I am looking for a smartphone and GPS combo, but I do not want to use phone service for GPS, so am looking for a device in which one can download maps and use gps reciever to get directions, i.e. do not want to pay extra $10 per month for GPS access which can be sketchy, Also would like to have WIFI capabilities if possible, again not 3G support but true wifi to connect to hot spots. Too much to ask ?
thanks for the help.

Here's a recent thread. http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...ighlight=lotus

Consider the Nokia E61 or E61i. Both can do wifi.

Also you get a bluetooth gps module to use it with the phone for navigation. You can buy whatever mapping software you want: Tomtom, Wayfinder, etc.

Or Nokia offers a free mapping software Smart2go, which is pretty good.

I second this option, I keep my Treo 650 around just to power my TomTom software. The phone doesnt have a SIM in it, so it doesnt have a data connection, but with the 2gb SD card in it i can load every US map and "point of interest" that exists.

Thanks for the suggestions, one more question, is there any gps reciever that can be used with Iphone to make it work as gps?
thanks again.

Nope, though there are some promising developments on that front.

You mean you can't get a standalone GPS and Bluetooth it to the iPhone?

Puck that.

The AT&T Tilt (made by HTC) is a great Windows Mobile phone w/ Built In GPS..... free from Google Maps or Windows Live.

No need for subscription.

I would look at the N95 8GB, internal GPS, large screen, good speakers for voice navigation, plus has WiFi, 3G, 5MP camera.

I'm thinking of adding GPS to my Treo 650. It looks to me like TomTom is my best choice. But, I'd love to be able to use it for hiking, too. National Geographic makes topos that you can download to a PDA. They will work with a GPS system, but the website notes that they will work with a bluetooth connected GPS/PDA only if it runs Windows PDA software.

So, I have a couple of questions. If I bought the TomTom system, can I load different maps into my PDA and still use the GPS hardware? Is there a way to convert maps from other sources to maps that I can use with a GPS. Does anyone have any different suggestions for one unit that I can use for both hiking and driving?

On the other hand, I'm thinking of getting an iPhone in the next year (assuming 3G, more memory, and possible GPS). Maybe I should just wait. Of course, I am always waiting for tech to catch up with my desires.

I currently use TomTom on my 650 and it's pretty sweet for driving directions. I havent ever used the GPS on there for anything else, but if you check over at TreoCentral you'll find plenty of info/advice/help.

I 2nd the AT&T Tilt. It's a great phone with built in GPS and you can download google maps for free.

If you want a really nice GPS interface like Garmin, you can get Garmin Mobile XT for $99 and add that to your AT&T Tilt on a MicroSD card that goes inside the phone.

Thanks for the info. I looked at TreoCentral earlier and didn't see anything. I may not have been looking in the right places.

Here's a shortlist I got by searching over there:

The "Bluetooth" section of their forums
Thread: Hiking Trail GPS Mapping Software
Thread: Any GPS apps for hiking?
Thread: Whats the best GPS software to get a Treo owner?

Just to be clear - GMM or WL wouldn't suit the OP because s/he doesn't want live maps but rather downloadable ones. Both of these require a persistent internet connection. Microsoft Pocket Streets is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/products/in...f1109&type=ovr and one can make custom maps with Streets & Trips (which works with a GPS plugin that can be transferred to a Bluetooth puck).