GPS question
 

Okay, I'm looking at maybe getting a GPS (such as Magellan). I've got a question, though. I currently pay $10/month to use the VZ Navigator with my cell phone (verizon). Is there a subscription you need to pay for the GPS systems?

No subscription for my Garmin. Some Garmin units are capable of getting live traffic information, which does require a subscription.

That's what I was starting to wonder. I'd assumed there was a subscription service required, but was starting to question my assumptions.

I bought a Navigon 7100 last fall. I do not have to pay for any traffic subscription. I love all the options the Navigon has. It was a little more expensive at the time, but without paying subscriptions and being able to update software, I love this device. Most schools and popular locations are clearly listed.

Peace

I've got a Garmin (no subscription for traffic). I listen to the radio while I dirive and if I ever hear of, or come upon, traffic that looks like a problem, I just hit the "detour" option and the Garmin maps me a new route. Been a life saver several times.....and sure beats a map (although I still do have maps in my vehicles too).

My wife has a Tom Tom that my mother-in-law gave her and I hate it. :mad: :mad: In the city it will actually have you turn and drive one block east, then turn and go one block north, then have you turn and go one block west to get where you would have been if you had gone one block straight ahead in the first place. I has also taken her miles out of the way on trips. She had to call me once to get her back to the right highway exit to keep from driving 25 - 30 miles father west to pick the same interstate hwy.

There's probably an infinite number of ways that this could happen. :D

Bang The Drum Slowly ...
 

My Tom Tom works great. No batteries. No subscription. Portable. Easy to use.

http://re3.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m6/3582186819

I would always suggest that you do not completely rely on these devices. The main thing these GPS devices do is help you do is put you in the area and give you decent directions. I do not use my GPS for primary directions to places I know where I am going. I also like to take certain routes because I know they are quicker or easier to get in and out of places. I use it primarily for the many places I go that I have never been there or I am not familiar with the surroundings. This alone has paid for itself because I even have an idea of out long it will take me to get to these places. It takes out the panic I would have when I was not aware of where I am going. Sometimes the directions are just as bad as you get from Google, but at least you have some idea of where you are. And the device will adjust for you when you make a mistake.

Peace

Hmmm...I'm curious...do you have any problems when you use the device? http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...s/driving2.gif

That's because there are only something like 2 or 3 mapping companies (providing the data) and 2 or 3 software companies (how to get from one spot to the next).

The rest is just the "packaging" and various bells and whistles.

At Least I'm Usually Only Slightly Off Topic ...
 

In the future, if Forum members complain that I post too many off topic images, I'll direct them to this post. Mark Padgett, and moderators: Please do not delete this post, I need it for evidence.

http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/m3/2636439428

http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/m4/2766908593

http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/m5/3046131118

There's WNBA officiating going on right now and all we can talk about are GPS units?

BOOORRRING. . . . . .

Why ???
 

Does anyone really watch that? :rolleyes:

You do post too many off-topic images. So does Mark. In fact, "off topic" and "Mark" are redundant.

Without intending to pile on, I would have to agree.

Sadly, this is about 98% true.

I know that the off-season makes for slow postings, but when we ONLY get off-topic posts, it gets kind of old. I'm just trying to hold on until November or so.

___________________

Nope, I don't use it. The GPS system I use is called an atlas or a map. For specific locations I'll mpaquest or yahoo it, but even then, sometimes they aren't very good directions.

It's the off-season. With so little basketball posts, it is good to continue to learn some things. Sharing consumer stories is fine with me. It's also nice to re-learn the effect gravity has.

Mark,

Send me a PM or open your PM ability. I am trying to send you something.

Peace

Mark, would a GPS work on a cruise ship that was circling the North Pole?

I use a Tom Tom, you just have to download updates from the computer and it has done pretty good for me, but yes on occasion it has taken me around the block when it was't needed! But for the most part it gets you in the location you are supposed to be in and if you need to re-route for detours it really helps out too with alternate routes! Only $149 at walmart, more than paid for itself this summer on vacation and going to camps.

My take
 

A GPS unit will faithfully take you to the location that you enter even if it isn't your desired destination. You should always have a general idea of where you want to go and then let the GPS unit fill in the details. If you blindly go where it tells you to it may not be where you want to end up.

With a GPS unit, you always know where you are when you get lost.

Of the three main manufacturers of portable GPS units, Garmin, Magellan and Tom Tom, reviews that I have read list the Garmin routes as consistently good routes with Magellan a close second. Tom Tom is known for some pretty convoluted routes.

Each manufacturer has units at various price points, depending on the features.

Feature list:

Text to speech means that it doesn't say "turn right in .3 miles" it says "turn right on Main Street in .3 miles". This is particularly helpful when exiting a freeway on an exit that is very close to other exits.

Bluetooth support means that you can pair it with your cell phone and dial numbers using the GPS touch screen.

MP3 support means that you can listen to music or audio books stored on memory cards while you drive.

FM transmitter means that you can listen to the audio output from the GPS unit on your car's FM radio without having to connect a wire between the two. Older car radios, with cassette decks, can use a cassette adapter ($10-$15) to make the audio connection. The latest car radios have auxillary inputs that you can connect the GPS output to. Those car radios in between may only work with an FM transmitter.

Some of them support custom POIs (points of interest). With this feature you can use a web-based satellite image to identify the parking lot entrance closest to where you want to enter the gym. You take the latitude and longitude coordinates and enter them into a comma-delimited file that can be transferred to the GPS unit. When you just enter the school address, the GPS will guide you to the front of the school. In rural locations this isn't much of a problem but it can make a difference in larger cities during rush hour traffic.

The Garmin Nuvi 350, that includes text to speech, MP3 support and custom POI support can be purchased online for around $250. I have one of these that I am very happy with.

Moi and deux amis went on a road trip to Halifax earlier in the year. The driver has a Tom Tom. The trip took 36 hours as we stopped overnight part way through and visited cities on the way to Halifax. The Tom Tom that we took worked 100% perfectly and didn't lead us off the path once. And it used the best path of travel each time. We confirmed this Google and the fact that the driver has previously driven to Halifax many times, just not with all the stops along the way.

While I do believe that Garmin is the best choice out there, I had an extremely positive experience with Tom Tom.

I use the Garmin 350, and I absolutely love it. I put all the addresses for the schools in my smartphone, and just type in the address. About 90% of the schools in my area are already in the Garmin as a POI, just type in the school name. I don't have a traffic function, I just listen to the radio to avoid any traffic jams, or use Google Traffic to see where I may run into trouble.

I've never had a problem with convoluted routes with my GPS, and text to speech is real helpful.