GPS recommendations?
Apr 6, 2007 | 7:35 am
#46
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Any recommendations for my luddite father?
For his birthday he wants a GPS, but given that after 3 years he still hasn't figured out how to download photos from his digital camera to his computer, I highly doubt that he's going to do much in the way of customizing the GPS. I'm not too concerned about Bluetooth speakerphones or traffic data or mp3 playing ability or customizable waypoints. I just want to get him an easy-to-use unit that has good pre-installed map data and a solid display.
For his birthday he wants a GPS, but given that after 3 years he still hasn't figured out how to download photos from his digital camera to his computer, I highly doubt that he's going to do much in the way of customizing the GPS. I'm not too concerned about Bluetooth speakerphones or traffic data or mp3 playing ability or customizable waypoints. I just want to get him an easy-to-use unit that has good pre-installed map data and a solid display.
The Garmins are so easy to program even a caveman could do it.
Apr 6, 2007 | 8:35 am
#47
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We have the TomTom 910 and have no problem charging it in the vehicle.
A GPS that does not allow for car recharging would be pretty useless to me... unless you were only taking short trips.
William
A GPS that does not allow for car recharging would be pretty useless to me... unless you were only taking short trips.
William
I've been looing for a few months.
Tempted by the TomTom910 but didn't like the form factor (prefer the tablet ones) and heard about the weak POI data, although I'm primarily interested in this for Europe.
Also bad reports about the windshield dock, about it not docking correctly. Plus it apparently doesn't recharge in the car?
Monitoring Nuvi670 and 370, which includes Euro maps. They're really high in price so interested to see if they come down in price.
Bigger issue is that here in CA, you're not allowed to mount on windshield and the TomTom doesn't have another solution? Not sure what options Nuvi has.
Do these units have aux or headphone outputs as well as FM transmitters? My car stereo has front panel aux in.
Tempted by the TomTom910 but didn't like the form factor (prefer the tablet ones) and heard about the weak POI data, although I'm primarily interested in this for Europe.
Also bad reports about the windshield dock, about it not docking correctly. Plus it apparently doesn't recharge in the car?
Monitoring Nuvi670 and 370, which includes Euro maps. They're really high in price so interested to see if they come down in price.
Bigger issue is that here in CA, you're not allowed to mount on windshield and the TomTom doesn't have another solution? Not sure what options Nuvi has.
Do these units have aux or headphone outputs as well as FM transmitters? My car stereo has front panel aux in.
Apr 6, 2007 | 8:37 am
#48
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For his birthday he wants a GPS, but given that after 3 years he still hasn't figured out how to download photos from his digital camera to his computer, I highly doubt that he's going to do much in the way of customizing the GPS. I'm not too concerned about Bluetooth speakerphones or traffic data or mp3 playing ability or customizable waypoints. I just want to get him an easy-to-use unit that has good pre-installed map data and a solid display.
The C330 should set you back no more than $250 (it's at the end of it's sales lifecycle shortly) and the the i5 should be in that same ballpark (the discounts are not that great on it yet, and it's slightly smaller). The 530 can ben had in the $300-$350 range. Were it me, I'd get the 530.
You might also wait until the mainstream release of the Nuvi 200, which will be similar to the 530 but in the "Nuvi" form factor.
Apr 6, 2007 | 8:52 am
#49
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I have a Volvo Nav and a Garmin and a TomTom 910. The Volvo Nav is the most accurate in the USA. The TomTom is best for travel outside of the USA. The Garmin probably makes the Volvo, I don't know for sure. So if you don't have a Volvo and you are primarily traveling in the USA, then it would be Garmin.
Apr 6, 2007 | 9:27 am
#50
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I agree about charging in car but I called TomTom and they said the adaptor for the car just runs it but won't charge the unit. I thought it was odd too or maybe I misunderstood.
OK, I will check out the proclips but for now, they only have the one for the Nuvi 660. I'm interested in the Nuvi 670. Maybe these models have the same form factor and/or they can use the same Proclip mount.
As for TomTom, I think Engadget speculated on some FCC filings and it looks like incremental upgrades? So probably to get the features of the 910, the new model will have the same deep form factor, not as easy to carry around outside the car.
Oh BTW, anyone try using these things on a plane? Or is it strictly forbidden at all times like cell phones? I know the personal entertainment screens on long-haul flight shows a real-time map but just curious how it would compare to a consumer GPS.
OK, I will check out the proclips but for now, they only have the one for the Nuvi 660. I'm interested in the Nuvi 670. Maybe these models have the same form factor and/or they can use the same Proclip mount.
As for TomTom, I think Engadget speculated on some FCC filings and it looks like incremental upgrades? So probably to get the features of the 910, the new model will have the same deep form factor, not as easy to carry around outside the car.
Oh BTW, anyone try using these things on a plane? Or is it strictly forbidden at all times like cell phones? I know the personal entertainment screens on long-haul flight shows a real-time map but just curious how it would compare to a consumer GPS.
Apr 6, 2007 | 10:22 am
#51
Join Date: Jul 2000
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Oh BTW, anyone try using these things on a plane? Or is it strictly forbidden at all times like cell phones? I know the personal entertainment screens on long-haul flight shows a real-time map but just curious how it would compare to a consumer GPS.
A consumer GPS is probably not (unless it's a Garmin aviation/auto model) tell you knots (versus statue miles), nor will it tell you groundspeed versus airspeed, nor will it have the ETA, nor will it show the VORTACs the way that Airshow does. It will, however, probably function (I know my Garmin 60C did--never tried the c320 or the Nuvi) provided you are seated at the window.
Apr 6, 2007 | 11:55 am
#52
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United allows them. If anyone is interested I can hunt up the post from the United pilot who noted the exact section of the Flight Operations Manual that you can cite if needed
My Mio worked great on a Hawaii interisland fight a few weeks ago.
provided you are seated at the window.
Apr 6, 2007 | 12:12 pm
#53
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Apr 6, 2007 | 12:18 pm
#54
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Apr 6, 2007 | 11:27 pm
#55
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Apr 7, 2007 | 5:07 am
#56
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So, the windshield law in CA is true, bummer.
Here is a really nice deal on he TomTom 910. 399$ shipped after rebate.
dell home
$100 off GPS TomTom GO 910 Coupon code: KSPK5D5FG04M39
Details: Before tax, restocking fees,
Applicable Product Code: A0937721
Here is a really nice deal on he TomTom 910. 399$ shipped after rebate.
dell home
$100 off GPS TomTom GO 910 Coupon code: KSPK5D5FG04M39
Details: Before tax, restocking fees,
Applicable Product Code: A0937721
Apr 7, 2007 | 5:19 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 8,687
If you don't want a touchscreen, consider a Garmin Streetpilot i5. If you do want a touchscreen, consider the Garmin Streetpilot c330. In my opinion, the touchscreen models are actually easier to operate (I have owned a c320--which is the 330 that you have to load maps onto an SD card, whereas the 330 comes with the maps installed). The other option is the Streetpilot c530, which is the updated version of the 330 (better screen in direct sunlight and a significantly more sensitive GPS receiver).
The C330 should set you back no more than $250 (it's at the end of it's sales lifecycle shortly) and the the i5 should be in that same ballpark (the discounts are not that great on it yet, and it's slightly smaller). The 530 can ben had in the $300-$350 range. Were it me, I'd get the 530.
You might also wait until the mainstream release of the Nuvi 200, which will be similar to the 530 but in the "Nuvi" form factor.
The C330 should set you back no more than $250 (it's at the end of it's sales lifecycle shortly) and the the i5 should be in that same ballpark (the discounts are not that great on it yet, and it's slightly smaller). The 530 can ben had in the $300-$350 range. Were it me, I'd get the 530.
You might also wait until the mainstream release of the Nuvi 200, which will be similar to the 530 but in the "Nuvi" form factor.
Apr 7, 2007 | 8:43 pm
#58
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The tomtom charges in the car, I usually use it without the dock until it's battery is near dead, then dock it to charge it.
The audio jack, power jack, etc are on the dock, not the unit itself, consider that a huge downer, it means you always have to have the dock with it, for traveling I would prefer not to bring it all the time.
The audio jack, power jack, etc are on the dock, not the unit itself, consider that a huge downer, it means you always have to have the dock with it, for traveling I would prefer not to bring it all the time.
Apr 7, 2007 | 8:53 pm
#59
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In the SF Bay Area, I have seen any number of people driving with windshield suction cup attached GPS units. I guess they are just taking the risk of getting pulled over or perhaps the reality is that it is more or less ignored unless you happened to get pulled over for something else and then they tack that on.
Apr 8, 2007 | 9:50 am
#60
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I don't know why the suction cup mounts are illegal but it is (presumably) perfectly fine to have the "beanbag mount" where the thing can come flying off the dash during hard acceleration or cornering.