On-road/off-road GPS may soon be possible

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Road-oriented sat navs use "vector" maps (data about where roads curve and meet) whereas hiking-oriented GPS devices use "raster" maps (a kind of picture of a topographic map). Most software uses either the one or the other, and portable GPS devices can handle only one format at a time.

Columbus has announced the start of development of "the world's first comprehensive navigation solution, displaying both urban and off-road maps without the need to move between different software or change memory cards." Link here.

I realise PDAs can already do both, but you have to change software (and PDAs can be fiddly on a motorbike). I'm not sure how Columbu's' new system differs from Garmin's "Topo" system, though. That appears to use Ordnance Survey map data and road vector simultaneously. I'd love to try Garmin's Topo system out, but Topo UK is available only for US customers!

[davsato]

er, yeah, right

does it know where i put my other sock?

[Jenna]

there was a unit a few years back that did the this but for some reason it all died a death very fast ( i asume they got bought out by one of the big boys to get it off the market!).... see if i can find the link to the old website.

Were currently using a system that runs both gps data and to some extent a sat nav( but not like tom tom etc) we also managed to get a 'live' tracker into the unit aswel. sadly its all laptop based and not particularly portable (like a hand held) so be nice to see how this system pans out.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

er, yeah, right

does it know where i put my other sock?

If you left it off-road, then yes.

[davsato]

If you left it off-road, then yes.

ah thats a relief, it means i havent put two socks on one foot again!

that apple iPhone has sat nav according to the TV ads, bet you have to pay through the nose for it though.

and youre quite right about PDAs on bikes, i used to use a garmin iQue and it was very hard to set up and get running and then putting it in its waterproof box without touching the screen and altering it

[Robster]

that apple iPhone has sat nav according to the TV ads, bet you have to pay through the nose for it though.

Actually the iPhone only has built in Google maps....so it can tell you where things are, but not tell you where you are!

That's one of the things currently wrong with it (or at least lacking from it) but allegedly to be included in the 2nd Gen iPhone due late 2008.

[davsato]

ah right so its a £260 streetmap then?

[Robster]

Pretty much yeah....but they are absolutely gorgeous. Hold one and you'll want one!

[raymo]

iphone... held one, want one, itouch too

like the wifi connectivity of the touch too cooool..

rumour of some mini palm do everything comming from the apple tree soon so waiting

anyway, DR needs a trailtech vector first.. fitted one to the XLV.. neat can now look and worry about the head temp on the back pot.....

raymo on a techy nerd moment.. more beer will cure this though

[Hinch]

Check out the Road Angel 7000 Adventurer. Combined sat nav and vector maps using Memory Maps electronic OS series and other maps. Its small, natty, waterproof, plays mp3's and is a picture viewer.

I have just used it on a 700 mile trip to Scotland and it never failed me. No need to swap memory cards either. I bought a bigger SD card, coppied all the files across and filled the rest with the whole of UK's 1:50,000 and a few 1:25,000 as well. And I had room for a few favourite pics and mp3's. Busy looking for a map of Morocco for my trip in March.

It also has voice so I use it in the car as well. No bluetooth or connections for the helmet but the graphics are so clear I just turn off the volume and follow the directions. Even has a cycle mount which can be hard wired to electrics.

Ian

Check out a picture in the Galleries under the general pics list.