GPS on the cheap

[adj]

An article in the Dec.2005 Popular Science described the use of a Garmin GPS 18 USB with a laptop as a navigation aid. The whole setup, including a 70 watt inverter, cost $139.00.
Has anyone used this setup?

[adj]

An article in the Dec.2005 Popular Science described the use of a Garmin GPS 18 USB with a laptop as a navigation aid. The whole setup, including a 70 watt inverter, cost $139.00.
Has anyone used this setup?

[RV Wizard]

I have not used the Garmin GPS but have used the DeLorme GPS for many years. It has performed pretty well.

[lwmuddy]

I bought the Garmin18 GPS for the "Puck" Receiver after my Yellow DeLorme receiver Bit the big one. The "Puck works great for the DeLorme Street Atles 2005, but the software that came with the Garmin18 GPS [EnRoute} is very poor on street and local business detail.

As I remember the Garmin18 GPS was $79.95. I already had a 300watt inverter. $69.95.

[Kiwi]

You can buy Microsoft Streets and Trips with the GPS puck for around $125.00. Works very well for us. All streets are there but not all businesses.
Walt

[Hitchhiker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kiwi:
You can buy Microsoft Streets and Trips with the GPS puck for around $125.00. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Walt,

Do you know if the GPS puck can be had separately, I already have the MS Streets and Trips without the GPS?

[chasfm11]

I, too, use Street Atlas 2006. New price for that is $99 (I upgraded from a previous version). My 70w inverter was $19.95 at O'Reilly auto parts.

In addition to SA, I run VMSpc on the same computer screen (side by side on the display) After a couple of technical glitches about what to plug in/turn on first, both programs are providing information while underway.

I added a small FM transmitter ($29) which I plug into another 12v outlet. It is fed by the earphone socket on the laptop. This allows the Street Altas voice directions to be played on the in dash stereo. This overcomes the limitations of the laptop's sound card and speaker output. A $4.95 lapel mike feeds the laptop so that background noise doesn't override my voice commands to SA.

[Retired House Husband]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
Walt,

Do you know if the GPS puck can be had separately, I already have the MS Streets and Trips without the GPS? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Richard,

Computer Geeks have separate GPS pucks at a good price. Look in "consumer electronics"

[adj]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by chasfm11:
I, too, use Street Atlas 2006. New price for that is $99 (I upgraded from a previous version). My 70w inverter was $19.95 at O'Reilly auto parts.

In addition to SA, I run VMSpc on the same computer screen (side by side on the display) After a couple of technical glitches about what to plug in/turn on first, both programs are providing information while underway.

I added a small FM transmitter ($29) which I plug into another 12v outlet. It is fed by the earphone socket on the laptop. This allows the Street Altas voice directions to be played on the in dash stereo. This overcomes the limitations of the laptop's sound card and speaker output. A $4.95 lapel mike feeds the laptop so that background noise doesn't override my voice commands to SA. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Neat setup!