PDA with GPS

If you can wait a little while longer, there are some new PDA phones coming out that have pretty advanced GPS functionality. The HTC touch diamond will have GPS and you can use your finger rather than a stylus.

Garmin is coming out with the Nuvifone, which promises to be more stable, since the HTC touch uses windows mobile (not known for stability).

And the iPhone 3G is due July 11 with GPS and 3rd party app support. No topo map software has been announced, but many believe it will come soon.

Not very many companies are selling stand-alone PDAs these days; most have moved to PDA/phone combos. Either way, these news PDA phones are leaps above what's currently out there, so it is worth the wait.

Carry lots of spare batteries with you, my friend! When you start using your PDA to play music, the battery life goes downhill quickly. I can't even imagine what a GPS would do to it!

Thanks for that.
There are so many options including phones that the mind boggles. Some of the ultimate ones get too pricey. I am not in a hurry so things will change again.

I won't be using it on long hikes so can recharge the battery often but most likely will get a second battery anyway. Would get one that has a replaceable battery.

If you are thinking of the iPhone or a future iPod Touch with GPS (one can hope) then I wouldn't worry about a replaceable battery because you can always plug in an external power source (battery pack, solar, etc) on those rare occasions when you need it. For other devices it may be an issue.

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Thanks.

I don't really want a phone PDA, plus I won't be using it during any serious hiking. Just want it for overseas travel, it'll have an easy life in my pocket. I think it would be a great device combining GPS, MP3 player and computer for travel notes, diary and other info all in one. Stil wanting to find out if the GPS can be used without loaded maps.

Ian – I recently purchased a used iPaq 3970 and a Bluetooth GPS unit from US Global Sat to do basically the same thing you are describing. I just got the GPS unit on Saturday and have not yet had time to play. However, I will find time this week to mess with it and if successful, I will be glad to tell you how this seems to be working.

–Joe
http://www.bozemanstoveworks.com

Thanks Joe.
I'll be able to do some research in a few days myself. I hope I find a talkative salesperson wanting to tell me everything they know about them!