[MacGPS] New to GPS

[Peter McNabb]

I've looked all over the internet doing research on GPS receivers,  
software, and Mac OS X. However, I didn't find much and was relieved  
to find this list... any help would be appreciated! :)

I have a PowerBook G4 that I just got this summer. From the research  
I've done, it looks like the best (?) mapping program for OS X is  
Route USA 2004. This program uses any NMEA 0183-compatible receiver.  
It appears that most receivers are compatible (I saw iGPS 360,  
GM-210, USGlobalSat BU-303, etc.).

The problem is that I am so unfamiliar with GPS systems that I don't  
know which receiver/software combination is best. I suppose "best" is  
somewhat arbitrary... I'm setting this up to use for trip planning/ 
real-time tracking and plan on spending around $200. I'm also a  
software developer and want to be able to incorporate the receiver's  
output into my own projects later.

Other questions would be "What are common problems with GPS?", "How  
has your experience with it been so far?", and "If this isn't as cool  
as I thought it was, what would be a better Christmas present?" :D

Any help or direction would be greatly, well, helpful! :)

Thank you!
-Peter McNabb
peter at mcnabbs.org