I'm gonna get a GPS for the truck plus one for the Wifey's van. The Magellan line seems affordable and easy to use. There's also the Tom Tom and Garmin units. Anything you DON'T like about any of these. Is it easy to update these for new roads and points of interest?

Thanks

 

I have a Garmin GPSMAP60CS, upgraded a few years ago from a Garmin eTrex Vista. I really like the Garmin units, but the software is expensive. When the version number changes from say 6.01 to 6.02, you can download the upgrades for free from the internet. They only change features on those updates, they do not add new roads. When the software changes from say 6.xx to 7.xx, you have to buy the upgrade. That is when they add new roads. You can buy the upgrades at a reduced price if you already bought the software once. You CANNOT add new roads yourself. I haven't owned any of the other brands, but I would guess it is much the same. You have to buy their maps to go into their units. Having said that, I don't go anywhere without it.
The eTrex I had was a great unit, but was very picky about where I placed t in my windshield to get reception. It had a patch antenna. The newer unit has a quad helix antenna and gets MUCH better reception and I can place it anywhere on the windshield and get good signal.
I would suspect that the newer units (just came out) that have the Sirf III chipset are even better at reception. I say this because I have a little bluetooth GPS receiver (about the size of a pager) that I use with my Smartphone. I stick that in the cubby hole of my dash and it gets great reception, even with out direct line of sight to the sky.
One manufacturer to keep an eye on is Delorme. They started out with mapping software for PC's. They will be branching out into handheld units. My friend had one to beta test (just went to their website and I can't find out about it, so they must still be doing tweaks). With their PC software (that you would use to load maps into the unit), you CAN draw in new roads when you want. That is very handy.

Any other questions, ask away.

~Rob

 

I personally like ALK's co-pilot laptop 9 is what I am using now. I have used it for years and accustome to it. Need a laptop for it. Has a lot of features.
Was doing a search on the web on GPS and one dealer, forget who is offering MS streets 2006 with the GPS for less than a C note ($100.oo). It has excellent rout planning. What I don't like on MS streets GPS is that if you miss a turn it don't recalculate a new route. Have to tell it to calulate from present position. Again you have to have a laptop.
There a are lot of good GPS units out there now. Even Wally World carries some of them.
Look on the web to see which unit will meet your needs.

 

I tried out ALK's software for my Smartphone in January of this year (they have a money back guarantee). I liked the software but the Maps were horribly in-accurate. Even in areas that have been developed for several years. They use their own database. They do not use NavTeq (like most companies do). They started out providing software to longhaul truckers/fleet users. From what I have read, the highway maps maps are very good and detailed, but for use off highway (secondary and lesser streets), accuracy falls apart. I experienced that while trying out their stuff. I really wanted to like it, but the fact that the maps were so wrong, I ended up getting a refund.

~Rob

 

Hummm, haven't found a problem with accuracy with ALK. It event took me on a dirt road thru the mountians from Brewster WA to Twisp WA. and kept me on track. Also had new housing devolpment on the next update. But I don't use it way way out in the boonies. Had to use Lat/Long to locate some sites, then finde a power line or pipeline road I could get onto and use. Worked well for me. This was on a laptop.

 

I have a Lowrance iway350... I am pretty happy with it. It has 5 million points of interest and I really haven't been let down much. I have pretty high expectations and have been upset with it every once in a while, but for the most part, it is nice... It has a SD mem slot too where you can transfer music and pictures to the unit and an FM modulator so you can listen to the music. The screen is way better the garmins (more vibrant and larger) and it is a $100.00 cheeper.. It is nice. I am glad I got it. I am new to the Northwest and am very grateful to have it...

Jake

 

Thanks guys. I don't have a need for a laptop so I'm just looking for a basic GPS to get from point A to point B.

 

i have the microsoft one (99.oo) run it thru my laptop

 

I have a TomTom it workes great. Last month it stopped working, sent it in. It took about a week and workes fine now. During that time found out that it is based in Europe. Had a hard time even getting a phone number to talk to a real person . I don't mind Europe, they tend to make things too complicated. Next one I will look over better, $700 a is a lot of money .