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Navigation GPS Systems

1723 messages,  Last post on Nov 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Navigation System


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#1519 of 1723
Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? by DudeWTF
Dec 21, 2008 (5:48 pm)
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I have a Garmin GPS that I bought a little over a year ago. My maps are now "outdated" and it wants me to pay to upgrade them. I haven't and don't see the point. I doubt enough new roads and highways were built for it to make a difference. . Plus, it doesn't even seem that "updated" figuring I'm familiar with shortcuts that it doesn't know and tries to tell me to turn around. It also has some pretty stupid directions and tries to get me off the highway to take a main route to where I need to go..or take a main route with lots of traffic and stop lights..when I can simply stay on the highway. Just makes no sense sometimes. My only options for settings are "fastest distance" or "Shorter route" and both get stupid. It also wants me to drive through neighborhoods to save seconds. Is there a GPS with better options? If so, like what?
 
Rhode Island to West Hartford CT for instance. It wants me to take Route 6 all the way. Despite what Google and GPS say, this would take about another hour because this is a street, average speed limit 45 and traffic lights. I went this way once and I'd never do it again. It was horrible. I take Route 6 to 395 to Route 2 and I'm there in about an hour and 45 minutes/80 miles. GPS and Google claim that I would save 10 miles by taking the road..which isn't significant enough for me to care especially when I know it adds on about an hour in time.
 
Another problem I have in bigger cities like Boston or Hartford and "downtown" like areas are that the streets are so close together that by the time it tells you which turn to take, it's too late. And the WORST and biggest problem I have when this happens is by the time it reroutes to tell you which turn to take..AGAIN you are right in front of it and passing it and it's too late. And these are areas with one ways and congested streets and don't have enough parking lots for you to easily get into and turn around to get to that right street. And then have to do it again during the next screw up.
 
I've resorted to keeping my laptop in my car (Google Earth) and also having the directions written because sometimes I can glance and read quicker than the GPS locates a street.
 
My Question - Is there a GPS that would be better in cities like that or is this a satelite issue and they'd all do it?
#1520 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [DudeWTF] by kiawah
Dec 21, 2008 (6:00 pm)
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Replying to: DudeWTF (Dec 21, 2008 5:48 pm)

If you have your laptop in your car anyhow, look at Microsoft Streets and Trips. Comes with a little GPS receiver that plugs into your USB port and you lay the receiver on the dashboard. I've had it for years, and is excellent....and you can't beat the map details on the full screen laptop.
#1521 of 1723
Re: HTC G1 [ateixeira] by fintail
Dec 21, 2008 (6:24 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 23, 2008 11:47 am)

I have one of those. I am not sure one of the endless apps available for it has voice directions, but mine can accurately tell where I am too. I haven't downloaded any navi themed apps.
 
It's the first Android phone, so I would expect future versions to have improvements. My biggest gripe is that if you have every network/data type on, it really kills battery life. However, if you manually switch them off, it's better.
#1522 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [kiawah] by DudeWTF
Dec 21, 2008 (6:26 pm)
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Replying to: kiawah (Dec 21, 2008 6:00 pm)

Good idea and all but it'll be pretty hard to watch my laptop screen while driving...
#1523 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [DudeWTF] by steve_ HOST
Dec 21, 2008 (6:28 pm)
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Replying to: DudeWTF (Dec 21, 2008 6:26 pm)

I have an old copy of Streets and Trips that's ok for when I'm a passenger, but I'd miss the voice commands that are on the little navigation unit. I can put up with some inaccuracies for that feature.
#1524 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [steve_] by kiawah
Dec 21, 2008 (6:39 pm)
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Replying to: steve_ (Dec 21, 2008 6:28 pm)

I've had a couple old versions of S&T over the years, I think my first was 2003 off the top of my head, and my latest 'newest' version (which I've had for a number of years) is S&T 2007. It has voice commands included with it, if you want turn by turn instructions like the portables.
 
We also have the small Garmin units, and you certainly can't beat the portability of those units. But I have each of our autos set up so they can be mobile offices, and the laptop sits with it's screen right up by the dash, so the maps are actually much more visible with a glance than the small portable units (unless you have it mounted up on the windshield). When we do any road trips out of the local area, we always use the PC running S&Trips.
 
I find S&T much more 'custom configurable' than the portables.
#1525 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [kiawah] by steve_ HOST
Dec 21, 2008 (6:49 pm)
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Replying to: kiawah (Dec 21, 2008 6:39 pm)

Actually my app is Microsoft MapPoint from 2004. No voice there, and I don't know if GPS is an option for it either. Easier than paper maps though.
 
Wonder how S&T would run on a netbook, assuming you could get it installed on one.
#1526 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [steve_] by gagrice
Dec 21, 2008 (7:18 pm)
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Replying to: steve_ (Dec 21, 2008 6:49 pm)

You should be able to map your CD/DVD drive on your desktop to the Netbook and load the software. It seems my copy of S&T with GPS would also give me elevation. Something missing in my NAV in the Sequoia. I am trying to justify a Netbook and that would be a good option to add for trips.
#1527 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [gagrice] by kiawah
Dec 21, 2008 (7:56 pm)
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Replying to: gagrice (Dec 21, 2008 7:18 pm)

Just looked at the installed directory, it's just under 1 gig of disk space needed for the program, maps, and info.......if that matters. It calls home periodically to get updates for construction areas/zones, but I can't imagine that would take much more space.
#1528 of 1723
Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [kiawah] by gagrice
Dec 21, 2008 (8:26 pm)
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Replying to: kiawah (Dec 21, 2008 7:56 pm)

Many netbooks now have 160 gb hard drives up to a 320 gb in one of the models I looked at. Most have a DVD drive that is external and would be fine for loading software. It would be nice to have updates on gas prices and current business info. I found the unit in my 2007 Sequoia to be very far out of date and poor routing. I don't know that I would ever buy another vehicle with a built-in NAV.

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