GPS for cars

[rh71]

What do you guys use/recommend? Hopefully won't break the bank either...

 

[Freejack2]

Garmin eTrex Legend
Has WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), a basemap of the US, and a PC interface cable.
I've been using it with my laptop for navigation. Works great. Also it takes 2 AA batteries, I use NiMH batteries which lasts me a couple of days of driving. I think it's supposed to last 10+ hours per set, never really timed it.
It's $161.49 at Amazon.com

Garmin Website Information

 

[Doggiedog]

I had the Garmin StreetPilot III Deluxe but got rid of it after a couple months. It was too expensive, too slow, memory card too small, harder to use because it lacked a touchscreen and did not accurately map things out for me.

I've been using my Dell Axim with Holux GPS and Mapopolis software. Actually, this past week, I used it to go from NYC to Virginia Beach and back.
This solution is much cheaper but still has some problems. The Mapopolis software doesn't dynamically load maps so you have to load maps county by county and even with a large memory card, you are limited by the internal memory of the PDA. Loading county by county is a real bitch. I had to print out county maps of all the states I was going to pass through and efficiently load them into the PDA. The one positive with the PDA GPS is that it is very fast. The touchscreen also makes things alot easier. Plus for the price I paid for the SP3 ($750), I was able to get a PDA ($300), GPS ($150) and software ($125) and still save money.

Edit: I also forgot, I had to get a powered car mount ($60),

 

[rh71]

I've used the PDA types in the past and would rather avoid them because of what you said - the size restriction.

With the Garmin products, is it a one-time purchase deal? Meaning... I just have to buy it and it'll work/update via satellite each time without doing anything with/for it ever again ? I'm in NY, but would I be able to bring it over to LV/LA - pop it on and I'm good to go ?

 

[Cyberian]

What Freejack2 & Doggiedog said is all valid. You have to decide how much you are willing to pay and the features that you really want.
See if there is a BOATUS, or West Marine near you.
Go there and ask all the questions that you have.
The employees that I have talked to at both of these stores were very well informed.

 

[0roo0roo]

truely useful gps = dvd gps navigation systems. yes they do need dvds worth of data to be useful, and with a nice big screen. all in one is perfect solution. slightly more expensive, but you get what you pay for. and your less likely to plow into a pole then if you were looking at your damn laptop

cheapo not so user friendly alternative is laptop + gps antenna+ software. nice big screen, sorta requires passenger to use, or when stopped only. voice commands on newer software supposedly, i haven't tried it. i have an old randmcnally i use sometimes if i'm going into unknown territory. nice to be able to detour on the run, its like playing a video game where you drive with a little minimap showing your position this should so totally be standard in the future. plus, finding shopping malls, banks, mcdonalds, post office locations etc wherever you go with a few clicks.

 

[gwlam12]

so which software for pc talks to u?

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: rh71
I've used the PDA types in the past and would rather avoid them because of what you said - the size restriction.

With the Garmin products, is it a one-time purchase deal? Meaning... I just have to buy it and it'll work/update via satellite each time without doing anything with/for it ever again ? I'm in NY, but would I be able to bring it over to LV/LA - pop it on and I'm good to go ?

The Garmin came with a CD that included maps for the entire US. For Mapopolis, you can go to their website and download all the maps you want.

And like 0roo0roo said, DVD is the best but you really are going to pay if you want a DVD based system. My MDX had a DVD nav system option which is supposedly the best one you can get but for $3K, I didn't think it was worth it.

So far the best system I have used, and I haven't used too many, is the Neverlost system that Hertz has in their cars. You can buy them on Ebay but they are very expensive. I think they go for around $1500.

What it boils down to really is a compromise. You can get a really good GPS for big bucks or settle for some quirks and annoyances with cheaper systems. For me, the Holux/Mapopolis combo was a good compromise because I don't really use the GPS that much but I do use my PDA. The map loading is a real problem if you use the GPS all the time so I wouldn't recommend it if you are going to be a heavy user.

On the Garmin question, you can't just take the SP3 to LV or LA and expect it to work. It comes with a 128MB proprietary flash card that must be loaded with maps in order for it to work. The GPS has a serial card reader that you use to program the card with. I believe it can hold around 10 states depending on how dense the states are. I live in NJ and I can only hold 4 states.

Living in NYC and going to LA, I don't know if the Garmin would be a good choice since it doesn't have a gyroscope. The really good systems include a gyroscope to help navigate when the system loses satellite tracking. In NYC, I know you will lose track often because of the tall buildings. The Garmin is really slow to track too so it may not be a good choice. The Holux system tracks very well though. After going through a tunnel, it was able to track in 1-3 seconds and it can start tracking from a cold start in less than 20 secs. The Garmin took like 3 mins from a cold start.

 

[klein297]

If you feel like modding a bit or dont mind buying a $35 cable,
get the DigiTraveler at Radioshack for $49.99.
All they have left are the pda versions, so if youre handy with a soldering iron you can make your own cable.
Since the soft ware is for palm or windows ce, I couldn't get it to work on my laptop.
Microsoft's Street and Trips 2002 works like a charm though.
It seemed to only take seconds to find my house on the map.
Didn't even have it outside , just sitting close to a window.
You can get more info by doing a search for GPS on the hot deals forum on this and other sites.

 

[kindest]

I have a garmin V i use for driving and for hiking.
best multi use one in existance in my opinion.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Actually, this past week, I used it to go from NYC to Virginia Beach and back.

Isn't that basically: Get on 95 south. Take the VA Beach exit. Park. ?

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
Actually, this past week, I used it to go from NYC to Virginia Beach and back.

Isn't that basically: Get on 95 south. Take the VA Beach exit. Park. ?

You can do that but I took 95 to 13. It saved about 1 1/2 hours.

Plus, I've never been down there before so I used it for more than just getting there.

 

[SaigonK]

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend, got it here on the For Sale forums for $100 shipped, was a deal and a half!
It does everything i want, only issue i have is the lack of map detail out of the box, wish they would do a basemap update so I could get more up to date info on it.