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netbook connect to a satnav


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Old 05-12-2008, 15:10
popp
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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bought myself a asus eepc netbook, and was wondering is there anyway i could connect a stand alone savnav and run it through the netbook. advantages are a bigger screen. i know you can buy a gps usb dongle plus the software for a netbook, but seeing as satnavs are so cheap plus when not used on netbook can be used as a portable satnav. regards popp
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Old 05-12-2008, 15:57
chrisjr
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Join Date: May 2004
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I know for certain you can't do that with TomTom's. You can download an application called Home from the TomTom website (runs under Windows or MAC OS only) which has an option to remote control the TomTom.

But it does so in DEMO mode which appears to ignore the satellites. So although it is possible to plan a route it can't actually take you anywhere. Plus it displays the TomTom screen in a box with graphics mimicking the device. On my 17in monitor this box is little bigger than the real thing!

And I am assuming you are not talking about using such a set up in the car? Or at least not as the driver. After all no sane sat nav user stares at the screen all the time. I did see one idiot on the M40 a few months back with a sat nav stuck to the windscreen directly in front of his nose! Any sensible person positions the unit out of the direct eye line. So screen size should be irrelevant.

In use in the car the screen on my GO730 is perfectly adaquate to the job. A bigger screen wouldn't really add anything. I can see a case for having a bigger screen and a proper keyboard for planning the route but can't see any real benifit while you are actually driving. As a passenger navigating then maybe, but not as a solo driver.
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Old 05-12-2008, 18:17
popp
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Join Date: Apr 2002
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no, i would not use it as i drive, stare at screen. wife mainly does the driving . it was just a thought to add an extra utility to my netbook. looking at the price of buying a gps reciever plus the software i might now give it a miss. anyway thanks for your reply chrisjr.
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