Hello,

Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my car.

Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.

Have a few very basic questions, please:

a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
stand-out ?

b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?

c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5"
screen might be the way to go. But, does the resolution truly increase,
also, for the bigger screen(s) ?

Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a
bigger screen ?

d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?

Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors
to consider ?

Much thanks,
Bob

On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:32:34 -0400, Bob <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
(with clarity & insight):

>Hello,
>
>Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my car.
>
>Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
>models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>
>Have a few very basic questions, please:
>
>a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
>these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
>stand-out ?

I've used, to a degree, all of these, and Garmin's the one I stick
with. No doubt.

>b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
>the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?

I've found WAAS signals are disrupted by trees, trucks, buildings,
etc., too often for it to work consistently in a vehicle. Not using it
hasn't been any kind of issue.

>c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5"
>screen might be the way to go. But, does the resolution truly increase,
>also, for the bigger screen(s) ?
>
> Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a
>bigger screen ?

I've seen a 7" screen where it was clear the pixels were just bigger.
I'd just narrow my choices down then check the manufacturer's specs.

>d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
>or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?

I've used a bunch of nuvi's in vehicles and never relied on battery
for more than a few moments, and the traffic data receiver for the
nuvi's is part of the DC power cord.

>Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors
>to consider ?

Lifetime map updates (life of the device, that is) can make a lot of
sense if you're in areas where changes happen often. Lifetime traffic
data, likewise, but that depends on local DoT's - whose quality of
data, I've found, varies from area to area. I'm currently working in
Chicago, and the DoT data here is very good.

Bluetooth can be handy, I've found. I'm currently using a vehicle with
MS Sync in it, so my phone's going there, but an alternative config
would be to have the GPS directions (along with MP3/Audible player)
feeding the car stereo (can also be done with a cable to an Aux
input).

>Much thanks,
>Bob

On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:12:28 -0500, Wayne R wrote:
> On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:32:34 -0400, Bob <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> (with clarity & insight):
>
>>Hello,
>>
>>Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my car.
>>
>>Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
>>models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>>
>>Have a few very basic questions, please:
>>
>>a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
>>these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
>>stand-out ?
>
> I've used, to a degree, all of these, and Garmin's the one I stick
> with. No doubt.

I as well. Tom-Toms do work and tend to be less expensive for similar
features sets, but they don't seem as polished in minor but annoying
ways. For example, one of the earlier ones I borrowed for a weekend was
insanely road-locked. It always showed you on the nearest road if there
was one within about a half-mile of your computed position. Would that
have mattered in any practical sense for a car GPS? No, not really. But
it still bugged me that the pointer would stick at the edge of Main St
as I drove into the parking lot, then suddenly zoom over to the edge of
1st Ave as I got closer to that than Main. Garmin have their quirks and
annoyances as well, but it feels like they're fewer and there was
usually an ATTEMPT to mitigate it in the software, even if it wasn't as
much or more than I would have liked.

>>b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
>>the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?
>
> I've found WAAS signals are disrupted by trees, trucks, buildings,
> etc., too often for it to work consistently in a vehicle. Not using it
> hasn't been any kind of issue.

But more directly addressing the question: It's hard to find a current
GPS that doesn't support WAAS, and manage it pretty harmlessly.

>>c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5"
>>screen might be the way to go. But, does the resolution truly increase,
>>also, for the bigger screen(s) ?
>>
>> Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a
>>bigger screen ?
>
> I've seen a 7" screen where it was clear the pixels were just bigger.
> I'd just narrow my choices down then check the manufacturer's specs.

Generally for any of the current units, you're not going to get a huge
number of pixels no matter what.

>>d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
>>or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?
>
> I've used a bunch of nuvi's in vehicles and never relied on battery
> for more than a few moments, and the traffic data receiver for the
> nuvi's is part of the DC power cord.

Again, back to the actual question, a couple of hours is typical. Might
be two hours, might be four hours, but it's not going to be much more
than that for an automotive-oriented GPS. And if respectable screen size
is important, you're not going to want one of the longer-lifed hiker or
multi-use units.

>>Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors
>>to consider ?
>
> Lifetime map updates (life of the device, that is) can make a lot of
> sense if you're in areas where changes happen often. Lifetime traffic
> data, likewise, but that depends on local DoT's - whose quality of
> data, I've found, varies from area to area. I'm currently working in
> Chicago, and the DoT data here is very good.

It's probably LESS important if you're still finding your feet with GPS
use. Buying a new unit will always come with a newer map/POI set, and if
after owning a GPS for a while you end up with a much clearer
understanding of what features you use and what you don't, what appeals
and what annoys, and the background of use to research the next purchase
much better than this one, you may only keep a first GPS for a year or
two before buying a "keeper". Under that circumstance, lifetime maps on
the "starter GPS" may be unimportant since they won't really have time
to get stale.

> Bluetooth can be handy, I've found. I'm currently using a vehicle with
> MS Sync in it, so my phone's going there, but an alternative config
> would be to have the GPS directions (along with MP3/Audible player)
> feeding the car stereo (can also be done with a cable to an Aux
> input).

Some units will also integrate an FM transmitter into the power rig,
similar to the aux input. That can be useful for people that (for
example) use several vehicles commonly, or rent cars a lot.

--
"This place is evil! We need weapons! Crossbows! Rocket Launchers!
Rent-a-zilla!"
-- L33t Master Largo www.megatokyo.com

Hi Peter

Thanks for your informative comments. Heck I have WAAS but did not know
anything about it. I bought a Garmin Street Pilot C530 at Amazon and
did not realize the quality of what I had bought. I guess I got more
for my dollar than I thought as it also had routing for large vehicles.
I guess I might be hard pressed to find an equivalent GPS when I have
to buy a new one. One within my budget that is.(grin)

--
Lee (in Florida)US Army Retired
Georgie Boy Cruise Master
Logitech VidCam & Skype lee.g.bray

Hi all,

Just a quick thanks for info; appreciate it.

Bob
-------------------

On 5/21/2010 7:32 AM, Bob wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my
> car.
>
> Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
> models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>
> Have a few very basic questions, please:
>
> a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
> these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
> stand-out ?
>
> b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
> the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?
>
> c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5"
> screen might be the way to go. But, does the resolution truly increase,
> also, for the bigger screen(s) ?
>
> Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a
> bigger screen ?
>
> d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
> or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?
>
> Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors
> to consider ?
>
> Much thanks,
> Bob

Bob wrote:

> Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my car.

Nothing like living life in the fast lane.

> Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item;

The best of them arent.

> amazed at how many models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.

That last happens with all technology.

> Have a few very basic questions, please:

> a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in these.

You've forgotten quite a few like Navman.

> Are they all equivalent Quality wise,

Yes.

> or does one brand really stand-out ?

Nope.

> b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up the WAAS system ?

Almost all, anyway. But it isnt that useful for cars.

> If not, how can one tell ?

The manufacturer should say if its supported tho the cheap
no name brands you didnt mention wont necessarily.

> c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5" screen might be the way to go. But, does the
> resolution truly increase, also, for the bigger screen(s) ?

It isnt the resolution that matters with poor eyesight, its just text size etc.

That certainly does increase with the bigger screens.

> Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a bigger screen ?

It isnt the pixels that matter with poor eyesight, its mostly text size.

> d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3" or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?

That varys a lot with the cheaper systems needing to be plugged into the car etc.

> Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors to consider ?

Depends on what you use the GPSs for and you dont say. I use mine
for yard sales and so convenient destination entry is important. I would
also like to have decent routing specific for yard sales but none of the
GPSs I have tried even attempt to do anything about that. TomToms
dont even do itinerarys that well for yard sales. You have to select the
next entry on the itinerary at each stop or you dont get notified when
you are at each waypoint if you use the other way to do itinerarys.

Editable maps can be handy. TomTom is currently implementing a system
where actual user route times are optionally uploaded to their system so
at least in theory their GPSs can get to know about congestion on specific
routes and avoid the areas which often see the worst congestion. It remains to be
seen how many will upload their trip times and how well that data will get used tho.

Some like to use their GPS as a media player, essentially so everything
is in the one box. The high end GPSs can do that but dont generally
have as good a user interface for media playing as an ipod etc.

Some of the high end GPSs allow you to include your own photos of
specific places, which can in theory be handy for unusual places where
you want to make it easier to get to specific places by others, but since
its a rather restricted function only seen on high end GPSs, it remains
to be seen how often it gets used in practice etc.

It can be handy to play the turn by turn instructions thru the car's
audio system, to use the better speakers etc, and to have it mute
the music etc when the GPS is saying something etc.

Since experienced readers of newsgroups look at the poster's name, you
don't have to add "From OP" to the subject line. In fact it's better
not to, since some newsreaders thread by subject. Changing the subject
might break your post's connection to the thread for those unfortunates
:-)

Just sayin'.

On 5/21/10, Bob posted:
> Hi all,

> Just a quick thanks for info; appreciate it.

> Bob
> -------------------

> On 5/21/2010 7:32 AM, Bob wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my
>> car.
>>
>> Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
>> models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>>
>> Have a few very basic questions, please:
>>
>> a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
>> these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
>> stand-out ?
>>
>> b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
>> the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?
>>
>> c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5"
>> screen might be the way to go. But, does the resolution truly increase,
>> also, for the bigger screen(s) ?
>>
>> Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a
>> bigger screen ?
>>
>> d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
>> or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?
>>
>> Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors
>> to consider ?
>>
>> Much thanks,
>> Bob

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:12:28 -0500, Wayne R <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:32:34 -0400, Bob <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> (with clarity & insight):
>
>>Hello,
>>
>>Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my car.
>>
>>Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
>>models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>>
>>Have a few very basic questions, please:
>>
>>a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
>>these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
>>stand-out ?

I've used both Garmin and TomTom. The last two Garmins I've had have been
lemons!

On my wife's unit, it kept resetting.

On mine, the bluetooth won't connect about 1/2 the time, especially if it's
hot. From time to time, it will route you off the freeway onto the exit
ramp, then down the ramp, back onto the freeway... Very annoying.

The replacement unit for hers is a TomTom.. and except for a quirk in the
mapping database that calls an interstate by the wrong designation, it
seems fine.

When mine dies, I'll probably buy a TomTom. (I'd do it now, but I bought
the full meal deal on the Garmin with the traffic service... too much
money spent to chuck it just yet.

Garmin map updates are EXPENSIVE.
>
>
>>b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
>>the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?
>
WAAS is a good thing... but for most instances non-corrected is pretty
good. Rarely will it be off by enough to put you on the wrong road.

>
>
>>d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
>>or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?
>
I rarely use mine on battery, it's mostly plugged in to the cig. lighter.

Next time, I'm NOT going to get the fancy one, with bluetooth etc.

I'll get a separate bluetooth speaker phone.

Steve

On 21/05/2010 12:32, Bob wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my
> car.
>
> Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
> models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>
> Have a few very basic questions, please:
>
> a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
> these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
> stand-out ?
>
> b. Do all the models these days (automatically) pick up
> the WAAS system ? If not, how can one tell ?
>
> c. My eyesight isn't too great anymore, and was thinking that a 5"
> screen might be the way to go. But, does the resolution truly increase,
> also, for the bigger screen(s) ?
>
> Or, is it that the same number of pixels are just spread out over a
> bigger screen ?
>
> d. Battery life pretty much the same on a 5" screen compared to a 4.3"
> or 4.7" screen ? What's typical ?
>
> Any "must have" options that I might not be thinking about, or factors
> to consider ?
>
> Much thanks,
> Bob
Don't know about the others, but my TomTom one, while very good in
performance does have a short battery life when switched "off". A fully
charged unit will probably fail to switch on with low battery after say
5 days of "off". I suspect the off is actually a suspend/standby mode.
Updating can be a bit problematic, so I never do an update just before
my trip. In the worst case it takes something like 3 hours to rebuild
the system.

On 23 May 2010 21:42:05 GMT, No Body <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:12:28 -0500, Wayne R <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> On Fri, 21 May 2010 07:32:34 -0400, Bob <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>> (with clarity & insight):
>>
>>>Hello,
>>>
>>>Guess I'm about to bite the bullet and pick up a gps unit for use in my car.
>>>
>>>Seems like these are becoming a commodity level item; amazed at how many
>>>models are out there, and how low the prices have become now.
>>>
>>>Have a few very basic questions, please:
>>>
>>>a. I guess Garmin, Tom-Tom and possibly Magellan are the "big" names in
>>>these. Are they all equivalent Quality wise, or does one brand really
>>>stand-out ?

I'm a big Magellan fan myself. I've used the others, and Garmin is my
second choice hands down. TomTom is way down at the bottom, for
reasons described in other threads about their amazing routing
capabilities... <g>

Magellan has the 7" screen version on sale at (IIRC) Staples (or was
it Office Depot?) for about $200. I almost bought one, it is huge, but
my granddaughter who was with me talked me out of it! (good kid...)