Tap
the Satellite button to switch to a screen
showing all found satellites and their position with respect to your current
location. A horizontal bar next to each satellite shows the signal
strength and visually indicates the status of the Geode's using the satellite.
According to the Quick Tips document that comes stored on the Geode, Signal
indicates that the Geode is talking to the satellite but doesn't have enough
information.
Locked means that there is enough information to use
the satellite for calculating location. In Fix means that
the Geode is actively using the satellite to calculate position.
I listed above the general status messages. The Geode also appends
one of the following:
,PS - Power save mode
,FP - Full power mode
,WAAS - included Wide Area Augmentation System in the solution
,Alt(User) - Altitude (user input), user inputs estimated altitude
,Alt(Forced) - Altitude forced (not computed)
,DOP Exceed - Dilution of Precision Exceeded
Notice
in the satellite screenshot the 122? That is the nearest WAAS satellite/station,
although the Geode doesn't display it with the other satellites on
the overhead screen. To enable WAAS or Full Power mode, Select Options
| Preferences when in the Geode Info
application. You must be in Full Power mode to use WAAS. I
also noticed the Geode's lights blink more when in full power mode.
Full Power mode is particularly useful when inside a vehicle.
I was able to hold the Geode next to my passenger window until I got a
lock, then hold it in front of my chest. I then only lost the signal
when I moved too much or when going under an overpass. I couldn't
do this with the HandyGPS.
GeoView Mobile Application
Reader portion
Now
that you've learned about the compass and satellite system of the Geode,
how does GeoView Mobile, the Geode's mapping software, rate? We're
almost there.
It all starts with the Home screen. Here you will find information
on the Visor's battery level (top right of the screen), the Geode's battery
level (bottom left) and the current satellite status:
Looking - No dimensional solution
Ready 2D - 2 dimensional solution (altitude
not known)
Ready 3D - 3 dimensional solution
Also on the Home screen are buttons that take you into the Map
view, the Reader view where you can manage
data, and Geode Info which I discussed above.
The
Reader portion of GeoView
Mobile is where you manage the maps that you are using. Tap
on an item to view its properties. In the case of Quick Tips or any
GeoExchange databases, you will have three tabs. The first tab (Guide)
will have textual information about the database.
The Places tab will have a listing of points.
Tap on one of these points to bring up its coordinates and other relevant
information. There is also a globe icon next to the point's name.
Tap it to create a Target on the Map screen.
This is very handy for setting any of your GeoPoints as a target.
I still haven't figured out how to remove a target though.
The
third tab (Pack Details) is the only one seen
on normal maps. Here you find location information (RAM, Geode, etc)
and you can also set whether to backup the database during HotSync.
You can beam the entire GeoView Mobile
application by selecting Actions | Beam GeoView Application.
Beam individual packs by selecting
Actions | Beam
Packs. When beaming to another person, I suggest laying both
handhelds on a flat surface. It took at least a minute to beam some
of the Houston maps to my father.
To
delete a database, on the menu select Actions | Delete
Packs. You will see a screen similar to the Beam
Packs screen pictured here. Check the databases to delete
and tap the Delete button. This isn't rocket science!
Mapping portion >>
