racer85304
Full Member
89 toyota pickup, Aussie locker. MC4.7 gears
Posts: 135
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Post by racer85304 on Dec 13, 2003 21:07:37 GMT -5
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Post by L8sho2003 on Dec 13, 2003 22:19:36 GMT -5
I scored a Garmin GPS V the other day at a Pilot truckstop (which I believe is a national chain) for 200 bucks. This is considered the current benchmark for portables with mapping capability. It functions in the field as well as providing guided navigation in a vehicle. It uses the latest waas gps system (accurate to about 3 feet). This gps retails for around 550 bucks. It comes with a basemap of all major American highways, and includes a cd rom that will allow you to load up detailed maps for one region of the country for free. Right now Garmin will let you upgrade to the full U.S. detailed map for 50 bucks. This usually will cost around $175. The detailed maps will allow you to navigate address to address and also search for points of interest such as gas,food,hotels,shopping,etc. It also includes a car kit with power cable and mounting bracket. Anyway, I scored the best dual purpose unit you can buy and full detailed map for half the normal retail price at a Pilot truckstop. I researched and shopped stores and the net for about 3 weeks because I just got into geocaching (Geocaching.com) Check Pilot if you have one near you. The down side to the unit you are looking at over at circuit city is that the memory is only 8meg. some large city maps (New York, Atlanta, L.A.,etc.) will take twice that much memory. Its not a problem if you have a laptop you can travel with so you can upload maps as you need them. From personal experience and reviews, Magellan and Garmin make the only units to consider with the Garmin being the better unit. There are new units just coming out with flash type expandable memory so you might want to wait a little while to see how prices come down. The geocaching website mentioned above has links to more info than you ever wanted to know about GPS.
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Post by L8sho2003 on Dec 13, 2003 22:21:53 GMT -5
...and yes I am a geek!  |
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Daniel
New Member
Waddya mean it don`t fit gimme a hammer
Posts: 18
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Post by Daniel on Dec 16, 2003 4:04:39 GMT -5
Saw the one on circuit city not bad for hand held and decent price ;)I have 2 but they`re fixed mount types both are Alpine and have television tuners and f.m. feed to pipe the sound through the stereo,both have infrared beacon receivers as well for traffic info first one is in the 4 runner and is older c.d. rom type the other is in a chevy conversion van and it`s a d.v.d rom type both have been reliable and a big help out here as far as pricing I just got the one d.v.d. type for like $300 used off of Yahoo auction Japan unfortunately the words on the mapping are in Japanese  . Guess what I`m pointing out is look around a little more before ya spend some cash and find out it`s something that might not fit your needs Just my .02 Yen  Daniel |
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Post by L8sho2003 on Dec 18, 2003 21:20:50 GMT -5
On board nav is great, as long as you stay in your truck. I needed something I can use on foot as well. Something to consider.
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Daniel
New Member
Waddya mean it don`t fit gimme a hammer
Posts: 18
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Post by Daniel on Dec 18, 2003 23:42:10 GMT -5
L8 is correct on that if your looking for a unit that is mobile the deal you looked at on circuit city is great . I was thinkin when I wrote the first reply just gps for the truck. by the way L8 has any of the cell phone companies in the states come out with the gps option yet,out here it's the lateset and greatest I won't end up with one though$$ cause I just got mine replaced. later Daniel |
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Post by L8sho2003 on Dec 22, 2003 23:05:16 GMT -5
I was considering an integrated GPS solution such as a cell or pda. The problem so far is that when GPS is used on these multipurpose devices continuously, the batteries only last for a short time (a couple of hours). This wouldn't work for me when I go geocaching or backpacking. I will say that this technology when used in an urban environment is awesome though. Only problem is privacy issues though. I'm not a criminal, but I guess I think like one. Based on FCC law passed a while back, law enforcement will be able to use gps integrated phones as a tool to locate you if they actually wanted to. They passed the law because of the 911 response capability, but just like anything else it will be abused. Have you heard any of the stories about GM owners getting busted because of thier onstar systems? It happens. The other bad side of the gps/phones is advertising. There are already systems in San Francisco and other metro areas that can use your GPS/phone to sense your location and send you an E-coupon to visit certain stores when you are near them. Thats getting a little too "Minority Report" for me.
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