Laptop GPS, any doing it?

[lone-wolf]

I wanted to be able to look up locations in the comfort of my home and be able to transfer to a GPS so I could go check out the location for real. For coyote hunting, or just something that looks odd in google earth. Also to put markers in places I find on my own and want to return to.
I figured, my laptop should be able to do both.
So I purchased a GPS receiver that got favourable reviews off ebay, now I'm waiting for it to arrive. While I'm waiting I'm checking out different software.

Anyone else have a setup like this? Integrating a PC into a car has always been on my mind, car companies are doing this now too. I'm not going to attempt this on my ranger, but this laptop gps setup should give me knowledge for future projects.

 

[bilzy7]

Laptop ya... But won't you need Internet that far out to get a gos signal. Phones/handheld gps is probably your best options. They have many where you can tag/mark locations for future reference.

 

[lone-wolf]

The GPS receiver(connects via USB) will be receive the GPS signal from the satellites. No internet needed. According to the maps I've seen, my island is pretty much fully covered.

I'm not buying a new phone for the couple/few hundred dollars they want without contract just for GPS, which will cost me more money per month. I buy cell phones to make a call and text. I am contract free now, and will be staying that way.

Hand held GPS would cost the same or more for the setup I'm doing, but will not do all the things I can already do with a laptop.
Keeping in mind I'm not going to be wandering around for miles on foot in the woods, this will all be vehicle based.

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

My brother is a cross country trucker, and he used a similar setup for a couple years. Laptop + GPS reciever. You will most likely need some kind of mapping program to go along with the GPS reciever. He used MS streets and trips, as it seemed to be the most frequently updated at that time.
He finally went to a stand alone GPS unit when the laptop fell out the door and destroyed itself. The only advantage he has found with the stand alone unit, they are starting to offer truck specific maps that show restricted routes and low clearance locations. Otherwise, he greatly prefered the (much) larger screen of the laptop.

 

[igiveup]

Hello

I have never used a laptop/gps but my buddy does. He uses it northern Alberta and BC for camping. He likes it. He also used it for his speedo on his GMC and found out at that it was 30 kmh out.

igiveup

 

[97fordrunner]

I use the Garmin PC program and found it to be very accurate and when updated often the POI are accurate as well. I am gonna try getting my netbook installed in my truck with the GPS and a virtual dash board that will give me some more gauges to monitor the engine and trans.

 

[lone-wolf]

and a virtual dash board that will give me some more gauges to monitor the engine and trans.

That is my plan if I get a newer car. The truck doesn't have OBD2 so I don't think there's anything I can do in the truck.

 

[PFM99]

yeah they got speacial ones for truckers my team driver ordered one for us to use i guss it can keep track of logs and give you routes for overweight and overheight loads i guess well have to see when it comes in