Navigation GPS...which one?

[ENafziger]

ENafizer:

What is that device under the radio?<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

It's a digital equalizer, plus a lot more. It allows custom phasing and imaging of the music, speaker balancing, sub control, and functions as a Digital Signal Processor as well. It's an older model Kenwood used to produce, but sounds fantastic!

--Eric

 

[Tinman]

It's a digital equalizer, plus a lot more. It allows custom phasing and imaging of the music, speaker balancing, sub control, and functions as a Digital Signal Processor as well. It's an older model Kenwood used to produce, but sounds fantastic!



--Eric

Thanks! I've been looking for something to put in that hole. That's just what the doctor ordered.

 

[ShortB]

I've just started looking for a GPS so this is an interesting thread. The problem I've had in selecting one is that the sales people don't know much more than how to turn them on. The companies web sites help but it's nice to hear from real users.

I'm looking for a unit that can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle and also used as a handheld on the trail. I also need to have maps for as many BLM/forest service trails as possible. The software also has to be Mac compatible. I've looked at the Garmin and Tom Tom units so far.

My question is how much mapping and POI information comes with the different units? Do I need to purchase additional software to get the detailed trail information and what is the cost? Are there any maps available for Baja? Can you input map coordinates to navigate to?

Thanks in advance for any info.

I bought a new Garmin Quest about a month ago and love it. It's completely portable and is even waterproof (within reason, I'm sure). It has some of the same minor quirks that some others have mentioned their GPS as having (no big deal), but is very simple to operate and works awesome. It was also $165 shipped off eBay... can't beat that.

 

[Gus's 03]

heres a link to the review i did on the garmin nuvi 660 with install pics etc.



gps install - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

 

[Graphic man]

My Nuvi has 3-d... I don't like it (I set it on "track up" which is a plan view). The 3-d might be ok if you are simply relying on the unit's voice promts, but it distorts the map to a point you can't really get a feel for what other roads are around you, or how far the upcoming road is away from you.



Just my opinion of the 3-d option...



steved

WOW... i would have though it would work good



it looked great from the picture i seen

 

[PRout]

heres a link to the review i did on the garmin nuvi 660 with install pics etc.

gps install - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

Not trying to hijack this thread, just showing another person's solution that may pan out to be pretty decent also - Time will tell. .

Really liked the above review & Installation. It motivated me to get out and put mine in a more permanent location (that did not compromise any existing features on the dash).

Originally, I liked the higher, heads-up approach for convenience, but then realized it doesnt do much good if it gets stolen. With that in mind, a low key approach was taken instead. It is easily removable with a pull of the bottom tab (it comes out easily from its cradle). After trying all kinds of locations, there was almost always a reason why it didnt work there, like covering up a dash control, too easily hit by the stick shift, scratched by keys, hit by my hand if it was too close to the steering wheel, etc. I soon found out, mounting one of these new models can be kind of a bear if you want it out of plain view.

Also, did not want to lose the original Garmin V due to its excellent off-road features the new Nuvi 680 does not have.

The plan ended up being this: Use the Garmin Nuvi 680 for street navigation, hands free phone via its excellent bluetooth capability, traffic updates, and since I sit in traffic a lot here in the city, I like the audio book feature and it can even transmit its audio to the truck's FM receiver so you can listen to it via the stereo, which means it becomes an MP3 player as well, and it even works for the phone so you hear your caller in surround sound (well almost). There are a lot of nice features on these new units, but this one doesn't have the off-road tracking ability, so. .

The existing Garmin V became the dedicated off-road nav unit and the compass and trip stats machine (speed, time, miles, elevation, etc). Ended up removing all of the street maps and totally loaded it up with... TOPOS! Lots of topo maps, great for off-roading, exploring, geocaching, finding your hidden lakes up in the sierras, etc.

They are both hard wired in so they always have power independent of the ignition switch. The existing G-V had an external antenna connected that was mounted way up forward on the dash for good reception, but have found the new unit has such a good receiver, it has no problem getting good enough signals to do its job fine without an external antenna. Of course it has a plug for one if it becomes necessary.

See full-size pics here while my DHCP IP lasts... http://75.140.70.182:13200/Truck Pics/GPS_Install/
Also will try to upload full-size pics to the Photo Gallery if anyone is interested in some additional features.

Note: I purposely edited out my coordinates off the pics that's one reason why they look strange.

The mount was done by using the supplied mounting disk, removed the factory adhesive tape, ruffed up and prepped the surfaces with denatured alcohol, used grey RTV silicone in the center of the disk, used clear epoxy around the silicone almost out to the edges, but left a slight margin around the edge to finish off with a clean appearance, dashboard matching grey silicone out to the edge for a little more professional look, but mostly for a sort of rubber mounting with some epoxy for strength. Seems pretty solid! Then used the standard suction-cup/swivel mount to make the attachment. Tie-wrapped the wires neatly up under the dash and as much as possible along the oem radio feedline to try to induce the output signal to the stereo.

The mounting disk was mounted right on the front flat surface of, yes. . the ash tray. . Hey, the whole unit swivels down with the ash tray and just clears the 4x4 lever by about 3/16 inch and everything retains full functionality.

The pics show the transmission in first gear to show there is adequate clearance. Also, the keys don't even come close to the Nuvi's screen, so that is not a problem.

In the dash illumination pic, the Garmin-V's brightness is set a little too high, but can be turned down so it doesn't overpower the intensity of the other instruments. .

See for yourself. .

Happy New Year!

 

[MLee]

Have you ever gotten a reading on the

vertical speed????? having both those units gives a lot of info.

Marv.

 

[DMoon]

GPS Navigation

Santa brought me a Garmin NUVI 200. It's not expensive as GPS units go and doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it does the job.

 

[PRout]

Have you ever gotten a reading on the
vertical speed????? having both those units gives a lot of info.
Marv.

Yes, the vertical speed basically shows your rate of climbing or descending hills. About the only time its actually "helpful" is when you are pulling a long slight upgrade or downhill and trying to figure if it is the wind that is affecting you or is it a slight climb. As most of those stats, you already know what's going on anyways, but they are kinda neat to see in action.

Santa brought me a Garmin NUVI 200. It's not expensive as GPS units go and doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it does the job.

Hey! nice unit and you are going to like it. I have a co-worker that got a 200 about a month ago and loves it. He's driving back cross-country from Florida with it right now. He's sure not gonna get lost since its going to tell him to "Stay on I-10" for about 37 hrs. . :-laf

 

[PWitteveen]

Purchased a Garmin Nuvi 350 this month and I am please with it so far. I haven't taken any trips with it yet. The only issue I have with it so far is when I select the Go Home option and am going back home via one of thw two main streets I can take, it routes me past my street (no left turn) to the next right then around the block to my street and then home. I turn left at the block before my street and then home.

 

[steved]

I've found incorrect details with my Nuvi 200W also... but that's the software, not the actual unit.

steved

 

[KBalzuweit]

I have had my Nuvi350 for a couple weeks, although it is a neat toy its not really the best at directions (long trip highway). I also run Microsoft Street and Trips GPS and I can edit my directions and I can beat the 350 every time in both travel distance and time. Now in town the 350 is pretty good. I was just in Orlando and typed in several addresses and picked several places and it did a great job. The detour function is also great, I was on I-4 heading to my hotel and traffic stopped, I hit detour and jumped off the highway and it got me there without any traffic hassle.

 

[PRout]

I've been finding the traffic screen useful here in the big city. Already know my way around so the constant traffic updates screen has allowed me to change freeways and avoid some bad messes. Kind of liking that feature a lot.

 

[steved]

I've been finding the traffic screen useful here in the big city. Already know my way around so the constant traffic updates screen has allowed me to change freeways and avoid some bad messes. Kind of liking that feature a lot.

I believe that was an option for the C340 I was looking at, but not my Nuvi 200W... that's what the Connex is for anyhow!



steved

 

[Gus's 03]

I've been finding the traffic screen useful here in the big city. Already know my way around so the constant traffic updates screen has allowed me to change freeways and avoid some bad messes. Kind of liking that feature a lot.

yep, i cant wait for them to finish the expansion out here. . i dont get down to seattle alot, but when i do , its nice to see what trafics like so i can pick the options. .