Fact Finding for GPS Device

[Force Flow]

I was looking into embracing the 21st century and possibly getting a GPS device for my car.

Some of the things I was looking for:

• large screen (4"+)
• voice-activated
• spoken directions
• lifetime updates

Any product suggestions under $500?

Any tips for determining a good unit from a lesser one?

Thanks

[glc]

Do you have a spare laptop and a way to mount it?

[Force Flow]

Nope, no laptop.

[David M]

glc has a point with a laptop and electronic charts, the more screen real estate you can get (more pixels) the more useful they are.

When choosing one, look for the ones with more pixels and not necessarily which ones have the largest screen size. Garmin I think makes the best.

[glc]

Garmin is the best, but lifetime updates are an additional 70 bucks.

[strollin]

I used a laptop with Delorme software and hockey-puck GPS for several years with my RV. I then switched to a Garmin Street Pilot 7200 (no longer made) stand-alone GPS and would never consider going back to using the laptop. The laptop takes up too much space, is awkward to mount and isn't designed to be read or operated by a driver in a moving vehicle. The GPS came with software for the laptop that allows me to create routes and do trip planning on the PC then download the route to the GPS for use in the vehicle. The stand-alone GPSs made for auto use are compact, easily mounted, use a touch screen interface designed to be operated by a driver, have anti-glare screens that sense ambient light and adjust accordingly and operate on 12VDC.



The trend now is to use a smart-phone with GPS capability. I don't foresee me going that route because the screen is too tiny on a phone.

[ChoboSeki]

I had the Garmin Street Pilot 3400 or something, it was amazing. Some druggy stole it from me and Garmin is too poor to add some security system to block certain GPS from using the satellite if they are listed as STOLEN. What's the point to have them list it as stolen if they can't do anything about it, so dumb.

I would get an antenna too, it greatly reduces loading time for road to road directions and remapping.

[Force Flow]

Originally Posted by glc Garmin is the best, but lifetime updates are an additional 70 bucks.

About how much are regular updates by themselves? Now I'm wondering if I have the unit for maybe 5 years or so if it would be worth it or not.

Also, if a unit isn't sold with lifetime updates, can they be purchased separately?

Originally Posted by strollin The laptop takes up too much space, is awkward to mount and isn't designed to be read or operated by a driver in a moving vehicle.

Yeah, that's pretty much why I was looking into a stand-alone unit. I don't have a place to put a laptop in my car besides the actual passenger seat.

Originally Posted by ChoboSeki I would get an antenna too, it greatly reduces loading time for road to road directions and remapping.

Don't the units already come with an antenna? Or are you talking about a separate external antenna?

[David M]

Originally Posted by Force Flow Don't the units already come with an antenna? Or are you talking about a separate external antenna?

Most all car dash GPS units come with a built in antenna now. Some of those have an option for an external antenna. In dash mounted units have remote antennas.

There are 30 NAVSTAR satellites in orbit and all you need to receive are three to get a fix, four to get altitude and a fix. The more satellites you receive, the more precise the fix down to about 1-2 meters at best with a WAAS differential receiver. Even if your internal antenna does not see all of the sky, chances are there will always be enough sky visible to the antenna to get a fix. Don't worry about getting an external antenna if you have a dash mounted GPS near a window.

[Bob338]

I just started using a Garmin Nuvi that Newegg had on sale for under $100. I didn't do much research so I don't know of any GPS that is voice actuated, but I can say that what I have works about as well as you can expect. Garmin gives you one update which I got within the 60 day window for registering. You can key security that requires a PIN number that makes the unit non-funtional without it. It has to be sent to Garmin for reactivation and if you've registered it, you get your unit back. I can't believe the lifetime updates are worth it, unless you're way out of date, like years. I've run into a couple of issues that I question any updates can handle. In one case recently, there was a new freeway just opened where a surface street had been earlier. The update was only a couple of weeks old. When I took the route to get to an airport from an unusual approach, the unit kept telling me to 'turn right'. No way to get off the freeway and I had to run extra 3-4 miles before I found an off ramp. No update would take care of that.

I also understand these units are attractive to thieves and they recommend you put them out of sight when you leave your car unattended. It seems to me that an inexpensive unit that is updated shortly after purchase and that provides the functions you require, and which you can economically replace periodically, would be better than spending 5 times what I paid for mine, then losing it. I can replace mine several times, and update at that point of replacement, for a lot less money in the long haul, than by spending all that money for a unit whose directions aren't really that much better.

While I resisted the ownership of these things for a long time, I sure can see their value, and if you don't try to key things into it while you're driving, it's a pretty darned good safety item since the voice directions enable you to watch what you're doing while driving instead of reading signs, or changing lanes at the last minute when trying to exit a freeway. The directions aren't perfect and I can't imagine that any of them could ever be.

[glc]

Amazon.com: Garmin nüMaps Lifetime North America Map Updates: Electronics

Same price that Garmin charges for ONE update. As shipped, a Garmin GPS comes with ONE free update.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by ChoboSeki I had the Garmin Street Pilot 3400 or something, it was amazing. Some druggy stole it from me and Garmin is too poor to add some security system to block certain GPS from using the satellite if they are listed as STOLEN. What's the point to have them list it as stolen if they can't do anything about it, so dumb. I would get an antenna too, it greatly reduces loading time for road to road directions and remapping.

I'm not sure how Garmin could block a unit from using the satellite if it's stolen. How would the unit know it is stolen? The satellites are owned and operated by the government so Garmin has no control over the data the GPS receives. The only possibility would be to not allow map updates on a stolen device.

An antenna wouldn't do anything to improve loading time for road to road directions or remapping as those are strictly functions of the GPS's processor. An external antenna may help acquire satellites and determine a fix faster, especially if used in places like an "urban canyon" (surrounded by tall buildings) or in a dense forest with no clear view of the sky.

Any new unit would probably include the relatively new SiRF chipset which does more to speed satellite acquisition than an external antenna.

[strollin]

I used the voice-activation capabilities of the Delorme software on my laptop years ago and wasn't entirely satisfied with it. The technology may have improved since then but I can't say either way. In order to get the voice control to work reasonably well, I needed to use a microphone placed directly in front of my mouth and the sensitivity of the microphone needed to be precisely adjusted. It also required you to preface any voice command with an attention word such as "Computer" so you would need to say something like "Computer. Zoom in." This was necessary because otherwise the software would respond to other ambient noises in the vehicle such as the radio or conversation between the passengers. Often times the software would misunderstand your command, if you were lucky, it just ignored what you said. Other times, it would misinterpret what you said as a completely different command and do something totally unexpected.

It just came to me that I first started using GPS on a Win 95 laptop in 1996. I had a Delorme Tripmate GPS with AAA Map-n-Go software. The Tripmate attached to the serial port and ran from batteries. I modified the receiver to be powered from the serial port itself to eliminate the need to constantly replace the batteries.

[glc]

I'm using Microsoft Streets & Trips with a USB GPS receiver on an old IBM Thinkpad T20. It fits perfectly in my F-150 with the lid all the way open and the keyboard under the fold-down center console/armrest. The receiver is on top of the dash in the center, next to the windshield.

I could care less about voice and directions - all I want is something that tells me exactly where I am. I can premap routes and load them up so all I need to do is follow the green line.

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by strollin I'm not sure how Garmin could block a unit from using the satellite if it's stolen. How would the unit know it is stolen?

The unit will not turn ON without a pin number so the unit itself is inoperative if you can't get past the security screen.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by Bob338 The unit will not turn ON without a pin number so the unit itself is inoperative if you can't get past the security screen.

Pin number? That must be something new, none of the 8 or so GPSs I've used in the past 14 years have ever needed a pin number. Or are you suggesting that as a way to secure the GPS?

[strollin]

Originally Posted by glc I'm using Microsoft Streets & Trips with a USB GPS receiver on an old IBM Thinkpad T20. It fits perfectly in my F-150 with the lid all the way open and the keyboard under the fold-down center console/armrest. The receiver is on top of the dash in the center, next to the windshield. I could care less about voice and directions - all I want is something that tells me exactly where I am. I can premap routes and load them up so all I need to do is follow the green line.

To each his own, if that works for you great, but IMO it's not a good place to put the laptop as it requires you to take your eyes completely off the road and look down and to the right to see your position. Most stand-alone GPSs are small enough to be able to mount up at eye level so it's not necessary to look down or turn your head to see your position.

[Bob338]

Originally Posted by strollin Or are you suggesting that as a way to secure the GPS?

Not suggesting it at all, that's just the way it is with the newer units. You have an option in activating the unit as to whether or not you want security. If you don't want it then the unit fires up as the older ones did. If you elect to have security, the unit can only be activated at your home location, or while away, with a PIN number which has to be entered every time you turn the unit off and want to turn it back on. I'm new to the use of Garmin so I have no clue when that change but I'm presuming it's software driven and maybe older units could be so enabled.

[glc]

Originally Posted by strollin To each his own, if that works for you great, but IMO it's not a good place to put the laptop as it requires you to take your eyes completely off the road and look down and to the right to see your position. Most stand-alone GPSs are small enough to be able to mount up at eye level so it's not necessary to look down or turn your head to see your position.

A quick glance is all you need to see a 14 inch screen. It's a lot safer than trying to read my phone screen!

[Hufigyed]

Originally Posted by strollin I used the voice-activation capabilities of the Delorme software on my laptop years ago and wasn't entirely satisfied with it. The technology may have improved since then but I can't say either way. In order to get the voice control to work reasonably well, I needed to use a microphone placed directly in front of my mouth and the sensitivity of the microphone needed to be precisely adjusted. It also required you to preface any voice command with an attention word such as "Computer" so you would need to say something like "Computer. Zoom in." This was necessary because otherwise the software would respond to other ambient noises in the vehicle such as the radio or conversation between the passengers. Often times the software would misunderstand your command, if you were lucky, it just ignored what you said. Other times, it would misinterpret what you said as a completely different command and do something totally unexpected.

Voice command has come a long way. I put a Pioneer stereo/nav unit in my truck like 2 years ago and it has voice command, I never really use it but it works very well, I was quite surprised. I can actually pause and umm and ahh in the middle of words and 90% of the time it still picks it up right. And I just had the mic laying on the center console and wasn't looking at it or speaking any different/louder than I would to a passenger.

[ChoboSeki]

Newegg.com - GARMIN nüvi 255W 4.3" GPS Navigation Bundle Case & Mount

My next GPS maybe, if I find time to need one again

Newegg even has a product tour video on the site. Watch it, it's cool.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by ChoboSeki Newegg.com - GARMIN nüvi 255W 4.3" GPS Navigation Bundle Case & Mount My next GPS maybe, if I find time to need one again Newegg even has a product tour video on the site. Watch it, it's cool.

How do you want to be able to use the GPS? That one does not have the ability to store a route so it can only do routing from point A to point B. That may be all that you need but it is not good for planning multi-legged trips. Interesting that Newegg is selling it for $189.99 when Garmin lists it for $179.99 on their website. Nevermind, just realized that Garmin is listing the GPS only but Newegg is listing the bundle of GPS with case and mount.

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by ChoboSeki Newegg.com - GARMIN nüvi 255W 4.3" GPS Navigation Bundle Case & Mount My next GPS maybe, if I find time to need one again Newegg even has a product tour video on the site. Watch it, it's cool.

I bought that for a sibling last Christmas. I have used it on occasion, but have no experience with any others though.

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by strollin How do you want to be able to use the GPS? That one does not have the ability to store a route so it can only do routing from point A to point B. That may be all that you need but it is not good for planning multi-legged trips. Interesting that Newegg is selling it for $189.99 when Garmin lists it for $179.99 on their website. Nevermind, just realized that Garmin is listing the GPS only but Newegg is listing the bundle of GPS with case and mount.

I haven't tried, but it has a way to save destination points. I have saved places in favorites and done it that way.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by quartet-man I haven't tried, but it has a way to save destination points. I have saved places in favorites and done it that way.

That's fine if you only want/need to route yourself between 2 points. What if you wanted to do a route between many different points?

With many GPSs, you can create an intricate route on your PC, then download the route to the GPS. Some GPSs allow you to enter many destinations and it will determine the best, most efficient route to cover all of them.

The more features, the higher the cost. The feature set of that GPS may work fine for you but may not be adequate for someone else.

[David M]

A PIN number only gives you the satisfaction that the druggie who stole it can't use it or sell it. I don't think most druggies can't discern the PIN units from the non-PIN units when busting in your side window at 3AM.

[Statica]

I've been using a Garmin 765T for the last year or so .. Had a 365 before that. Highly recommend a Garmin with a 'T' attribute for free lifetime traffic. Again, some units used to come with MSN Direct traffic and I wouldn't recommend them... I've got the one with Navteq traffic. A very useful feature if you live in a metro area.

My biggest feature requirements for a GPS were traffic and Bluetooth. The BT on my GPS allows me to use it w/my cell and it's one less device to have in the car.

Check out gpsmagazine.com for reviews. From the site, followed by personal experience I have found that TomTom's routing engine wasn't as good as Garmins.

[Force Flow]

I've been looking around, and I can't seem to find any Garmin units that include Navteq as an option--just MSN. Is it even sold as an option anymore?

[Statica]

Have u tried checking with garmin.com > Automotive > lifetime traffic as your search parameters? I can't say I've checked every one of the current models, but those that I have are all with NavteqRDS.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/tech...gps-units.html

[quartet-man]

Presuming they are up to date, Amazon lists some:

The first two I listed show it, but there are obviously things that came up under the search with the two terms, that aren't GPS units. However, I put the link up anyhow:

Garmin nüvi 1370T

285WT

Amazon.com: garmin Navteq