GPS anyone?
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Champaign
Try www.gpspassion.com forums for more information than you need.
I have a Garmin 2620, new 2720 looks great. Many like the 2610 for reasons they will provide.
Ted
I have a Garmin 2620, new 2720 looks great. Many like the 2610 for reasons they will provide.
Ted
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: SE PA
I have had a 2610 since they came out. Works very well, and is portable to move from car to car.
What I still like about the 2610 is the screen size....still the biggest that I have seen. Garmin also just released a new software package, with fresher maps, locations, etc, I thin I am gonna spring for.
What I still like about the 2610 is the screen size....still the biggest that I have seen. Garmin also just released a new software package, with fresher maps, locations, etc, I thin I am gonna spring for.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Oshawa/Ontario/Canada
I just recevied my eBay purchase --- a Bluetooth GPS. It was about $100 ... and it works great. Came with a car charger ... it can go 20h on it's battery.
I use it with a Treo 650 (a palm pilot that is also a phone).
I use it with a Treo 650 (a palm pilot that is also a phone).
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Monterey Park, California
I've relied on maps all my life.
Will the GPS spoil me?
Is it entertaining on long trips?
I can get a Garmin from Circuit City and try it. If I don't like it can return it.
They only have the model 2720 for around $900.
What are the chance I won't keep it.
Will the GPS spoil me?
Is it entertaining on long trips?
I can get a Garmin from Circuit City and try it. If I don't like it can return it.
They only have the model 2720 for around $900.
What are the chance I won't keep it.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: Oshawa/Ontario/Canada
Heh. Hard to answer that. Sounds like questions for yourself.
A GPS does not replace maps. In fact, in generall, you have to have maps for your GPS to display before it is useful. Old GPS units used to simply display your location --- which may not entirely be 100% useful since most road maps don't have geocoordinate information printed on them.
$900 is a lot of money for a toy. I got the $100 Bluetooth GPS because it could communicate with many of the devices I already have. The GPS itself has no display. It's only purpose is to send a stream of location data to another device. So it sits on the dash doing this.
My device of choice right now is my Treo 650 (a palm pilot/phone/camera, etc). I have 'Handmap' ... a mapping application loaded in ... and it happily uses the stream of data from the bluetooth GPS. However, I could just as easily be using my laptop or any other bluetooth device to communicate with it.
Consider that the $900 box you're considering is a full fledged PDA --- or is priced like one ... except that you can only look at maps with it. If you use one of your more general purpose devices ... you can save quite a bit of money.
A GPS does not replace maps. In fact, in generall, you have to have maps for your GPS to display before it is useful. Old GPS units used to simply display your location --- which may not entirely be 100% useful since most road maps don't have geocoordinate information printed on them.
$900 is a lot of money for a toy. I got the $100 Bluetooth GPS because it could communicate with many of the devices I already have. The GPS itself has no display. It's only purpose is to send a stream of location data to another device. So it sits on the dash doing this.
My device of choice right now is my Treo 650 (a palm pilot/phone/camera, etc). I have 'Handmap' ... a mapping application loaded in ... and it happily uses the stream of data from the bluetooth GPS. However, I could just as easily be using my laptop or any other bluetooth device to communicate with it.
Consider that the $900 box you're considering is a full fledged PDA --- or is priced like one ... except that you can only look at maps with it. If you use one of your more general purpose devices ... you can save quite a bit of money.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Laguna Hills and Payson
Not my car, or an EX, just thought it was funny...
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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i use a gps for my job. (i'm on my 4th one ) they work well but what zbeeble said "GPS does not replace maps." is due to how the program is written you will need the map just to see if the gps is not ignoring things like an interstate.
the best seem to be laptop based (large map area, more programs availible)down side is running a hard drive in a moving vehical.
the best seem to be laptop based (large map area, more programs availible)down side is running a hard drive in a moving vehical.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Champaign
For what it is worth, here is the "Cadillac" for the time being.
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...424985,00.html
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pn...424985,00.html
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Monterey Park, California
Think I'll stay with my trusty maps and mapquest printouts. Also no theft worries.
There are many times I went the wrong direction and had to double back, but I can deal with that!
There are many times I went the wrong direction and had to double back, but I can deal with that!
Diesel User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Berkshires, MA
From my post from another thread.
I have used my Magellan live linked with my laptop for that big live view. The portability is great for work when I have to fly and use a rental car. I can find some pretty remote sites that I need to visit and it gives you a heads up because it looks more like using a map with you moving on it.
Don't over look the Magellan line. They are very affordable and are extremely portable. I have the Color Meridian in my X and the Meridian Platinum (monochrome) for biking, hiking, etc. They have entry level models as well. They offer two types of car mounts, one can also be used in a boat, and another type that can be used on a bike, maybe even on a motorcycle. They even will connect to your laptop for a large LIVE view. I have all my trips recorded. I even have all of my regular travel points stored in the GPS so it will calculate how far away it is and how long before I get there. My common use is for accurate speed and I love the altitude feature. But these are features most GPS systems have and some have even more. I guess it is about your budget and preferences.
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
If you already own a laptop the least expensive way to add GPS is buy one for your computer. The prices range from around $120 to $300. There are a bunch of packages out there that include the software and a USB GPS antenna. I have ALK's CoPilot Live 8.0 and I am very happy with it. Microsoft's Streets and Trips and Delorme Street Atlas are also very popular.
I strap my laptop down on the cover for the storage area between the two front seats which gives me a perfect view. The other nice thing is you are using the large laptop LCD screen rather than a smaller one on the GPS only units.
I strap my laptop down on the cover for the storage area between the two front seats which gives me a perfect view. The other nice thing is you are using the large laptop LCD screen rather than a smaller one on the GPS only units.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3
From: Durham, NC
If you have a laptop, the Delorme GPS & map software is the way to go!!
With the power of a laptop, it has many more features than ANY handheld,
and a lot cheaper!!!
Check it out at:
www.delorme.com
With the power of a laptop, it has many more features than ANY handheld,
and a lot cheaper!!!
Check it out at:
www.delorme.com