Navigation GPS Systems

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Comments

  • nortsr1nortsr1 Member Posts: 1,060
    I recently purchased the Garmin Nuvi650 for my wife and she is very happy with it.... is there someway to know when it should be updated and if it is possible...how do you go about up-dating same????
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,403
    Just go to the Garmin site. After you have registered your unit, you can check for any updates available. Unless things have changed, the software updates are free, but not so with map updates.
  • nortsr1nortsr1 Member Posts: 1,060
    Thanks for the info.

    NORTSR
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I think that I like the DVD nav system in my SRX better. You can see if you are on the right road.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cool, looks like a 4.3" screen size, too.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Better than nothing, but folks like me are not willing to give up the map display.

    With cheaper units now under $200, I'd pick one of those vs. paying a long-term subscription to OnStar.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    OMG! Steve, at first I thought that you meant that YOU bought a system for use in Boise.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Hey, you've been a member here forever. You should have known better. :shades:

    Maybe when they get down to $19.95. I'm headed to LA later this week and it would be nice to have one for the rental car. My navigator is going too fortunately.

    Meanwhile, there's one in the Edmunds fleet.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Can you convince Edmunds to have you perform a hands-on evaluation of one of the nüvis on that round-trip... on their nickel?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Doubt it - otherwise I'd just grab the Edge it's attached to and wouldn't be renting a car at all, LOL. One of those insurance things....
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    I don't think anyone likes the $200 portable nav systems that are mostly old technology, but for about $499, you find a nice Nuvi or Magellan that most people will love.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If someones wants a budget system, I'm sure they can tolerate slower satellite reception. 150% is a pretty big cost difference.
  • extech2extech2 Member Posts: 120
    I have an idea how to improve the Garmin by making a few simple changes which could eliminate the power cord tangle inside the car, and make it more like a factory-installed unit. When I called Garmin tech support they were not interested talking to me on the phone and they suggested I E-mail them. I did, and it is not easy, takes almost as much time as buying a car by the time you create an account with user name and password and all the other required fields. I hope someone from Garmin will read this and contact me. They can post here with their E-mail but I'd rather have a name and phone number. By the way I love my Nuvi 350, and I'm not asking anything for myself.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    Power cord tangles are something I don't have with my Nav.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Out of curiosity, is your solution a permanent one? I admit on the Nuvi370 I have the cord gets in the way, but one of the reasons for my having the unit is for travel. If it is permanently installed in my car then it does me no good.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The solution is a docking station, as suggested by Bob Holland in the Inside Line blogs.

    I know there is one for a Tom Tom One, and it takes the spot over your stereo, double-DIN sized.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    My mounting method works beautifully. It doesn't even use a power cord when on battery power (3 hours or so). Of course I can still plug in the cord if necessary on long trips. It also cost me NOTHING. See my three (3) posts here:

    http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=67667&whichpage=1
  • extech2extech2 Member Posts: 120
    I would relocate the power port from the side to the back of the unit, or have the factory install a 2nd power-in port in the back. Then I would permanently hook up the power cord through the fuse box, eliminating the cigarette lighter alternative. Now I would bring the cord behind and up through the dash and install it with some sort of removable clip facing the driver in a CONVENIENT location. A stereo shop could drill a very small hole and mount the business end of the power cord facing the driver. In order to mount the Garmin, the user would simply plug it in, and the because power cord is secure, facing out, the power plug would hold the Garmin in its place. Mounting and removing would be just a snap.
    Another change I'd like to see is to design the batteries removable, with a separate charger, like the digital cameras. We could buy one or two extra batteries, charge them up, and we could go on a long trip without plugging in the unit.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Now that you've clarified it, I understand why you might not be able to interest Garmin in your idea. They might consider an alternate power port location. But they surely would have no interest in making it easier for users to hard wire their products into vehicles. There are just too many opportunities for people to screw up an installation and then claim that their recently purchased navigation unit was defective. The Garmin (or other manufacturer) lawyers would never permit that.

    Personally, I would never want a permanent mounting solution. It's just too obvious and tempting for smash and grab thieves. It's a dead giveaway to them, thinking that there's a navigation unit somewhere (under the seat, in the glove compartment, etc.) even if it's not mounted in your cradle.

    I definitely concur with your removeable battery idea. AA size would be great. You could always pick up a set of spare alkalines in an emergency.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Pretty cool.

    I know those are strong, too, because I moved my EZpass from one car to another and it still has very strong adhesive.

    Also, the suction cup can fall off in extreme heat conditions (direct sun plus 90+ degree heat), but the EZpass velcro sticks on like a champ.

    Good idea. I may have to think about using that. :shades:
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Juice,

    You of course recognized the Subie dashboard.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    MY2000-2004 Legacy/Outback.

    Given the wood trim, I'll guess it's an Outback. :shades:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You of course recognized the Subie dashboard.

    For a minute there I thought I had stumbled into the Mystery car pix.... discussion. :shades:
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    '02 Legacy GT Limited sedan.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Good link Steve. Thanks.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Anyone here own or know anyone with experience with a Mio C520 navigation system? A friend asked, and I know nothing more than having read a couple of reviews and a forum.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I was excited about a Mio, and went to Circuit City to check them out. The display unit was broken and the store employee told me they'd had problems with other Mio units before.

    That made me shy away. I ended up getting another Garmin. They cost more, but I have two and both have never let me down. Plus the screens look better.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Thanks Juice.
  • jaxs1jaxs1 Member Posts: 2,697
    This is how it should work in the future:

    There should be a portable nav pre-wire option on cars.
    There would be a standardized iPod-like dock that you plug the portable nav system into in the dash. It would power the unit, send the audio out to a dedicated speaker in the dash (so you can still use your car radio and CD) and maybe tie it to an external GPS antenna for quicker satellite pickup (USB?). No cords would be needed since you just pop it in the dock port.
    The docking location ideally would be recessed in the dash and have a sliding door you could use to put the device out of view when not in use.

    Another option would be wireless integration via bluetooth and you could charge the device with the standard power port.

    You could replace the device as often as you want and never need to worry about being stuck with an outdated permanently installed factory unit. Plus it would cost way less and be easier for manufacturers to offer on low-end cars that will never have a factory nav system due to cost.
    There will never be a factory nav system in lower priced economy cars or lower trim levels of almost any car.
    This could be around an $150 or $200 factory option at most.
  • snapcracklepopsnapcracklepop Member Posts: 111
    Has anyone gotten the new TomTom GO 720 yet for their car? I would love to hear a review! It sounds like a great device!!
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Here are four pages of postings for TT afficioados:

    http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=88698
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wonder what those same roads look like today! :D

    Problem is, the landscape changes to quickly, even seasonally.

    Plus, you need a co-pilot to interpret those maps and give you vocal commands. ;)
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    Okay learned ones ...

    What's the difference between the SkyGolf SG1 GPS Digital SkyCaddie and the Sky Golf
    SkyCaddie SG2....?

    And how do they compare to (or not) to the L1 Technologies, Inc iGolf GPS Caddie -- and last, but not least the: Garmin Golflogix GPS.



    I'm waiting ...



    Terry ;)
  • nortsr1nortsr1 Member Posts: 1,060
    They all help you get a hole in one...
    NORTSR
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    According to their website https://www.skygolfgps.com/p-146-skycaddie-sg1sg2.aspx , the model SG1 is a de-contented version of their model SG2 range finder.

    Here are links to some reviews:

    http://tinyurl.com/38psj3

    http://tinyurl.com/385qjp

    http://tinyurl.com/35ozme

    http://tinyurl.com/3dowpl

    http://tinyurl.com/2l7fkl
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Blane,

    Just wanted to say thank you for your input and suggestions. The sites you gave me (gpspassions dot com) were very helpful. The real test of the Nuvi370 comes this weekend when I take it with me to Hungary.

    Thanks again,
    Mark
  • rroyce10rroyce10 Member Posts: 9,332
    Thanks, but I have all of that basic manufacturers info ....

    I was talking "real world" info ... ya know, stuff like whats the difference in the items, who has the better quality, what's better batteries or chargers, which product will have better accuracy, etc, etc ... ya know, the real deal.



    Terry. :shades:
  • im_brentwoodim_brentwood Member Posts: 4,883
    Jaxs,

    You'd have to get a universal standard up and running, good luck doing that.

    Also, a lot of cars are essentially prewired for Nav.. friend of mine just put Navigation in his A4.. I think it took about 20 minutes to install factory Navigation (A lot less than the 6 hours it took me to put it in my 740iL!)
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    Wonder how much different the 720 is from the 700? I got an e-mail this morning from BUY dot COM showing a Re-certified Tom-Tom 700 with 2.5 GB hard drive preloaded with Canada and USA maps preloaded for $180...free shipping, but might have to pay sales tax depending on your state. Looks like model 1D00782. Might not work for everyone if the 720 has a lot more capability, but might be good for a bargain hunter looking for the basics. Not sure the year maps that are preloaded, but some of the reviews complained about the cost of upgrading the TOMTOM maps.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    How much do they charge?

    I believe Garmin charges $85.

    Manufacturers charge $200 plus, though.
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    I looked at some of the reviews on BUY dot COM and it looks as if TomTom charges $100 to update. Someone did indicate that you can get a update for shipping $ only if you prove to TomTom that you bought within the past 90 days. Don't know about that on these bargain "refurbed/recertified" units. I went to their web page and spent 5 minutes looking for the upgrade info and could not find it.
  • snapcracklepopsnapcracklepop Member Posts: 111
    Thanks Blane! I love the Mapshare feature!!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I would only buy refurbished if it already came with the latest maps.

    I mean, I saw a Mio c210 in the paper for $180 after a $20 rebate, so why get a used Tom Tom when you still have to pay $100 for the maps?
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Juice,

    I recently updated my Garmin nüvi 350 to City Navigator 2008 NT maps for $69 (All of North America + Puerto Rico).

    No finicky hard drive to go wrong if dropped either.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nice price! I guess $85 may be the list price.

    I have City Select v8. It's not bad, though, much better than version 6 ever was.

    When did 2008 come out?
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Juice,

    The NT ver2008 came out at the beginning of July. Depending upon when you bought it, and who you speak to, most people are getting the update for free if they bought it within the last couple of months.

    Mark
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    That's sticker price as I recall.

    http://www8.garmin.com/unlock/update.jsp

    That's for City Navigator NT, not City Select.
  • blaneblane Member Posts: 2,017
    Seems like your Boise senator needs a better navigation system.
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