Lost

[DFWAJG 4]

I always download directions whenever I go anywhere, but often, the end point of the directions are wrong (happens more often with google maps than with yahoo maps) I want to get one of those personal map devices for the car. I looked at the Garmin website, but WOW, I have no clue which one I would need. Who out there has one of these contraptions and can give me some advice on them?

[Mr.Bill 0]

UP because inquiring minds also want to know

[ECVZZ 0]

Quote

Lost

I am not! It's just a vicious rumor!!

G. Jones

"I've never been quarantined. But the more I look around, the more I think it might not be a bad idea."

[DFWAJG 4]

alright, you aren't helping.

[freefallfreak 0]

Try looking at the Garmin 2620. I've owned one for a couple of years now and I wouldn't trade it for any other brand/model. Hell, I've found places (stored in it's memory at the factory) that I've lived close to for years and never knew they existed.

TripleF

"Upon seeing the shadow of a pigeon, one must resist the urge to look up."

[dorbie 0]

I have one in my vehicle.

Make sure you get a touch screen version with a virtual keyboard entry for addresses, I didn't have that option and address entry using a joystick is a pain. The talking is pointless.

They're easy to use, you have a moving map and you follow the route. I don't think there's much between them technology wise.

A good database is important, I don't know which is best mine has a DVD with the whole of the USA on it, and it's damned good. I suspect the biggest brands will have the resources to get the best data. If it's available get a DVD driven unit with all the USA in it. It would be a pain in the ass to manage your databases for long trips and be uploading to the device for example, I expect some make you do that and may even charge for it. I guess it's not such a big deal if you're only travelling locally, but that one trip to a DZ in a neighbouring state is when you really need it and it'll suck if you don't have coverage.

Accuracy is a malleable thing, they apply road snapping algorithms and the position might not be as inaccurate as the road vectors in places and vice versa so it's probably a bit of a wash. Get a look at the antenna they give you and consider if it'll fit on your dash or wherever. External antenna you can move to an exposed position is probably much better than integrated antenna hidden under your satellite shield.

So, IMHO you should get a large color LCD touch screen display, with a good quality up to date database (large brand?), and ask about database coverage and upgrades for new areas if it lacks the whole country. Get an external antenna you can position on your dash or someplace else exposed, or at least upgrade to that if needed. Voice feedback is cool for the first week, ignore it.

Let me reiterate how important a touchscreen keyboard entry is.

Garmin isn't your only choice, for example there's tom tom which seems to slap on your windscreen (not sure how that works in bright sunlight), and can play MP3 One cool feature is they flag traffic cameras!!!

[virgin-burner 1]

get a garmin GPSmap 60CSx, you can take it with you, can soon put up 4GB in it, and use it for everything.. even skydiving!

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-Hunter S. Thompson
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