Foosinho
15 Feb 2008, 12:07 PM
Anybody have any good resources for GPS? My mother is thinking of buying my pops one for his 60th birthday, and she's asking me for help. Unfortunately, I'm not up-to-date on current features and technology available.
I'm pretty sure that we'd want something that could be easily installed in a car, as well as used when fishing (his big hobby). I'm sure I could think of a bunch of other desirable features, but the problem is I don't know where to start narrowing stuff down, other than marketing (and I know you can't trust that).
Help!
Kryptonite
16 Feb 2008, 04:07 PM
I know Garmin is quite popular.
I know there are several models of GPS that you can install in your car, and later remove it and use it as a hand-held model.
That's all I know on the subect.
Not much help in this thread (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=642897)
Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom seem to be the commercial leaders.
I got a Navigon 2100 ('cause I'm costaphobic ;) ). I'm relatively happy, except for the route preview (20 MPH; similarly priced TomTom One has preview speed adjustable up to 500 MPH) and predicted travel time (seems to assume the same 20 MPH). I haven't checked for updated software.
I like the text-to-speech feature that tells me the name of the road, not just "turn left". Decent POI lists, too.
For something to be useful while fishing, too, I'd expect you to need something pricier.
From cNet forums: "All GPS (Global Positioning System) units work under the same concept, triangulation. There are currently 30 GPS satellites in active use and are circling the earth as we speak. Many GPS units have external antennas, with universal receiver versions on most "car" GPS systems and "quad-helix" versions on most handheld versions. Some models of GPS also have internal antennas and typically are lower-end and do not receive as well. Understanding the way GPS truly works will aid greatly in your...understanding. The satellites in space are constantly running on a timecode that is constantly being transmitted. Your reciever is also running it's own timecode as soon as you power it on. Based on the time of day, and any received signals, it will begin to attempt to locate and lock a satellite. Once it finds a satellite and locks onto it's signal, it will sync this timecode and compare the difference in the code between the time it takes to get the signal from the satellite to your unit. This gives it a general location on the earth. At this point it will know what other satellites to connect to, and choose another candidate to lock onto. This will typically narrow down your location on earth to anywhere from a few hundred feet to a few miles, not bad for 40 (or so) seconds of searching. At this point (a 2D lock, as it's called) you will know where you are in a fairly accurate manner, but it will then call on a third satellite to verify the findings of the first two, as it checks their positions, it will find two points, one in space and one on Earth. It then eliminates the location in space and now you have what is called 3D lock, thus the triangulation. This narrows your location down to as little as 7 feet, sometimes smaller. Depending on what exactly you are going to use it for, I will divide this answer into two categories.
Car Models:
Car models will typically have a large color screen and an external antenna that may be placed in different angles, they will usually also have a mounting system (brackets, suction cups, etc.) Typically they will range from $200 to $5000, depending on how much STUFF you want with it. Larger and more expensive models usually have more interfaces, custom menus, and large touchscreens. If you live in a large city or one with many tall buildings in the area you intend to use it, I would suggest you also consider purchasing an enternal GPS receiver/antenna. Many of the features are really up to the user to determine. If you want a larger screen, get one with a larger screen, if you want a touchscreen, get one with a touchscreen. Modern electronics are being packed with seemingly useless features, many GPS units will now come with mp3 players, search listings, and everything else that no sane person would honestly use while driving. I guess this is the reason for the warning "Do Not Use While Driving" eh? The only KEY feature you should look for if you are in the continental United States is WAAS, Wide Angle Augmentation System. It is a federally funded project that involves two (may be more today) correctional satellites at both the East and West Coasts that when activated and synced with your GPS unit, corrects for current atmospheric abnormalities and any weather conditions as well as any cosmic interference. This is mostly CRITICAL if you can get it, as it means the difference between helping you drive to work and leading you three blocks over and into the mountains somewhere. The best models from my experience are made by Garmin, but there are other manufacturers out there that may be found by a simple search (Magellan, TomTom, etc.) It is best to find one that comes with software and a USB cable (or other similar cables) that allow you to sync the unit with your computer. The salesman will most likely tell you some very untrue information such as "GPS units never need updating, even the police never update theirs". I know this because someone tried to sell me with this garbage, unknowing that he was talking to a police State Comm technician. THEY DO need to be updated, the more often the better. Your GPS is only going to give your position on the earth, it will not tell you what street you are on or where to go. You will rely on the software built into the unit to guide you to work, the gym, school, or wherever else you may go. Therefore, the more updated it is, the better. Many newer better units will come with the usual life "funs", and allow you to search restaurants, movie theaters, and other data on the go, but again, they have to be updated ever so often. Most units will also come with a "talking voice" that tells you "turn left" or whatnot, in some rare occasion where you can't take your eyes off the road for a glance. Civilian GPS may be used by ANYONE, anywhere in the world, with no fees or charges. Certainly those who live in the US will have a much greater advantage with the WAAS system in place.
Terrain/Handheld Models:
These are typically NEVER used for transportation or navigation in a vehicle, and they should not be. They will only provide you with a basic terrain map and your location on earth (altitude, incline, decline, speed, location, etc.) In a vehicle they will usually not be able to process the signals unless you have it near the windshield. They are also built smaller, designed to be held on your belt, and usually have a simple black and white backlit screen and water-resistant rugged construction. My experience has mostly been with Garmin, and compared to other brands they offer you the most "bang for your buck". If this is what you are looking for, you can look for their Rino models (see my detailed review of the Rino 110) which come with more features that one can possibly use, a fast and accurate quad-helix transciever and a shock and water protected case. I have fell on my Rino 110 several times, used it in the rain and even dropped it in mud puddles and ditches, it still works perfectly fine. It also has built in FRS/GMRS radio, great for those short distance outings or whatnot. These are also cheaper because they require less processers and much more basic programming. Some may come with topographic maps build in, but expect to find most units without any maps at all, only your position on earth and where you are going. These will also allow you (typically) to insert waypoints, places where you have been or will go and will only help you get there in a straight line, if at all. These units are usually only useful for the outdoorsman, those who go hiking and trekking without having to worry how to get back to camp."
Yesterday's Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2008/02/17/tomtom_appears_to_have_met_its_match/
More than you'll ever want to know about GPS devices
http://www.gpspassion.com