HELP (Read 972 times)

[Rob (on the job) Ross]

I need some help from the macgors family.

I want to know what is the best GPS to buy and how much and why it's the best

[nzf2stocks.]

My only advice is don't go for one thats 'stand alone' only. Make sure any you buy can interface well with a laptop. We had this system when we did our Targa recovery duties, and with the right software package you can use the GPS as pacenotes. The larger screen and extra options that come with a laptop package more than make up for the extra cost and bulk.

PM Chairman for the system he uses, its a beauty.

[eddiek]

What features are you looking at?

There are only two logical choices: Garmin and Tomtom.

Garmin is far superior in every way except one: it on average takes 3 years for a new road to get added to the maps. Featurewise, it out performs Tomtom in many many ways.

Tomtom on the other hand seems to be a lot more up to date with the maps, but the Tom Tom One lacks several useful features that I used to use a lot on my older model Garmin. The One does not log maximum speed or distances, and doesn't automatically turn itself on and off with the ignition key like the Garmins do.
The interface seems horrendous at first, particularly when entering in an address, but I have found that now I'm used to it, I can locate streets faster than I could with the Garmin interface, however the layout on the Garmin is just more logical.

I cant speak for the Nuvi as I ran the older Streetpilot model, but the Tomtom added some interesting new features that the SP's didn't have such as speed alerts, preloaded cameras (I had to create a POI file for the Garmin) and its got pretty cool stuff like having Ozzy Osbourne directing you to your destination if you search out the voice files on the net.
"err in three... hundred metres... cross the f'n roundabout second exit then errr you have ..... reached your f'n destination"... good for a giggle if nothing else.

So it comes down to whether or not you want ease of use or more up to date mapping.

As far as pricing goes, the more you spend the more you get, proportionately speaking. But shop around, I bought my One for $249 including free carry case about a month ago, but some places have them as high as $400 for the GPS alone.

[drew]

What sort of GPS and what do you want to do with it?

We have a Garmin eTrex handheld that is really good and I would recommend.

Drew

[wayne]

buy a map ;D

[Abb0]

Dec 1, 2008 20:02:35 GMT 12 @eddiek said:

What features are you looking at?

There are only two logical choices: Garmin and Tomtom.

Garmin is far superior in every way except one: it on average takes 3 years for a new road to get added to the maps. Feature wise, it out performs Tomtom in many many ways.

Hmmm, have to disagree there Mr Guy. During my travels of the US I've used both Garmin (US manufacturer) and Tom Tom (European manufactrurer, and the one I've brought for myself). I'm not saying that TT is necessarily better than Garmin but the Garmin certainly isn't far superior than TT. In fact, personally, I like the TT better.

Bearing in mind I'm talking about a reasonably basic model. My TT is the 130S and I paid $200US for it compared to $300US for the similar featured Garmin.

But I agree, you need to know what sort of features you want and then look at the choices.

Edit: Forgot to say why I like the TT better. Mainly because one of the pieces of info on the screen is total distance to go. With the Garmin you have to dig through the menu to find that info'. It also has the speed limits (if known) i.e. it'll show 75/65 (in red) on the screen indicating I'm doing 75 in a 65 zone
You can also download a free piece of software (call Tom Tom Home) from the TT site that updates your installed map for the first month after purchase. Updates to the maps that other TT users have found can be downloaded to your TT (You can upload your own changes as well).

[chairman]

Dec 1, 2008 20:02:35 GMT 12 @eddiek said:

Garmin is far superior in every way except one: it on average takes 3 years for a new road to get added to the maps. Featurewise, it out performs Tomtom in many many ways.

Tomtom on the other hand seems to be a lot more up to date with the maps,

Ahem !!!

NZ Open GPS Project -
Community Developed Autorouting Maps of NZ

Once a new road or an incorrect turn restriction or whatever is reported it's generally just a matter of hours before it gets added to the maps. Corrections to the POIs can be made as soon as you can log onto Zenbu and edit them and will appear in the map a couple of weeks later.

They're totally free, cover the whole of NZ, autorouting works, address searching works, updated continuously and a new mapset created every night (weekly for the Nuvi version), corrections welcomed and incorporated virtually immediately, user maintained (ala Wikipedia) map POIs taken from Zenbu again with corrections and additions welcomed and soon baked into the maps ...

Oh, and they're exclusively for Garmin ...

;D
Gary

[Topcat]

GPS - now I thought that meant...GOOD PRODUCTION SALOON, show's I'm over 50 co's I just use a Map.

[eddiek]

I'm just too darn lazy to use a map.... I like things to do the work for me. I'm hoping theres a device on the market soon that'll drive the car for me....
Oh yes, the Yaz Mark II Autochauffer is almost completed. Definitely looking forward to that, the debugging is pretty much completed and contrary to what Hooncorp or Mintie would have you think ;D ;D ;D it's proving to be very reliable

Gary, I'd forgotten about the Open GPS project, especially as the last incarnation I tried was causing some issues on the Street Pilot. I should look at doing more trials on it for work, especially as I couldn't get the autorouting to work when I abandonned it a year ago. (Essentially I had to use the Garmin maps to locate the coordinates then recall them out of the recent destinations menu once I'd loaded the open source maps)

I much prefered the Garmin for work as I am in and out of the truck all the time, but I needed the latest maps as my job takes me all over the place.

[Abb0]

Dec 1, 2008 20:02:35 GMT 12 @eddiek said:

...but the Tom Tom One lacks several useful features that I used to use a lot on my older model Garmin. The One does not log maximum speed or distances, and doesn't automatically turn itself on and off with the ignition key like the Garmins do.
The interface seems horrendous at first, particularly when entering in an address, but I have found that now I'm used to it, I can locate streets faster than I could with the Garmin interface, however the layout on the Garmin is just more logical.

Have to agree there. No logging on the 130S but that's not something I needed. It is available in more expensive models. The "not turning off with the ignition key" is something I got used to with the Garmin and is something that would be nice in the TT. Again, the more expensive models have this feature.
I also agree that the TT is a little more difficult to learn how to use but the end result is better in my opinion.

Dec 1, 2008 20:02:35 GMT 12 @eddiek said:

...and its got pretty cool stuff like having Ozzy Osbourne directing you to your destination if you search out the voice files on the net.
"err in three... hundred metres... cross the f'n roundabout second exit then errr you have ..... reached your f'n destination... good for a giggle if nothing else.

Haha, I downloaded Ozzy as well ;D Laughed my a@# off when I first heard it. Basil Faulty is another good one.