Re: What's important to you?
- From: Jack Erbes <jackerbes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 15:45:46 -0500
Meanie wrote:
I'm still in the hunt for a GPS unit to use in my car, on my
motorcycle, the bicycle and whereever else I can. I am used to using my
laptop in my car with MS Streets and Trips and was satisfied with the
limited features since I mostly cared just to see where I am going and
other potential routes. But this doesn't mean I wouldn't use other
features if they present themself on other systems. Therefore, I wonder
what I may be missing with other units. Would anyone be willing to
share what useful features are important to you and why? What unit are
you using which contain the feature(s) and a suggestion for a handheld
unit with a nice screen size which is capable of loading the entire US
and more is possible.
If you're riding a more European style bike with a tank bag or tank
mounted map case, then a PDA with an external GPS receiver and running a
nav software like Tom Tom 5 Navigator might work for you. The PDA and
GPS receiver would be powered off of the bike's 12V system (using 2A or
so at max draw). I'm using a system like that now in a map case on my
Buell M2 (more sport bike than cruiser). On these 2 or 3 1Gb SD cards
will typically store the mapping data for North American or the U.S.
If you're on a "couch" or a big road cruiser then the handle bar/dash
mounted standalone navigation units might make more sense. A well
proven product there is the Garmin 2610 StreetPilot. Again it will draw
its power from the bike's 12V system. As you look at these types of
systems, you want to avoid units with hard drives or microdrives (the
vibration can kill those drives). Again you want a model that will
store the map data on CF or SD cards and you'll need about the same
number as mentioned above.
There are some good prices now on the recently discontinued Garmin 2610
on closeouts and refurbs (which should come with a full, as new, 3 year
warranty). And that will come with all the mapping needed, you may have
to buy some extra flash memory cards for storage and to travel with.
And there are many different and newer models. One model that is
supposed to be optimized for motorcycles is the Tom Tom Rider. And more
bells and whistles come with some of the newer ones, built in XM radios,
audio outputs for voice prompts, etc.
The basic features I would want are:
1 - Can do all my pre trip planning off the bike. That could be using
a PC application or by taking the GPS unit in thee house and doing it
there. Full function trip planning may need to be done with the GPS
receiver connected and on in some cases.
2 - All the basic features on saving and editing routes, saving and
editing places (called POI, favorites, destinations, etc.) so they can
be called up as destinations and/or via points on a route.
3 - All the basic route type choices (fastest, shortest, limited speed,
walking, bicycle, etc.). As an absolute minimum you want fastest and
shortest.
4 - Lighting. Must be bright enough to be seen in full daylight, must
also be able to dim down or change color schemes so that it can be on at
night without killing your night vision.
5 - Automatic routing and rerouting. You tell it point A and point B
and it gives you a route. If you get off the route it recalculates a
new route from wherever you are that gets you to the same place.
6 - A Must Have!! - It must have multiple destination routing. That is
the only thing that will allow you to add any number points (may be
called waypoints, vias, stops, etc.) to the automatically generated A to
B route to force it to give you a new route that goes the way you want
to go. If you buy one without the a multiple destination capability,
turn off your brain and follow the instructions. You are no longer in
charge of your journey.
Some of the typical handheld, ruggedized, waterproof GPS receivers can
give you autorouting on street level maps (usually requires an accessory
mapping software package). The routing capabilities on these are
adequate but you will give up some of the bells and whistles and
features mentioned above. You will gain a very handy, pocketable,
easily powered (AA batteries generally) that is better than no GPS at
all. Some examples are the Garmin 60 and 76 in the new "x" series
models and the Magellan Meridian and eXplorist series. Buy carefully,
make sure it has the accessory mapping you want and that the mapping can
be stored and carried with you in some form. When using these, plan on
their requiring more attention in use and more frequent pull overs and
stops for doing that. You generally need fuel every 2-3 hours so it is
not a major problem for the most part.
This scratches the surface basically, you really need to spend some time
around them to figure out if they will do what you want or need to do.
Don't be surprised if any one of them does not meet all your wants and
needs. Be skeptical of anyone that tells you the one they have is the
perfect one for you.
Jack
--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA (jackerbes at adelphia dot net)
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine dot com)
.
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