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This "quest" for a Linux mapping solution reminded me of my own; I've recently been thinking about (rather procrastinating) over buying a Garmin IQUE 3600. In my reading and comp'ing of pdas with GPS/Mapping software, I looked at the Linux-OS-based Sharp Zaurus which gets a lot of (well earned) attention here.

I was looking for more than the Zaurus was offering, but here's what I found and bookmarked. I'm sure others here using the Zaurus will be able to fill in the blanks and share other gps mapping OSS projects out there, if they exist, which I wasn't able to find, other than three below. Zaurus Users Group might have some info as well. Bill Kendrick is also a good resource about these.

SOFTWARE:
GPSGaugeLite
MFG: Serialio
http://www.serialio.com/products/GPSGaugeLite.htm

SOFTWARE:
qpeGPS
http://qpegps.sourceforge.net/

Screenshots | Tested GPS Units

SOFTWARE:
zGPS
http://www.handango.com/sharp/PlatformProductDetai l.jsp?siteId=423.............
http://tinyurl.com/6lau7

HARDWARE:
Model Name: CF Card -GPS Navigation Receiver
Manufacturer: AmbiCom
http://myzaurus.com/acc_Comm10.asp

HARDWARE:
Serial GPS Receiver
Model Name:GPS-U2-Z9
Manufacturer:Serialio.com
http://myzaurus.com/acc_Serial10.asp

We've been hearing rumors about this for a while over at the ZUG. I dont know how much I like it though.

The screen is the same size as my c860 and so is the battery. The only difference are the weird colors (white/silver/chrome???) and the fact that it is bigger. As well, it also has a hard drive that is going to eat the battery.

Sharps biggest selling point is that the device includes some multimedia Japanese dictionary. Rather useless for those of us that dont need it. I think the entire dictionary takes up about 600 megs?

For now I'm very happy with my c860 and the new 2 gig sd cards are keeping me more than ok in the space area.

Anyways, on a different note, I'll take this opportunity to plug http://www.zaurususergroup.com/forums/ for those Zaurus owners that don't know about us :) We're currently building a Zaurus Software Index to help make it easier for people to download the software they need.

Some other good sites for the Zaurus:

http://www.openzaurus.com
http://www.pdaxrom.com

We've been hearing rumors about this for a while over at the ZUG. I dont know how much I like it though.

The screen is the same size as my c860 and so is the battery. The only difference are the weird colors (white/silver/chrome???) and the fact that it is bigger. As well, it also has a hard drive that is going to eat the battery.

Sharps biggest selling point is that the device includes some multimedia Japanese dictionary. Rather useless for those of us that dont need it. I think the entire dictionary takes up about 600 megs?

For now I'm very happy with my c860 and the new 2 gig sd cards are keeping me more than ok in the space area.

Anyways, on a different note, I'll take this opportunity to plug http://www.zaurususergroup.com/forums/ for those Zaurus owners that don't know about us :) We're currently building a Zaurus Software Index to help make it easier for people to download the software they need.

Some other good sites for the Zaurus:

http://www.openzaurus.com
http://www.pdaxrom.com

no support? What are you smoking?

I don't suppose people who buy Sharp laptops have to get all their software from Sharp too, do they? Do all Dell laptop owners buy all their software and games from Dell?

Sharp will honor their warranty. That's all they need to do. You can get all kinds of software for this device from other sources, as long as you have the hardware.

--Michael Spencer (An SL-C700 owner, considering buying this SL-C300)

http://www.zaurususergroup.com/forums/index.php?s= eb19d321bf6323a973dfc7a271fcd201&showtopic=762 5

Sticking with what's important..

Ya know, as great as that product sounds, I'd be very wary before dropping any cash for a Sharp PDA.

Why? Well remember that linux-based 6000 version that had several reviews on here not too long ago? Well, Sharp is ALREADY DROPPING SUPPORT FOR IT.

wtf is up with that? Lots of people around here just dropped $600 for this thing, only to get bent over by Sharp.

For what it's worth, I'm extremely happy with the 6000. It's rugged as hell, the screen literally has to be seen to be believed, and it can do just about anything. But buy another overpriced product from Sharp only to have them screw me over again? Thanks, but I'll pass.

-Fatty

You can always check ebay for Zaurus handhelds. SL-5500, SL-5000D, SL-6000, C7xx, C860, etc.. They all run Linux natively.

The SL-6000 and C series handhelds are a little pricey, but you can find cheap SL-5xxx's for around $150 used. Not sure what the current price is for a new SL-5500.

As all Zaurii have CF slots, you can run many different Wireless CF cards.

Have questions, check www.zaurususergroup.com.

See www.pdaXrom.org, this article on cross-compiling, Gentoo for Zaurus, the Zaurus Software Index, the Zaurus Message Board, Zaurus.spy.org, and last but definitely least the Zaurus User Group (which among much else has active discussion of where to buy the clamshells from).

The ZUG has great forums and a number of developer resources and there are rumors flying around that Sharp's developer pages will be available again 'real soon now.'

I was in the same boat. I bought in to each generation. I had an old Palm IIIxe, a Compaq Aero, and they're running around here with iPaqs and e750s. None of these devices are capable of replacing my trusty, although quite huge, laptop. The PDAs floated around in my pocket for maybe 6-8 months each before realizing I don't know enough people or have enough appointments to waste my time with these devices.

However, I bought a SL-6000L over the weekend. It's amazing what these devices will do. These 2 reviews cover the hardware pretty comprehensively and the included apps ok but they only allude to its true capabilities. It's surely everything my laptop did for me and it fits in my (larger) pockets. I admit, the USB host and VGA screen are what pushed me over the edge. Check out ZUG for a better idea of what people are doing with these machines.

Yes, there are ports for almost all current emulators (MAME, NES, SNES, Gen, GB, etc) to the Zaurus.

Your best source of info is the forums on Zaurus User Group.

It would seem that Sharp's UK marketing is still broken/asleep and they are unlikely to sell it over here in the UK. Such a shame, we'll have to keep importing them at vast expense :-(

A pertinent thread on the Zaurus User Group


Re 640x480 - I have an imported SL-C760 and I don't know how anyone can manage with a lower resolution - PocketPCs look really primitive by comparison, although in fairness I think they are starting to get there now with better screens.

There are other roms for the other older models. Some use X and the like. Zaurus User Group Has information on these different ROMS

The recently released specs for the new 6000 series will include an option for built-in wifi, both Bluetooth and 802.11.

Anyone know if there's been any news on Sharp's Zaurus 6000 series? The specs and manual were released, but it was more of a leak through the FCC than official news.

It'd be nice to know more about pricing and release date...

http://www.zaurususergroup.com/images/6000/

We will now transport you to our home planet of NFQ-9882...