- #1520 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [DudeWTF]
by kiawah
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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.
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- #1521 of 1721
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Re: HTC G1 [ateixeira]
by fintail
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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.
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- #1522 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [kiawah]
by DudeWTF
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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...
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- #1523 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [DudeWTF]
by steve_ HOST
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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.
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- #1524 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [steve_]
by kiawah
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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.
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- #1525 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [kiawah]
by steve_ HOST
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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.
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- #1526 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [steve_]
by gagrice
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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.
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- #1527 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [gagrice]
by kiawah
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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.
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- #1528 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [kiawah]
by gagrice
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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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- #1529 of 1721
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Re: Want a new GPS - Suggestions ? [DudeWTF]
by bat1161
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Dec 22, 2008 (8:39 am)
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Replying to: DudeWTF (Dec 21, 2008 5:48 pm)
First, a quick question for you. Which Garmin unit do you have? Does it have the Street name announcement (turn on main st in 500 feet)?
The Garmin has a feature where you can avoid local roads, highways, toll roads, etc. If you have it set to avoid local roads, it probably won't take you on Rt 6 as it did. I had that problem when I first used my older Garmin, and I have to agree that it made me frustrated until I learned otherwise.
Regarding the missing turns, one thing I try to do at the beginning of the ride: review the turn-by-turn directions. Also, do you have WAAS turned on or off? On is supposed to be more accurate, however it takes longer to get the satellite hook-up.
If you really want to improve the satellite accuracy, Garmin does sell an auxiliary antennae that you can add on. I had one for my old Street Pilot2610, but don't use it on my Nuvi370.
Mark
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