iBlue GPS Receiver + iGuidance 3.0 + TopoUSA 6.0

by Karl Rees
Sunday, October 1, 2006 - 12:42
Updated on Thursday, August 2, 2007 - 20:05

A few months ago I bought an bluetooth iBlue GPS receiver coupled with iGuidance 3.0 driving navigation software. For those non-geeks out there, what this basically allows me to do is use my Pocket PC (a Dell Axim X5) to navigate anywhere in North America (and other places, if I buy additional software).

The package worked very well. We used it all the time to figure out how to get to places in California. We also used it for things like geocaching, recording scenic routes and waypoints, and hiking trails.

I'd recommend other software for hiking trails, though. We bought Delorme TopoUSA 6.0 West maps with Street Atlas 2006 Handheld software. Street Atlas is not the prettiest software in the world, and I'd never use it for driving, but using it for hiking with TopoUSA maps works well. TopoUSA is amazingly powerful software. I also use GPSGate software to make it so I can run iGuidance and Street Atlas at the same time.

The IBlue receiver is amazing. It'll last 30 hours of continuous use, and a few weeks in standby mode. I love the auto on/off mode, as well. And it's so much more accurate than my previous GPS unit.

The package (iGuidance + iBlue) is available for a great price on BuyGPSNow.com. It also comes with a car mount so you can mount your PocketPC on any air vent in your car.

Comments

Sun, 10/01/2006 - 16:44
Wayne Madsen

Re: iBlue GPS Receiver + iGuidance 3.0 + TopoUSA 6.0

What, exactly, do you use a gps receiver for while on a hike? I think I've never understood what they are for. After watching my uncle use his gps in a car, I'm more baffled as to how these things are supposed to be helpful. I understand the convenience of finding a location and getting easy directions... but how does this help while taking a hike?

Sun, 10/01/2006 - 17:16
Karl Rees

Re: iBlue GPS Receiver + iGuidance 3.0 + TopoUSA 6.0

First off, not all GPS driving software programs are created equal. That's why I like iGuidance--by far the most convenient program I've ever used. I've been on the road home, gotten a call that I needed to go somewhere that I've never been to, entered the destination with a few button presses at a stoplight and found it with ease.

As for hiking, the TopoUSA maps are eqipped with all sorts of landmarks and topographic lines--it's like having USGS topographic maps but you don't have to go buy them and thanks to the GPS you always know where you are. So that's the first benefit. The second benefit is many of the trails you hike on are already programmed in, so you can see how much further you have to go. Third is if you're going on a trail that's not programmed in (or bushwhacking), you can log your trail. So if you get lost you can follow the logged trail back. Fourth, you can record waypoints. So say if you find a real cool campground or a great place to just hang out, you know exactly where it was for future reference.