| Author |
Message |
GSV Three Minds in a Can
Guest
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 Posted:
Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:08 pm Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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Bitstring <HQ6hf.82171$ty1.39092@bignews1.bellsouth.net>, from the
wonderful person BubblyBabs <bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com>
said
<snip>
| Quote: | I'm confused with all the gps info and don't trust the sales people
at stores...
|
Based on the comment below, that appears to be valid, at least for one
store!
| Quote: | Head over to http://www.gpsinformation.net/ and read all the prior
art. You may then have some extra/specific questions we can answer.
You will not get a large screen on a portable unit designed for
hikers - they already bitch that the Garmin 60C is too big/heavy. 8>.
OK, I was thinking about snagging a 60cs but the guy at the store said that
"they are crap" because they aren't very reliable nor accurate... He kept
showing me units that are in the $700-$900 range... I told him that even
the $400 priced ones were more than what I needed and I explained about
geocaching but he didn't know what that was...
|
Pick a better store!! I have a 60C (I don't need the compass and
altimeter - I'd even pay extra not to have them) and it isn't cr&p. Not
what I'd choose for 100% in-car use maybe, but just fine out on the
hills (even better with an external antenna if you really want the best
accuracy you can get, but hey, +/- 3m or +/-5m makes not a lot of
difference most of the time).
--
GSV Three Minds in a Can
Contact recommends the use of Firefox; SC recommends it at gunpoint. |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:31 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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In the previous message Skramblr skramblr@hotmail.comX wrote:
| Quote: | Note - Jack's recommendation for a Magellan eXplorist 400 is OK, but
for the color screen you wanted you'll need to look at the 500. The
600 adds an electronic compass feature (that I find very useful for
geocaching), but is not required. There's also a larger XL model
coming out. That will get you a little larger screen, but the unit is
larger too (probably similar to the model that you described your
friend as having).
-Skramblr
|
Internal compass I don't need... Friend of mine (named Pam) already told me
to buy one seperate from the gps unit (and this will help keep my kids from
fighing over the one thing, there will be 2 "cool" things to deal with)...
I also read with humor about using a gps compass that "pointed beautifully
to the engine" and it had to be recalibrated... So, I'll go with a regular
compass...
An XL model coming out? Hmmmm... I'll think on it but I think I'm already
sold on either a Magellan 400 or 500... The screen is smaller than I wanted
but that's mainly because of the model my friend Pam has (I need to find out
what model it is, I just know it's a Magellan, I don't see it online
anywhere)... I guess I could live with a smaller screen, my expectations
were too high for the price range I want to stick with... But Pam's
screen - being black on gray - was sort of hard to read so that's why I was
thinking about a color screen... But I see many of the newer monochrome
screens seem brighter and easier to read...
Babs |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:44 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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In the previous message Tom none@nothanks.com wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:33:54 -0600, "BubblyBabs"
bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com> wrote:
Just found this group and am probably asking a question that's been
asked a million times before...
I'm confused with all the gps info and don't trust the sales people
at stores...
My kids and I have discovered geocaching and that is the sole
purpose we are going to buy a gps unit though I want something that
will help me out of a jam if I get lost (which I am notorious for, I
have to give myself time for getting lost whenever I go someplace
new no matter how detailed the instructions are)...
Howdy.
If the sole purpose is geocaching, then I'll agree with everyone else:
60cs. But you state above that you get lost sometimes. And I'm
guessing you'd like something that you could easily use in the car.
Look at the Garmin Quest. It autoroutes, goes in and out of the car
easily, has a 20hour battery live, and works great for finding caches.
I have one and use it for both--it's a good tool that does both well.
Price is right too as the Quest 2 just came out (not worth it) and the
Quest is ~$350 or less now.
Hope that helps.
|
OOooo, the Quest looks attractive! Only thing is it doesn't have an SD
card - that was an attractive option for the Magellan 400/500...
Babs |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:47 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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In the previous message Joe Stella aaa@aaa.aaa wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:33:54 -0600, "BubblyBabs"
bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com> wrote:
Just found this group and am probably asking a question that's been
asked a million times before...
For the biggest screen in a handheld, you might want to take a look at
the Garmin IQue units. It's actually a PDA, not just a GPS, so it
has the largest screen. It's also very good for auto navigation.
|
I did consider the iQue since I use a PDA at work alot (I'm a nurse) but my
PDA works fine so I see no need to buy a new one... Very tempting though I
must say... The one website (gpsinformation.us) said that it's not really
made for "serious" Geocaching and hiking so I probably won't go that
route... Nice website that is...
| Quote: |
Don't worry about accuracy - all modern units are more accurate than
you could ever need.
|
Thanks, that's good to know...
| Quote: |
As for maps, the units only accept maps that you buy from the
manufacturer of the unit - Garmin maps for Garmin units, Magellan
maps for Magellan units. The IQue comes with City Select maps which
contain street level detail.
|
Oh, the Garmins and Magellan's don't have street level detail? Hmmm, that
is a consideration... But I could buy maps if I need to, correct? Since I
live in the Nashville area that would be a map I'd get (though, see my
comment below)...
| Quote: | The only caveat here is that the IQue units are not as rugged as some
of the handhelds - they are PDA's after all - so if you are concerned
about that then you might want to look at the 60C or 60CS. The
screen is smaller though and you have to buy the maps separately.
|
Man, that sucks to have to buy the maps seperately since you've dumped a
load of cash on a unit already... I did see a website about how to make
your own Garmin map, I wonder if there's a way to do that with a Magellan
map... That sounds like it would be fun to do...
Thanks for the input! Much appreciated...
Babs |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:48 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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Would a Magellan 400 be good enough?
| Quote: |
The Magellan 400 would be an excellent choice for what you want to do.
That is a model that uses SD cards (the 60cs does not) to provided
unlimited expanded storage for secondary detail maps and data files.
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Ah yes, the SD card is a good reason to snag one.... Kind of like my Palm
having a card... Do they use they same type of card I wonder?
| Quote: |
Also, you can save tracks, routes, waypoints and stuff like to the SD
card for use with other software. Having the files a on a SD card
makes it much easier than uploading and downloading from the GPS
(although you can do that also).
Here is a link to the web page for the eXplorist 400 page:
http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=1071
There is some info there about their Geocache Manager and a link to a
site with more info about geocaching.
If you were not aware of it, here are two other newsgroups that may
help you get answers more specific to the Garmin and Magellan models:
alt.satellite.gps.magellan
alt.satellite.gps.garmin
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Thanks for these groups, I'll check them out... Darn, just checked them
out, I can only get the magellan group with bellsouth (at least for the time
being)...
Babs
| Quote: |
Good luck with that!
Jack |
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Wayne R.
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:47:27 -0600, "BubblyBabs"
<bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com> wrote (with clarity &
insight):
| Quote: | Man, that sucks to have to buy the maps seperately since you've dumped a
load of cash on a unit already... I did see a website about how to make
your own Garmin map, I wonder if there's a way to do that with a Magellan
map... That sounds like it would be fun to do...
|
Consider the quantity of work associated with 1) collecting street
locations, 2) adding street names, 3) address numbers on those
streets, 4) routing data (one way, split/divided, overpasses (that
would otherwise look like an intersection)), and consider the database
rules that have been created to keep it all usable in routing
algorithms. Creating map data is a huge challenge.
I can't even imagine the frustration of trying to keep straight what
needs to be corrected & updated, too.
I agree that making our own maps can be a lot of fun, but I'm also
really glad I can get what seems like a staggering amount of correct &
useful data for such a low price. |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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In the previous message Wayne R. wruffner@KomKast.net wrote:
| Quote: | On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:47:27 -0600, "BubblyBabs"
bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com> wrote (with clarity &
insight):
Man, that sucks to have to buy the maps seperately since you've
dumped a load of cash on a unit already... I did see a website
about how to make your own Garmin map, I wonder if there's a way to
do that with a Magellan map... That sounds like it would be fun to
do...
Consider the quantity of work associated with 1) collecting street
locations, 2) adding street names, 3) address numbers on those
streets, 4) routing data (one way, split/divided, overpasses (that
would otherwise look like an intersection)), and consider the database
rules that have been created to keep it all usable in routing
algorithms. Creating map data is a huge challenge.
|
Yes, it looks it!
| Quote: |
I can't even imagine the frustration of trying to keep straight what
needs to be corrected & updated, too.
|
Hmmm, that IS a consideration! Especially with new neighborhoods being
built all the time...
| Quote: |
I agree that making our own maps can be a lot of fun, but I'm also
really glad I can get what seems like a staggering amount of correct &
useful data for such a low price.
|
Babs |
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Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:01 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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| Quote: | I did consider the iQue since I use a PDA at work alot (I'm a nurse) but my
PDA works fine so I see no need to buy a new one... Very tempting though >I
must say... The one website (gpsinformation.us) said that it's not really
made for "serious" Geocaching and hiking so I probably won't go that
route... Nice website that is...
|
Since you have a pda already, why not just expand your pda with a gps
attachment (cf or bluetooth or sd unit) depending on your pda. Load
it up with the software you prefer and it is ready to go.
Is your pda a palm or ppc.? What model?
If it is a relatively decent and updated model , you are looking at
around $100 to $350 incl the hardware and software & map provided your
pda is expandable in that area.
Daniel
| Quote: | Man, that sucks to have to buy the maps seperately since you've dumped a
load of cash on a unit already... I did see a website about how to make
your own Garmin map, I wonder if there's a way to do that with a Magellan
map... That sounds like it would be fun to do...
|
Babs |
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Jack Erbes
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:08 pm Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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BubblyBabs wrote:
| Quote: | Ah yes, the SD card is a good reason to snag one.... Kind of like my Palm
having a card... Do they use they same type of card I wonder?
|
All SD cards are the same, you can take one out of a Palm and pop in
into a GPS or a reader on your PC and as long as there is an application
there that can read the data on the card, it will do that.
| Quote: |
Thanks for these groups, I'll check them out... Darn, just checked them
out, I can only get the magellan group with bellsouth (at least for the time
being)...
|
Take some time when you're not going to be on the computer for an hour
or so and attempt to download the group. Sometimes that will prompt a
news server to download the group.
| Quote: | Oh, the Garmins and Magellan's don't have street level detail?
Hmmm, that is a consideration... But I could buy maps if I need to,
correct? Since I live in the Nashville area that would be a map I'd
get (though, see my comment below)...
|
The basemaps (the map that is permanently stored in the GPS) contains
all national roads, some state highways, major streets in bigger cities,
placenames, and some major features. To have both street level detail
everywhere in the U.S. and topo detail you need two additional software
packages:
For Magellan (approximate "street" prices):
MapSend DirectRoute NA ($80)
MapSend Topo 3D ($60)
For Garmin (I'm not familiar with street prices)
MapSource City Navigator or City Select
MapSource Topo or U.S. Topo 24K (better (1:24K) detail, more expensive)
--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine dot com) |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
|
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| Quote: | Since you have a pda already, why not just expand your pda with a gps
attachment (cf or bluetooth or sd unit) depending on your pda. Load
it up with the software you prefer and it is ready to go.
Is your pda a palm or ppc.? What model?
If it is a relatively decent and updated model , you are looking at
around $100 to $350 incl the hardware and software & map provided
your pda is expandable in that area.
Daniel
|
I had no idea you could do that... I've got a palm m515... I think I said
I had a palm 350 before - don't know where I got that from, I don't think
there are any of those made! It's a palm os (not PC based)...
Anyway, my palm is pretty full with medical stuff and a few games - I don't
think there's enough room for the extra info and maps required... But I'm
looking about the net and I find information about a navman as well as a
magellan palm gps unit but both have some fairly poor reviews... Hmmm...
Babs |
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BubblyBabs
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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In the previous message Jack Erbes jackerbes@adelphia.net wrote:
| Quote: | BubblyBabs wrote:
Ah yes, the SD card is a good reason to snag one.... Kind of like
my Palm having a card... Do they use they same type of card I
wonder?
All SD cards are the same, you can take one out of a Palm and pop in
into a GPS or a reader on your PC and as long as there is an
application there that can read the data on the card, it will do that.
Thanks for these groups, I'll check them out... Darn, just checked
them out, I can only get the magellan group with bellsouth (at least
for the time being)...
Take some time when you're not going to be on the computer for an hour
or so and attempt to download the group. Sometimes that will prompt a
news server to download the group.
Oh, the Garmins and Magellan's don't have street level detail?
Hmmm, that is a consideration... But I could buy maps if I need
to, > correct? Since I live in the Nashville area that would be a
map I'd > get (though, see my comment below)...
The basemaps (the map that is permanently stored in the GPS) contains
all national roads, some state highways, major streets in bigger
cities, placenames, and some major features. To have both street
level detail everywhere in the U.S. and topo detail you need two
additional software packages:
For Magellan (approximate "street" prices):
MapSend DirectRoute NA ($80)
MapSend Topo 3D ($60)
For Garmin (I'm not familiar with street prices)
MapSource City Navigator or City Select
MapSource Topo or U.S. Topo 24K (better (1:24K) detail, more
expensive)
|
Thanks for the info!
Babs |
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Fred
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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|
On Thu, 24 Nov 2005 12:47:27 -0600, "BubblyBabs"
<bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com> wrote:
| Quote: | In the previous message Joe Stella aaa@aaa.aaa wrote:
On Tue, 22 Nov 2005 14:33:54 -0600, "BubblyBabs"
bubblybabs_at_fractalfairy_dot_com@ng.com> wrote:
Just found this group and am probably asking a question that's been
asked a million times before...
For the biggest screen in a handheld, you might want to take a look at
the Garmin IQue units. It's actually a PDA, not just a GPS, so it
has the largest screen. It's also very good for auto navigation.
I did consider the iQue since I use a PDA at work alot (I'm a nurse) but my
PDA works fine so I see no need to buy a new one... Very tempting though I
must say... The one website (gpsinformation.us) said that it's not really
made for "serious" Geocaching and hiking so I probably won't go that
route... Nice website that is...
Don't worry about accuracy - all modern units are more accurate than
you could ever need.
Thanks, that's good to know...
As for maps, the units only accept maps that you buy from the
manufacturer of the unit - Garmin maps for Garmin units, Magellan
maps for Magellan units. The IQue comes with City Select maps which
contain street level detail.
Oh, the Garmins and Magellan's don't have street level detail? Hmmm, that
is a consideration... But I could buy maps if I need to, correct? Since I
live in the Nashville area that would be a map I'd get (though, see my
comment below)...
|
WAIT. The Garmins (60's and 76's, etc) can be loaded with street
level detail maps (City Select which you buy separately)- well, not
individual homes but all streets and will search for house numbers and
get you to the block. But, yes, newer subdivisions may not show up
for a while.
| Quote: | The only caveat here is that the IQue units are not as rugged as some
of the handhelds - they are PDA's after all - so if you are concerned
about that then you might want to look at the 60C or 60CS. The
screen is smaller though and you have to buy the maps separately.
Man, that sucks to have to buy the maps seperately since you've dumped a
load of cash on a unit already... I did see a website about how to make
your own Garmin map, I wonder if there's a way to do that with a Magellan
map... That sounds like it would be fun to do...
Thanks for the input! Much appreciated...
Babs
|
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tvnav.com
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
|
|
"lostparts" <clem641@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:%w8hf.82341$ty1.60@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
| Quote: |
"Jack Erbes" <jackerbes@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:S5KdnT3x393ajhjeRVn-tA@adelphia.com...
: tvnav.com wrote:
:
: > I'd stick with the 60CS... <snip
:
: I guess you would. You don't sell anything but Garmins, right?
:
: Jack
Sure he does and if there is anything wrong with them when you get them
from
him he won't exchange them for you.He will tell you to send them back to
Garmin.
|
The only time we haven't exchanged a out of box defective unit is either
when Garmin didn't allow us to do so a couple of years ago or if we are out
of stock.
--
Darrel Goheen
GPS@tvnav.com
http://www.tvnav.com |
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tvnav.com
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Nov 28, 2005 9:08 am Post subject:
Re: assist in choosing gps |
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"Jack Erbes" <jackerbes@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:S5KdnT3x393ajhjeRVn-tA@adelphia.com...
| Quote: | tvnav.com wrote:
I'd stick with the 60CS... <snip
I guess you would. You don't sell anything but Garmins, right?
|
That is correct, we only sell the best ;)
--
Darrel Goheen
GPS@tvnav.com
http://www.tvnav.com |
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