I need help buying a laptop GPS gift for a new OTR driver

My husband is just starting out over the road, and there are some things I am trying to get him for Christmas. I bought him a laptop already, one of those new tiny ones, for easy travel.

Anyway, I have been looking for a GPS also. I came across the CoPilot GPS Truck 11 software for the computer. But I don't know if I bought him a compatible computer.

I also don't know if I should get the CoPilot GPS Truck 11 with USB GPS, CoPilot Truck 11 with Bluetooth GPS, or just the software only.

If you have a wireless ready computer, does that mean the computer is GPS enabled? My husband could probably help me out, but remember this is a Christmas gift and I am totally confused!

Please read through the discussion thread that was entered here just before yours from someone else wanting to get GPS capability for her husband for xmas.

http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/1188-what-kind-laptop-gps-system-get-my-husband-christmas

That might answer some of your questions. I'll make the same suggestion to you as I did there ... for something this important, involve your husband even if it's intended as a xmas present. Or make absolutely certain you can take it back for a full refund, no questions asked, in case he decides he needs something different. Otherwise you end up putting him into a total no-win situation if it turns out that you select the wrong thing.

Here's a link to a very long discussion thread in the ALK CoPilot section.

http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/323-review-alk-copilot

That should take you to the end of the discussion. The last message in the discussion seems to sum up everyone's reactions to version 11 (it's not very positive).

We need more detailed info to help out. What make and model laptop did you buy him? Is he already using it? Can you exchange it/get a refund if it turns out he needs something different?

If it says "wireless ready" that means pretty much nothing. It definitely does not mean GPS.

It might mean it can do wifi (wireless internet), or it might mean it can do wifi if you add an external wifi receiver. It might mean it can talk to Bluetooth devices, like a wireless mouse or cellphone or GPS receiver. Or it might mean you can do that if you buy an external Bluetooth receiver.

My laptop said it was Bluetooth ready. All that meant was that Windows knows how to connect to Bluetooth devices IF I went and bought a doodad that plugs into a USB port on the laptop and knows how to talk Bluetooth. It did not have any actual Bluetooth capability by itself.

...ken...

ok... so I bought him the Acer Aspire ONE mini notebook. and no he has not used it yet, it's for christmas. the reason i got that one was because of its size for traveling. now i am just wondering if it has all the necessary requirements for a couple of programs whether its copilot 11 or something else. it has built in wireless, so find a hot spot and ur good. so i did some more research and here is what i wanna do:

get him a gps software program (still researching....)
get him mobile wifi on his computer
get him Satellite Pc Pro With NETVO.... unless I find something different.

now, as far as i can understand, he would need all 3 of these types of programs in order to have his maps and directions, internet and television.... right?

now as for the GPS capability... I can't find anything about that for this computer, so how do I make it that way? for example, IF I were to buy the copilot 11, i would buy the software with a usb to connect the computer to what?? a gps? or if the computer is bluetooth ready, then I buy the software that comes with a bluetooth 'doodad' and its good to go??

the computer:
Acer Aspire One 8.9-inch mini laptop (1.6 ghz intel atom n270 processor, 1.0 gb ram, 120 gb hard drive, xp home

Perhaps you can edit your message to change your subject line to something useful that would catch the attention of the truckers who participate here. Or if you aren't able to, ask our 'Steamed Leader, Marvin, if he would do it for you.

I don't know anything about the cellular data packages because I've never used them and I've never done satellite TV on a computer, so I can't comment on those two things.

For the Aspire One, you'll need two things. You'll need the software for planning and navigation. And you'll need a GPS doodad that receives the signals from the GPS satellites and transfers it to the laptop.

There are lots of discussion threads here about truckers using GPS software. CoPilot 11 probably gets about the lowest ranking, even from CoPilot users. I have no personal experience. I'm only going by what I read in the CoPilot section here.

Microsoft Streets&Trips gets a lot of good reviews, not because it's good by itself, but because truckers and large RV owners have been using for so long that there is a wealth of data available to add on to it for that use. The planning features in Streets&Trips (and DeLorme Street Atlas) are very strong. The realtime navigation features work but they aren't best in class.

There are two types of GPS receivers for use with laptops. One is the USB type. It has a cord on it that connects directly to one of the USB ports on the laptop. This can limit where you place the receiver. It's important that you be able to place the receiver in a location where there is a good "view" of the sky because it's trying to receive satellite signals from satellites that could be any direction in relation to the truck.

Bluetooth GPS receivers receive the satellite signals and use the Bluetooth wireless protocol to transfer the satellite data to the PC, so there's no cable involved and no limit (except distance) on where you can place the receiver in the cab. With the Aspire One you'll also need to get a Bluetooth/USB adapter. The Aspire One does not have Bluetooth built in.

You can buy a bundled package, like the two you mentioned for CoPilot, that includes a GPS receiver. Microsoft Streets & Trips and DeLorme Street Atlas also have the options of software-only or GPS bundles. Their bundles are USB receivers.

Or you can buy just software and buy a GPS receiver separately. There are many good, inexpensive choices. I have two of the Microsoft Streets&Trips GPS receivers (the Pharos 500 that comes with the American version and the uBlox that comes with the Canadian version this year) and if I was doing it again I would get the software-only version and a good Bluetooth GPS receiver.

The i.Trek M7 is a good choice because it is dual-mode. It can operate as a cordless Bluetooth receiver or you can connect it with a standard USB cable (same cable as you use for most digital cameras).

The Globalsat BU-353 is an excellent USB receiver. It has a magnetic base so it gives you the option of sticking it on the outside of the cab if you are in locations where you need the absolute best possible reception. Globesat rates that it will stay on a magnetic connection at up to 1000 knots. I don't think your husband is ever likely to get that close to escape velocity.

...ken...

That's a good idea, Ken. The title has been changed, and I also linked this thread from the front page, so hopefully we will get some feedback also from OTR drivers.

melmacam, wow, I truly admire you for doing all this research for a gift. It shows how much you love your husband. Welcome to the forums!

I would research Satellite Pc Pro With NETVO very carefully. I don't see a review anywhere and most of the Google hits are hype carefully placed by the company. Looks more like a pyramid scheme than a real product to me. But, I don't know anybody that has used it so I could be wrong.

Terry

Copilot is a specialized GPS for truck drivers. Stick with that as you have a very specialized niche application.

While many GPS units come with bluetooth (which is not wireless per se, as that refers to 802.11 a / b / g / n or some flavor of that), bluetooth is a totally different technology.

BT comes in 1.1, 2.0, 2.1 versions. If at all possible, you should only buy BT as a built in module rather than an add on - big difference in usability and convenience.

There are 2 basic ways of hooking up a GPS to a computer: a Bluetooth connection OR via a USB port.

My experience (I have both) is that the USB connection, while it means you put up with a cable, is far more reliable for day to day use.

BT have a nasty habit of losing signal, and when you are driving, you don't have the opportunity to safely "reset" the connection.

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If you are really getting him a business tool (tax deductible) get the CoPilot.

If you want to get him a usable toy that will not get him dock to dock, a 3.5" screen GPS with US only maps is only $100 or less.

After christmas, the 4.5" GPS will fall to $150 or so.

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Whatever you get, remember to check that it is the latest version of maps the manufacturer has out.

Maps get outdated very quickly, and you should really be budgeting for 1 new set of maps (upgrade) every 2 years.

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If you are not going to buy the Truckers specific software and want to cut costs, the general cost is: $100 for sw, and maybe $60 for a USB GPS.

I don't drive trucks, but I keep 2 different systems of software that I run on laptops (a netbook and a 15.4" laptop) off a USB cable GPS.

I use Microsoft Streets and Trips ($30 for the software only) and also iGuidance by iNav Corp. ($100 for the software).

I alternate - buy an update for each program every 2nd year to get reasonably new maps.

Microsoft Streets and trips is best for planning trips on a desk.

iGuidance is best for point-to-point guidance.

Good luck.

Couple points about this computer:

The screen is awfuly small if you actually use it much.

If you are trying to install software on it, an external DVD drive that plugs into a USB port will be of great help.

Try out the keyboard --- and see if he find it too small for his hands. If so, there are add on keyboards for $20 that plug into USB, ditto for mouse.

Good luck --- remember that is a real low powered computer.

I take it he has AC in the truck... or have an adapter to use that thing on the truck's 12 or 24v system.

If you are using the computer for GPS, the batteries in it only last a few hours.

I can help with a few things here:

1 - Stay away from CoPilot until they release the next version. CoPilot 11 is utter garbage.

2 - For the mobile wi-fi, aka an AirCard, go to your cell provider. The adapter is a small usb (or similar device) that plugs into the laptop. It uses the cell towers for the data. As long as it has a cell signal, he'll have internet. I pay $60/month for unlimited service through Sprint. Note: Even when the contract says "unlimited", it's not. Both Sprint and Verizon have a 5gig per month "unlimited" service.

3 - Stay away from any tv service that uses the internet for service. The reason is that streaming video requires both fast service and a LOT of bandwidth. The best bet would be a usb tv tuner.

4 - If he doesn't have an inverter in his truck, get a small inverter that puts out at least 75watts. A 150 or 300 would be better, and plug directly into a cig lighter.

More heads up.

The best current deal for mobile wifi connection is via Acun.com

USD $60 a month (actual price, no taxes, fees, and so on), no contracts... quite expensive for a wifi link but you don't have much of a choice. Plus you have to pay for equipment. Works off EVDO Rev. A where available, and defaults down to very slow speeds in many off interstate rural areas.

Read the contract terms very carefully, you have to return the equipment and packaging if you want to leave before 12 months is up.


USB TV Tuner --- only buy one if you test it on the Acer and it works.

The cheaper ones don't work on slow machines --- need like 2.0ghz desktop or faster.