Garmin GPS's

[ROdiorne]

I'm interested in getting one of those Garmin GPS's that will perform "active routing" on city streets. You just put in an address and it tells you which way to go... no more map reading...

I've been looking at the "Streetpilot III", which has been out for almost a year but they're still pricey at around $800.

But now Garmin came out with the "GPS V", a more compact unit with better accuracy, but also a smaller display and it's not in color. Aside from that it does practically all the same functions. But it's also a lot cheaper at around $400, 1/2 the price of the other...

I can't decide which way to go (no pun intended)...

Does anybody have any experience with either of them ????

 

[CConway]

I have the Garmin Streetpilot ColorMap and also the Garmin GPS II+. I have really enjoyed the ColorMap. It very easy to see day or night. The Street Pilot III is the newer version apparently with audio voice ouput. If you are looking at cost and already have a laptop I have found that running my IBM thinkpad (laptop) connected to my GPSII+ with the DeLorme Street Atlas USA Road Warrior Edition works wonderful. Similar to what you would see on www.mapquest.com. The routes are very easy to setup from the software and navigate. Also by using a laptop I can change between STREET maps and TOPO's. You can't go wrong with the Street Pilot III. If I had the $'s and found a buyer for my ColorMap I would upgrade.



I havn't seen the GPS V so I can't really make any comments on that model. Which ever model you do decide to go with make sure you get a 12v power/data cable combined. That way if you ever want to hook it to a computer your set. I think now they also make a cable that will run off of household 110v.



In my opinion: Garmin's are the way to go.

 

[CConway]

Forgot to include this:



The best prices I have found is at ( www.onlinemarine.com ) in which I have bought all of my Garmin GPS as well as other items. The Streetpilot III is 772. 49 shipped.

 

[Rambling]

ROdiorne,



I've got the III+ and haven't looked at the product line closely in awhile. I could be wrong but I don't think that with a Garmin GPS (any unit) you can enter an address directly into the GPS and then have it displayed along with a route. However, if you know the lat-long of an address, you can put it in as a way point. If you want to input an address and have it's location displayed along with a possible route, I think you may need to consider adding a laptop with mapping software similar to what CConway mentioned. Both Microsoft and Delorme make good products for this approach.



The routing software systems in some auto's and available as an addin's are more complex than a GPS. I think they go closer for$1500 or there abouts. Over priced if they're only GPS units.

 

[ROdiorne]

Address Navigating

I just came back from a Garmin dealer checking out the units again. The newer models WILL allow you to input a street address for "active routing" and will map out the best directions to get there. Pretty neat... I'm leaning towards getting the Garmin Streetpilot III because the display is so easy to see, it's bigger and in bright color. Plus it is more expandable.

I also have the mapping software for my laptop, but it's too bulky to carry around in the cab, and I want the display in front of me on the dash.

Now I just need to find a source for a reasonable price. The standard dealer price is $999 but I've seen them on some websites for about $770 and am still looking...

I dig technogadgets... .



Here's a good review for the Streetpilot III



http://www.gpsinformation.net/spiii/sp3review.htm

 

[Todd G]

Buy the cheapest GPS you can find( I have a Garmin II), buy a really cheap laptop, put one of the many mapping programs on it. You will have way better display than from anything by Garmin.

 

[Rambling]

I was mistaken..

ROdiorne,

Thanks for the update on the new Garmin gizmos. Looks like I'm a bit behind the times on the GPS units to say the least.



Does the route feature work with the both the City Navigator and the Roads and Recreation down load files or just the City Navigator?



The Streetpilot III looks and sounds great in the review. Like you, I love toys and I know I'd give this a look if I was in the market again.



I agree about a laptop crowding the cab. Still, we like traveling with the computer and GPS combination. I rarely travel alone when I need a map (1 in 2. 5 years). Getting long in the tooth and the large screen of the computer is easier to see. My copilot plays games on the computer while on the open road, looks ahead for fuel stops, rest stops and places to eat. Shoot, she can watch a movie if she wants while on the road or we can together when we stop for the night. Guess I like the flexability that the combination offers.



So many toys to choose from and, for me any way, so little money to get them!!



ROdiorne, I hope you find a super deal on your GPS.

 

[ROdiorne]

Bingo !

Well the search is over .

I bought a Garmin Streetpilot III last night off that Ebay.com site for only $730 brand new in the box...

I only hope they don't come out with a superior model too soon...

I'm pretty sure it will perform active routing on any of the maps you can download into it. It seemed to be the most versatile model that offered that feature...

 

[JJW_ND]

Street Pilot III+

The autorouting feature only works with the base map, City Navigator and the new enhanced Metroguide. The New Metroguide is the best value by far. It has rural road coverage as good as RoadNRec but much more updated. POI are more uptodate and the Big City detail appears to be as good as City Navigator.



You can autoroute to rural gravel roads if you use the new Mapsource.



Those that used the ColorMaps rememeber the 50 Map limits. The StreetPilot has a 500 map limit.



The Never Metroguide maps are chucked in larger sections that cover a lot more area (RoadsNRec 1 map=1 County). Just need to have a 128Meg chip if you are real road warrior.



No need for latop if you have enhanced metroguide maps loaded on a StreetPilot III+. All the resturants, gas stations even weight stations are already loaded.



Here is another good site for purchase, great all accessories, and forum http://www.gpscity.com/





jjw

ND

 

[ACoyle]

I got my Garmin GPS V on Wednesday. I went from New Jersey to New Hartford NY on Friday. I entered my Mom's address and it put me right in her driveway. It was great.



The unit sticks to the top of my dasha nd can be easily removed and put in any car. It comes with a cigarette lighter power plug. When running off the car the backlight can be on all the time.



The unit made the trip up and back ,225 miles each way, more enjoyable. Since I really know the route I had a chance to compare what it chose with what I would normally do. The computer and I agreed.



I can write a longer review or answer any questions of desired.



Andy