RE: [Paddlewise] GPS Units

>The problem with the system I have is the lack of a removable storage
>cartridge on the unit and the small amount of on-board memory (19 MB). I
>would never again buy a unit without some sort of removable
>storage. This
>problem is especially annoying given that one cannot download
>waypoints/routes/maps individually. The download process is via
>low-speed
>serial port(!) and takes about 45'...amazingly clumsy from a technology
>company.

Hmmmm, I download edit/archive and upload my routes/waypoints via my PDA,
and it never takes that long.  More memory would be nice but the PDA
works around that.  I owned several Garmin units over the years but
currently use the III.  I normally have my waypoints and routes maxed.
So I keep sets of data on the PDA, and upload what I need to the Garmin
from my Palm PDA.  It's also easer to view and edit the data on the PDA
than on the Garmin.  I have yet to need mapping that much but, at the
moment I find it less expensive to use mapping software on the PDA side
(cable tethered to the Garmin for the data feed).  I use three different
software packages depending on if I need highway level country wide
detail, another for address level city detail and route finding, and
another for aviation use (which can retrieve maps real-time for where I'm
at with aviation level detail over a wireless connection).

On the GPS side I just need a dependable affordable unit with Garmin's
good interface, and a pre-programmed route.

I don't like to limit myself to one particular set of map data hence I'm
not yet sold on relying on the internal mapping of a particular GPS.

Course now Garmin's got a another variable in the mix now that they're
finally shipping their GPS PalmOS PDA combo unit, but that's a lot of
non-weather resistant hardware to consider taking outdoors.

For the most part I have no issue with the serial connection on GPS's.
90% of the time, you're only using it for the 4800bps NMEA data feed.
USB would just needlessly complicate connections with PDA's etc.  But for
certain one would think better use of USB1.1 or 2.0 would be in order for
map uploads.  And now that Garmin is licensing SD slots for their PDA's
anyway, perhaps it would not be cost prohibitive to add an RS-MMC or
Mini-SD slot to a GPS for maps.

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