other hand, eh...
Concerning the Touch Pro/HD, I would prefer the HD, but that's because I love WVGA phones. They're definitely not for everyone, though, and I would suggest you research each device carefully in order to make an informed decision.

thanks for your suggestions guys,
i have co pilot from my old vario 2 days just move it along with each phone.
i will keep this in the car and use that. then when im out and about i will use google maps with the internal gps.
as for my decision, i like them both i am unsure of the size and practicality of the HD but love the screen and hope the interface is good.
but i really love the qwerty key vario 4.
and i know beleive the HD is free on t-mobile woohoo.
it is also the carrying aspect HD big (ish) and the touch pro fat(ish) i think i will go and see them in the store.
thanks....

Best use for OLD smart phones and pdas?

Here's one I've been contemplating lately, what to do with my old smart phones and pdas after I upgrade.
Sure I'd hand them off to any friend or associate who wanted them, re use recycle and all that, but often no one seems to want them since they're well old and out dated.
So what to do? Some have nice stands and make decent clocks for my desk, or snooze alarms for my night stand, but I feel like that's such a waste.
Anyone find any creative and usefull things to do with their old gear?

If it has a decent sized screen and bluetooth you could mount it into your dash and make it a dedicated GPS. If it has a headphone outlet you could also hook it into your car stereo and load it with with music over bluetooth from a laptop etc...

why not sell them if they recently-released phones? many people can't afford a new phone, and don't want to be stuck with a contract, and don't care an older model.

I use my old O2 XDA 2i for my tomtom in the car, it may be old but it runs TomTom perfectly and the screen is much bigger than recent devices. (It also runs video files much better than my Tytn II)
I havnt soft re-set it in about 3 months, so its also very reliable.

ebook reader is also an options

you can set them up as router for your network

After I bought my Kaiser, I used my old Palm LifeDrive as a digital photo frame. It has a 4 GB hard drive and a cradle, so it sits on my desk quite happily. They also make good universal remote controls if they have IR ports.
Dave

I've always just sold mine on Ebay for fair price....Many users are looking for 2nd hand devices.

i still have my ancient trium mondo from 2000 (or was that 1999?). it's still working and i use it as my alarm clock. still pretty good despite it's age and the "night mode" green hew looks great in the dark. the battery, though, doesn't charge anymore so she's forever stuck on her cradle.
cheers

You can always donate them to someone on this great community!
or sell it on marketplace

you could use it as a secondary display with innobec sidewindow that is what i did with my old toshiba before i sold it.

i was just thinking back to an old thread and googled.
this is the site http://www.wmwifirouter.com/

josefcrist said:
you could use it as a secondary display with innobec sidewindow that is what i did with my old toshiba before i sold it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Using this you can use your phone to display temps, fan speeds, an IM chat window, external TV. Brilliant.

Use it as a camera, or a Business mini computer (Office, and Internet)
Dont donate it... Its not like giving food to starving kids, thats a diff story, its more like giving a guy free money.

I collect mine (as you can see from my sig), but if I were to ever start considering getting rid of it, Marketplace would be my first choice, Craigslist would be second, and eSpray would be last. Long as it's done for a fair price, or a good trade, there's no problem with that in my book.
With that in mind, I still have all of mine. Once I get one of my wizards working right, the other will go up in Marketplace. I just gotta have the time to fix my mini-usb port... Figures, huh?

Who-m3 said:
Once I get one of my wizards working right, the other will go up in Marketplace. I just gotta have the time to fix my mini-usb port... Figures, huh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Craigslist or Ebay, The Forums Marketplace isn't Safe to make Transactions and sales. Atleast with my Previous "Purchase"

For those who have cellular, wifi and GPS or cellular, wifi and a bluetooth GPS, why not use them to earn some money?
Navizon is a wireless positioning system that works a little bit like a GPS, only that it uses Cellular Towers and Wifi access points instead of satellites. In addition to being a wireless position system, Navizon offers cool features like the Directions, Buddy finder, Geotags and many more...
This software relies on a community of users who contribute data to the system (WiFi and Cellular towers) when they have a GPS device. And the cool thing is that we can earn money doing it with the Navizon reward system.
I'm already using it and you could make money too with it if you're interested. All you need is to install it on your phone and have Navizon connected to your GPS. Every Wifi access points that you pass, every cell tower that you log will mean money in your pocket. So if you have a phone that is compatible with this software, you should really check it out.
If you plan on registering, please do so by clicking on the link below:
Navizon
That way, I can also earn some referral points since I'm the one who introduced you to the system ;-)

I've got an old Athena that I'm currently in the process of mounting in my car, once I've built the custom cradle for it. Because the screen is so big it'll perfect for in car video, mp3 play back and of coarse good old tomtom!

GPS Question on "HTC Touch Cruise"

Hello...
Long story short... My 15 y/o sons HTC 8925(AT&T Tilt) has a mishap and no longer works. He got the phone because I have it as well and he loved all the features. We are considering getting a used HTC branded "Touch Cruise" from someone on the site here... It is even complete with both the front and rear cams (I wish my 8925 had the fron camera too)... Our big question is this... My son uses AT&T Prepaid (Go Phone) service.... He just gets the package each month for unlimited TXT messages and doesn't use and "talking" minuites... Also, for internet he just uses Wifi (We have free county wide WiFi here in Milwaukee so no need to ever pay for data)...
He is getting his liscense soon, and unfortunatly he is not good with directions.. He had TomTom on his 8925 and it worked great... Here is our question... Does the Touch Cruise use a true GPS chip or is it a-gps, and thus would need a data plan to work? I am assuming it is a real GPS, but I am seeing it listed as just a-gps on some sites are doing some research. IT also looks like most of the internal parts (rom size, processor, bac ditigal cam) are the same as what the tilt has... Thank you in advance for you advice.
Also, if you could reccomend and good Rom's for this phone that woudl be great... He would love a WM 6.1 with touchflo or anything higher... AS I said before, he is a big TXTer, so also a nice onscreen keyboard would be nice (We already have a bluetooth keyboard he can use when here at home.. lol).. The rom wouldn;t HAVE to be a touch flo, but it would be cool if it was. Thanks again...

The touch cruise uses a gps chip so no data charge, i use TomTom and works fine on it. As for rom 3LIT3 is a nice stable rom with touch flow and pretty much everything you'd need.

Great.. Thank you.. We ordered the phone now... Are there any apps that use the front camera, like yahoo messenger or something?

No, not as far as I know...it can be used for self-photos but there is no program that can use it for video conference.

Actually, here in Argentina (Buenos Aires), i did use the front camera to make "phone calls", you just call someone into a video call, and you can choose, either to show the front camera, or just the back one. Also, i believe that using wifi you just easily can use the camera, but i certainly dont know any sotfware that do that. You may try to google that. I use the GPS here (Garmin TX, with maps from Mapear.org) and its a goddamn help! Its a time saver for me, and its help to be focus on the road, instead looking for directions.
Hope that i help you a little.
(remember buy a car charger for the Touch Cruise, the gps eats battery like hell)

Thanks.. I already have the carcharger from my Tilt... I remember how muc hthe GPS uses the battery.. I started a new topic reguarding the video confrancing.. thanks