GPS question

[spencepu3]

I have a Cingular 8125, equivalent to the HTC Wizard, and I was wondering what I needed to do to use GPS on it. If i bought a bluetooth gps receiver would Google Maps or Windows Live Search be adequate for mapping my route? I do not have a data plan so I want something that I can use without having to be connected to the internet. Do GM and WLS require an internet connection even if you have a gps receiver connected?

[spencepu3]

somebody has got to know this...

[Rudegar]

yes i believe that google and ms use grps to get their maps to the gps
better off with tomtom or some other program which already have the maps

[lahatiel]

That's correct: the GPS receiver you connect will get your location from its satellites, but both GM and WLS have to pull the data used to draw the actual maps on your screen from the internet -- thus requiring a data connection (and an unlimited data plan, basically, because every time the map scrolls a bit, that's more data coming down... which adds up to massive amounts in a hurry!).

In order to not use any downloaded internet data, you'd have to use software like TomTom or Garmin, that comes with its own maps that you install directly onto your device or memory card as a data file.

[spencepu3]

ah I figured as much, I guess I have to buy some software. Does anybody know a rough estimate of how much memory the maps take up. For instance, I dont want to buy TomTom with the maps on a memory card because I already have a memory card that I use while I'm driving (for music mostly). If I buy TomTom on dvd can i transfer the maps to my current memory card fairly easily? Mostly I am just worried about the space I have. I pretty much just need a map of the United States and I have about 1.5 gb free, should this be enough for the map?

[raskell]

ah I figured as much, I guess I have to buy some software. Does anybody know a rough estimate of how much memory the maps take up. For instance, I dont want to buy TomTom with the maps on a memory card because I already have a memory card that I use while I'm driving (for music mostly). If I buy TomTom on dvd can i transfer the maps to my current memory card fairly easily? Mostly I am just worried about the space I have. I pretty much just need a map of the United States and I have about 1.5 gb free, should this be enough for the map?

I use Ostia by PharosGPS in the states. You can download the entire USA highways map and then just the state regions you want to use. You don't have to load it all, so the storage is very configurable.