Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

I've been reading threads on using Bluetooth enabled phone to connect an N800 to the net. I just got personal cell phone again after none for three years (prior employer had provided one). Went with the Verizon Treo 700p, voice and data plan. Bidding on an N800 right now. Anyone using this combination? Any tips? I'm going to be crossing the country by bicycle this summer and want to do web updates along the way. I'm considering using a bluetooth GPS and Maemo Mapper, too. I have about three weeks to return the 700p without penalty for another phone if there is a better phone to go with... Any and all comments and help are well appreciated. As space and weight are limited while traveling by bike, all my 'electronics' need to fit in a rather smallish tupperware type waterproof container. Obviously that ruled out even a small laptop, but the N800 looks like a reasonable choice. Of course other tablets could be considered if any one here has suggestions (not bucking the N800 bias in a forum like this, just unaware of all that is out there!).
Thanks in advance,
-pigwot

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

Can't answer your question directly, but something to consider with maemo-mapper is the speed of your connection and whether you want to have it automatically download maps. First, the maps are somewhat large compared to download speeds over some wireless networks. Second, you could easily use a large portion of your bandwidth cap on your plan if you have one just by downloading images. So, better bet might be to plan your route, download the maps along your route ahead of time, and turn off the auto-download feature. It's very easy to do that way, just takes a little planning ahead. As far as bluetooth GPS gooes, there's a thread on the forums talking about which models work, there are plenty that do, I personally have a Holux GPSSlim 236 that does a great job.

Sorry I can't answer the phone question directly.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

gsagers,
Thanks for the reply. I had looked at the Holux. I intend to download maps before I go and store them on SD cards :)
If we get off of our predetermined route ()I was thinking a GPS would be handy.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

Yes, the GPS can be very handy. Take a look at Winmapper by ioan, to download the maps to a PC, then transfer to an SD card. Or, personally, I just set the map repository in maemo-mapper to put them on the internal SD card, grabbed a big map of the world, and then zoomed in from there to the places I typically need and grabbed more detail over my home wifi. Either works well, just personal preference. Just be sure to get a zoom level that gives you major roads if you're going cross country.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

Caan't help on the Verison thing, but my experience is that the 'Linksys Global Network' works in populated areas.

(The density if unsecured access points broadcasting a LINKSYS ssid is still pretty high.)

:)

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

pigwot-

A couple of things for you to note. Verizon does have good speed -but- they have a lot of fine print on their data plan. In theory you could get away with downloading maps on the go (which I do with my considerably slower EDGE connection) but you can't stream or do other non-web browsing or email checking stuff.

Just wanted to give you the heads up to read the fine print.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

Finally got a new N800. Seems it pairs with the Treo 700p and it is listed as a trusted device, but can't get it to connect via the internet service through Verizon. Not sure I am doing this correctly. Anyone using this combo? Any tips?

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

I would be looking for WiFi roaming agreements or national chains that offer free WiFi and route myself near by.
My last cross country excursion (via motorcycle) was over 15 years ago. Well before connectivity. I had a health club membership that belonged to an international organization that honored members who were outside a 50mile radius of their home club.

I mapped out member clubs along the way as well as 24 hour PathMark markets and was good to go. Slept by the pool during the day and traveled at night. :)

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

YoDude,
Sounds like quite the trip. I guess I wasn't clear: I am "Bi-cycling" across the country and won't always be near wifi access points. Cell coverage is a little better and at times that is what we'll rely on. Or so I'd thought?!

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

hey, i've been on a few bicycle trips, and i can't imagine being bothered with any sort of computer. finding power for all the gadgets and keeping them all safe and working properly sounds like a pain.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

there's a blog covering the same thing you doing, only with a UMPC - it's at:

http://www.solar-umpc.com/

might spark some ideas for your trip..
good luck!
-matt

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

Heh.
Having lived in Rhine country from '95 to '06 all I can say is that I hope he has a way to waterproof everything.
And with the cloud coverage there he's going to run into trouble getting everything charged up. Especially the higher up you go into the hills down south. Sometimes it takes until noon for the "fog" (read: clouds) to burn off, cutting down on the time you can charge your kit.

But for the OP's needs it looks like that solar power panel might do the trick for just a phone and an N800. UMPCs are power hungry compared to the N800.
As far as GPS devices go, the best to use in this situation is the GPSlim240 from Holux. I have one and used it extensively on a recent trip back to the states paired with my Nokia N80ie and using TomTom. The phone was plugged into vehicle power, the GPS was not. I got about 5 hours of constant use out of the Holux before the red light came on. Once the red light comes on, get ready for the connection to drop QUICK if not instantly. Recharge time on the Holux was pretty quick though with about 45 minutes to an hour to recharge up fully off USB power plugged into my Macbook Pro.
Also, the Holux has been "battle-tested" in the Middle East if you get my drift.
It was a component in a bizarre test I undertook in individual GPS tracking using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. Recharged it off any dome-light in any military vehicle.

I would recommend getting a bike-powered charger in addtion to the solar panels. Solar panels to recharge while you rest, and the power-charger for while you bike.
Personally I would use my Nokia N80ie w/GPSLim240 mounted to the handlebars and conncected to the bike charger and use the N800 just for email/web while stopped.

I'm looking at taking a motorcycle trip cross-country this summer and plan to mount the N80ie and Holux on the bike and charge them - along with the N800 - off the bike itself.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

For instance now a days I would POI up these addy's in Maemo mapper or just save them in a text file before I start out... all free and pretty good food too!





They are pretty much anywhere in populated america.
>> http://www.panerabread.com/cafes/wifi.php

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

I've been off the forum for a bit; thanks for your replies, advice, and concerns. I am installing maemo mapper right now. As far as waterproofing concerns, we'll be using one of the snap lid tupperware-like containers, with each device in its own zip-lock bag. I envision mainly using the N800 for wifi and email and updates to our website each evening.
The map software is a backup in case we need a location fix to verify our dead-reckoning. I have biked for years without more than a paper map. I bookmarked the panera site locator link, thanks for that.
Recharging isn't an issue as we are mainly motel'ing it this trip, with occasional nights under the stars (or TarpTent, as the weather dictates). I have yet to get a Holux GPS; - that is my eBay search du jour, although I have to get on the road soon...meeting my daughter in NYC today and riding the Montauk Century tomorrow.
What other utilities and programs are you tablet-travelers finding it is nice to have on the N800?

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

I just came back from the week long "Cycle Utah" trip and had my N800 with me. Camping was mostly at RV parks and all but one had free wi-fi access, so I was able to check email and use the web from my tent. It worked great.

Re: Cross Country Cyclist looking for connectivity with N800
 

Hey, I have heard about this here only. I'll also try it and suggest you if get any result.

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