Navicore Slim GPS

[Desmo]

Thought I'd put this in here. It's not really computer based but I see this as more of a technology section :)

I wanted to get a second GPS unit as the current one is left in Sinead's car and I'm sometimes caught short and need a unit myself. The old TomTom one is also quite big and now I have TomTom on my phone, a smaller unit would be handy for carrying around. So I set out to get a new unit.

Now, which of these is best? (Make a good note of the prices)...
Holux GPSlim (http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/holux-gpslim240-wireless-gps-receiver-sirf-star-iii-description.html) @ around £75
Navicore GPS (http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/12398.htm) @ around £33

You'd think the Holux must be better, surely. Well, after doing some research seeing as the units look almost identical...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/piggymon/Odds%20and%20Ends/07112007113.jpg

They are. The Navicore is just a rebadged Holux that retails at twice the price.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/piggymon/Odds%20and%20Ends/07112007110.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/piggymon/Odds%20and%20Ends/07112007111.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/piggymon/Odds%20and%20Ends/07112007112.jpg

It's a very small unit as you can see. It came with a car USB charger with a plug in USB cable and a Nokia charger to Mini USB adapter so charging can be done in the car, from a PC/USB source or using your Nokia phone charger.

It picked up a full signal within about 15 seconds of turning it on...and that's pretty quick. Overall, I'm really happy with it :)

[Matblack]

I have the old Slim (ironic eh? MB- Slim not two words which go together) and I've perma wired it into the MINI, thats a pretty easy job because the battery is in the boot but it makes life really easy. It gets a great signal even from the bottom of the boot when its full of luggage :)

Good purchase.

MB

[LeperousDust]

I've been thinking of perma wiring, how have you sorted it MB, just always on charge, or charge linked to ignition and unit left always on?

[Matblack]

I permanently wired it to be on charge all the time, so it sits with just a fuse between it and the battery terminal :)

MB

[Desmo]

I was thinking of making up something similar MB...would be handy for our longer journeys or weekends away. Wil dig out your old post and find out what was needed.

[LeperousDust]

I was thinking of doing it that way, and i know i'm being paranoid probably but sometimes my car can sit around for a week or two (living in the city has its advantages) i don't want to be caught out with battery problems :p. But similary, if i link it to ignition, i'm not sure what would happen when it runs out and then suddenly started charging, ie i don't think it would automatically turn itself on...

My middle of the road solution was thinking to wire it up to ignition and have to manually turn it on and off from say within the glove box when i get in the car if i'm going to use it. But then i'm still stuck with the dreaded cold boot locks which can take a while somtimes (on a side note I paid about £90 for mine years ago Des, and it's showing its age now days, although still sirfstar III and as small as yours i somehow don't think cold/warm boot times are the same)

[Matblack]

The battery drain is negligable to be honest, Minnie sits in the driveway all week and the battery is fine :)

MB

[LeperousDust]

Cooool something i'm definately going to look into then, i didn't think it'd be a problem tbh, i mean the batteries they carry arent exactly mosters comapred to a car battery...

[Feek]

I have a full Garmin GPS etrex (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=6403&locale=en_GB) powered up 24/7 in my car and it's got a screen and everything. Never had a problem.

[LeperousDust]

Yeah but how often do you use your car? I assume everyday? That was my main worry i can leave my car untouched unmoved for weeks (most so far is three). Because i walk everywhere close to me... I wasn't sure how long it would take to drain the battery and leave me knowning where i'm going but unable to get there :D

[Feek]

It's sat idle for a couple of weeks and still started with no trouble, even with that etrex in and on.

[LeperousDust]

Wooo, i have no worries then :) I'll have a soon as...

[Matblack]

http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2042&highlight=mini

MB

[Desmo]

Nice one :)

Did you go with the 500mA fuse Feek suggested or did you go with something else?
We've got loads of room in barney where the battery sits so will work fine. I won't be leaving it permanently installed but will just plug it into the socket when we head off on a long journey.

[Pickers]

Thanks to your advice, I also have this :D