Car GPS Systems

[KTorak]

I just got a '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee...and I get my license in March. However, one thing I have been looking into is GPS units for cars. I travel alot out of state to places that are unfamiliar to me and i'm looking for an *affordable* GPS system that I can mount in my Jeep. I've been just looking around and there are many good units..I just don't know which one to choose. Does anybody have any good suggestions for units they/someone they know used and loved? As well as units to avoid?

I've finally gotten sick of Mapquest maps and the such...and one big reason is if i get "misplaced" it is really hard to get yourself back on your route, where as a computerized system will show you exactly where to go. Also, reading a map while driving isn't the safest thing to do either...GPS units help combate that with turn-by-turn audio things, and you can just glance at it to see where you are/where you need to go.

[Greg Needel]

i also got tired of map quest, although i do carry a road atlas with me i bought a USB gps for my laptop. I got the Delorme earthmate and i like it just fine, although had i done it again i would buy the Microsoft package as streets and trips is more powerful then delorme's software.

My ultimate goal is to buy a touch screen for my car ~300 on ebay so i can use it for other stuff also but for now it works just fine.

btw it cost 150 for the receiver and the software


anyway you go make sure you are paying attention to the road when you drive even experienced drivers have problems with this and adding a device to your car can be a distraction.

[Vince lau]

Garmin is a good brand for GPS units
http://www.garmin.com/mobile/products.html#mobilePhones

are you looking for an indash unit or one that you can take with you, or put into another car

[AmyPrib]

My job is designing navigation radios for cars (comes with car, not aftermarket) and I would still never go anywhere without my Atlas. I use it more than the nav unit when i'm in the test cars (unless i'm actually testing). Reason is because I can't see the "big picture" on the 7" screens as well as habit, but the nav can be very useful for various things.

Nonetheless, I second the motion for Garmin, they make some decent stuff.

If you haven't already, I suggest you check the online consumer reports and forums that have reviews of electronic products. They're pretty helpful, as well as going in to use them in the stores (if available). User interface and preference will be somewhat important for something like this. Also depends on what size and functionalities you want.

[Clark Gilbert]

I use the same Earthmate GPS that Greg and it works great. The new Tom Tom units look sweet, but they are pretty expensive.

[Wetzel]

I just use Microsoft Streets and Trips on my laptop. If I get lost, I just look up where I am on the map and figure out how to get where I want to from where I am. Just the mapbook for me.

I have played with my dads GPS though. It was fun to map the route we took. In some places, like my neighborhood, all the roads are off by ~25 feet west according to the GPS.

Wetzel

[KTorak]

Originally Posted by Vince lau

Garmin is a good brand for GPS units
http://www.garmin.com/mobile/products.html#mobilePhones

are you looking for an indash unit or one that you can take with you, or put into another car

Something that mounts in the dash...like a flip screen would probably exceed my budget, even though they are very nice looking. I'm like something that mounts maybe with suction cups on the windshield, as I'd prefer to not drill into my dash. I could however use a sticky pad to mount it if needed. I don't really want portable (handheld style) just becuase the screen is too small to see from a distance.

[Steve W]

I have also been looking around. I found this is it is of any help: http://gpsinformation.us/main/gpsauto.htm

[Wayne Doenges]

I have the Garmin GPS V and I love it. The only downside is it only has 19 Meg of memory.
My sister, brother-in-law, wife and I went to Las Wages (aka Las Vegas) last August. I loaded maps for Vegas and the surrounding area. I NEVER got lost once (I have never been there either). We had tee times for two golf courses. All I did was put in the address and the Garmin got me there with turn-by-turn directions.
If you miss your turn or chose to ignore the GPS it will recalculate the next turn. It will also beep at you when you are about a mile from your next turn and also when you are within a tenth of a mile.
When not being used as a map you can have it display your speed, direction you are traveling, time and altitude. It will also let you know what road is coming up.
If I had the money I would buy either the Garmin Street Pilot or the $800.00 Lowrance. It has 10 Gig of memory. You can download all roads East of the Mississippi.
Hope this helps.

[sanddrag]

I have a Dell Axim X30 PocketPC (624MHz with integrated Wifi and Bluetooth) and the Navteq (same company that does Yahoo maps) navigation system. I do feel less focused when using it, but if I had no idea where I was, I would be even more nervous and even less focused. Learning to drive with GPS is not easy, but once you get the hand of it, and learn to trust it enough (but not too much), then you are good to go.

I really like the Dell Axim and Navteq system. It works very well. If I miss a turn, it will usually auto correct within one block. Only major complaint is the volume. You can't hear it at all over ther road noise. You'll need one of those short range FM transmitters (or cassette adapters) to plug into the headphone jack. Minor complaints are that sometimes it will take a minute or two to "lock on" to the satellites and every now and then it'll lose the Bluetooth connection with the GPS receiver.

I would definitely recommend taking a look at this setup. Plus, you can use the Axim to go online, make spreadsheets, take notes, keep your appointments and calendar, and all sorts of neat stuff. I don't think they still sell the same setup I have but a similar setup will run you around $600 I think.

[Mr.G]

I use Microsoft Streets and Trips and a usb Holux gps receiver with my laptop from ebay. I got the whole thing for $80. Works great. It is a little bulky, and not as portable as a handheld. Watch the usb receiver it has a strong magnet in it. I ended up erasing 2 of my backup usb hardrives. Good thing I had all the data in 2 places. You can get the oem version of Microsoft Streets and Trips very cheep on ebay.