GPS--which one? Mounting ideas?

[CruisinGA]

I have a Garmin V, would not trade it for anything. Works great on its own, I also have a very small laptop (vhs tape size) that I use for Topo maps and long trips etc.

It is the only mapping GPS i've seen that can also be used for hiking, biking and open top cruiser use.

I would highly recommend it. Easily worth the $400 it cost when i bought it awhile ago. At $279 its a bargain.

 

[alia176]

<short hijack>

Jamie,

Delorme has a USB to Serial software that you may be able to use. Assuming you have the USB/serial wire thingie. If this doesn't work and you have XP, then there's one more thing you gotta do. It's all in the Deloreme site. Hopefully, this interface is generic and works with all types of software.

Ali

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Thanks for all of the great responses. I think for now I'm going to get a dirt cheap garmin and get something with a plotter down the road. I'm not sure if there is any detailed maping software for my area of the world--there is for the water geared towards boats.....

Another reason why most of the units noted above do very little for you. A cheap GPS (ie you don't even need a screen), mounted to a laptop or PDA will allow you to load a map of your area (electronic, scanned, etc) and then plot where you are on that map (after it has been calibrated)

You will need mapping software like Oxi or Fugawi. I think this is a great approach as it has lots of flexibility. The hardware that you care about has not, and generally will not, change over time (ie the antenna and tracking system). Like computers, the software and screen will change as soon as you buy one model. With some form of laptop, you can always update the software and the screen will be better than all (most) of the hand held units.

YMMV!

Cheers, Hugh

 

[photogod]

If you are going to do mapping with out a lap top get a eTrex vista or somthing simmilar with more than 8 mg memory. The legend has 8mg and is great for short trips. The Vista has 24 mg memory and enables you to do a longer tracks and load larget maps. I have a Vista and an iQue 3600 and it really helps to have the extra memory to load more mapping. If you can swing a color monitor go for it, it really makes reading the screen easier and you can keep your eyes on the road. If you can find an emap go with that as it has removeable memory cards so you can add 256 mg memory to it and load it up. My two cents says get as much memory as you can. you will grow into it and use it a lot.

 

[jeb]

I had a Garmin III+ in my 80 and it worked great - I loved it. Initially I had the external anntena - but in the end decided that it worked just as well without it.

I mounted mine with velcro on the ledge of the heater vent to driver's right. That worked really well. Easy to remove - or hook-up - easy to see and use while driving. I put a power port that was always hot down on the console - sort of below the driver's right knee and that was a big help.

I have a navigation system in my 100. There are things about the Garmin I miss. I liked the digital speedometer - I liked downloading routes from Map and Go from the laptop or PC - and I liked the trip timer. I don't like the routes the Nav system in the new car chooses and it is sort of a pain to enter way points.

Jeb
2003 100
1997 80 w/ lockers for sale

 

[erics_bruisers]

I just got this Garmin unit -- will let you know how it works --

http://shopper.cnet.com/Garmin_Stre...8_9-30860441-2&tag=nav&cip=1&orderby=90&sort=

e

 

[Mike S]

Garmin 60 SC. I also bought the antenna which mounts inside the windshield. A velcro case sticks right onto my dash cover. Big color screen, huge amount of downloadable maps, very readble display, single hand operation.

Not cheap, but good.

 

[alf]

notebook gps

If you have room to mount it go with a sub-notebook PC running any multiple of GPS programs. My set up is as follows:

Fujitsu B2130 sub-notebook - $250.00
IGuidance by NavTech bundle - $150.00
(includes PC, Pocket PC software and USB mini dome gps receiver)


Other software titles available but IGuidance is good for the street stuff. Off-roading and marine application I use Map-Tech Navigator.


Alf