GPS questions

[waterdonkey]

Any recommendations on brand and features. I have been thinking about getting one lately and do not know anything about them. One big question I have is..... do you have to subscribe to a service (monthly fee) for the thing to work?

 

[TowPro]

No subscription fees, its free. GPS is really a military thing as you have been seeing on TV. They put an error in the signal so the GPS you and buy is only good to get you within a 100 feet or so of your target. Then several years ago they turned off the error (so other governments could not figure out the math to the error) and GPS was good to around 35feet. I hear since we entered Iraq the error is turned back on, but I bet it will be turned back off this summer.



As far as units, I have a Lowrance Globalmap 100. I bought mine because a friend has one, and swares by it (plus he has all the software for it )



Mine comes with a small LCD screen, and a map of North America that is pretty low detail. Then I can download detailed maps into the GPS from my computer using Lowrance software. (maps Lowrance supplies are around 10+ years old at least)



Now when you look at them there is 3 types.

Ones with no maps at all



Ones with low detail, small maps where you can download additional detail into them from software (software is extra).



Ones you could install in your car that is big enough to see the map as you drive.



At any rate, if you have to buy the GPS and the software, I would recommend any of the Garman GPS products. They have come a long way and are really good units, and all the software venders are using Garman commands so they can talk to the GPS from the laptop.



I use mine while walking, or riding dirtbikes, then I can download the route I just walked to Delorme topo software.



I also use it while driving on long trips. I have a cable that connects it to the laptop, and the GPS shows me exactly where I am on the map. I use Delorme Street Atlas 2003 for that.



Using GPS with the laptop while pulling the RV around has been the best thing that could happen to keep my wife happy when traveling. She no longer has to look at maps, and I no longer have to miss exits while she figures out which side of the map is up



Beware. When using GPS and laptops, make sure you have the latest version of software. Roads change and exits move. More then once I have ended up on the wrong road or missed an exit using old data. We will see how the new Delorme 2003 works this year, but I here its there best version yet.

Originally posted by waterdonkey

Any recommendations on brand and features. I have been thinking about getting one lately and do not know anything about them. One big question I have is..... do you have to subscribe to a service (monthly fee) for the thing to work?

 

[mcoleman]

I'm using a Legend. My Wife and I do a lot of hiking and quad riding so we purchased the Topo software and download whatever area map we are in at the time.

 

[Forrest]

I'm using this one: http://www.garmin.com/products/streetPilot/



Very happy with it. Be sure to get the bean bag. It velcros to the bottom & you can put it on different dash boards & it stays put pretty well.



I say pretty well ... depends on your rwhp.

 

[snowracer69]

Well, this might not be of much interest to you, but I use a Garmin GPSMap 196. It is currently their best hand-held GPS made, BUT, it's made mostly for flying. I have also used it in my pickup, and it took me from Reno, NV to Prescott, AZ without blinking. I wouldn't be without the thing in an airplane (secondary reference on most instruments, with very good situational awareness while in the clouds) and like to use it on long driving trips. Since mine also can be used in a vehicle, it came with a vehicle mount as well, which you can see in this picture next to my radar-detector

#ad




Might be a little more then you want to spend too ($1000), but worth every penny if you can use the features.



Josh

 

[waterdonkey]

Thanks all for the replies. Looks like I have to do a little research before the purchase. Happy to hear about the free service.

 

[JConley]

I just bought a Magellan Color. It has a color display, and I can install up to 256 meg of memory for map details and base maps. My wife just shipped it off today, so I wont get it for about 12 days.



http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=171



With this, you might not need the laptop. I can let you know more after I use it.



John

 

[jmtandem]

GPS

Waterdonkey,



I echo these replys to your post. My only caveat is to look into what you want GPS to do and buy the one with those features. They can be amazing and very accurate. Inexpensive units are accurate to about one tenth of a mile an hour above five miles per hour. That is more accurate than most stock speedometers. The least accurate feature is usually altitude but even that is close. It is fun to watch GPS altitude change driving up or down mountain grades.

 

[waterdonkey]

Wal Mart has a Garmin model 72 for around $150. 00. Am I wasting my money for a unit at this price(accuracy and features).

 

[Royk]

Waterdonkey,



What do you want to use it for mostly? On the dash of your truck, boating, hiking?

 

[TowPro]

Check out This place They have factory reconditioned GPS's for great deals. You can get one with a map for less then the price of the one your looking at. THey also have the Etrax for $25 less then the price you quoted.



This is just one place of 100's I found on the internet.

 

[waterdonkey]

Royk,



I would say, all the above. More of a toy than anything. I would like to track speed and mileage on long trips. Altitude would be nice too.

 

[jmtandem]

a good all around GPS

Waterdonkey,



A Garmin 12 (or equivalent from another manufacturer) is a good all around GPS but it will not read maps, etc. For hiking, tracking altitude, speeds, distance, routes, etc. it is good. They sell for about what you are looking at spending. My opinion only, get with some folks that use GPS and see what it can do and how they use them and then decide. The units that are map compatible can be a great asset in taking trips.