Need Another DeLorme GPS/USB antenna

[NJT5047]

Hello tech guys!  I have major unmet needs!  Where does one find accessory Delorme GPS USB port antennas...or maybe any compatible USB style GPS antenna?  Is anything compatible?
Already checked Eplace and all GPS antennas had "MMCX" or something other than USB plugs.
Do I call DeLorme? 
Want to mount an antenna in the bus permanently (in the front cap as is the XM) , but keep the OEM antenna for othe vehicles.
Thanks in advance!  JR

[TomCat]

Here's a few you may have missed.
http://electronics.search.ebay.com/usb-gps_DeLorme_W0QQcatrefZC11QQfromZR40QQsacatZ73357

Jay
87 SaftLiner

[Dallas]

JR,

Almost any GPS antenna will work.

The one I use is the Holux 213U. I bought mine on eBay for about $30.

It's been one of the best GPS unit's I've had so far.

http://search.ebay.com/holux_W0QQfromZR40

I hope this helps.

Dallas

[Runcutter]

JR - dumb question, but have you called Delorme Tech Services, or sent an email through their site (delorme.com, I think)?  They do sell directly, and they may be able to tell you how long a connecting USB cable you can use, if you decide to mount an earthmate receiver permanently.

Arthur Gaudet  Carrollton TX  - long time Delorme user.

[NJT5047]

Nope, haven't called DeLorme.  But did look at their website or "parts" or some such...didn't see anything.  Don't know how I missed the DeLorme items on Ebay....they are obviously there.   Hey, I'm old and have "brownouts!"   
Will any (Holux?) GPS antenna work the the DeLorme Street Atlas?  Not especially computo literate. 
I'm wondering it the antenna that is supplied with the unit could stand the heat near the cap?  I looks a little fragile. 
Works great though.  I hooked it up and set the antenna on a patio chair and after about two minutes the antenna had a whole list of satellites or something that it was monitoring....maybe 12?  These may not be all satellites.   The green dot was exactly where it should be.  I'm impressed. 
About the only issue I see is the slowness of function...that's probably my laptop's age showing.  We're going to get a new notebook to carry in the bus..and use for whatever.   Using a 5 year old Toshiba Satellite and it works fine but slow.   Looking a something "Intel Duo" and 1 gig of ram...or something like that.
I've got a the two DeLorme antennas in my "watch" list.   We'll see how that works out.
One of the antennas was a serial port unit with a USB adaptor...reckon that's OK?

Thanks again, JR

[Dallas]

The holux will work with just about any software.

And pretty much, any antenna will work with just about any software, (with some caveats).

I have Delorme, MS Streets and Trips, Rand McNally, Map'N'Go, and about 4 other programs. Remember, software is software is software. They all have to conform to certain standards.

Dallas

[eglluvr]

JR - dumb question, but have you called Delorme Tech Services, or sent an email through their site (delorme.com, I think)?  They do sell directly, and they may be able to tell you how long a connecting USB cable you can use, if you decide to mount an earthmate receiver permanently.

Arthur Gaudet  Carrollton TX  - long time Delorme user.

USB natively supports 5m (16.4 Ft.) however, there are "Active Repeater" Cables that allow up to the theoretical 80 ft run, Just in case you wanted to loop it around your entire bus and then hook it up...   

I currently use the lt-20 antenna, and have had it extended to 26' without an active repeater, YMMV

With regard to the Serial to usb converter, i wolld ask the seller if it has been tested with that adapter, If it hasn't you can get an adapter for about $10.00 with driver support also


Jim

[wrench]

 Just get a bluetooth antena for the laptop & a rikaline GPS,  no wire, fast initiation,  very good system.
Been using that for 2 years with street & trip.
               wrench

[NewbeeMC9]

JR,

Just bought the Delorme LT-20 yesterday with the software new in the box.  I was in freeport and stopped by the store with the massive globe.  Anyway, it is USB powered.

They have a bluetooth one too, if you have bluetooth for your computer.


The guy at the store said they are coming out with a handheld in a couple weeks.

CompUSA carries them too last time I looked

HTH and Let'us Know what you find out

[NJT5047]

Don't the "Bluetooth" antenas require batteries to operate?  The antenna would not be accessible once installed. 
Newbee, did you buy the whole LT20 Street Atlas thing?  Or just an antenna?  If just an antenna, may I axe what it cost?  I've already installed the system, and it works fine...just want an additional antenna for the bus.  I'm not sure it'll work laying on the dash???  If so, no problem. 
I bought some air horns and want to get all this stuff in during one operation.  Pulling the drivers area headliner out is a PIA!   
Will not work laying next to my home windows...tried that.  Moved it outside and violer!  Got GPS!
I don't have Bluetooth anyway.  May have it in the next laptop...but haven't given that feature much thought...will do so.
Dallas, I'm gonna get you up here if what I buy don't work!      ROADTRIP!   We'll run up and see Bob and Jackie while you're up here fixing my computer!
Thanks for all the info! JR   
Still stuck at home at night.  Can't see.  Blind in one eye and no specs since cat surg.  BUT, I can see the computer great!  Can read too with my Wal Mart glasses!  Ended up with a focal point at about  two feet.    Cool.  Could be worse.  Get new glasses next week.  NEW Day arrives! I feel nekkid without my glasses. 
Just in time for Arcadia too.  See pretty good in the daylight...night vision is worse than before. 

[captain ron]

I use mine just laying on the dash and it works fine. I'm gonna get a suction cup holder though and stick it kind of permanently as it has fell off a few times with my lead foot. also had a pint can fall off the dash that the antena was on and smashed my mouse pad on my lap top that was sitting in the floor, so I just bought a tv wall mount that swivels to put my laptop on.

[NewbeeMC9]

I got the whole thing Software and aentenna for $95.  I believe they're $99 at compUSA.  If you have the time, would probably be better to go Dallas's route with the extra aentenna from eplace



Glad to hear your Eyeballl is better and let us know how the NCBobs are if you go see them.


Maybe you could think about puting that headliner back with velcro since you your putting electronic gadgetry behind it,  murphy says reliability decreases inaccessability.

[belfert]

There are Bluetooth adapters for laptops that plug into the USB port.

If the antenna has to be hidden then Bluetooth is a moot point for you.

Brian Elfert

[wrench]

 The best feature with the bluetooth system, is that with the BT antenna on the laptop(have to use a BLUETAKE for voice compatibillity) & a bluetooth ear piece (in my case a NOKIA BH200), the software tell me the direction in my ear, very clear, no noise interferance. & I can have an other BH200 on the other ear for the phone.  I try few other brand & model of ear piece, & the nokia beat them all flat on the ground. So comfortable that I end up in the shower a couple time with it!
  The rikaline run on rechargeable batt or cigar lighter.
                FWIW        wrench

[gumpy]

I got my gps and antenna at gpsnow.com. The had some of the best prices I found at the time. Looks like they have quite a bit of Delorme stuff, so they'd probably have what you need.

craig