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MP2K Asks Microsoft
246
Gord Gooding
-
April 28, 2001
I recently used MP2k on my Thinkpad 240X on a drive through Western Canada. IT was so useful that I'd like to buy a GPS to try to mimic the functionality of an in-dash Navigation system. So I have two questions if I might:
Can you get that kind of Moving-map functinality with a GPS? Route recalulation and turn by turn prompts? What the leat expensive portable GPS would I need that had maximum functionality whenb plugged into my laptop running MP2K? Do I need an extgernal antenna and do the portable GPSs have a connnection for extgernal antennas? How do they connect to the laptop? Serial, USB...?
Second question: Is there a download of greater detail of Canada? All the roqads are there but little commercial data about hotels and restaurants (actually none)
Thanks in advance.
Answer:
Microsoft MapPoint supports GPS devices conforming to the NMEA 2.0 standard (NMEA 183 protocols). The product has a fixed 15-second sampling rate. MapPoint has been tested with a range of GPS devices. Some connect to the serial (COM) port, others use USB or insert into the PC Card slot. GPS devices with antennas probably work better, but MapPoint has no specific requirements as far as that is concerned. You should probably check on some GPS enthusiast sites for recommendations. You have to be aware that MapPoint is not optimized for GPS in-car navigation. The product always shows maps "north up", and there are no voice commands or direction arrows. But you probably still find GPS a useful navigation aid with MapPoint.
With regards to the Canadian points of interest, we added a bunch more in MapPoint 2002. I just checked and found the coverage varies from city to city. I found 304 hotels and motels and about 2,000 restaurants within a 10 mile radius of Vancouver BC city center, but none in Calgary.
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