My step father is interested in getting a GPSr. I don't really expect he'll be GeoCaching so much as mapping points of personal interest. His eyesight is not the world's best, and I feel he'd have a hard time with the small display on handhelds, particularly in map mode.

He has a Dell Latitude D600 running Windows XP. What I'd like to see about is an inexpensive way to run a GPSr through the laptop, such that you get the map display on the laptop screen. This technique would be new territory for me, so any advice would be welcome.

Thanks!

Probably what you want is something inexpensive like the DeLorme "Earthmate" GPS or something like it. Connect that to a laptop, and run one of the many great mapping programs that accept GPS input, from Rand McNally, DeLorme, AAA, and many others. That'll give you a nice big laptop-sized map for minimum investment. Just the ticket for someone with vision problems ... even the best LCD's are squinty for them.

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Scott Johnson (ScottJ)

Compusa has Earthmate® GPS Receiver for $129.99 and it comes with Delorme's Street Atlas USA 2003, and GPS e Series for Notebook Computers for $119.99 and it comes with Rand McNally StreetFinder® Deluxe Travel Navigation Software.

Now I have never used or seen one these in use, so I don't know how they are. But based on the descriptions, it sounds like either would do what you want.