My New TomTom

[Possum]

When we got back from a tedious trip from hell a couple of years ago one of my wife's Red Hatters asked how the trip went. Her response was "Because of the marvels of air conditioning and GPS, we're still married."

To me that says it all.

[Dunner]

Right now I have no use for one. Even Sadie(DD) could drive me to camp. Whenever I need to go someplace new around town, I either look it up online or on Street Atlas U.S.A.

[JadedDancer]

Originally Posted by Dunner

Right now I have no use for one. Even Sadie(DD) could drive me to camp. Whenever I need to go someplace new around town, I either look it up online or on Street Atlas U.S.A.

I was formerly doing the look it up online thing. Got sick and tired of the wrong directions, or convoluted directions, from mapquest.

NEVER AGAIN! LOL

[Dunner]

Mapquest would be my last choice for correct directions.

[JadedDancer]

Originally Posted by Dunner

Mapquest would be my last choice for correct directions.

For those who love old school maps, GREAT. I personally, do not! LOL I like taking advantage of technology.

[papachaz57]

Originally Posted by scorppro

I've heard rumor that Google is about to start producing Maps. Before long, Google is going to out do Microsoft. lol

Google is already doing maps. and you're right they are gonna outdo microsoft before it's over, that's their goal!

Originally Posted by scorppro

With all the iPhones and Android smartphones available, I'm afraid stand-alone GPS units might go the way of the 8 track. Laptop and CarPC GPS software is getting harder and harder to find.

I'm waiting for the day we have virtual heads-up displays on the dashboards and "Tell" the vehicle "Home James." Then I can change my name to: Todd Jetson, my RV "Elroy" :-P

I downloaded the Google Maps app to my android, for free. i can choose the 'get directions' and it will give me the little red arrow, or i could download the voice feature and it would 'talk' to me

Originally Posted by JadedDancer

That is going to be awhile before smartphones entirely replace GPS. My droid is GpS capable, but I am not bothering to set up that app. As has been said, it drains the battery and two, the screen is WAY TOO SMALL. The GPS can be suctioned anywhere I like and the screen and text is five times bigger than the Droid text.

EVERY piece of technology we use will eventually become the next "8 track" but that doesn't stop me from using them while they are useful. LOL

I've always been a map person myself. and i have friends who bought a GPS for their car, and when they were testing it, the route it gave them to a place they already new, took them half way around the county. and if you don't keep it updated, new subdivisions and road improvements won't show up. I recently sold my popup, and gave turn by turn directions to the buyer. instead he put my address in his garmin, and it took him to the town 25 miles up the road because our subdivision is only 6 years old.

I did download the google maps app to my droid phone, no it's not as big, but when i got turned around going through a town i hadn't been through in a while, it was nice to pull it up and see where i was.

[JadedDancer]

Originally Posted by papachaz57

I've always been a map person myself. and i have friends who bought a GPS for their car, and when they were testing it, the route it gave them to a place they already new, took them half way around the county. and if you don't keep it updated, new subdivisions and road improvements won't show up. I recently sold my popup, and gave turn by turn directions to the buyer. instead he put my address in his garmin, and it took him to the town 25 miles up the road because our subdivision is only 6 years old.

I did download the google maps app to my droid phone, no it's not as big, but when i got turned around going through a town i hadn't been through in a while, it was nice to pull it up and see where i was.

To each his or her own. Mine gave me the best possible route everytime, didn't take me out of the way (that is what mapquest does) and you can have your maps. LOL

I prefer not to be fooling around with a big map while I am driving in unfamiliar terrain.

They are easily updated. Everyone's first rebuttal is usually the "it gets outdated too fast" argument. That is why they give you a USB cord with them, to plug into your computer and periodically update.

No offense, but if your friends didn't update it, it isn't Garmin's fault it's theirs. nothing is going to update on its own without net access.

I also have a droid but there is no way I'd try to use that small screen while I am driving.

[henderson]

Originally Posted by JadedDancer

To each his or her own. Mine gave me the best possible route everytime, didn't take me out of the way (that is what mapquest does) and you can have your maps. LOL

I prefer not to be fooling around with a big map while I am driving in unfamiliar terrain.

They are easily updated. Everyone's first rebuttal is usually the "it gets outdated too fast" argument. That is why they give you a USB cord with them, to plug into your computer and periodically update.

No offense, but if your friends didn't update it, it isn't Garmin's fault it's theirs. nothing is going to update on its own without net access.

I also have a droid but there is no way I'd try to use that small screen while I am driving.

Bought a new Droid Bionic about a month ago, today waiting while DW was shopping I sent up the Google navigation. Very nice 4.3" screen I have the mount for the dash. It uses gps satellites, not airtime. Worked great, I'll get a lot of use from it.

[codgerbill]

I have been using a GPS (Garmin) since the late 1980's (if memory serves me correctly) and I will not travel without one. I may either buy the lifetime map upgrade for the one I currently use or buy a new one with that feature already available. I do my route planning for the RV at home and then download it to the unit. I am hoping that Garmin will soon have a RV specific unit with a 5" or better screen. One of the features that I recently downloaded (for free) from the Garmin site is the "Garmin Voice Studio" It allows you to use your own voice or maby the DW's to say the commands. The DW usually yells at the voice on the unit when someone makes a wrong turn. Perhaps now she will be a little more forgiving with the GPS voice

[lunatech]

Originally Posted by henderson

Bought a new Droid Bionic about a month ago, today waiting while DW was shopping I sent up the Google navigation. Very nice 4.3" screen I have the mount for the dash. It uses gps satellites, not airtime. Worked great, I'll get a lot of use from it.

It does use the satellites for the positioning but it uses airtime to keep the visual maps updated. That way google nav doesn't eat up all your phone memory but it also means that if you don't have cell coverage your nav will quit when you "run out of" what has been downloaded. It's happened to me on several occasions. The GPS still works, there is just no information for the nav app to work with and no way for it to download more. If you are in areas with excellent cell coverage then you have no worries, unfortunately I'm not. And keeping my phone plugged in to a car charger while using the nav apps gets my battery really hot.

[maria.james]

Nice! Good for you.

[Dunner]

Anybody looking for a GPS should check out 1saleaday.com. They frequently have factory refurbished units for 1/2 price or less. If you subscribe, you can get daily sale emails. I have saved a bunch buying gadgets from them.

[336muffin]

Some Garmin has hidden windows in them, our 1450 will tell the temperature. I have found over 30 pages of diagnostic tests and even a global view of the sattelites circling earth. Afriend of mine handed me his new Garmin to checkout, I pulled some things up and blew his mind! LOL

[Dunner]

Reminds me of the Window's hidden Easter Eggs.