Acer Aspire, looking for GPS ideas

[cody c]

Ive got an Acer Aspire to use as a designated cruiser laptop.

I would like to use a USB to GPS antenna, and have topo maps.

All I want is a simple interface, with topographical maps and maybe back road maps. The area I would like maps for would be western Canada, and maybe western states. I dont need other areas.

Since there is a few free topo maps sites, and certain maps work better with certain GPS units I figured Id ask for reccomendations on what to use. The laptop in question has windows 7.

So any rec's on a decent antenna/free topo map download?

Dont have heaps of money to play with on this.

Thanks.

Edit: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-sirf-star-iii-20-channel-gps-receiver-set-for-pc-and-laptops-37155
maybe use an antenna like this?

 

[cody c]

The other thing Im looking at: Wide 8.9" USB Touch Screen Film (Makes LCD Screens Touch Sensitive) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

 

[UZJ40]

Why not use a tablet? I have a motorola xoom with some topo software called Back Country Navigator. Its awesome, and the Xoom has a built in GPS antenna, unlike an ipad. Battery life is around 10-12 hours as well

 

[fj4068]

If it is still available, Garmin's website has free MapSource and nRoute software for route/track editing and navigation functions, respectively.

Free Garmin-format topos at www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/

 

[cody c]

I started building a dash mount, and Jan who has a PZ78? In calgary seems to know what software and gear to use.

Im going to get him to throw the software on it as he knows what to use, and then order the antenna.

Ill post some pics or do a small write up when I get some progress made.

Thanks.

 

[cody c]

I had a cruiser head install the software last evening, I found the antenna that I will use which will talk to garmin software, it is the globalsat bu-353.

All in my cruiser laptop/gps unit should ding me about $200.

Ill probably do a write up in the 80's section when I get some more headway.

 

[cody c]

I figured something out for it, heres a link to another thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/540719-carputer-acer-w-topo-maps-gps.html