[gps-talkusers] Re: what do we really want from GPS?

Yusuf

The question maybe more about what do we want from the equipment package
we have to carry each day. I want it to be light, run for ever on one
set of power cells, be reprogrammable and it must replace most of the
other electronic devices I carry.  Not untypically, an mp3 player, cell
phone, mini disc recorder with mic, braille note pk and gps.  And on
really bad days add a lap top and portable scanner to that lot.  For me
the pK is as yet the most versatile option for note takers but it was
its ability to run the GPS that really made the decision for us.  We may
well have stayed with the competition if it had fielded a credible GPs
alternative in real time. 

I don't think the PK is any bulkier than the trekker.  It seems to run
longer on batteries than the trekker and seems a little more robust in
terms of software reliability.  I am not a good person to quiz on
complexity as I prefer things to be either totally simple or totally
complex.  So I would want a talking GPS that operated like a simple
visual GPS or I want something that will give me everything. The areas
for development with the PK version in the UK remain the POI database
which is significantly out of date and the absence of a postal code look
up.  You can work around these but they are a bit of a pain.  I wish
also that the PK builders had used a more standard type power connector,
maybe something like a nokia connector so that we could use the
disposable emergency power cells you can get for phones.  Or of course
they could supply a custom version of the same type of unit.  I've had
PK run out of juice at a couple of inconvenient moments.  The blue
logger comes with a spare battery and the charger base can charge this
battery along with the main unit.  An inspired accessory if ever there
was one. 

Now what we really want is a 40 gig hard drive built in to the pk so it
can then have a serious media player that behaves like an IPOD and can
manage books from audible, daisy etc. come on guys one gig  flash cards
will go the way of floppy discs soon. 



-----Original Message-----
From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of yusuf
Sent: 17 April 2005 20:59
To: GPS-talks
Subject: [gps-talkusers] what do we really want from GPS?


Hi all, this is a topic I've been thinking about for quite a while and
wanted to se what other people thought.
Let me start by clarifying what I mean. I don't mean in terms of what
the
GPS actually does. I for one am quite happy with what Trekker can do.
What I
am refering to is the way GPS systems for the blind seem to be becoming
more
complex. Let me try and explain.
When I bought my trekker in September of 2003 I bought it in order to
use it
when I was out and about. for the weekly shopping trip, for when I
wanted to
go and hang out with mates at the pub, to go to the cinema, you get the
idea. for these occasions I don't want a device that can write notes,
input
diary entries, play Mp3s and on and on, I simply want a satellite
navigation
system that is small and easy to carry.
I suppose my worry is that the more complex the functionality becomes
the
more likely it is to be larger and more things to go wrong.
I don't think trekker is getting larger and didn't the Braille Note
recently
get smaller? But I don't know about anyone else all I want from my GPS
is
accurate information on where I am, what streets are coming up, nearby
POIs,
the ability to input my own ones, creation of various kinds of routes
using
various start and end points, pedestrian and vehicular modes, all the
various information options like number of satellites in view, a mode
for
non mapped areas and oh yes up to date POIs.
In terms of the Trekker it makes sense for the visuaide to make the rest
of
the functionality of the Ipaq accessible because otherwise youve got a
PDA
that you can hardly use. But I never wanted to use the PDA in the first
place. Certainly when I upgrade to Maestro it will be nice to have that
access but the main purpose for me will still be as a mobility aid. When
I
go shopping, or to the pub, or the cinema, or a restaurant etc thats all
its
needed for.
Am I completely crazy? Or am I on to something here.
Yusuf

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