| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Which Garmin ti buy?
still looking around - THIS is cool for Nokia GPS wonder if there's anything like it for any other GPS
doh - on edit, shoulda searched. Anyone use THIS for Garmin?
|
davelinde
|
09/06/08 12:13pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Which Garmin ti buy?
Just be aware that even though I am confident it will always get your there, it won`t always be the best route.
I read a review of a 6xx series that did a bake-off against Tom-Tom and found that Garmin chose more direct and faster routes on a random sample of address pairs. They also noted that Garmin chose the same routes as Yahoo but the two tools calculated different estimated durations.
This will be a function of the routing algorithm and the depth of data in the maps. Neither of which is clear in the documentation - though I THINK that the entire nuvi line is identical in this feature?
I'd like the best map data and routing algorithm I can buy, but in practice - if I know better - I just pick the road I like and let the unit re-route me. Otherwise... we just laugh at her. Last time out we picked a Walmart near the highway - actually using a paper guide to get the address and putting the address into the unit. We got off the highway - were routed PAST the WM entrance and turned into a residential neighborhood. We drove about a mile in a loop behind the shopping area then came out at the far side of the WM. We just laughed. In considering it though - I she figured that 2 miles of 25mph is faster than 1/2 mile driving in a parking lot access road? Oh well - still beats being lost.
|
davelinde
|
09/06/08 11:17am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Which Garmin ti buy?
... I think Garmin puts out a good product, just not good documentation. I guess they feel most people will just use the basic features so why bother.
Agreed.
They don't invest in pre-sales docs and that deficiency carries over to post-sales docs. They do get away with it because they assume (probably correctly) that 90% of their market buys making a wild guess and then only uses the most basic features.
BTW - I finally DID find one part of the Garmin site that had better side/side comparisons! but it did not include all the NUVI products. And now I found a nuvi205W that has the QWERTY keyboard I like but drops TTS that I might live without, but only has "regional maps" and I cannot figure out what I'm not getting then... and with the way they price added maps you really MUST get the maps you want all bundled up front or buy a whole new unit later instead of paying for maps alone?
Hey... as much as I'm griping here I still haven't decided to jump to TomTom or any of the other brands (yet).
|
davelinde
|
09/06/08 11:06am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Which Garmin ti buy?
I would suggest the chepeast they have with data-out, then a nice laptop such as a Leveno THINKPAD with a good maping software
or just skip the Garmin and get the bundled USB dongle
BTDT
So... I said the 2610 was my "first GPS". Actually it was the first GPS I found useful - I have had several including PC based and two handhelds (fun for hiking but not for RV navigation).
In my view the GPS must stand alone and work well. I still remember the discussion of "where is that?", followed by "oops the PC is hibernating, uh no it's booting now, uhhh oops I think the battery is dead - who has the inverter?" then "oh crud, why isn't this working - I think the GPS cable came unplugged, hmmm... do we need to reboot now?"
Made paper maps seem downright convenient!
But... I do concede that (for now) the standalone GPS have some weaknesses that a PC can fix. Screen size makes picking a destination off a map with the touch screen torture and the search algorithms on the map database are so poor that way too many initial searches come up "no match". We have a nice Lenovo and aircard and I'm hoping that with some simple tools (maybe resort to cut/paste) we can find things on google maps, get the lat/long (they have a tool), then push it to the GPS with a label (POI or Waypoint) and route to it without much trouble. They SHOULD support Bluetooth object-push for this (but they don't) so I'll settle for the cable this time around.
|
davelinde
|
09/06/08 10:56am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Which Garmin ti buy?
I don't find the Garmin web site helpful at all ...Garmin has me a bit wary about what they don't document
Did you go to Garmin's side by side comparison? It doesn't get better then that for helping to see the differences.
The 2610 was out long before anyone cared about upload-able POI. Changing the firmware on a discounted model is not very cost effective for companies.
I much prefer the software version and features of my 2610. If I want POI on my 2610 I just add them myself as Waypoints.
Yes I've been on the Garmin site and third party sites. Actually there was a site I looked at a year ago that was pretty good at comparison... but somehow I can't find it now :(
So I'll admit I'm being a bit hard to please here - though I don't think it's unreasonable. Why should I have to read and read and read to figure out if there's a difference between full maps, full maps with City Navigator, Regional Maps, 1 Million POI, 6 Million POI...
And is it too much to want to know if the software (the only real differentiation after FM and BT) has common features? For instance other than the noted features (where am i, lane, etc) is the UI and base s/w the same on all units? Is there meaning to 2xx 6xx and 7xx? Meaning to x00 x05 x50 x55 and x60? Since this is not my first GPS (but only my second) I've got a good handle on what I want and what I don't care about. What I cannot figure is what I'm being offered that I MIGHT care about IF I understood it.
Waypoint and POI is a good example. When I bought the 2610 I THOUGHT I understood waypoints and when POI's came out it seemed there should be no reason you could not translate. Well... in fact I CAN translate them in a multistep process that Garmin could have done too without 2610 FW changes but didn't. Yes, I understand that they offered POIloader as a free feature and wouldn't get more $$'s from me - fair enough.
Back to now... using standard expandable memory is a nice feature - I think? If I've understood correctly (from a non-Garmin site) in some models that memory is restricted in what I can load there! Well, I think I want to load additional maps and POI's there. The Garmin site is not clear and the comparison only shows if you can add memory or not - no mention of restrictions in use or differences in use between models.
I don't mean to sound like I'm arguing with you since I'm really frustrated with Garmin and I actually APPRECIATE you and the others knowledgeable folks here who share info with those of us who ask the repetitive questions when WE get around to buying what you already have :)
|
davelinde
|
09/06/08 07:58am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Google Maps and Pics
I doubt screen cap will do it - those are 360 degree pictures that pan. You might be able to get one frame captured (eg the one of your house), but the whole picture is not on the screen at one time... Guess you just need to trust google to store it for you?
|
davelinde
|
09/05/08 07:19pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Which Garmin ti buy?
So far, the Garmin 260W looks like it might be ok?
I'm also leaning towards the 260W now. I'd decided on the 705 until I found out that the price I was expecting was from a bait/switch web site :( so now I'm re-evaluating. I'd like to have a QWERTY keyboard option but it's not worth $100 to me. I think that's all (that I care about) that I give up.
I don't find the Garmin web site helpful at all and I don't find the product line very understandable. I'd have bought one already except that I get the impression there may be differences in the software on the 2xx and 7xx I may care about later. I was quite miffed that my 2610 could not use the POI loader, so Garmin has me a bit wary about what they don't document about what they don't support...
|
davelinde
|
09/05/08 05:36pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Yet Another GPS Thread
Is it possible that most (all?) road Garmins will do Prox alerts IF you first load a file so tagged?
What I found on-line seemed to imply exactly that, but was not all that clear. eg, if you can download a tagged POI file you can get alerts. The tutorial I read (non-Garmin) was specific to the 7xx series though and mentioned the options and limitations on the feature.
I also spoke to one salesperson who knew nothing about the feature at all. When I told him why I might want alerts for low bridges he concluded "oh Garmin can't offer that for liability reasons".
Still shopping.
|
davelinde
|
09/05/08 07:20am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Yet Another GPS Thread
Not having the maps is no big deal. I planned one route on a PC and downloaded it just to see... I've never done it again. If I've got a waypoint/poi found I just route to it on the fly. If I care much how I get there I may check the route first or have a PC route too. Then I just drive and let it re-route.
The 750 was confirmed to do proximity... which I'd like to use for low bridges. The rest is vanilla. Since it looks like the reputable source price for a 750 is $100 more than I'd decided on now I'm open to the lower end units.
Anyone know if a 2xxW will do proximity alarms?
|
davelinde
|
09/04/08 05:59pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Yet Another GPS Thread
Actually I misplaced the link I found for 225+18 and had to search again. I found this one low price links which turns out to be 225+15.
I was also curious why the pricing was so much better and did a quick google on the site name. LOTS of complaints about their scam. Oh well - guess I'm back to shopping.
|
davelinde
|
09/04/08 05:12pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Crossing into Canada
We went to Niagara Falls 4 years ago and going into Canada was easy. The border guy did ask "do you have anything unusual" I didn't know how to answer the question so he clarified "fruit, alcohol or weapons?" I said no and that was it.
I did have a gasp on the highway going 100 km/hr and seeing a sign that said clearance 3.7 meters...
Coming back to the US the border guy was rude and mumbled questions I did not understand the first time - oh well.
|
davelinde
|
09/04/08 12:10pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Yet Another GPS Thread
Looks like the 750 does all I want. I found one online for 229+18 shipping. Not bad.
Anything it doesn't do that I SHOULD be wanting before I pull the trigger?
|
davelinde
|
09/04/08 11:58am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: At Last, a New Gas Can Spout
Thank goodness I had not thrown out my old gas can before I bought the new one with the guaranteed to spill spout. I thought it was about THE most dangerous way to handle gas I could imagine and never failed to spill a LOT when I used it. I moved the old spout from my old can.
What a joke. I could hardly get gas in a generator with that design. I have no idea how I would ever fill a chainsaw...
|
davelinde
|
09/03/08 06:24pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dumb question 142 - Electrical cord and hose storage
CordPro sounds like a good solution for water hose... I now have 100' of water hose (needed it once) and it gets tangled easily.
It does not look like it's big enough for 50A cords (they are NOTHING like 30A cord). I store my 50A cord in a laundry basket. I have found that it is getting harder and harder to coil though.
|
davelinde
|
09/03/08 01:25pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Yet Another GPS Thread
I don't think it's a power cord because wiggling doesn't help, the unit will freeze with screen on (eg powered), and the unit will boot again by itself when it's good and ready. For a while I suspected a grounding issue in my power outlet, but it does this in another car too. Garmin suggested that I re-load my maps or return it for a refurbish... Instead I decided it's time for a new one.
I've read a few other posts here about "bell/whistle" features that bring a premium and offer little benefit.
Key things I want in a new unit -
reliability!! including the better receiver chip (rules out some TomTom)
wide screen/compact form factor
battery/12V operation (2610 is 12V only)
Standard POI download (2610 allows proprietary waypoints only which is a mess)
Expandable memory (it's cheap and I want Gig's of space for anything I find)
Current Maps
QWERTY keyboard
On-the-fly re-route
Voice prompted turns
POI tools would be nice - like find by category near location and near route and route to avoid (or at least proximity warnings (low bridges)
While I like the idea of traffic condition routing, and gas prices near route I'm not sure I need that for the cost of the feature and the subscription.
TTS does not seem that important to me and 3-D maps do not seem too useful? The 2610 display is excellent - location/autozoomed, speed, arrival time, and time to next turn (do they all do this?)
I guess I'm stumped at the HUGE range of prices out there now. I'd hate to over pay for features I don't use. I'd hate to buy a cheapo unit and lose features I have. I'm leaning towards one of the Nuvis but the product line is still a bit of a mystery now.
|
davelinde
|
09/03/08 07:46am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: GPS Navigators for Fifth Wheel Owners
My Garmin Nuvi 350 has a truck setting as well as a bus setting.
Doesn't really seem tomake a difference in most cases.
I found that the truck setting would just avoid roads where truck were prohibited and not much more. In my area that means parts of the Garden State Parkway. On secondary roads it will gladly route us under low bridges.
I used to use "no U-turns" because I thought I could not make a U-Turn in a FW - but it turns out that some routings considered U-Turn I CAN do, so I allow U-turns and decide when I see it if I'll try it. The best thing about GPS is on-the-fly reroute so if I miss a turn or opt not to take a route the GPS will tell me how I should proceed. Let's me focus on driving and NOT on being lost.
BTW - I beg to differ with the opinion that low is only off road. We are about 13' 3" and there are a LOT of bridges lower than that. We watch for the signs. I'd really like a good database of POI's that could be included as proximity warnings or route avoidance. Not sure if any GPS will allow route avoidance against an arbitrary (large) POI set. I have also not seen any sites or POI sets that look complete or even close to complete.
|
davelinde
|
09/02/08 06:04pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
Yet Another GPS Thread
I've finally decided my 2610 is done. It is fine when it works, but it randomly stops working. It will freeze up and then sometimes it boots again and sometimes it doesn't (IF you notice it froze before you miss your turn). Saturday I was navigating to a place I'd never been and just after I got off the highway (with 3 turns to go) it froze and would not reboot. I remembered the last few street names and got to my destination by dumb luck. The unit just would not boot... when it was time to leave I had started the car and was waiting for some people and I could only laugh when the unit booted by itself, resumed routing, and announced "arriving at destination". So that was the last straw. She's done.
When I bought the 2610 I wanted solid state memory, national maps, turn-by-turn routing with on-the-fly reroute and voice prompts. Four years later it seems everything has that for a quarter of what I paid before.
The one thing I HATE about the 2610 is the lousy touch screen, the alphabetic keyboard and the crummy matching algorithms (eg why doesn't 22, Route 22, or RT 22 match "State Rt 22 East").
I think that there are now good tools for POI downloading so I can search for destinations on the PC then push them to the GPS as POI's. I do NOT need my GPS to show me pictures, play me music, or pretend to be my cell phone. I am ambivalent about text-to-speech.
I am NOT pleased with an electronic device that dies slowly after 4 years, but I still lean towards Garmin as a brand. If I spend the money I surely want current maps (my 4 year old + maps are showing their age in places where new roads are common).
What else should I want? Are these devices now like PC's where it makes sense to buy at the low to mid price points for $X instead of the high end at $2X and then buy a second one 3 years later for $X??
Sorry for yet another GPS thread... trying to get a lead on what to consider for my second vehicle navigation GPS (we already have a handheld for hiking/geocaching)
|
davelinde
|
09/02/08 05:57pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: How many full-timers and full-timer wanna be's?
count us as wanna-be...
We went from a one bedroom apartment to a 1200 sqft house, we expanded that house to 1600 sqft because it was "too small"... then we bought a 4000 sqft house. After 13 years of maintenance, heating/cooling costs and soaring property taxes we sold the house because it was too big and now we will be in a 1600 sqft house until we can get lined up to full time.
As a transitional step we snowbird. The first year was 2 weeks in FLA, then 4 weeks, and last year we did 8 weeks. This year we have a reservation for 6 months but aren't sure we can pull that off for various reasons.
At this point we are 871 days from being free to go (not that we are counting... ok yes we are counting)
|
davelinde
|
09/02/08 02:53pm |
Full-time RVing
|
|
RE: Stolen Montana
I would be livid... but then I'd buy another rig.
Carry good insurance. We have a replacement cost policy.
|
davelinde
|
09/02/08 01:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Dave and the tree - a cautionary tale (long)
I hope the rest of the weekend went well for you guys and you are enjoying the new 5er.
Thanks all for the supportive words, yep "it happens". Actually the weekend was great - but for some reason EVERYTHING I touched broke somehow - the HW Heater started to leak, the tool I needed for another project was not there, etc etc. I finally decided to just quit all my projects while I was ahead and relax. Eventually everything worked out.
your misfortune... know it had to hurt the pride, along with the damage
Yes, not much for the ego. However... Monday I drove the RV back to where it's stored - next to my buddies house. He was having a big picnic and all the guests were parked where I normally pull in to back up the rig. So... instead of an easy job parking I had to back up off a narrow road and fit the rig next to his shop. I did it in one shot - with everyone watching. :)
Don't beat yourself up over it, it wasn't your fault....
I had a 150 year oak attack the top of my Jayco 5er in broad daylight, with my RV barely backing up, with my family directing me
In hindsight it's a VERY good thing that DW was not spotting for me when I did this, since my reaction to her help always sounds more critical than I mean it to be, and her reaction to my reaction is... (well I'm sure many know about that dynamic). So yup... it's JUST my fault DW was not involved. But if she had been there I think I'd go for that tree theory. BTW - I've seen picnic tables and power pedestals jump towards my FW but none of them have been able to get close enough to hit it yet. The last time one tried DW yelled at it and made some vague hand motions, and it stopped coming after me.
|
davelinde
|
09/02/08 08:32am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
