gps suggestions [Toyota]

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From: Fatter Than Ever Moe on 21 Nov 2009 18:42

badgolferman wrote:
> My wife wants a GPS for Christmas and Costco, which we are members of,
> has the Garmin nuvi 1250 on sale for $160.
>
> http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11491749&search=gps&Mo=23&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=gps&Ntt=gps&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
>
> I don't know much about GPS devices and know there have been some
> recent discussions about them. I would like the type where you don't
> have to buy updated maps if possible. Any suggestions?

I would suggest a cheap one, I bought one of these or one about like
it, same brand, just to see how they worked and what I'd look for in a
better one, turned out it does everything I need and more. None of
them will tell you when a bridge goes out, or a road is under
construction! There are different settings for shortest, fastest, use
major roads etc.
What I like most, the distance to destination, the mute!, the touch
screen, the vehicle speed (I really like that, I can bump the cruse
control right up to three miles past the speed limit and not have to
worry about the HP). These things are like so many other gizmos you
have to get one and use it to know what you really want. I'm happy with
mine, I'd buy it again and they work best when you already know the
route, they will get you there but it might not be the best way.
http://www.amazon.com/Nextar-M3-3-5-Inch-Portable-Navigator/dp/B001C08RCU/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_2
When you find a unit you think you might like go to amazon and read
the reviews on it, than decide. I find the reviews very helpful.

From: Jeff Strickland on 21 Nov 2009 19:46

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno(a)e86.GTS> wrote in message
news:pan.2009.11.21.19.33.44.468876(a)e86.GTS...
> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:06:47 -0500, badgolferman wrote:
>
>> My wife wants a GPS for Christmas and Costco, which we are members of,
>> has
>> the Garmin nuvi 1250 on sale for $160.
>>
>> http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11491749&search=gps&Mo=23&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=gps&Ntt=gps&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
>>
>> I don't know much about GPS devices and know there have been some recent
>> discussions about them. I would like the type where you don't have to
>> buy
>> updated maps if possible. Any suggestions?
>
> You'll have to buy updated maps to keep up with changes in roadways. Near
> my home when I take RT 2 my TomTom tells me, "You are now off the road".
>
> I got my TomTom on ebay for $45. I like the way it calculates directions
> and the voice is very human. We took a trip with my friend's Alpine and my
> TomTom. It turned out the place we were going was 3 miles off rt 495, but
> the Alpine, in a synthetic female voice kept telling us
> "Get-off-the-highway-next-exit" five exits before "Jane" told me, "Take
> the exit right". If we had followed the Alpine we would have been using
> back roads for about 12 miles.
>
> Get one somewhere with a return policy so if it starts sending you down
> logging roads or railroad tracks you can bring it back and try another
> one.
>
> The only complaint with the TomTom is it isn't really "Door to door". It
> will bring you within 25 yards of your destination and tell you you're
> there. Before this I was using my cell phone from Verizon, and it was true
> door-to-door directions. When it said you were there, you were THERE! But
> that was $9.95 a month. Of course, mine is a 2006 top-of-the-line model
> and has been upgraded to software v. 7.03, as high as it can go. I think
> the current TomTom version is v.9.XX, which mine can't handle.
>
> Also, the embedding of the menus is a bit clunky, but it runs an embedded
> version of Linux and there are a million hacks to switch menu order, add
> voices, etc. I want to get another one just like it and try those hacks on
> it. It works so well I don't want to make an irreversible mistake!
>
>

Gee Hachi, can't you use your cellphone GPS for those last 25 yards?

I had a Magellan 1340 (from Costco, $99) that worked very well. It had a
problem with the firmware -- it would announce the keypress but not display
it, then it would look up the results of the display which were spelled
wrong if I listened to the announcement instead of look at the display as I
pressed keys.

In any case, once the address was input, it gave excellent directions. I
traded it for a TomTom (also from Costco, $149) 335s. The TomTom works well,
as good as the Magellan. It has the widescreen format instead of the small
screen of the Magellan. Both units are good at giving lane identification
when the freeway splits or you approach the exit ramp -- STAY LEFT IN
ONE-HALF MILE, or EXIT RIGHT THEN STAY IN THE LEFT LANE ONTO MAIN STREET. If
there are two direction changes close together, the instructiion is TURN
LEFT FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT.

I give high marks to both the Magellan and the TomTom. The Magellan has a
feature where it downloads AutoClub (AAA) participants -- hotels, eateries,
tourist traps, and repair shops -- I asked the TomTom to plot a route to
Disneyland, and it did it fine. (I did not go to Disneyland, I just wanted
to see if it knew how to find a tourist spot.)

The Garmin 265w has a feature where it says it will tell you about traffic
problems and give an alternate route to avoid the problem. I do not know if
it knows of accidents or just knows about construction projects. It uses an
FM frequency to monitor traffic information, but I do not know how well it
works.

While I was looking at the TomTom, there was a guy that said his 265w had
him get off the freeway miles before his destination and took him on surface
streets. When he got to where he was going, the freeway was two blocks down
the street. He could have3 stayed on the freeway for two or three more exits
after the one that the 265w took him on.

The TomTom's default mode is 3D, the map moves as if you are always headed
to the horizon. The street you are on, and the cross streets, and larger at
the bottom of the screen, and the distant stuff at the top is smaller. The
effect is that the destination is coming at you as you view the screen. It
works in 2D mode also. In this mode, the map moves around as if looking
straight down at it.

Both the Magellan and the TomTom have an annoyance, the Zoom level that is
set gets changed for some reason. I set the Zoom to my liking, but as I
drive, the Zoom changes. I have given up changing the Zoom. The Zoom is a
user setting that I think should ONLY be changed by the user. I can never
think of any reason why I would want the machine to change this setting. I
have a + and - to zoom in and out, and I never want this to change after I
change it. If I want it different, I can change it again. One of the reasons
it would changes is if the unit was powered off. Upon power up, the Zoom
would revert to some default instead of the zoom level that I had previously
set. As I dirve, the Zoom would mysteriously change to the default for no
apparent reason. Both the Magellan and the TomTom have this annoying trait.

I think you can get any GPS, and if the firmware is robust, you'll like it.

From: Jeff Strickland on 21 Nov 2009 19:50

"Fatter Than Ever Moe" <HardTimes(a)TheFarm> wrote in message
news:4b087ae1$0$5315$bbae4d71(a)news.suddenlink.net...
> badgolferman wrote:
>> My wife wants a GPS for Christmas and Costco, which we are members of,
>> has the Garmin nuvi 1250 on sale for $160.
>>
>> http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11491749&search=gps&Mo=23&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=gps&Ntt=gps&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
>>
>> I don't know much about GPS devices and know there have been some
>> recent discussions about them. I would like the type where you don't
>> have to buy updated maps if possible. Any suggestions?
>
> I would suggest a cheap one, I bought one of these or one about like it,
> same brand, just to see how they worked and what I'd look for in a better
> one, turned out it does everything I need and more. None of them will
> tell you when a bridge goes out, or a road is under construction!

That is not entirely true. Both the Magellan 1340 (and other models) and the
Garmin 256w have the ability to tell you construction zones and accidents,
and offer go-arounds. The Magellan requires an accessory, the Garmin has it
built in.

From: Hachiroku ハチロク on 21 Nov 2009 20:38

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:46:02 -0800, Jeff Strickland wrote:

>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno(a)e86.GTS> wrote in message
> news:pan.2009.11.21.19.33.44.468876(a)e86.GTS...
>> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:06:47 -0500, badgolferman wrote:
>>
>>> My wife wants a GPS for Christmas and Costco, which we are members of,
>>> has
>>> the Garmin nuvi 1250 on sale for $160.
>>>
>>> http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11491749&search=gps&Mo=23&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=gps&Ntt=gps&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
>>>
>>> I don't know much about GPS devices and know there have been some
>>> recent discussions about them. I would like the type where you don't
>>> have to buy
>>> updated maps if possible. Any suggestions?
>>
>> You'll have to buy updated maps to keep up with changes in roadways.
>> Near my home when I take RT 2 my TomTom tells me, "You are now off the
>> road".
>>
>> I got my TomTom on ebay for $45. I like the way it calculates directions
>> and the voice is very human. We took a trip with my friend's Alpine and
>> my TomTom. It turned out the place we were going was 3 miles off rt 495,
>> but the Alpine, in a synthetic female voice kept telling us
>> "Get-off-the-highway-next-exit" five exits before "Jane" told me, "Take
>> the exit right". If we had followed the Alpine we would have been using
>> back roads for about 12 miles.
>>
>> Get one somewhere with a return policy so if it starts sending you down
>> logging roads or railroad tracks you can bring it back and try another
>> one.
>>
>> The only complaint with the TomTom is it isn't really "Door to door". It
>> will bring you within 25 yards of your destination and tell you you're
>> there. Before this I was using my cell phone from Verizon, and it was
>> true door-to-door directions. When it said you were there, you were
>> THERE! But that was $9.95 a month. Of course, mine is a 2006
>> top-of-the-line model and has been upgraded to software v. 7.03, as high
>> as it can go. I think the current TomTom version is v.9.XX, which mine
>> can't handle.
>>
>> Also, the embedding of the menus is a bit clunky, but it runs an
>> embedded version of Linux and there are a million hacks to switch menu
>> order, add voices, etc. I want to get another one just like it and try
>> those hacks on it. It works so well I don't want to make an irreversible
>> mistake!
>>
>>
>>
>
> Gee Hachi, can't you use your cellphone GPS for those last 25 yards?
>
> I had a Magellan 1340 (from Costco, $99) that worked very well. It had a
> problem with the firmware -- it would announce the keypress but not
> display it, then it would look up the results of the display which were
> spelled wrong if I listened to the announcement instead of look at the
> display as I pressed keys.
>
> In any case, once the address was input, it gave excellent directions. I
> traded it for a TomTom (also from Costco, $149) 335s. The TomTom works
> well, as good as the Magellan. It has the widescreen format instead of the
> small screen of the Magellan. Both units are good at giving lane
> identification when the freeway splits or you approach the exit ramp --
> STAY LEFT IN ONE-HALF MILE, or EXIT RIGHT THEN STAY IN THE LEFT LANE ONTO
> MAIN STREET. If there are two direction changes close together, the
> instructiion is TURN LEFT FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT.

"Turn left, then take the motorway."

"Go 2/3s around the roundabout."

Good thing I understand British motoring terms!

>
> While I was looking at the TomTom, there was a guy that said his 265w had
> him get off the freeway miles before his destination and took him on
> surface streets. When he got to where he was going, the freeway was two
> blocks down the street. He could have3 stayed on the freeway for two or
> three more exits after the one that the 265w took him on.
>
> The TomTom's default mode is 3D, the map moves as if you are always headed
> to the horizon. The street you are on, and the cross streets, and larger
> at the bottom of the screen, and the distant stuff at the top is smaller.
> The effect is that the destination is coming at you as you view the
> screen. It works in 2D mode also. In this mode, the map moves around as if
> looking straight down at it.
>
> Both the Magellan and the TomTom have an annoyance, the Zoom level that is
> set gets changed for some reason. I set the Zoom to my liking, but as I
> drive, the Zoom changes. I have given up changing the Zoom. The Zoom is a
> user setting that I think should ONLY be changed by the user. I can never
> think of any reason why I would want the machine to change this setting. I
> have a + and - to zoom in and out, and I never want this to change after I
> change it. If I want it different, I can change it again. One of the
> reasons it would changes is if the unit was powered off. Upon power up,
> the Zoom would revert to some default instead of the zoom level that I had
> previously set. As I dirve, the Zoom would mysteriously change to the
> default for no apparent reason. Both the Magellan and the TomTom have this
> annoying trait.
>
> I think you can get any GPS, and if the firmware is robust, you'll like
> it.

From: Jeff Strickland on 21 Nov 2009 20:42

"Hachiroku ????" <Trueno(a)e86.GTS> wrote in message
news:pan.2009.11.22.01.38.43.114283(a)e86.GTS...
> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:46:02 -0800, Jeff Strickland wrote:
>
>>
>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno(a)e86.GTS> wrote in message
>> news:pan.2009.11.21.19.33.44.468876(a)e86.GTS...
>>> On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:06:47 -0500, badgolferman wrote:
>>>
>>>> My wife wants a GPS for Christmas and Costco, which we are members of,
>>>> has
>>>> the Garmin nuvi 1250 on sale for $160.
>>>>
>>>> http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11491749&search=gps&Mo=23&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=gps&Ntt=gps&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
>>>>
>>>> I don't know much about GPS devices and know there have been some
>>>> recent discussions about them. I would like the type where you don't
>>>> have to buy
>>>> updated maps if possible. Any suggestions?
>>>
>>> You'll have to buy updated maps to keep up with changes in roadways.
>>> Near my home when I take RT 2 my TomTom tells me, "You are now off the
>>> road".
>>>
>>> I got my TomTom on ebay for $45. I like the way it calculates directions
>>> and the voice is very human. We took a trip with my friend's Alpine and
>>> my TomTom. It turned out the place we were going was 3 miles off rt 495,
>>> but the Alpine, in a synthetic female voice kept telling us
>>> "Get-off-the-highway-next-exit" five exits before "Jane" told me, "Take
>>> the exit right". If we had followed the Alpine we would have been using
>>> back roads for about 12 miles.
>>>
>>> Get one somewhere with a return policy so if it starts sending you down
>>> logging roads or railroad tracks you can bring it back and try another
>>> one.
>>>
>>> The only complaint with the TomTom is it isn't really "Door to door". It
>>> will bring you within 25 yards of your destination and tell you you're
>>> there. Before this I was using my cell phone from Verizon, and it was
>>> true door-to-door directions. When it said you were there, you were
>>> THERE! But that was $9.95 a month. Of course, mine is a 2006
>>> top-of-the-line model and has been upgraded to software v. 7.03, as high
>>> as it can go. I think the current TomTom version is v.9.XX, which mine
>>> can't handle.
>>>
>>> Also, the embedding of the menus is a bit clunky, but it runs an
>>> embedded version of Linux and there are a million hacks to switch menu
>>> order, add voices, etc. I want to get another one just like it and try
>>> those hacks on it. It works so well I don't want to make an irreversible
>>> mistake!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Gee Hachi, can't you use your cellphone GPS for those last 25 yards?
>>
>> I had a Magellan 1340 (from Costco, $99) that worked very well. It had a
>> problem with the firmware -- it would announce the keypress but not
>> display it, then it would look up the results of the display which were
>> spelled wrong if I listened to the announcement instead of look at the
>> display as I pressed keys.
>>
>> In any case, once the address was input, it gave excellent directions. I
>> traded it for a TomTom (also from Costco, $149) 335s. The TomTom works
>> well, as good as the Magellan. It has the widescreen format instead of
>> the
>> small screen of the Magellan. Both units are good at giving lane
>> identification when the freeway splits or you approach the exit ramp --
>> STAY LEFT IN ONE-HALF MILE, or EXIT RIGHT THEN STAY IN THE LEFT LANE ONTO
>> MAIN STREET. If there are two direction changes close together, the
>> instructiion is TURN LEFT FOLLOWED BY A RIGHT.
>
> "Turn left, then take the motorway."
>
> "Go 2/3s around the roundabout."
>
> Good thing I understand British motoring terms!
>

You have it set for Metric. You can change that ...

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