GPS - User Comments

[Sleeper]

Anybody using a GPS on thier dash? I'm thinking about getting one of the cheaper Garmins. Got any ideas on mounting and what works and what doesn't?

Sleeper

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98 QC 2WD 5 Sp 3. 54 BD Mods: K&N, #11 plate, 16cm, 4" back from gutted cat. 340 RWHP

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

i have a garmin 2+ and really like. the display will rotate to vertical or horiz. with the horiz. i can velcro it to my dash.

jim

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2001 eth, ez box, dd2's
My Ram Pics

 

[K Butcher]

I use the Garmin III+ and it is a great product. Check out the GPS article in the Turbo Diesel Register July or August of last year. I use velcro to attach mine to the dash and it works fine. I also purchased the TOPO mapping software because it comes in handy up here in Alaska. I carry a laptop with me when I go out and chart the next day on the PC.

I haven't got lost yet!

Keith

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Keith Butcher
Anchorage, Alaska

2001, 2500 QC 4X4, Long Bed, Auto w/410 gears, SLT+, Bright White w/Tan Leather
Rhino bed liner, Nerf running boards,K&N air filter, Cab lights, Sport package
with ALL the decals off. I love this truck!!!!

 

[klenger]

I have a GPS 12XL, but use it mostly for hiking and climbing. I use it in the car to locate trailheads and intersections in the back roads. Really cool, especially if you want to know what time it really is.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box/
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Sleeper]

Anybody use an external antenna?

Sleeper

 

[David_VT]

I have two models of GPS units that work off a laptop. While not as handy as the handheld units, they work great!

I have never had problems getting a signal, and since the rules were relaxed the accuracy is fantastic.

I used the first one in Washington state for about two years and loved it. That one was powered off batteries that mounted inside the yellow module. After moving to Vermont I thought it had been lost so I bought the one that comes with the Atlas software. That one is powered off the laptop keyboard connector, a nice feature.

This past summer (after the accuracy was kicked up by the military), we drove from VT to Montana. The accuracy was so good, I could tell when my wife changed lanes to pass someone on the highway.

If you go for the laptop style, make sure you find one that has a software package that can plan trips by itself. This darn Atlas one has to connect to the internet to make trip plans. They justify it by showing realtime detours like construction, etc. However if you are lost and want to find your way home, you can't just put in your current location from the GPS and type in your home zipcode to get a nice travel route.

PS: I think they both can work of my palm pilot which gives you a few more options.

[This message has been edited by David_VT (edited 03-24-2001). ]

 

[BRobertson]

I use a Garmin street pilot Colormap. I have it mounted in a custom console I built that replaces the useless center seat. I mounted a remote antenna in the center of the dash, next to the windshield. I can remove it to use as a portable or to load data into a chip ( up to 132mb) for different areas. It is a far nicer unit and cheaper than the ones we have been using in aircraft for years.

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2001 QC4x4 eth dee slt+ 3. 54 blk agate leather Warn transformer mount Hella 4000s, Hella 530 backups, Optima redtops Toro liner, jacobs ebrake, wired front and rear for Warn 9000 winch, backup lights inset into rear bumper,bumper powder coated silver vein, bedliner on 6" of rocker,custom aluminum console with Garmin Colormap GPS and EGT built in,Horton fan,MagHytec diff cover

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Originally posted by Sleeper:
Anybody using a GPS on thier dash? Sleeper

<font color = blue> I also use the Garmin III+ and along with the optional CD-ROM PC mapping software, it's a great product. there was an article in the TDR magazine last summer, which should answer most of your questions.



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JMc

2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, Camper Special & Trailer Tow Groups , Sliding Rear Window, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X UTR Bedliner & underseal, Grover Airhorns, Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch, Roadmaster XX, in planning stages... . HX35/14cms turbo, SPA Dual Gauges, Mag-Hytec, Exhaust Brake with Bill K. mods, DD 4" exhaust, DD2s, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, , Bill K. VB & TC.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Most of the new units will work inside a vehicle without an external antenni. I have an Eagle Explorer and it will lock on to the satellite inside the house. You will want to get one with the 12v power cord, they eat batteries pretty fast. bg

 

[Rambling]

We use the Garmin III+. I have AAA Map N' Go 6. 0 and Street Atlas 7. 0 installed on the laptop. Maps are by DeLorme but are very different in what they offer.

Others with younger eyes, might be able to keep their eyes on the road in traffic and look at the small screens on a GPS but I find that the most critcal time is during high traffic conditions. That ain't a time to be distracted IMO.

We preplan all our trips on the laptop and sometimes make changes in route. We haven't found a need nor used the online feature of either software package for route conditions (construction, etc) and I don't know if it would change things that often if we did.

If you're planning on mostly using the laptop for navigation, the III+ is a slight over kill. A good multi-receiver without all the features could be purchased. If you'll be using the GPS for outdoor activity, the III+ is nice. A computer interface will allow you input 'way points' for a type of route planning.

In addition to purchasing a external power/laptop interface cable (only one connector on the unit), I did add an external antenna. This is reported to be useful when using a unit in your wheels where there is a lot of overhanging foliage or in the city with tall buildings. With this setup, the GPS resides near the 4-wheel shifter where I can read the stat page while it's connected to the laptop for the co-pilot.

If you plan on doing much long distance use and will want detail information along the way, I don't recommend the type that has the plug in module$. Can you gue$$ why?

Email me if anyone wants some particulars on the hardware or the software.

PS. Tried Street Atlas 8 but their data base for diesel stations was hosed. Went back to 7. 0.

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<font color=#990000>~<font color=#990000> '99 2500 SLT <font color=#990000> ~ QC ~ 4X4 ~ LB ~ Auto ~ 4:10 LSD ~
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> BD E-brake<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> BD Autolock<font color=#00000> *<font color=#990000> Gear Vendor OD<font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Jordan Ultima 2020 T-brake <font color=#000000> *<font color=#990000> Bullhide spray-in Line <font color=#000000>*
<font color=#000000>*<font color=#990000> 2k Komfort 5'er - 9,700 lbs <font color=#000000> *
<font size=-2>... Lookin' for the 'RE' to go in front of my 'TIRED' so's I got more time to Play!... <font size=-1>

[This message has been edited by Rattlin (edited 03-24-2001). ]

 

[bluewingron]

get on the web go to www.garmin.com they list all modles and spec. plus other interesting stuff. i have a gps 111+ on dash with velcro. put it on my goldwing also

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Ron Parker

 

[klenger]

REI sells them, but I'm not sure if they sell the fancier models.

 

[Bigsaint]

I have the Garmin GPS III, older model, not the plus, and it works real well with velcro on the dash. I don't think that you need an external antenna unless you plan on mounting the unit somehwere other than the dash. Here's another link for alot of GPS units and supplies http://gpsnow.com/gmgen.htm
If your going to use the GPS just for street navigation, the Garmin Street Pilot is great, my step father has one and uses it all the time for business travel. If you want a unit that you can also take with you for a hike in the woods, the GPS III is much smaller and more suitable for that use. The only tradeoff is the small display that can be difficult to read while driving. Hope this helps.

Scott W.

White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and oil temp gauges,Edge EZ,Psychotty air,Bully Dog stage III injectors,ATS 3 piece manifold,HX40 turbo,4" BD exhaust,4" BD E-brake,McLeod clutch,Mallory 4150 lift pump,Mag-Hytec rear,Mopar tonneau,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat and blow by bottle is bye bye !!! I love the smell of diesel in the morning, it reminds me of... . VICTORY !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A>
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089604" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>THE SAINTS</font></A>

 

[TowPro]

I have the Lowrance Globalmap 100. ($199 at Walmart)

It has a map that is pretty detailed, but you can buy a CD which allowes you to download "small road" detail. It has 2 memory locations for these detail maps )about 75X75 miles each). I plan on using it along with my laptop and Street atlas 8 when towing the RV. When you use it, it lays a trail down in memory every where you go, which you can then download to the Delorme programs including the TOPO programs. (If you can't figure out how to do this with the Lowrance and Topo USA, email me off line).
I use the GPS and Topo usa for making maps of motorcycle trails.

I have also figured out my route on Street Atlas and uploaded it to the Lowrance.

 

[Big-D]

My wife and I plan to travel cross country next year. What is the price and best place to purchase a Garmin III+ with mapper?
Dave

 

[HC]

Anybody use an external antenna?

I use a Garmin 12XL with the external antenna. However, the antenna is still inside the vehicle, just velcro'd to the front dash as far forward under the windshield as it will go. Coverage is fantastic, there is really no need to mount the antenna outside unless you're 4-wheeling under dense tree cover. Those placing their GPS on the dash should expect seals to leak in a couple of years due to the heat and sunlight UV exposure. If you use it only in the car, or only when you go on an occassional long trip, then no problems, but if you use it every day and then try to go hiking in the rain two years from now you're going to be disappointed. Been there, done that.

 

[Big-D]

Thanks guys for the information. I do have a laptop which will accompany us on all extended travels away from home. I feel this may be the best choice for viewing and planning trips. Dave

 

[Forrest]

I've got the Garmin StreetPilot along with it's bean bag dash mount. The bean bag comes in different sizes to match the model you have. It doesn't move around. #ad


By the way, great for taking on those plane trips. It tells you "Driving East near Salt Lake City 550mph". #ad
It also shows you the elevation.