DeLorme Blue Logger-Excellence in Technology

By , posted Monday, Jul. 12th, 2004
Reader Comments: 19

Bluetooth at its best!

Being able to use my iPAQ for multiple functions is important for me especially since I expect to travel a lot this summer and fall. Not having to carry around a myriad of devices is important, yet being able to perform multiple tasks with ease is just as if not more important.

With my anticipated travel into areas that I have never been before, it was important for me to find a device that would help guide me through those twists and turns that one makes on a long trip. The question is, what device do I get to guide me in all those unknown areas?

With a little research and past experience with DeLorme, I chose Earthmate Blue Logger GPS. Why? It has everything I want and MORE! For $149, the Earthmate Blue Logger GPS and the Street Atlas USA Handheld Software gives me everything I need for mobile GPS computing. In addition, the flexibility to place the receiver anywhere I want to maintain a better, stronger and more accurate signal is a huge plus!

So what is it I want in a GPS mobile solution for my iPAQ?

1. To be able to set a route from my home computer, export it to my handheld, and use it to guide me to my destination.

2. The ability to determine a secondary route to travel while I am on the road with my iPAQ and have the GPS guide me.

3. The ability to track my travels as I vacation across the country so I always know where I am.

4. I want to be able to log a route traveled and save it to create a routable map at a later time.

With Blue Logger, I can do everything I want and more. Blue Logger requires a Bluetooth connection with your iPAQ and you need to have Bluetooth installed on your PC to be able to work with the logging functions. I purchased the Belkin USB adapter, which has been absolutely outstanding. It was a quick install and I was up and running with out any difficulty.

Besides the Blue Logger GPS, a neat carrying case and an AC charger, I was impressed with what else comes in the package. I really did not anticipate a docking cradle that can also hold a spare battery but having a mobile charger included was a huge plus! The ability to guarantee that your Blue Logger will have a charge on the road is important.

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Alti-Tech engineering, a canadian company sells a device that houses the Delorme Earthmate adds some more lithium ion cells to boost the battery life to 60 hours. It is a bit of a size/weight increase, still less than 3/4 of a lb.

check it:
www.alti-tech.com/products.html

Jim

Posted by JimJamesMeldrum, Friday, Feb. 10th, 2006

What is the average battery up time and how much data can it hold?
mylildustie@yahoo.com

Posted by chrisgrier, Friday, Jul. 29th, 2005

I bought Microsoft Streets & Trips and I'm using it with DeLorme's Blue Logger. It tracks the map precisely and Points of Interest are where they are supposed to be. I am now happy with my Blue Logger. There was no problem configuring it, just use COM8. It works with both my laptop and my iPAQ.

The MS Pocket Streets software is not as complete as DeLorme's PocketPC, but the accuracy makes up for the missing features.

Posted by fherin, Saturday, Jul. 2nd, 2005

I have had my Blue Logger 4 days and have it working with both my laptop and iPAQ 2215. I like everything about it except, and this is a big except, it does not track the map. Most of the time it is several hundred feet off the map location. To tried to find out if the error was in the map or the Blue Logger, I went to the USGS website and entered the Lat. and Lon. for my house and USGS said it was about 300 ft from my house which agreed with the error I saw on the Street Atlas maps. Also Points of Interest are very inaccurate, somtimes off as much as a mile. On the wrong side of the road etc. I have experienced these errors throughout an area of about 100 miles so it is not a local neighborhood map error problem. The maps are old: a toll road was built as a bypass around my city over two years ago and it is not on the map; another road was changed at an intersection near my house around 15 years ago and the change is not reflected on the map.

The distance measuring tool shows my house to be about 400 ft from the reported GPS location and at the same time Channel View reports PDOP: N/A, HDOP:1.8, EHPE: 28.5 ft.

I purchased the GPS to log the coordinates of cemeteries, grave sites and other locations related to my family genealogy. Now I am having doubts as to whether it is accurate enough for my use.

I live in Greenville, SC.

Question:
1. How can I verify the accuracy of the location coordinates from the GPS?
2. Will the Blue Logger work with software other than the Delorme? I have the 2005 versions.

A friend has an iQue 3200 that I will borrow next week to compare with the Blue Logger.

PS: Delorme support was very short with me and said there nothing he could do to help me. The error was in the map. I got the idea he had received a lot of calls like mine complaining of accuracy.

Posted by fherin, Saturday, Jul. 2nd, 2005

Jack

Just ordered the Bluelogger and Street Atlas 2005 for the Handheld. Low inventories so I'll have to cool my heals and wait. I travel extensively throughout the US and this should be a great help when I arrive in a new City, late at night and can't read the dimly lit street signs or my Yahoo Maps. Will advise after I get and try out the unit.

Ron

Posted by , Wednesday, Jun. 1st, 2005

Can you use any other mapping software besides Street Atlas? I want to show someone after a route I have been on. Thanks

Posted by Goldendog, Wednesday, Apr. 13th, 2005

Thanks Bill

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy mine. I am never without it when I go on a trip. It has bailed me out of a few lost adventures!!

Posted by Jack Cook, Saturday, Mar. 5th, 2005

Thanks for the excellent articles Jack. further investigation shows that both Delorme and Earthmate offer what they call Blue Logger GPS with Street Atlas USA 2005 Handheld Software (Bundle #1) for $149.95. Perfect for me as Ialready have SA 2005Plus and Topo 5.0 and sure didn't wantto have to buy the stuff again just to get the BT Logger & Handheld. Anyway, thanks again.

Posted by billpool, Saturday, Feb. 26th, 2005

Dave, how much memory does your iPAQ have? I'm shopping for an iPAQ and am wondering if yours has more memory than the 64 Mb norm and to what extent it gave you such a positive experience.

Posted by tbrodie, Monday, Dec. 13th, 2004

A question was asked by jsteb if landscape mode works with the DeLorme Software. The answer is yes. I have tried it with the 4700 and 3715 and it works perfectly.

sab, I would call DeLorme and see if they have a mapping solution.

Elrendhel, I have never used the Navman so I can't answer that. I have not seen anything though that compares with the BlueLogger. The ability to use Bluetooth seamlessly, have a GPS solution AND to log data for future use...it is an incredible unit!

Posted by Jack Cook, Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 2004

Hello

1.I have a previous iPAQ with no bluethooth. Anyone suggestion for the best bluetooth compact flash card. I am planning to use my iPAQ with the Delorme Blue Logger.
2. Also, I am planning to visit France and need to find out where to get maps of France and cities working with the Blue Logger

Thanks

Posted by sab, Tuesday, Aug. 10th, 2004

Does the delorme map software allow you view the maps on the ipaq in landscape orientation? If not, does anyone know a good app for changing the screen to landscape view? Thanks.

Posted by jsteb, Wednesday, Aug. 4th, 2004

So Jack, is there anything that the Navman can do that the Delorme Blue Logger can't (besides the sleeve?)

Posted by , Friday, Jul. 30th, 2004

This has to be one of the best reviews this site has ever posted. Jack GREAT JOB!

Posted by David Ciccone, Monday, Jul. 19th, 2004

I recently purchased a Navaman for my PocketPC and couldn't be happier. It's compact clip on design makes it practical for any use, hiking,biking,or in an auto. Their included software has worked phenominally and has been pin point.
I am truly fascinated by this product.

Posted by coxey123, Sunday, Jul. 18th, 2004

This is just a wonderful article Jack. You really did a great job!

I have been considering a GPS an this looks like the right one. Thanks for doing this review.

Posted by , Tuesday, Jul. 13th, 2004

No giveaways for the Bluelogger..

Posted by David Ciccone, Tuesday, Jul. 13th, 2004

You must have Street Atlas USA 2004 Handheld or XMap® Handheld Pro (available separately from DeLorme) to view Street Atlas USA 2004 maps on your handheld device.

This is one terrific program...well worth the investment!

Posted by Jack Cook, Tuesday, Jul. 13th, 2004

This looks really cool!! 2 questions though. Since I already own a copy of Street Atlas, can I buy just the GPS? And second, is Dave gonna get any for the latest round of giveaways?!?!

Peace,
Joe

Posted by txulrich, Tuesday, Jul. 13th, 2004

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