best GPS "today"
 

best GPS "today"

Started by JohnEd, June 29, 2011, 09:38:23 AM

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JohnEd

June 29, 2011, 09:38:23 AM
Guys,

over a year ago I posted the same question.  I bought the Micro  Soft S&T for 2009.  Seems "purfek".

I have since bought a Lap Top for the RV and I want to upgrade to Win 7.  My 2009 will work I am told by MS.  They also , unsurprisingly, recommend upgrading to MS 2011.  What do you all say?  I got $70 on the line for the upgrade and I can do that easily......question is do I get any bang for those bucks?  I am not a fashin plate for software and I only require that it works well.

Thanks,


John
"An uneducated vote is a treasonous act more damaging than any treachery of the battlefield.
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
—Pla

technomadia

#1
June 29, 2011, 10:33:23 AM
For in vehicle use, it is hard to beat an iPad with built in 3G and GPS.  The big 10" screen is glorious to use, there are many great mapping apps, and plenty of games to keep your passengers entertained when you don't need navigation assistance.

And - it just keeps getting better and better every year. The mapping app providers are competing with each other, and competition drives down prices and pushes out new features (usually for free) often.

There are some dash mounts for the iPad, but the best dash mount is the passenger's lap.  *grin*

Cheers,

   - Chris
Cherie and Chris / Bus tour: www.technomadia.com/zephyr
Full-time 'Technomads' since 2006 (technology enabled nomads)

JohnEd

#2
June 29, 2011, 10:46:36 AM
Chris,

Thank you for your answer and rec.  I need to home the system on my Toshiba 505 Lap Top that will be carried with me in the RV.  I am still looking for a rec for my system.


John
"An uneducated vote is a treasonous act more damaging than any treachery of the battlefield.
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
—Pla

Lin

#3
June 29, 2011, 10:50:48 AM
Google navigation is really excellent also.
You don't have to believe everything you think.

luvrbus

#4
June 29, 2011, 11:02:26 AM
My wife's I Phone is darn good by it self way better than my Tom/Tom  she runs it through the Apple Laptop someway as some  may remember I bought me a new Apple laptop that didn't last she has had it since the 2nd day so I am back to Dell lol but I am going buy me another Apple

good luck
Life is short drink the good wine first

Len Silva

#5
June 29, 2011, 11:03:17 AM
Quote from: technomadia on June 29, 2011, 10:33:23 AM
For in vehicle use, it is hard to beat an iPad with built in 3G and GPS.  The big 10" screen is glorious to use, there are many great mapping apps, and plenty of games to keep your passengers entertained when you don't need navigation assistance.

And - it just keeps getting better and better every year. The mapping app providers are competing with each other, and competition drives down prices and pushes out new features (usually for free) often.

There are some dash mounts for the iPad, but the best dash mount is the passenger's lap.  *grin*

Cheers,

   - Chris

That's assuming you have a passenger who can read a map ;)

Hand Made Gifts

Ignorance is only bliss to the ignorant.

JohnEd

#6
June 29, 2011, 11:08:59 AM
She uses Gog Nav and Map quest a lot for planning our travels.  Great systems.  No help in-route, however.  The iPad is a good idea and she will probably upgrade to that down the line but we have a year to run on this contract.  Good thoughts, though.

So, Garmin or ? ....Model?

Thanks all,


John
"An uneducated vote is a treasonous act more damaging than any treachery of the battlefield.
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
—Pla

technomadia

#7
June 29, 2011, 11:38:08 AM
Quote from: JohnEd on June 29, 2011, 11:08:59 AM
So, Garmin or ? ....Model?

It is hard to justify buying a standalone GPS - the latest phones and iPads are so much more powerful now, and the GPS software is just another app. Garmin and Magellan and Tom Tom are now all available as iOS apps - no need to buy a separate box anymore, and you can actually afford to buy multiple mapping programs for the fraction of the cost.

Rather than buying a new Garmin, I'd stick the money into an iFund to save up.

BTW - Cherie and I develop iOS apps for travelers, so we know a bit about what is out there.  Feel free to ask us for app advice. 

Our apps:
  http://www.technomadia.com/apps/Coverage.html
  http://www.technomadia.com/apps/State_Lines.html

Cheers!

- Chris
Cherie and Chris / Bus tour: www.technomadia.com/zephyr
Full-time 'Technomads' since 2006 (technology enabled nomads)

buddydawg

#8
June 29, 2011, 11:52:17 AM
Quote
It is hard to justify buying a standalone GPS - the latest phones and iPads are so much more powerful now, and the GPS software is just another app. Garmin and Magellan and Tom Tom are now all available as iOS apps - no need to buy a separate box anymore, and you can actually afford to buy multiple mapping programs for the fraction of the cost.

Rather than buying a new Garmin, I'd stick the money into an iFund to save up.

- Chris

I was about to say the same thing.  If you get one of the smart devices to use for a GPS you get the added benefit of all the apps and having a large screen and portable as well
1972 GMC T6H-5308A #024
1984 Eagle Model 10

Brandon Stewart - Martinez, GA

Lin

#9
June 29, 2011, 12:12:23 PM
John,

Google Navigation works on Android phones.  It finds directions by voice instructions, which is very handy while driving.
You don't have to believe everything you think.

Slow Rider

#10
June 29, 2011, 01:57:27 PM
Well John,

Everyone has told you how their iphone/ipad/droid phone/etc etc etc is the best answer.  I keep seeing you saying something about using the system you have and just wanting to know if the software upgrade is worth it. 

From the left field bleachers I would ask one question.  Are you happy with the software you currently have?  If you are, if it does what you want and it will work with Windows 7...................

Consider me lost in place........

Frank
The MCI has landed..... We are home.
Dale City Va.  Just a southern suburb of DC
Yes I am a BUSNUT
1976 MCI MC8

JohnEd

#11
June 29, 2011, 02:32:42 PM
Frank,

I have an 18 inch screen that I can see at a glance.  Yes!  I like it.  MS S&T works well but isn't optimized for MS Windows 7.  I have heard nobody say that S&T has fallen in comparison favor-ability so I will stay with it and upgrade to the 2011 release.

Everyone's suggestion involves a new phone, iPhone of i Pad.  Can't go there at this time.  I have 2 phones, one desk top and three lap tops in the house and any one of those devices is at least twice as smart as I am and I have maxed out on my humility dosage so I can't yet get another device unless I retire something.  When the phones go I will undoubtedly replace them with a device that has GPS built in even if I don't want that capability.  The lap tops apparently have the receiver built in and just need software to drive.  They came screwed up that way and I wouldn't have had the foresight to want it so once again EVERYBODY, including the vendor, was smarter than I.

This system is warrantied for and must last 3 years.  I, on the other hand am not and don't. ??? ::)

Thank you all,

John
"An uneducated vote is a treasonous act more damaging than any treachery of the battlefield.
The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." Plato
"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."
—Pla

artvonne

#12
June 29, 2011, 02:36:16 PM
  I have a Palm Pre smart phone with Google Maps and GPS apps. Funny the dont work when I get into areas without digital cellular service, which tells me its not a real GPS, but is triangulating off cellular towers to find position, and using google maps for altitude. Someone say otherwise if they truly know, but I believe all smart phones work this way and none are actually using the GPS satelites for data. A friend with a droid has noted the same issues.

 In contrast, a real computer with a real GPS reciever, and something like DeLorme mapping software, is real GPS. My suspicion with the above mention of an iPad with google maps is that it would work like a smart phone and not be a true GPS.

 

technomadia

#13
June 29, 2011, 02:47:28 PM
Both the iPhone and iPad w/ 3G chip set are REAL GPS.  We use them all of the time without cellular data connections, and have for years.  We keep a navigation/mapping app with locally stored maps just so that we can utilize them without needing to connect to Google Maps over the air when we're out of signal area.

- Cherie

Cherie and Chris / Bus tour: www.technomadia.com/zephyr
Full-time 'Technomads' since 2006 (technology enabled nomads)

demodriver

#14
June 29, 2011, 03:23:21 PM
a app that some of you other iphone users might check out is called "around me" it finds things like restaurants, gas stations, stores and other conviences.  It gives directions and milleage. Its free as far as I can remember.  We use it all the time when travelling.

iphone is my suggestion. See if you can upgrade your plan maybe.

Eric
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