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2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Subaru Impreza, Future Vehicle, Sedan

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#907 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions [xyzzer] by ateixeira Sep 19, 2007 (10:02 am)
Replying to: xyzzer (Sep 19, 2007 8:20 am) Drifting would probably make the GPS go nuts! Replies to this message: paisan (Sep 19, 2007 6:06 pm) jeffmc (Sep 19, 2007 6:55 pm) ateixeira (Sep 20, 2007 7:05 am)
#908 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions [ateixeira] by paisan Sep 19, 2007 (6:06 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 19, 2007 10:02 am) Here in NYC they have GPS Transponders in the tunnels. My Garmin only loses signal for me when travelling on the lower level of our bridges. I dunno what sky scrapers would block the signal, as I live in NYC and never have a problem with signal. The "Gyroscopic" sensors in the built in units are cool but not necessary IMHO.   -mike Replies to this message: jeffmc (Sep 19, 2007 6:55 pm) ateixeira (Sep 20, 2007 7:05 am)
#909 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions [paisan] by jeffmc Sep 19, 2007 (6:55 pm)
Replying to: paisan (Sep 19, 2007 6:06 pm) In addition to canyons, steep valleys, and high-rise environments, perhaps in more northern latitudes it's harder to keep contact w/the satellites since they're lower on the southern horizon and therefore more easily blocked. Dunno, but that's my guess. I'm assuming the heaviest satellite coverage is over the heaviest population areas, and I've read that coverage ranges from 8 satellites in continuous line of sight in some latitudal zones, to 5 in others. You need 4 satellites for accurate GPS tracking, so in some zones there's not as much backup coverage if something's blocking line of sight.
#910 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions [rsholland] by lilengineerboy Sep 20, 2007 (6:26 am)
Replying to: rsholland (Sep 19, 2007 7:28 am) The navigation is pretty cool. Actually even with no satellites in sight it seems to manage by just checking the speed and direction.    How can it work without a satellite?   The term is dead reckoning, and it uses your last known position and the sensors mentioned (speed, heading, pitch/yaw or steering wheel angle) to determine position. The algorithm is designed to switch back and forth as it needs to - satellites are preferred but dead reckoning can work intermittently as necessary as well. Its pretty amazing how far these have come. When we were doing interface evaluation on the Magellan 750 Nav (better known as "Hertz Neverlost" there were limited connections to vehicle information. Now some handheld models include position sensors for dead reckoning: Garmin StreetPilot 7500
#911 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions [paisan] by ateixeira Sep 20, 2007 (7:05 am)
Replying to: paisan (Sep 19, 2007 6:06 pm) That's cool, mike.   I have the older C series models, the newer ones have SIRF technology and quicker/better reception. I'm sure that helps.   It's never really been a problem, just some times it can take a minute to establish the original signal when I power it on.
#912 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions [rsholland] by aaykay Sep 20, 2007 (9:14 am)
Replying to: rsholland (Sep 19, 2007 7:36 am) Yes, that is true of all the built-in OEM units. That is because the NAV is integrated into the car's controls and thus has "Dead Reckoning". It records the last obtained satellite signal, then in the absence of signal, will estimate your position based on the direction/speed/altitude of the car, until it obtains the next signal.   The Garmin type systems (I have a Garmin 660 with the newer Sirf Star III chip) does not do as well in such situations. My point of comparison is with my Garmin and my Honda Odyssey's built-in NAV. Garmin does have a model with dead reckoning (one of their 7-series model ??) but then that has to be professionally installed into the car's controls and I assume you lose some of the portability.
#913 of 1480 Recent trip by aaykay Sep 20, 2007 (9:25 am)
We recently did a 2200 mile trip from MN to TX and back in the WRX, using the Garmin 660 portable NAV. On the way to Dallas, after a while, it took us through a weird set of back country roads, when the whole 1000 mile distance could be covered by just sticking to I-35S. I was disappointed in the NAV engine, since the Odyssey's system would never have done that.   On the way back, it tried to do the same but I deliberately ignored the direction to take the back-road hwy route and stuck to I-35N, and from then on, the Garmin then re-directed through I-35N. That was certainly weird, especially since it was set at "Fastest time". In other words, if I did not know about the I-35N situation and relied on the NAV's direction, it would have given me a guided tour of all the backroads from Dallas to MN. Also, unlike other sophisticated NAV engines, there is no option to avoid a certain road/hwy, unless you "detour" once the trip is underway or deliberately ignore the NAV's direction (as I did). You will have to stick to whatever the NAV engine comes up with....I think this is a serious shortcoming in the Garmin 660. Replies to this message: ateixeira (Sep 20, 2007 9:28 am)
#914 of 1480 Re: Recent trip [aaykay] by ateixeira Sep 20, 2007 (9:28 am)
Replying to: aaykay (Sep 20, 2007 9:25 am) I think you can actually have more flexibility if you plan the trip on your PC using MapSource.   I see what you mean, though.   If I have a pet peeve, it's that mine (for whatever reason) simply doesn't accept the fact that the 404 bypass around Bridgeville is quicker than driving through downtown at 25mph.   I deliberately miss the turn, it wants me to make a U-turn, then a left, then another left. It doesn't want me to take the bypass until I'm within a mile of the bypass.   Very strange because I also have fastest time selected. I'd rather go 55 then 45, vs. 25 the whole way with 2 stop lights and speed traps all over the place.
#915 of 1480 Re: 2008 WRX Pricing Questions by flamb Sep 20, 2007 (4:43 pm)
Replying to: xyzzer (Sep 18, 2007 10:33 pm) Hi all, I am from Canada ... I am thinking of getting a wrx, never driven a Subaru before but like the all wheel drive because of the weather here. Any one from BC here can advise the gas mileage and insurance of this car ??? (it is the ICBC ), my two major concerns of this car. Thanks Replies to this message: volkov (Sep 21, 2007 10:41 am) ateixeira (Sep 21, 2007 10:43 am) volkov (Sep 21, 2007 10:53 am) dino001 (Sep 22, 2007 11:56 am)
#916 of 1480 seeking for opinions by flamb Sep 20, 2007 (4:44 pm)
Hi all, I am from Canada ... I am thinking of getting a wrx, never driven a Subaru before but like the all wheel drive because of the weather here. Any one from BC here can advise the gas mileage and insurance of this car ??? (it is the ICBC ), my two major concerns of this car. Thanks

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