GPS systems - was OT: Laptop
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Posts: 46,084
Ideally, I would prefer a hand-held system GPS system that also mounted
in my car in a quick-release charger like a cell phone. Is the current
technology there yet, or are hand-held systems necessarily inferior to
installed systems? Just wondering, before shopping.
Dennis
Original Message
From: Rodent [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=cKVi5F2fxIVJVgA1sVjuUwQn0rQJxCq1OnUx2u6YWLr-abnnqar8PNWoM6lUvqsWkLb_FabVXuxgnMQ]daweasel@s...[/url
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 7:53 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] OT: Laptop
I would either go with a handheld unit like a Garmin eTrex or go whole
hog and get an automotive system. Lugging around a laptop is a pain in
the butt. I have a Garmin eMap (which the eTrex replaced) on my
motorcycle and its been all over the country with me. RAM makes some
good vehicle mounts for all these units, so mounting is not a problem.
Original Message
> I have decided I would like to look into putting a GPS system in my
> new
car,
> and of course the first requirement is a good laptop. If anyone has
> such
an
> animal that they would like to dispose of, please contact me off line.
The
> only catch is that if I buy it you will have to help me with the GPS
> part.
>
> This is a bit ridiculous since I really don't go anywhere - it's just
> that
I
> like new toys once in awhile.
in my car in a quick-release charger like a cell phone. Is the current
technology there yet, or are hand-held systems necessarily inferior to
installed systems? Just wondering, before shopping.
Dennis
Original Message
From: Rodent [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=cKVi5F2fxIVJVgA1sVjuUwQn0rQJxCq1OnUx2u6YWLr-abnnqar8PNWoM6lUvqsWkLb_FabVXuxgnMQ]daweasel@s...[/url
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 7:53 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] OT: Laptop
I would either go with a handheld unit like a Garmin eTrex or go whole
hog and get an automotive system. Lugging around a laptop is a pain in
the butt. I have a Garmin eMap (which the eTrex replaced) on my
motorcycle and its been all over the country with me. RAM makes some
good vehicle mounts for all these units, so mounting is not a problem.
Original Message
> I have decided I would like to look into putting a GPS system in my
> new
car,
> and of course the first requirement is a good laptop. If anyone has
> such
an
> animal that they would like to dispose of, please contact me off line.
The
> only catch is that if I buy it you will have to help me with the GPS
> part.
>
> This is a bit ridiculous since I really don't go anywhere - it's just
> that
I
> like new toys once in awhile.
Comments
have features similar to the installed systems as far as the navigation
cues, etc... Obviously the screens are smaller and they have fewer features,
but with a good handheld that has a memory module and a detailed map loaded
in, you can look up addresses and stuff.
The Garmin units I am familiar with are battery powered, but have optional
lighter cords, some of which also have a PC interface connector. They all
have a base map of the US loaded into them, which means they will display
interstates, highways and major city thoroughfares. The will still map
anywhere you go, but the screen will be blank except for your path, speed,
direction, time, etc... They also have the highway exit info, such as fuel /
food / rest area stuff. You can get optional memory modules and software to
load the detailed maps. The high-end Garmin eTrex has 24mb of memory
built-in.
I like the Garmin products -- their support is on par with Parallax and they
are good about timely firmware updates. If you want to shop,
www.thegpsstore.com is a good place to start.
Original Message
> Ideally, I would prefer a hand-held system GPS system that also mounted
> in my car in a quick-release charger like a cell phone. Is the current
> technology there yet, or are hand-held systems necessarily inferior to
> installed systems? Just wondering, before shopping.
> I would either go with a handheld unit like a Garmin eTrex or go whole
> hog and get an automotive system. Lugging around a laptop is a pain in
> the butt. I have a Garmin eMap (which the eTrex replaced) on my
> motorcycle and its been all over the country with me. RAM makes some
> good vehicle mounts for all these units, so mounting is not a problem.
>
>
Original Message
>
> > I have decided I would like to look into putting a GPS system in my
> > new
> car,
> > and of course the first requirement is a good laptop. If anyone has
> > such
> an
> > animal that they would like to dispose of, please contact me off line.
> The
> > only catch is that if I buy it you will have to help me with the GPS
> > part.
> >
> > This is a bit ridiculous since I really don't go anywhere - it's just
> > that
> I
> > like new toys once in awhile.
Thanks,
Dennis
Original Message
From: Rodent [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=bngVaH0XsZ-oW-qub1Jr6PUFBYt9rNDCpAGxRPuaZH0XPJw0U-7QC88nzhb56CQOfnf7UYjHF2Vk]daweasel@s...[/url
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2003 3:06 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps]GPS systems - was OT: Laptop
The more expensive hand-held (and I use the term "hand held" loosely)
units have features similar to the installed systems as far as the
navigation cues, etc... Obviously the screens are smaller and they have
fewer features, but with a good handheld that has a memory module and a
detailed map loaded in, you can look up addresses and stuff.
The Garmin units I am familiar with are battery powered, but have
optional lighter cords, some of which also have a PC interface
connector. They all have a base map of the US loaded into them, which
means they will display interstates, highways and major city
thoroughfares. The will still map anywhere you go, but the screen will
be blank except for your path, speed, direction, time, etc... They also
have the highway exit info, such as fuel / food / rest area stuff. You
can get optional memory modules and software to load the detailed maps.
The high-end Garmin eTrex has 24mb of memory built-in.
I like the Garmin products -- their support is on par with Parallax and
they are good about timely firmware updates. If you want to shop,
www.thegpsstore.com is a good place to start.
Original Message
> Ideally, I would prefer a hand-held system GPS system that also
> mounted in my car in a quick-release charger like a cell phone. Is
> the current technology there yet, or are hand-held systems necessarily
> inferior to installed systems? Just wondering, before shopping.
> I would either go with a handheld unit like a Garmin eTrex or go whole
> hog and get an automotive system. Lugging around a laptop is a pain in
> the butt. I have a Garmin eMap (which the eTrex replaced) on my
> motorcycle and its been all over the country with me. RAM makes some
> good vehicle mounts for all these units, so mounting is not a problem.
connected to my PocketPC for color moving map using delorme software. The
eTrex display screen is small but is very convienent to take in the woods
or where ever. This way I can have both. Simple serial hookup and power
cord (http://www.gpscables.com/catalog.html). You can also hook it up to a
laptop if you prefer to have bigger screen yet. I have been very happy
with the unit. I even use it in my plane.