All,

There is a lot of info on the Garmin Mobile PC product here but I'm a little confused.

I've purchased a Dell Mini 10 netbook and plan on either finding a mini-pcie internal GPS unit or simply using a BT GPS unit. I haven't bought either as I wanted to get my questions answered first on this forum as there appears to be some possible hazards in not buying the GPS 20x.

I'm going on a trip to Europe in August/September and expect to be driving a fair amount... so my questions are:

1. Which of the 5 products would you recommend?

• Garmin Mobile® PC (software only), North America 010-11018-00
• Garmin Mobile® PC with GPS 10x, North America 010-00742-00
• Garmin Mobile® PC with GPS 20x, North America 010-00685-00
• Garmin Mobile® PC (software only), Europe 010-11018-01
• Garmin Mobile® PC with GPS 20x, Europe 010-00685-01

2. Should I buy the NAM or Europe product? It's not really beneficial that I get the NAM maps as I already have a Pioneer in-dash unit in my car. But maybe there is some benefit I'm missing?

3. I read the FAQ and is it critical, or simply convenient, to get the GPS 20x if I want to buy future maps for, say, China or S. America?

4. Or should I do something completely different (e.g. use a standalone unit)? Whatever the case, renting a unit is just as expensive as buying so I figured I'd ask here first.

Thanks, I'll be happy to do a write up on my Dell Mini 10 experiences. I did *not* get the embedded GPS unit as it wasn't available but am going to see if I can buy and install it after the fact.

Thanks!

If you expect to use both North America and Europe maps with the same program, you will need the version that includes a GPS. The 20x is a USB unit and the 10x is Bluetooth. However, that version will not work with any GPS except the one it comes with. Start with the US version then order the Europe DVD map only.

The decision regarding USB or Bluetooth GPS is based more on where you want to put the GPS device with relation to your netbook mounting. The USB GPS must be physically attached to the netbook. For Bluetooth, your laptop would require internal Bluetooth or you could add an inexpensive USB BT dongle. Bluetooth GPS devices are more expensive and need recharging periodically as well.

If you are satisfied with your in car navigation unit for the US and want to use the netbook only in Europe, buy the software-only Europe version. Then you can use it with any GPS, possibly even an internal one. Garmin does not offer maps for China or South America so you would have to search for them and they would not be locked.

I think internal GPS is not worth the money for several reasons. As the GPS needs as good a view of the sky as possible to work under adverse conditions, you limit where you can place the netbook to fulfill this requirement. Also, Mobile PC is not known to be friendly with all internal GPS devices (e.g. ASUS R2h, Viliv S5).

Terry

Great advice. I have BT inside the Dell (bought a refurb'd Mini 10) so the 10x might be more convenient.

Are you saying I can't buy the China map? https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=253&pID=30217

I guess the only challenge is ordering the Europe version of the package. I suppose I can do that through Amazon.UK. I almost accomplished it directly through the Garmin site but they limit shipping the European package to 3 countries (in Europe)...

Interesting! However,that version is SD only.

Terry

The USB 20x is a competent device. The GPS 10x is a favourite of mine. I have had one for quite a while and like it a lot. A versatile device, I have used it in my vehicle with a variety of navigation programs.

Terry

Allan,

Terry's cryptic comment really means that no version of Mobile PC will use the maps that come on SD cards. You cannot move those maps onto the PC hard drive and Mobile PC will only look in one place (a specific folder on the hard drive) for its maps.

Terry,

There is also a download version of the China maps. The download version will unlock to a single selected device so you can use them with that device. Sounds like you could download the GMAPSUPP.IMG file to Mobile PC's folder and if you have a bundled version you could unlock it to the 10x or 20x. It still would not likely work with the software-only version.

...ken...

Yes, the downloadable China maps would be a good experiment to perform (with the locked Garmin USB/BT receiver).

OK, thanks guys, all your feedback helped.

Just starting lurking in this forum, there is alot of good info here, doing DD on Gps software for a new Vilix X70 coming in the mail, I need street level mapping primarily for city traveling and Rving, primarily Canada. My Viliix has the Sirf Star3 GPS hardware built in with 3G connectivity, am I right in presuming that maybe Garmin Mobile might/maybe give me issues with the Vilix....user friendliness is of upmost importance here as my girl will also be utilizing on occasion...nothing derogatory intended..
Thanks Yall for your assistance....thinking maybe iNav