GPS Information Needed

From various threads, I learned that some models, i.e. T400, T500 and X200 can get GPS work with ThinkVantage GPS installed and WWAN. I am curious how well does it work. Does it support sound like reading the street name, advising when to turn. Does it work like the portable GPS unit like Garmin and Tom Tom which display the map and pointing arrows on the screen. Can you share your experience.

Thanks

 

I would also appreciate some information on this.

 

I have had trouble getting GPS to work with my x200 tablet. I have the AT&T WWAN card, but no data plan. I read on this forum that a plan is not required but I am having no luck. I can fire up the GPS utility, the WWAN radio turns on, and I wait, but I never get tracking data (I stood outside for several minutes to test this). Do I need to unlock my WWAN card? Do I need a non-AT&T SIM? If I can get it to work, I will test it in some GPS applications (google maps, Microsoft streets, etc.).

 

The GPS unit works fine, but you need buy commercial software to get the turn-by-turn directions, points of interest, etc. (eg Garmin Mobile, Streets and Trips, DeLorme, etc.)

I think the Garmin software works much like their portable units. (Simple interface). I do not have the software, just going by what I have read.

Here's a review: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/garmin-mobile-pc/432-review-garmin-mobile-pc.html

(Note: obviously the GPS works with the free MS Live Maps and Google Maps (which I have tested), but these presume you have wireless network access going at the same time as the GPS. If you want a "true" GPS replacement, with locally stored maps and points of interest, etc., you need commercial software like Garmin Mobile PC)

 

You're welcome ;-).

 

Thanks for your info about Garmin Mobile.

For those who had installed ThinkVantage GPS, can you tell me does it work like those portable GPS device like Garmin and Tom Tom... i.e. Showing arrows, directions and speak out the street names.

 

Thinkvantage GPS makes the GPS function available to applications (ex Google Maps, Streets and Trip, MS Live, Garmin Mobile.) Thinkvantage GPS itself does not provide a GPS application (i.e. you need Garmin Mobile or something else.)

 

I have a T400, when I activate the GPS function it finds sattelites and appears to be working fine. Then I click to open google maps (or whatever that link is)...it then brings up a map. The map shows the general area where I am, but it doesnt show any type of marker for my particular location.

isnt it supposed to put in a marker of where you currently are?

 

Yes, it will show you google map and surrounding area, but no center point (like in other GPS software).

My bad... I should have clarified...Google Earth or MS Virtual Earth has "more complete" GPS integration.

I call the Google map/Live map out of bad habit; on mobile devices, gps is integrated in those, but again, those are client apps, not purely web apps.

Sorry for the confusion. Bottom line - you need a locally installed client app to get "standard" GPS functionality (ex. what you would get from a Nuvi, etc.)

 

Thanks for your clarification.