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Portable GPS; anyone have recommendations
Topic Started: Jul 20 2010, 07:51 PM (505 Views)
Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
or things to consider or best places or ways to buy?

My daughter needs one to navigate the city.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Steve Miller
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Bull-Carp
I have a Garmin, and have used it all over the country.

The routes it offers may take you down alleys and through parking lots, but I've always gotten where I wanted to go in the end.

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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Do you update the maps at all?
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
HTC Touch Pro Windows Mobile phone - runs my piano tuning software, lets me check in here, GPS via google maps, as well as Sprint's navigation software, and even can handle the occasional phone call. :)
I never thought I "needed" GPS until we were in Seattle last summer for my friend's wedding. Proved invaluable in getting around an unfamiliar city.
Many new "smartphones" have GPS built in, and most operate for free, only charging to use the carrier's navigation service, so for example with Sprint, you can use google maps and your phone's built in GPS and only pay for the data xfer, rather than their "gps plan."
Garmin makes really nice handheld units if you don't go the phone route - but I think most of the handheld units are pretty comprehensive these days.
I'd make sure whatever you get can connect to your PC via USB or wireless, will allow firmware updates and updates to maps as time goes on, and has decent battery life. I'd personally opt for something more rugged and outdoor oriented (even for the city) and stay away from TomTom or something more car oriented like that - but that's just me.
Something like the TomTom might however be perfect if she just wants something dash mounted to use only for driving around.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
TomTom ... it's available as a standalone GPS navigator and its user interface seems more intuitive for me; also available as "software" for certain smart phones. Most of the time, I use the standalone TomTom ONE model.
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George K
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Finally
I have an older TomTom - the 520. It's simple and reliable. Also does bluetooth to my cellphone for handsfree calling via a built-in mic and speaker.
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JBryan
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I am the grey one
My only GPS:

Posted Image

Still works fine today although there are no bells and whistles like maps and such.
"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne


There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it".


Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody.

Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore.

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JBryan
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I am the grey one
This gets me around in some places as well:

Posted Image
"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne


There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it".


Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody.

Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore.

From The Lion in Winter.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
I bought a $100 Garmin from Amazon about a year ago, and have had no problems at all with it. It got me through a pretty challenging visit to Minneapolis where I had multiple meetings all over the city - it was pretty much invaluable.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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JBryan
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I am the grey one
The second thing I posted might have fared you better.
"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne


There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it".


Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody.

Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore.

From The Lion in Winter.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
I could have done with it once I got to one of the meetings.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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JBryan
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I am the grey one
That is what I meant.

I was in a meeting yesterday that would not have been nearly as long...
"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne


There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it".


Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody.

Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore.

From The Lion in Winter.
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VPG
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Pisa-Carp
I have a Garman that I got with Amex points. Two years old now. Never upgraded it. My girl friend has a Tom Tom, she likes mine better. Her's does not always tell the name of the street/road to turn at. Just say's turn at next street, no name.
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Steve Miller
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Kincaid
Jul 20 2010, 08:13 PM
Do you update the maps at all?
I got one free map upgrade when I bought it, but I haven't used it yet.

Nobody is building anything around here right now so there really hasn't been a need to upgrade.
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Cool! Thanks for the input. We're getting the Tom Tom XL 340S (I think), which was one of the 5 top rated by cnet.com. Only $119 so seemed like a pretty good deal.

There was a real nice used Garmin Nuvi on craigslist but at $200 it was out of the price range (also, always fear about buying something like that stolen).
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Radu
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Here, in my little country, almost every cellular phone has GPS capabilities and some Navigator software. No need to update maps since the phone gets the "route" from the cellular company which has everything updated. In GPS Navigator mode, the cellphone displays the road and gives voice instructions/ directions. Very reliable. The service cost about 5$/month.
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Unfortunately for us, Verizon's smart phone data plan would cost us $40/month and I'm not sure it would include the GPS or if that would be extra.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
The phone's GPS only costs you if you use the provider's navigation software.
GPS itself is free (well, funded by taxpayers anyway). So if your phone has GPS, and you have a data plan for your phone, you can use googleMaps' mobile app for all your GPS needs at no extra cost.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Radu
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Kincaid
Jul 21 2010, 08:54 AM
Unfortunately for us, Verizon's smart phone data plan would cost us $40/month and I'm not sure it would include the GPS or if that would be extra.
"Data plan" - you mean internet surfing or using the cellular phone as a modem ?

One of my phones -with the GPS Navigator - does not have a "data plan". The other has a 3G Surfing and TV basic plan for 7$/month. I don't think that the Navigator software uses the "data plan". When you set the target, the phone transmits the current position and the target to the company and waits for the route. No other communication is needed after this, unless you don't follow the directions and it has to "re-compute" the route. So, practically, there is a one short transaction per computed route.

P.S. In 2005 Verizon charged 10$/month

Quote:
 
The VZNavigator puts gadgets aside and focuses on its main purpose: navigation. It is dependable but expensive at $10 per month. However, you can also use it only once in a while for $3 per day


You should check with the company for current rates
Edited by Radu, Jul 21 2010, 09:22 AM.
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"Whenever I hear of culture... I release the safety-catch of my Browning!"
The modern media has made cretins out of so many people that they're not interested in reality any more, unless it's reality TV (Jean D'eaux)
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Data is any data transferred through the modem. So surfing the internet and using the phone as a modem are the same thing. Granted, many providers want to charge you extra for tethering the phone, but technically speaking - it is identical to surfing the net from your phone. Using GPS is the same. Your phone gets atomic time directly from the GPS satellites, requiring no interaction from your cell phone provider (the GPS satellites aren't theirs to begin with). They are involved however, in turning that longitude/latitude into a point on a map, and uploading the map to you, searching for destinations - etc. All of which require data transfer. GPS simply tells your phone where it is, data is how your phone queries your provider for a map, and lets you know where you are, and where you're going.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Radu
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KlavierBauer
Jul 21 2010, 09:26 AM
They are involved however, in turning that longitude/latitude into a point on a map, and uploading the map to you, searching for destinations - etc. All of which require data transfer. GPS simply tells your phone where it is, data is how your phone queries your provider for a map, and lets you know where you are, and where you're going.
Verizon claims that the data involved in the transfer of the "route" is not charged (i.e. is included in the monthly fee). Others say that Verizon does not tell the truth.

Anyway, I have a large MIO GPS navigator for my car. Unfortunately it is a rather old model and I cannot update the maps so it does not recognize new highways. It also has some software bugs. Often it tells me to abruptly turn to the left - to my certain death - though on the screen it shows that I must drive ahead. Sometimes it took me through loops which I had to escape by ignoring it. In such cases I turn on the Navigator of the cellular phone.
Posted Image
------------------------------------------------------------
"Whenever I hear of culture... I release the safety-catch of my Browning!"
The modern media has made cretins out of so many people that they're not interested in reality any more, unless it's reality TV (Jean D'eaux)
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
It's definitely included in your monthly fee - assuming you're paying either a) a monthly GPS fee or b) a data fee for accessing the internet, email, text messages, etc..
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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LWpianistin
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HOLY CARP!!!
If you haven't bought the Tom Tom yet, and want a Garmin, go to Amazon. Like D'Oh said, I got mine for $105 total. Very good deal.
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BeeLady
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LWpianistin
Jul 21 2010, 03:36 PM
If you haven't bought the Tom Tom yet, and want a Garmin, go to Amazon. Like D'Oh said, I got mine for $105 total. Very good deal.
I would second that. We have an old Nuvi but the newer ones come in $100 price ranges.

I also just bought a Garmin Dakota 20 for geocaching and put on free maps so I can can navigate streets as well.

Besides the fact that they make a nice product, I like that they treat you right no matter how old your unit is. Their website allows you to update firmware, software and get free tools as well.
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And I will spin so fine, so strong a thread
Fate shall not cut it, nor Time's forces break"
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Too late - but we also got the Tom Tom from Amazon.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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