Jo and I just purchased a new SUV and it is not equipped with the onboard navigation system that our Explorer had. So, now I find myself returning, once again, to my online friends who have yet to fail me.
With using the forum "search" feature, I found quite a bit of the questions below already answered. I posted all of the below on two other forum sites that I frequent. Now, I'd like your advice on the various systems.
I am torn with a couple of features that are probably in conflict. Specifically, for vehicular traveling, I would like something like a 7" screen for easier viewing. However, Jo and I like to take hikes when we are in the mountains and in some cities we might like to walk around seeing the sights, so we would also like a unit that can be removed from the vehicle and carried with us. Likely, a portable unit suitable for hiking and foot traffic may require a smaller screen.
1. What kind of systems are there and are there some I should avoid like the plague?
2. I've heard that some may allow downloading of applications for different things. So, is that statement true?
3. Are there any applications that would give information on overpass heights?
4. Or, would there be an internet site that would be better, especially for pre-planning of a route to avoid low clearances?
5. Do any of you have knowledge of the best GPS units to buy, and if so, why that brand/model?
6. Does any particular GPS file format work better or have more options than others?
7. Considering the future full-timing aspect of RV life, are there any STANDOUT brands/models that are a must have?
8. Are some units suitable to remove from a vehicle and carry on foot when hiking?
9. Based on question number 8 and hiking, are there any units that are battery operated for that purpose, but still usable in a vehicle.
Thanks again for all the help.
Terry
rjenkins said
08:01 PM Sep 3, 2010
Terry I have limited knowledge since I just bought a GPS myself but did do some research to fit my needs and thats the key, fit your needs.
As for the GPS you can use in a vehicle and also take with you on hikes, I did see some that had that feature and yes, were battery operated, but the negatives in the reviews I read, were that battery duration was poor to take on any considerable hike.
A lot of the new GPS's offer all kinds of new features such as bluetooth, mp3 capability, etc. All stuff that I was not interested in. And you pay a price for that of course.
One thing to consider is the traffic alerts and updating maps.
I ended up with the Magellan 1450 only because it was the best bang for the buck in terms of what I needed and had the largest screen at the time, 4.7" I think.
It has free lifetime traffic alert and in return, a very non intrusive ad comes on every now and then from hotels, restaurants, retail shops when you are in an area that is within their advertising. I thought it would be annoying but it is not.
The knock on the Magellan that I was very concerned with was that the voice giving directions was not audible or intelligible. Either I got lucky or the reviews were hyper critical but the voice directions are great and easily understood.
Again, this is what worked for me. I was looking for plain and simple, LARGE screen, good price, and free traffic alerts (which also work very well).
NorCal Dan said
10:14 PM Sep 3, 2010
I've had all kinds of GPS units...even had a Lowrance Air-1000 that I used when flying my ultralight aircraft. I learned early on that it's best not to rely on any GPS for road navigation, they will get you in trouble more often than not. They may work fine on the interstates, but when you get into cities...all bets are off.
The one GPS unit I kept (for desert hiking and Geocaching) was the first GPS I ever bought, the Garmin ETrex. I paid $75 for it new and an additional $40 for the cable to hook it up to my computer. It has no maps. The batteries last for days. The screen is small, but for hiking/geocaching it's perfect.
Our coach has a built-in GPS unit with a 7" screen but I rarely use it. It shares the screen with the 3 external camera's. We find the trailer life atlas to be all we need for navigation while on the road. I also do some pre-planning using Google Maps.
bjoyce said
06:38 AM Sep 4, 2010
As NorCal Dan says you can get a handheld GPS cheaply that works much better that way than trying to use a navigation GPS. But you can also give the navigation GPS a try and only buy a handheld later if it is worth it to you.
Roz said
10:58 AM Sep 5, 2010
Just purchased a Droid phone yesterday for Ethel. It has a GPS built in, and would do fine for a "walk about" unit.
Paul and Jo said
11:35 AM Sep 5, 2010
I have a built-in navigation system in my Ford F-350 but have yet to find anything that gives me warnings about grades, hairpins, low bridges etc.
Anyone have any information on how to get that type of information ... either a GPS or Navigation System, or an atlas/map.
Terry and Jo said
01:57 PM Sep 5, 2010
After doing more reading of forum posts, we are re-thinking this satellite navigation situation. First, as some have commented, Microsoft Streets and Trips looks like a good thing to have for preplanning of ones trip, especially the version for RV's ($70 - see link below).
As for the GPS unit itself, that will take a bit more research. The "hiking" versions of Garmins, while pretty impressive with topographical maps, is very pricey. But, I need to see if I can find a version of GPS that will notify of low bridges but can be taken out of the vehicle and be battery operated.
If I can find such a product, then both the GPS and the Streets and Trips could be helpful in finding large RV friendly fuel stops and such. While I will still appreciate anyone's input with suggestions or recommendations, we are not in a big hurry to get anything yet. After all, we're still in Oklahoma City and will be for a while, and we know the city pretty well.
One individual posted on another forum that as a safety precaution, not to program one's GPS with their home address. Should a thief break into one's vehicle to steal their GPS unit, while one is giving a crime report to the police, the thief is breaking into one's home. They suggested programming one's "home" setting as the local police department. Kind of makes sense, after all, other than being on the road, most of us know where "home" is located and wouldn't need GPS to find it.
Perhaps others of you have "tips" for GPS owners as well. If so, why not chime in with them.
Thanks again.
Terry
NorCal Dan said
03:20 PM Sep 5, 2010
Just a note to add...if you are using Streets & Trips and you have a GPS that can be connected to the computer running S&T then you can use a moving map feature where S&T will plot your course on the map. I played around with this and got it working, but both our laptops have battery problems (the batteries only last about 5 minutes) so I shelved the project as I didn't want to run the inverter just for the laptop.
With using the forum "search" feature, I found quite a bit of the questions below already answered. I posted all of the below on two other forum sites that I frequent. Now, I'd like your advice on the various systems.
I am torn with a couple of features that are probably in conflict. Specifically, for vehicular traveling, I would like something like a 7" screen for easier viewing. However, Jo and I like to take hikes when we are in the mountains and in some cities we might like to walk around seeing the sights, so we would also like a unit that can be removed from the vehicle and carried with us. Likely, a portable unit suitable for hiking and foot traffic may require a smaller screen.
1. What kind of systems are there and are there some I should avoid like the plague?
2. I've heard that some may allow downloading of applications for different things. So, is that statement true?
3. Are there any applications that would give information on overpass heights?
4. Or, would there be an internet site that would be better, especially for pre-planning of a route to avoid low clearances?
5. Do any of you have knowledge of the best GPS units to buy, and if so, why that brand/model?
6. Does any particular GPS file format work better or have more options than others?
7. Considering the future full-timing aspect of RV life, are there any STANDOUT brands/models that are a must have?
8. Are some units suitable to remove from a vehicle and carry on foot when hiking?
9. Based on question number 8 and hiking, are there any units that are battery operated for that purpose, but still usable in a vehicle.
Thanks again for all the help.
Terry
http://www.microsoft.com/streets/en-us/TopReasonsToBuy.aspx
As for the GPS unit itself, that will take a bit more research. The "hiking" versions of Garmins, while pretty impressive with topographical maps, is very pricey. But, I need to see if I can find a version of GPS that will notify of low bridges but can be taken out of the vehicle and be battery operated.
If I can find such a product, then both the GPS and the Streets and Trips could be helpful in finding large RV friendly fuel stops and such. While I will still appreciate anyone's input with suggestions or recommendations, we are not in a big hurry to get anything yet. After all, we're still in Oklahoma City and will be for a while, and we know the city pretty well.
One individual posted on another forum that as a safety precaution, not to program one's GPS with their home address. Should a thief break into one's vehicle to steal their GPS unit, while one is giving a crime report to the police, the thief is breaking into one's home. They suggested programming one's "home" setting as the local police department. Kind of makes sense, after all, other than being on the road, most of us know where "home" is located and wouldn't need GPS to find it.
Perhaps others of you have "tips" for GPS owners as well. If so, why not chime in with them.
Thanks again.
Terry