Related
Can anybody recommend what I would need in order to use my XDA-II as a satellite navigation system for my car? I believe I would need a GPS receiver, but unsure of which are the better options. I would be hoping to do this for under £100 if possible. Can anybody recommend anything or give me a link to some reviews?
Thanks,
Allan
PLEASE do a search around this forum before asking such a question.
YES we're ere to help each other
BUT
YES there is load of info allready available.
I have had a search through the forum but all the relevant posts are over 6 months old, and there are no indication of price.
Does anybody have any advice?
Thanks
Allan
I dont think last months discusions on carkits are > 6 months old.
The pricing info is still valid.
Carkits were introduced between may and july this year.
Good carkits are from Expansys (iMate / XDAII carkit), T-Mobile (MDA II carkit), Qtek (Qtek2020 carkit), Yeti.
All have specific (dis)advantages.
Decent cradle is from Carcomm and maybe Seidio.
If i say more, I can just as weel copy the other threads in.
allanmb
I'm new to this too, so I researched the subject as well as I could and this is what I've found since I unwrapped my 'surprise' (!) GPS package at Christmas...
First of all, the package itself. I (sorry, Santa) went for a PDAMods bundle (sixth one down on http://www.pdamods.com/products.asp?cat=104) of Rikaline X7 Bluetooth GPS, TomTom 3 and the Silver Shield powered mount with built-in speaker. Let's look at these one at a time.
Rikaline X7 I was attracted to this model by its replaceable battery, long battery life and no on/off switch. I upgraded my O2 XdaII to the 1.72 ROM from the O2 website before trying to bond it (so cannot comment on different brands or earlier ROMs), but when I did so it bonded immediately. You simply hold a button down for 5 seconds + to activate Bluetooth discoverable mode, pair with the XdaII in the normal manner and that's it. I also use a Jabra BT250 headset in the car, and have tested it with an incoming call whilst in TomTom nav mode - whilst admittedly I don't yet know whether the voice prompts still work during a call (because I was on a straight when the call came in), all that was necessary after hanging up was to close the phone app and there was the map again, bang on as usual. Accuracy is - well, phenomenal, I would guess within 5 metres most of the time, and I see little or no lag, except (slightly) on the heading in turns at junctions. All that is necessary to activate the Rikaline is to start TomTom on the XdaII; likewise, it reverts to 'sleep' mode when you exit TomTom at the end of the journey. There is really no need to turn off Bluetooth on the XdaII, so no chance of you missing calls on your headset because you forgot to turn it back on later.
TomTom 3 My software is v.3.03. I have downloaded the upgrade to v 3.07 to my home PC, but I have not yet installed it on the XdaII because I haven't yet encountered any problems - call it 'on-condition maintenance', or 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. There are some new roads in my area that are not shown, and some of the TomTom-provided POIs are slightly misplaced - although if you were really in the middle of nowhere and looking to fill up a petrol can I can't see you going too far wrong! Personally I find the 3D map presentation very useful - tried the 2D version today and didn't find it anywhere near as intuitive.
Silver Shield Mount The XdaII really needs to be powered whilst you nav. Obviously, the Rikaline looks after itself (I'm already convinced that only on really long runs or stints away from home would the in-car charging lead need to be taken along), but you'll flatten the battery on the XdaII much earlier then your GPS dies if you set it to keep the screen backlight on all the time on the internal battery. The Silver Shield mount also includes a built-in speaker, but as you will know from your searches on these fora the XdaII can only pump out phone audio through the bottom connector - so this enhanced audio facility requires a silly little coiled lead to be connected from the XdaII's headphone socket (bottom right) to the appropriate socket on the mount (top left). I have found that the right-angled jack plug on the provided lead prevents a snug fit on the mount and can cause an intermittent connection which can lose you your backlighting/charging at critical moments. For the mean time, I have stopped using the external speaker, and have found the volume on the XdaII speaker to be adequate for speeds up to 60mph; I will be trying motorway speeds tomorrow on a long run (Oxford - Kent). I think that the problem might well be solved anyway by shaving the offending corner off the moulded jack plug.
All in all, I'm very impressed and enjoying using my new system. I recommend it.
Cheers
Gadget :roll:
I would suggest going to www.ebay.co.uk and search either xda or navigation. There are many low priced systems on offer.
Silly little coiled lead
Hi all
Did Oxfordshire - Bluewater and back yesterday, including a full circuit of the M25, and found the Xda II's built-in speaker quite adequate in my convertible (roof up). Have now decided that I don't really need the silly little coiled lead, although I'm still going to trim the corner off for use in the summer when the roof is down.
Still b****y impressed.
Gadget :roll:
Allanmb
I have gps working on my Jam. If you need further help please E mail me.
Feel free to ask what you like if you can't find what you want in SEARCH, I don't mind helping out!!!
I'm loving destinator 3 on the xda II never crashes and has been updated some 50 times since it had an algorithm problem,
you can take calls and flick back to another screen with no problem. I got the Destinator whole of europe a XDA2 power supply / serial GPS 256MB Ram all for 160 + VAT and very happy since I got badly lost just before it arrived.
have fun
Hi, i have a question for y'all that have GPS working on your xdaII. I have a Bluetooth GPS receiver that does not "communicate" the position to my Qtek 2020 (it seems like it does not find any satellite)! Could it be because of the software i use (Mapsonic)? The receiver uses the NMEA standard 2.2, while the software requires a receiver that requires 2.0 (it's more advanced the one of the receiver...so why should i have problems...?)! Do you think i should find another software? Which one? My receiver is this:
http://www.acte.no/techstuff/gps/BT-R500.htm
In case anybody has this receiver, plesae tell me what software you are using.
thanks in advance
Hi all
Has anyone any experience of the O2 Car Kit like this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=57252&item=6382293875
I'm well past the stage where I should have installed and be using one, (the car is a Diesel L/R Disovery Tdi, and not exactly quiet), but I'd like any opinions on the best to use, or any problems that might arise.
Althogh I have a BT GPS Unit, I dont use any Route Planning S'Ware, cause few have any usefull maps of Northern Ireland, so its the call audio I'm really interested in.
TIA for any opinions
Based on the pictures this carkit is the same as the QTek2020 / T-Mobile MDAII carkit.
It is said to be of very good quality.
BUT: It is also said that when using ie TomTom Navigator (or the like) your car-audio will be muted permanently.
This carkit was sold in Germany for approx 170 euro (about 110 gbp). So I would say the current auction price is rather high . . . .
I was not aware that O2 sold this carkit. I am using the XDAII carkit that is/was sold by ie. Expansys. The quality of that thing is not as good. Especially the mic sound is horrible for 'the other side'
BTW there are many threads on this (all approx 1 yr old)
Car Kit Query
Hi Ed
>>Based on the pictures this carkit is the same as the QTek2020 / T-Mobile MDAII carkit. It is said to be of very good quality.
Yes I agree, part of what drew me towards this one is the look of it.
>>BUT: It is also said that when using ie TomTom Navigator (or the like) your car-audio will be muted permanently.
I have considered this, and I'm not sure when or if I would use anything other than 'Pocket Streets', (and its maps of this area aren't that good either).
Most of the mapping I have been able to view provide street level detail, only in Larger Built up areas, and main routes connecting these.
Fortunately I already know my way between Belfast and other towns, As a result I dont know if TT or indeed any of the others would be of any real use. As a result, I really am more curious about the Call audio from the Speaker and Mic, during calls.
>>This carkit was sold in Germany for approx 170 euro (about 110 gbp). So I would say the current auction price is rather high . . . .
yes I found it on the T'mobile (D) site still on sale,
fully agree re the price but .... if it works ... then ... maybe ..
>>BTW there are many threads on this (all approx 1 yr old)
Yes and I think I managed to read most of them, I was sorta looking to see if someone else has lived with one of these for while, and have a experienced opinion on the it, any Rom Upgrades needed etc ...
I'm not sure how much more stress I am prepared to endure to get various aspects of this great unit to work as I hoped it would, (can't afford to be pulling on my hair much more these days)
I have yesterday just bought this car kit from the company advertising it on ebay, first of all the compnay are absolutly brilliant to deal with and would recommend them highly.
As for the car kit i have found three little niggles:
1) it isn't as easy as other car phone kits to place the xda2 into the holder, this is probably the case for most xda2 car kits due to the body of the xda2 itself.
2) any sound from the pda will mute the car radio, this so far hasn't been too much of an issue, but you can always just disconnect the car radio mute lead, but side effect of course is that you would have to turn the radio down when you recieve a call, however it is nice that the tomtom directions etc come out the car phone speaker loud and clear.
3) now this one may not be the car kit itself and maybe just that i haven't managed to find optimal settings or have missed a setting up procedure (if there is one). Basically there is a lot of background noise through the microphone, speech can be heard ok but i haven't experienced this amount of noise from any other kit, however i am going to try and relocate the mic to the middle of the car instead of up the windscreen frame near the driver door, this may solve this.
Apart from that it is a very easy kit to install (would recommend a professional install due to problems of bodged installs and car air bags!), it is of a very good physical quality and have seen it advertised for over £150 in the UK.
O2 car kit query
see now thats what I was hoping for.
thanks macca
I'm just about convinced
now just need to know where my wife hid my c'card ???
macca: Just a tip for the mic: Make sure the airstream from then vents does not reach the mic. I read several threads on background noise and most of them appeared to be created by the airstream blowing over the mic.
thanks edsub, i'll investigate that furthur, i maybe moving over to a orange m2000 soon as i have been offered an upgrade, unfortunatly it won't fit in my car kit, so i may have to sell it and get a xda2i instead. xda2 is great, i just miss the wlan.
david young, glad to have helped.
Brodit kits
I wonder if anyone has any experience of these Brodit Car Kits at pdahut? I do like the idea of ProClip Brodit have so you don't have to drill holes anywhere in your car. Any other suggestion?
http://www.pdahut.com/store/home.php?cat=378
I have Brodit and Carcomm cradles installed and they are both excellent. At the moment I have my XDAII in a Carcomm cradle which is powered and has a serial input cable to which you can connect a GPS Mouse or charge a BT GPS.
The Brodit cradles also have the option of an amplified speaker, in the photos you'll see my 2210 on the right of the steering wheel is connected to this type.
In the UK TotalPDA sell Carcomm and Handnav are the appointed Brodit resellers.
See here for images of the cradles in my car.
I too liked the idea of not drilling in my (leasecar) dashboard.
Afaik there are two options then:
Brodit Procip (plastic)
MTU dashmount (metal)
I opted for the MTU and decided to imitate it myself from a metal plate strip. Its quite easy from the MTU specifications:
http://www.mtu.no/english/DashMount/DM_pdf/70224.pdf
I managed the get the cables through the airvent that is now blocked by the carkit.
Now did I get a bargain or did I get a bargain.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5196552992&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT&rd=1
So long as you want it for an XDA rather than an XDAII then yes.
I have my 2i in a Brodit kit connected to the cigarette lighter and then a bluetooth Motorola HS810...works a treat. Luckily the 2i fits perfect as I got the cradle originally for the XDA2.
I've also got my TomTom wireless BT receiver on the dash...all work nicely (other than ongoing issues with phone mast transfers causing TT lockups)
Aww hell, I'll just take a picture and show you...my only wish is that on the Mini the holder was locked in a bit higher to show off when people drive past
A
PS - yes that IS a Care Bear...that my girlfriend puts there to "watch over me". I have one of those little dog things that Clintons Cards do (the ones with the big heads and little bodies) in the other cup holder. Thought I'd get that in now to avoid the "errr....is that a care bear?" questions!!
griffog said:
See here for images of the cradles in my car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Errr....just how many PDAs and phones do you want in your car?? Hehe...
They're not all used all of the time but I need them when performin comparison testing
Actually I tend to use TT Mobile 5 on a C500 most of the time now!
Griffog, yes it is for xda however I had an official car kit, the original I think for xda in the past and that would take an xda 2 quite happily although I never tried it out in the car it charged the xda 2 on the bench ok, what are the issues, is there a wiring difference preventing it working?
For all of my last phones (SPV E200, C500) I've used the Brodit "Proclip" mounting system. I also used a Brodit base for my Ipaq, onto which I attached my Seidio holder.
I intend to use the MDA Pro for Sat Nav in the car, therefore I need (ideally) an active holder for it, with power input from the bottom, so I can sit the MDA Pro in landscape, with the screen facing out, so I can see my TomTom.
At the moment, by swivelling the screen, I can rest the base between the gear lever and aircon knobs of my S4, but it is way too low.
Brodit aren't showing anything on their website yet.
I don't favour "universal" style mounts which grip the device using ratchet arms - I like to be able to slot the phone / PDA straight in like a cradle.
I don't need the cradle to offer anything else (GPS, power to GPS, speakers or anything like that) simply need it to hold (and possibly power) the MDA Pro. If it doesn't power, I'll simply wire a charging cable into my electrics and leave it terminating close by, so when I slot into passive cradle, I just connect the power manually. Active solution preferred tho!
I contacted Akron about a Jas Jar car mount and received this resonse:
The JasJar and Kjam will be hugely popular PDA's. At this time, we are working on solutions for these. Unfortunately, creation time can be longer than 6-8 weeks. We have to create PDA specific cables/modules for these units.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there should be many options soon, just need to give the accessory developers a little bit of time.
timetex said:
For all of my last phones (SPV E200, C500) I've used the Brodit "Proclip" mounting system. I also used a Brodit base for my Ipaq, onto which I attached my Seidio holder.
I intend to use the MDA Pro for Sat Nav in the car, therefore I need (ideally) an active holder for it, with power input from the bottom, so I can sit the MDA Pro in landscape, with the screen facing out, so I can see my TomTom.
At the moment, by swivelling the screen, I can rest the base between the gear lever and aircon knobs of my S4, but it is way too low.
Brodit aren't showing anything on their website yet.
I don't favour "universal" style mounts which grip the device using ratchet arms - I like to be able to slot the phone / PDA straight in like a cradle.
I don't need the cradle to offer anything else (GPS, power to GPS, speakers or anything like that) simply need it to hold (and possibly power) the MDA Pro. If it doesn't power, I'll simply wire a charging cable into my electrics and leave it terminating close by, so when I slot into passive cradle, I just connect the power manually. Active solution preferred tho!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted Brodit earlier this month and received a prompt response saying they should have an active holder available at the end of this month
The toyota echo has an almost perfect little cubby for the Universal to rest in.
skearon said:
timetex said:
For all of my last phones (SPV E200, C500) I've used the Brodit "Proclip" mounting system. I also used a Brodit base for my Ipaq, onto which I attached my Seidio holder.
I intend to use the MDA Pro for Sat Nav in the car, therefore I need (ideally) an active holder for it, with power input from the bottom, so I can sit the MDA Pro in landscape, with the screen facing out, so I can see my TomTom.
At the moment, by swivelling the screen, I can rest the base between the gear lever and aircon knobs of my S4, but it is way too low.
Brodit aren't showing anything on their website yet.
I don't favour "universal" style mounts which grip the device using ratchet arms - I like to be able to slot the phone / PDA straight in like a cradle.
I don't need the cradle to offer anything else (GPS, power to GPS, speakers or anything like that) simply need it to hold (and possibly power) the MDA Pro. If it doesn't power, I'll simply wire a charging cable into my electrics and leave it terminating close by, so when I slot into passive cradle, I just connect the power manually. Active solution preferred tho!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted Brodit earlier this month and received a prompt response saying they should have an active holder available at the end of this month
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's excellent news. I always found the Arkon stuff slightly "plastic"...
galt said:
The toyota echo has an almost perfect little cubby for the Universal to rest in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Such a big phone for such a small car lol.
I'd almost consider carving out a whole in my dash like that. Only problem is how to activate voice command???
Bluetooth headset I guess?
check out my car cradle below
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=29351&highlight=
I have been liaising in quite some depth with Brodit about this. The current state of affairs is:
1. A holder won't be available for 2-4 weeks
2. It will be passive, not active (i.e. just a lump of plastic, no charger)
3. It will hold the device vertical, not horizontal
What a waste of time! :roll: All good SatNav systems have a horizontal screen. Of course in-car we want it held horizontally, with a charger. Presumably the guys at Brodit all drive cars with vertically oriented windscreens! :lol:
Any other 'active' car kits anyone knows about coming soon?
CJSnet said:
I have been liaising in quite some depth with Brodit about this. The current state of affairs is:
1. A holder won't be available for 2-4 weeks
2. It will be passive, not active (i.e. just a lump of plastic, no charger)
3. It will hold the device vertical, not horizontal
What a waste of time! :roll: All good SatNav systems have a horizontal screen. Of course in-car we want it held horizontally, with a charger. Presumably the guys at Brodit all drive cars with vertically oriented windscreens! :lol:
Any other 'active' car kits anyone knows about coming soon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a BIG disappointment!
Do you know if the passive holder will have the space to allow a charging cable to be plugged in ?
Yes, just got this response:
“ The holder will be with a tilt swivel and You should be able to both have it horizontal and vertical. You should also be able to have it both with the screen flipped in both ways. The only thing is that You have to put the charging cable manually each time.
Brodit has a carholder for the 9000/MDAPro/Jasjar etc
http://www.brodit.com/news.jsp?path=static/news/int/051101.html
Re: Brodit has a carholder for the 9000/MDAPro/Jasjar etc
sammylvb said:
http://www.brodit.com/news.jsp?path=static/news/int/051101.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a nice neat holder (thanks for the link ) but sadly not powered. I was really hoping for an all-in-one holder/charger/audio interface.
Maybe O2 will launch one..... before 2008.
Any UK stockists yet? This is a must have for me. Not bothered about power yet, as I've got my own curly cable...
I ordered mine from www.incardiscount.co.uk . Ask for Martin Wright and tell them Christian sent you, as I'd been liaising with him to get the info for this thread for quite a while. I ordered mine a few days ago.
CJSnet said:
I ordered mine from www.incardiscount.co.uk . Ask for Martin Wright and tell them Christian sent you, as I'd been liaising with him to get the info for this thread for quite a while. I ordered mine a few days ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Price?
£19.99, quoted 2 weeks delivery.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=32352
New, Active holder !
geovass said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=32352
New, Active holder !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is exactly like the passive holder! 8)
Not quite, it has the charger included and attached to the holder, with a short cable that is loose for connection manually to the device after inserting into the cradle. The passive holder doesn't come with a charger, or a holder for the cable.
However I have literally just received the passive holder, and using my existing car charger and a small self-adhesive black cable-clip stuck to the back of the passive holder, it is essentially just the same, only £19.99 instead of £34.99, and available now instead of in 2-3 weeks
Warning: There is a major design flaw with both the Brodit holders. Part of the bracket unnecessarily covers the left speaker. When using SatNav this means that 50% of the speakers are covered, so effectively 50% of the volume is lost. A BIG problem when driving on a noisy motorway. I'm sending mine back.
Anyone know of an alternative out there?
Due to an upgrade to a Kaiser, I have the following for sale:
TWO O2 Branded XDA IIs - One complete, one lacks stylus - Both are UNLOCKED.
One, my spare second one - the battery *may* be faulty. The reason I have two is that I had issues with it rebooting when i first got it, O2 sent a replacement and neglected to send a return bag . It ended up that it seemed to be the battery, so I used the original handset but the replacement battery, and I slung the replacement handset and original batt in a drawer. After rooting it out of the drawer (where it had lain for a couple of years) the battery seems to work fine and power was still over 84%. I will run it some to check. Maybe I was just being a noob or the backup battery hadn't charged.
Both handsets have some minor wear on the corners but otherwise are fine. No loose sliders etc. The rubber cap over the headphone socket on the main one is starting to split.
Also, there is a GlobalSat BT-338 SirfStar III Bluetooth GPS unit. I should have the wall charger lying around somewhere lol, I never used it though, I always used the car charger (Which I definately have and is included). A really great unit.
Also, there is a windscreen sucker mount for the XDA. Just a cheapo halfords one, but it fits perfectly and doesn't obstruct power or headphone sockets.
Also included is a retracting mini-sync cable - USB one end, custom XDA connector the other. Get a car lighter -> USB adapter (No! You can't have mine!) and leave that in your car, then you can use the mini sync you keep in your pocket with any PC or in your car to charge or transfer files.
Also included is a 1GB SD card. It is Integral branded card, it shows no speed but it seems to have enough bandwidth to play DivX off the card
Also included are two cradles - one for work, one for home
There should be two holsters, but I mislaid one the other day, I am sure it will turn up lol.
Would anyone be interested in the job lot? May split the 2nd phone off for a spares sale, but would rather sell the lot as one.
I can provide pics, I will need to bring the 2nd cradle from work, and see if I can find the missing holster / GPS wall charger first...
I live in the UK, but I suppose I would consider sending elswhere in europe. Would be unwilling to send to Nigeria even if were is for £10,000
Offers please
I think you will get your best deaL on on ebay here.
I suggest you list them separately
Might be interested in bidding on the spare one...
hardingt0110
I have a SE x10MP and Im thinking of buying a BT stereo headset (NOT an earphone with a microphone) just for music listening.
I want to something which is just earbuds connected by a short cord, since Im going to use it a gym, so I dont want the cord getting tangled in equipment.
Any suggestions for specific models AND for shops which accept international orders?
TIA
I've had a few in the last year..
a Sony pair with very bad volume thing that always shifted when in my pocket and a clip that broke after week 3, good battery though but in addition I couldn't charge it and use it at the same time either.
A Samsung pair that has appalling clip and battery life (not recommended either)
By for the last 3 months I've used a Nokia bh-111. Very sturdy clip which doubles as a lanyard clip, good solid buttons and overall I'm fantastically happy with them. It will work when on charge so when I get home I pop then on the desk, plug in my speaker less+charger and start cooking diner .. highly recommended but I just warn that I only get aprox 7-8 hours continual use. (So sometimes I turn it off in an office day)
tnx. looking at nokia WS, the cord on bh111 seems way too long. I might as well stick w the stock corded earbuds which came w my x10mp.
any suggestions for a headset where the earbuds are connected with a short cord?
TIA
clyphox said:
I've had a few in the last year..
a Sony pair with very bad volume thing that always shifted when in my pocket and a clip that broke after week 3, good battery though but in addition I couldn't charge it and use it at the same time either.
A Samsung pair that has appalling clip and battery life (not recommended either)
By for the last 3 months I've used a Nokia bh-111. Very sturdy clip which doubles as a lanyard clip, good solid buttons and overall I'm fantastically happy with them. It will work when on charge so when I get home I pop then on the desk, plug in my speaker less+charger and start cooking diner .. highly recommended but I just warn that I only get aprox 7-8 hours continual use. (So sometimes I turn it off in an office day)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ive been using the same one (nokia by-111). works very well. but then again, i have my galaxy s3 configured to my car stereo and that works great also.
The headphones that came with my bh111 are slightly too short for my phone to rest on the bottom of my pocket. Personally I use normal high quality and long called stuff in the end.
Enjoy clipping the bh111 to my pocket so long suits me ok
thanks for the replies.
Im planning to use the earphones in the gym, so I need something where the earbuds are connected with a short as possible cord to avoid it getting tangled. I want a cord since it can b easily packed into a small pocket or a bumbag. those "arc" type headphone r too big.
any suggestions?
TIA
Hello XDAites,
I request you to stop posting:
- 'Thanks this helped'
- 'Yeah Me too'
- '##Insert one liner here##'
- '##Insert one word here##'
The above type of posts here in the Accessories section and rather start hitting the thanks button.
If I find any such posts, I'm going to delete them & you may get banned, you have been warned !
Regards
mzzxx11 said:
I have a SE x10MP and Im thinking of buying a BT stereo headset (NOT an earphone with a microphone) just for music listening.
I want to something which is just earbuds connected by a short cord, since Im going to use it a gym, so I dont want the cord getting tangled in equipment.
Any suggestions for specific models AND for shops which accept international orders?
TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend HS-300 or others models by BlackBerry!
I've a pair of "BEEWI" a french headphones/set bluetooth and works very much.
BT
Motorola S9-hd or S10, perfect for the gym...