no doubt, i want a GPS unit. the sleek Garmin Edge 705 would be a superb companion on the road. but since i am still broke, i have to devise something to help me during my weekend road trips. let me list down my options;
Option 1: dive head first and buy the GPS on installement basis. Possible. but I promised myself not to indulge in this bad habit for the mean time(grin). the verdict - not feasible for now.
Option 2: the cheaper option, buy a secondhand PDA with GPS function. good idea. but then again, I am very happy with my dual-sim Samsung D780 so it will be redundant. and some more, i am sure that continuous GPS usage will deplete the PDA battery in no time. i wouldn't want to spend something which would give mediocre results. when time comes that i have the budget, i will rethink this option. but not for now.
Option 3: just be happy with the old school maps. hmnnnn during my last outing, i opened my map a few times and the folds stated to tear off. i will need to tape it off. beggars can't be choosers? live with it!! lols
Option 4: a wondeful idea came to mind. why not load digital maps to my existing handphone. PERFECT!
i googled - "map viewer for java phones". after several hit and miss, i grew tired.
next idea, maps are basically pictures. with that in mind, i grabbed map images from google maps, saved as JPEG and copied to my phone. after several tries, managed to get the best resolution that my phone's image viewer would accept(1600 x 1200). the result.. instant digital map!
i tried zooming in and out, panning up and down, side to side.. imagining i am actually navigating, hmnnn it works!
now next step is to grab as much map as i need. i will also have to devise an intuitive filenaming convention to make it easier to find the adjascent maps but thats piece of cake now.
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