I was just wondering if anybody besides myself is using a GPS navigation system in their vehicle.

I have been so pleased with my Garmin GPS-V over the past two years, that I can't imaginine doing without one of these units in my next vehicle.

I know that lot's of manufacturers, and even rental car companies (Hertz for one) have attempted to get people interested in these things apparently without success?

I really cannot understand the lack of interest here??? I can be 300 miles from home and find accomodations , a restaraunt (of my choice), or a church and get their address and phone number at a touch of a few buttons. Not only that, ....my GPS will take me to that location and give me instant driving directions to whichever motel or restaraunt I select from my present location.

Also I can move the unit between my vehicle and my wifes or your vehicle, and do the same thing.

This is cheap technology...about $600 and you are gone...a little bit of effort to learn the system and a home computer as a base station and you are good to go about anywhere in North America.

I took a look at GM's OnStar and found NO VALUE whatsoever!! (GM owns ON STAR...duh?)

Anybody had experience with a built-in mapping GPS in a Truck or auto that wants to share experiences?

Where is Ford on this?

 

600 bucks would get me some nice wheels. I had a $99 one at my last job that was kind of neat for a hand held one. There was also one in my truck so they could spy on me.

I think it could be real useful but the prices would have to drop before I would buy one.

 

I have 2 systems, and one computer software based one. I can usually map to 10 inches, anywhere in the northern hemisphere. I got a Trimble, when the technology was new - over $2,000 for something that a $300 modern one will out perform. The software one is a Rand McNally made by Magellan, that works with RM mapping software, and can be persuaded to operate with MS mapping software. I use it all of the time, particularly when away from 'normal' roads. It has saved me money, time and my life in the past, so I will continue to have GPS Navigation assistance in my truck.

I am currently building a system for my truck that will encompass a very good lap top, printer and multi gps system, to give me military spec positioning, which though not really necessary, is very nice. The back seat of my truck is starting to look like nothng on earth, with angular frames, radio equipment, and fancy safes... If only my brain could get my hands to do what my brain sees........... If done by a good workman it will look great, however, done by me it will function, and look terrible.

Theo

 

If you have a laptop, then the DeLorme GPS & map software is
the way to go. You can get their Street Altas 2004 PLUS software,
and a USB GPS receiver for about $190.00. It will tell you (talk to
you) when you have to make a turn, and it also has speach
recognition for asking it questions.

Check it out on:

www.delorme.com

 

I have the DeLorme system on my laptop. It can give you all the resturants, hotels and gas stations within 10 -20 -50 miles. And as Bob says, it will give you vocal directions, however with my laptop (and old man hearing) I can't hear it to well so I put a set of powered speakers on my laptop. I have a 300 watt power inverter that runs the whole thing. Works good, but as Theo says , it starts looking like something from a Buck Rogers movie. I'd really like to get a self-contained one like catfish was talking about, but not untill they get a little (make that whole lot) cheaper


.

 

I have only dealt with the handheld models, In my opinion, ignore the nonmapping units. The mapping ones, garmin especially, are very precise and excellent maps. All of them will upload maps and you can find anything. I would say that $600 for the GPS-V is a very good price. They already come with the software installed and have a huge memory so you can put thousands of waypoints in.

 

I've also used the Delorme set-up with a laptop as well. Problem is I don't like the space restraints and messing with a keyboard involved with a laptop and all. The Delorme system worked fine, but the interface and space requirements were terrible.

I thought some of the new PDA-based systems might be the best, but they don't seem to support these with good software or a standard vehicle interface.

I like my GPS-V a lot. A 2.5" by 2" by 6" package that does almost everything a laptop can do. Plus I can can run it on AA batteries in my coat pocket for hiking or put it in the boat for marine navigation.

One other thing: Cost is an issue, but peace of mind and convenience is worth some cash. Mine has carried me out of a slum in south Atlanta with out having to ask directions. To nineteen never seen business stops in rural NC and a few weeks ago on a week-long vacation to Williamsburg, VA.

On the vacation trip, I never even looked at a paper map for driving.

I'd personally condider a GPS interface via a removable PDA as a viable option given a cost of $600.00 on a $30,000 vehicle. My thinking is that it sure would be nice to have a PDA slot that would provide an interface for a GPS Antenna, provide Power to the PDA and an interface to the vehicle audio system.

Back to my original question: What is Ford's position on this.
Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead?

 

The new DeLorme GPS receiver / software will interface with a
PDA.....

 

Bob,

Now if Ford would just take that little yellow interface module made by DeLorme for a PDA and put it in the dash and put that little antenna on the roof, I'd pay reasonably for software and maybe even hardware upgrades.

Taking the PDA with routing and mapping and just plug it in would be more than awsome in my opinion.

(Let me run my own GPS mapping software, choose my PDA and all.)

Ford, please give me the easy slot and an interface to the audio and the antenna! I do not need bluetooth, I just want driver navigation!

If Ford is going to "change the game" they'd better "change the rules first". And I'm not seeing a "Ford standard" for a GPS or PDA hardware interface. That's dissapointing in my mind.

All of the above is old navigation technology...except for the PDA interface. I figured Ford might be the first to release an open-architecture interface for GPS as an option.

Hell, Cadilac tried night-time infrared imaging on the windshield!

Furthermore, the PDA could even back-up engine codes and diagnostics running Ford's own software! Not to mention vehicle service reminders and records.

What gives Ford?

 

OK, I have a PDA, a nice Dell Axim X something runnng the XP2003 version of the OS.. However, I would really like to know what P D A means..

Figuring out how to get the darn thing to keep talking to my PC would be good too.

Theo

 

Personal Data Assistant

 

Theo,

If you don't know how to run your PDA, then get rid of it!

(Want to buy a Palm III with original software and all manuals for $40.00? Used less than one hour. Sold as is.)

Point above is that PDA's have the screen, memory capacity, processing power and ports to do what is required for turn-by turn GPS navigation.

To some degree they are also expandable and can be interfaced to different computers and operating systems via various high speed communications methods. The above features are a severe limitation of present portable GPS systems including my GPS-V (and most other Garmin units without memory modules).

My GPS-V is limited to high speed serial connection to my computer. (Downloading 19 megs of maps via a 156K connection takes a while via such a connection as you might imagine!)

Now again, if Ford could set the standard, we would be ready to go. How many vehicles did Ford sell last year? How many PDA's did Dell sell? How many GPS units did Garmin sell?

Who is setting the standards here anyway?

Where is Ford???

 

I just purchased the Delorme pc setup yesturday. It is replacing a prior unit that I donated to my weather research group to use in our storm chase vehicle. You can see in my gallery how I overcame the space problems with the laptop in my truck. Plus, since it is locked to the truck, insurance now covers it if it is stolen. I have used this setup for the last 5 years, and have traveled a good portion of the Eastern United States with nothing but good experiences. In my fields, firefighter, storm chaser, and truck driver, not to mention wayward traveler, it has never let me down.

Bluehawk

 

I have had the DeLorme map software, and Earthmate (serial)
GPS receiver for several years now. Just a couple of weeks ago,
I bought the new Street Atlas 2004 PLUS, along with DeLorme's
new USB Earthmate GPS receiver. The first one I received worked
for about 1/2 hour one evening, then wouldn't "lock" at all the
next day, the 2nd one I received continued to work, but would
drop out of 3-D lock intermittently (mapped the same route with
my old serial Earthmate, and it stayed in 3-D lock), and the 3rd
one I received yesterday must have a bad connector on it, because it stops working when I move the cable on it....

I have been a DeLorme customer for many years, I hope they
make this USB Earthmate receiver right!!!!!!

 

When I purchased my E-350 it had a Alpine navigation system already installed. I bought the van used. I've been using the Smart Map Pro that is proprietary to Alpine. As this is the only system I have used I have on way to make a comparison. How ever I do like what I have.