GPS Systems (for a car, really) (Full Version)

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CalifChick -> GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 2:33:28 PM)

Amazing how many discussions on GPS come up on search, but they all seem to center around inserting a GPS chip into a sub (cuz yanno, we are all so prone to wandering off when we see sparkly things).

I'm looking at getting a GPS for my car.  Well, not really to use so much around town here at home (I mapquest an address here maybe once a month at best).  But I have two trips coming up, and if I rent a GPS with the rental car for both occasions, it will cost me about $100 extra.  So I figured it would be a bit wiser to take that $100 and put it towards purchasing a unit of my own.

I have some experience using a friend's GPS - a Magellan (don't know which model but I think it's at least a year old), which I really liked except for a couple of annoyances... it sometimes had a serious delay in updating your route if you took a wrong turn on purpose (like you wanted to make a side trip to stop for a snack), and sometimes it would send you out of your way only to have you u-turn to get back on track.  For that last one, I knew I was supposed to turn at a certain landmark to get to my friend's house, and it had me going straight thru the intersection.  I was able to "see ahead" on the GPS and it was going to have me u-turn about a block away and come back. 

My friend confirmed that sometimes it does the "crazy u-turn" thing (but not EVERY time at the same location).  I don't know if he has downloaded updates or updated maps or anything like that. 

There is a feature I would like, if it's available in a reasonably priced model.  I saw it referred to as "solving the traveling salesman problem."  I don't know what it is officially called, but you put in several addresses where you want to go in one trip, and it calculates the most efficient route to hit all the stops. 

Another useful feature was predicted typing, so you didn't have to type out an entire street name, but only the first few letters, and it would find what you wanted.

There are other features I have seen that I don't think I would ever use, such as the ability to play a movie.

Sooooooooo... who has one and likes it?  Why or why not?  What features did you think you HAD to have but in reality, never use?  What features did you wish you had paid for, but didn't get?  Is your brand/model reliable?  Easy to see in bright sun?  Loud enough when there is substantial road noise?  Does it speak the directions to you or just chime when you're supposed to turn? 

Cali





ThatDaveGuy69 -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 2:48:01 PM)

I have a Megellean 4040 that I bought from Tiger Direct, refurbished, for $100.  Aside from miss-pronouncing my street name, it works great.
Having owned it for a few months now I can say I'm glad I got one with a larger screen - this one is 4.3".  Screen size really does matter.

I think the "salesman" feature is called route planning.  I don't know if mine has that, I've never tried multiple destinations.

Mine has a sort of predictive type thing - when you enter an address, you start with city/state.  When you enter the street name, the only letters available are for street names that exist in that town.  Same thing for address.

Not sure how much this helps.  One piece of advice: if you're buying in a store (as opposed to online) open the unit and make sure all accessories are there.  Also, try to power on the unit.  Most models have a built-in re-chargeable battery and you want to make sure it works as a handheld.  Probably more of an issue re-furbished than with new.

Good hunting!

~Dave



marie2 -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:02:29 PM)

I've got a Garmin StreetPilot C340.  It was under $200.00.  I love it. It's reliable, holds a charge really well, and is easy to see in both sunlight and darkness.   My favorite feature is the text-to-speech because seeing each turn on the screen isn't enough for me, I like to actually hear the voice tell me "in  point 3 miles turn right onto ramp".   It's easy to set-up and very user-friendly.



KatyLied -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:08:21 PM)

Can someone please advise.  Is there a model I can use in my car and that would also work for geocaching (plotting coordinates)?  I'm planning on getting a GPS and would like one that has both of these functions.  Or do all of them have this function?  Or should I visit Radio Shack and talk to a geek?



popeye1250 -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:10:13 PM)

My car has all that stuff already built in.



KatyLied -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:11:29 PM)

quote:

My car has all that stuff already built in.


Congrats to you.  That's not an option for some of us.



marie2 -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:16:41 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Can someone please advise.  Is there a model I can use in my car and that would also work for geocaching (plotting coordinates)?  I'm planning on getting a GPS and would like one that has both of these functions.  Or do all of them have this function?  Or should I visit Radio Shack and talk to a geek?



Hmm....Good question Katy.  I really don't know, but I think many cell phones have a gps in them too.   Hopefully someone will come along who knows, or else you're going to have to talk to a geek!  lol



kdsub -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:26:19 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

quote:

My car has all that stuff already built in.


Congrats to you.  That's not an option for some of us.



Garmin's nüvi 500 is a multi-purpose GPS it has all the bells and whistles of most on the road units...But it is also waterproof and has preloaded topo maps for geocashing.

If you have the money you would be better served to buy separate units for the car and off road... The off road Garmins allow you to load custom topo maps...are easier to use...and more rugged.

Butch



CalifChick -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 3:35:15 PM)

Katy, I have read several articles that talk about the accuracy of the GPS system.  It has to do with how many satellites it can find at one time (the more satellites and the farther spread out they are, the more accurate the system).  If there are obstructions (even heavy tree cover), the GPS may not be able to find the satellites, or enough satellites, to return an accurate location.  So depending on circumstances, that lat/long response will likely not be exact, but may be a few feet off or several dozen feet off.

I think I googled "choosing a GPS" and the first hit came up with a series of 3 articles that talked about the different features and explained the "where am I" feature. 

Cali



KatyLied -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 4:15:18 PM)

Cali - yes, I do understand that, actually searching for the cache and finding it is part of the fun.  A group of us are trying to start a kinky geocaching club.  I can't afford or justify purchasing 2 separate GPS systems.  I don't travel a lot and haven't yet started geocaching.  I will also have to get an adaptor so I can run my satellite radio and GPS.  Perhaps I should just remember to take along a map.  hehe



samboct -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 4:35:27 PM)

Hi Cali

I own a Tom Tom (don't ask me the model)- bought it refurbished from Staples online.  It's pretty good- and I agree to get the larger screen.  I think most GPS's come with an option to select a voice.

Features I like- good graphical description of the route to take- I don't need the sound.  I find this interface to be very good.
Allows options for roadblocks of varying distances away and allows you to avoid certain roads.  (Important if you're towing a boat.)

Disadvantages-  Not great at finding something interesting along the route-very restricted list of restaurants and other useful places.

Garmin- I don't like the interface as well, and no way to deal with a roadblock- might be improved on newer models.  Great at finding stuff along the route.

Issues with both- some addresses give these things fits- such as 12xx Route 9, Somerville, NJ.  What's annoying is that when you get to Route 9- it knows you're there, but you can't enter it.  Something to check for.

HTH

Sam



camille65 -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 4:36:55 PM)

Oh I love my Garmin!
Her name is Lola and she got me from Michigan to Texas without me having to open a single map. Yay for Lola!

My only issue is her dom-ness when she states 'RECALCULATING' in that strident tone of hers (which only happens when I make wrong turns lol).

Seriously I love having a GPS. It was super easy to learn, portable and has a pretty long battery life. Dang. Sounds like a vibrator!



VampiresLair -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 4:52:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: KatyLied

Can someone please advise.  Is there a model I can use in my car and that would also work for geocaching (plotting coordinates)?  I'm planning on getting a GPS and would like one that has both of these functions.  Or do all of them have this function?  Or should I visit Radio Shack and talk to a geek?


Get a garmin etrex
I have been using mine for geocaching and road trips for a few years now, and it has yet to fail me seriously (and even then it wasnt ITS fault I didnt load the city maps I thought I did)
It doesnt have a voice option, but it does have an audible alert when you are coming up on turns and the like.

DV



FourQ -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 4:53:43 PM)

In the last seven or eight years I have used Magellan, Garmin, TomTom, Nokia Maps, Google Maps, Pocket Streets and BMW's GPS systems.

Personally for the accuracy, user interface, customisability and everything else the TomTom comes way above the others.
As a result I've invested in TomTom Navigator versions five and six across my S60v2 smartphone and my PDA while my S60v3 smartphone runs Nokia and Google maps.

I've been using Autoroute (various versions) since 1990 and Google Earth since it was launched.

These days I'll use Autoroute, Google Earth, Nokia Maps, Google Maps (mobile and PC), Pocket Streets and TomTom in conjunction with each other to get the most suitable route for my needs at the time.  To solely rely on one is device is hugely unreliable.  Each method of route planning is unreliable in some way or another.  As soon as you buy something, maps, GPS, SatNav etc. it's out of date and liable to have traffic lights becoming roundabouts, to have new roads added where none existed before etc.
As a result it should only be used as an aid to your own skills.  Anyone solely relying upon one device as a means of finding somewhere needs their head read!

Sure, the ability to read the road ahead, the ability to see where the traffic jams are and the ability to add your own POI's is nothing short of outstanding but I honestly wouldn't rely 100% on one device.  If you still wish to choose one device over the others, my vote would firmly be with TomTom or TomTom Navigator.

If you want to edit your own Points Of Interest, just drop me a note.  You have my details.



Lorr47 -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 5:10:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

My car has all that stuff already built in.


Yeh, but you have one of those expensive Lincolns.



MsFlutter -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 5:15:01 PM)

I have a Garmin Nuvi 350 and refuse to travel without it.  Garmin claims the 350 has been since discontinued but it can still be found from various sources on the web. I believe the current generation is the Nuvi 1200 series. It is the size of a deck of cards so you can stick it in your purse and go on walk-about. Also easy to hide in your car to avoid attracting the 'smash & grab" crowd.
 
Bought it over a year ago from Amazon for $224. One set of updates has been made available. I was alerted by both Garmin and Amazon. Purchased the updates from Amazon for $40-ish instead of $60-ish with Garmin.
 
Maps for North America and Canada are typically standard on any units sold in the US.  Maps for other countries are available separately. 

* Important feature: ''text to speech' (yes - she tells me where to go)
* Yes, my next GPS will be another Garmin Nuvi
* I like the sunset feature. As the light fades, the display becomes more subdued.
* Yes, it is loud enough but still the screen is easy to read in case you're having a rock concert in your car (it displays the distance to next turn)
* stops to be made enroute to the destination are programmed in as 'points of interest'
* Yes it autotypes names of towns, streets, etc.
* A suction cup base comes standard, a 'bean bag' base is optional (IMO, better than the suction cup mount)
* FM traffic feed to avoid congestion is available (included with some models, an option with others)
* Works with geocaching and indicates both the accuracy (in feet) and the number of satellites currently contributing data. 



LaTigresse -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 5:19:17 PM)

I have it in my car, just refuse to pay the money to activate it. Same with satellite radio.

I have an uncanny ability to look at a map and memorize my route, if I am going someplace I've never been. Most places I've been already, or have a general idea of how to get where I want to go. But it's nice to know there is something out there if I need it somedaay. 



servantforuse -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 7:21:09 PM)

Why don't you just get a road map ?



Lashra -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 7:56:40 PM)

I have a Garmin and here is the link to it. http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-Nuvi-255W-Portable-Navigation-Device-P1826C81.aspx

It is a really nice GPS with the features that I need without a huge price tag. I really like it.

~Lashra



kdsub -> RE: GPS Systems (for a car, really) (5/25/2009 9:17:11 PM)

Click...HERE... for the best source I have found for in depth reviews of various GPS units... Just click on a model and you will get a great detailed review... better then most operation manuals that come with the devices.

Butch



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