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Choosing a GPS Unit... Pros and Cons

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SevenFX

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20 August 2006
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I'm thinking of getting a Nokia Phone (N95) with GPS software & bluetooth support OR a seperate GPS unit like this guy below. (no it's not my car)

Leaning towards TomTom that stores Camera & hazzard areas with the biggest screen...

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.
 

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Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

Why is it a mirror image?

Don't they think we can handle left hand drive???
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.


I bought a n95 the first day it was released. I had been fired up since about october last year about getting one. Not a good product.


-
Very slow os
keys have rubbed off
tendency to freeze
did i mention slow?
GPS can take up to 20 mins to find itself (just use a melways now)

+
Awesome camera phone

Check out whirlpool forum (google) that is all abuz with gadgets etc...
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

sam76 said:
Very slow os
keys have rubbed off
tendency to freeze
did i mention slow?
GPS can take up to 20 mins to find itself (just use a melways now)
Awesome camera phone
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that Sam, and will make me think twice.

I was thinkin of combined units, purely because for compact reasons, but 20min delay wow... are you sure it's setup right or a faulty unit...????

BVFan well picked up, it a US pic flipped.

SevenFX
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

I'm happy with the Tom Tom, aparently they're one of the market leaders. Only painful thing I found is selecting a common street name it puts the suburb in brackets afterwards and disappears off the end of the screen.

eg. Selecting "Princes Highway" it wants to show
Princes Highway (Dandenong)
Princes Highway (Dandenong South)
Princes Highway (Doveton)

but only shows
Princes Highway (D
Princes Highway (D
Princes Highway (D

So you have to click on each one until you get the right suburb. Less of a problem on the widescreen models I believe.

m.
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

I been using GPS for about 5 years. If money is not an issue and you want good quality gear

Garmin is number 1 no dispute
Tomtom is next ..thought they made in road into Garmin lately so it wont be long before it on the same league as Garmin.

the rest I wouldn't touch

The picture you attached most of the stuff center toward the right is Garmin products

http://www.gpsinformation.net/
http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/default.asp?_SetCurrentVersion=EN
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.


It's quite common with these phones.

My advice is check the whirlpool forum/cnet for reviews and discussionn
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

I recently bought a TomTom One XL, very happy, quick to update, accurate BUT battery life is rubbish. Get less than 2 hours. Mate of mine bought a Garmin at the same time and we've been comparing notes and given the chance I would swap mine for a Garmin.
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

Been using a TomTom. Wicked.
tried a Mio, rubbish compared. But then again, it's twice the price.
I think that Choice magazine did a review on GPS's recently. Well worth the review price if your going to spend some $$$ on a decent GPS IMO.
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

hi,

we got a garmin c510 last Feb for around 600++, now the price has gone down to 400-500++. garmin, i hear, is supposed to be the best brand in terms of gps. i'm pretty happy with the gps. i've pre-loaded it with school zones (this is free, i just downloaded the POI's[points of interest] from the i'net), even though i pass by a certain school zone everyday, for some reason i still forget and the gps beeps and warns me about it. The only thing is, the gps unit i got doesn't take into account the real time, thereby, the gps unit beeps no matter what time when i pass by a school zone area. however, the school zone was something that i added myself so i can't complain. Also, the garmin unit tells me the street name, "turn left on epping road", not, "turn left in 200 meters".

 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

The problem with all the GPS's is the mapping software, all tied up with Sensis. Which, I suppose is OK if you are a city dweller and just want directions to the nearest Pizza shop.

... but with no mapping competition your going to be stuck with the same data, from the same source, charging exhorbitant prices for updates

I try to avoid new places in Sydney as I hate the traffic, so I already know where I am going when I have to go somewhere.

Being a weekend and holiday (not many of these) motorcyclist, my demands on a GPS display unit would be a little different. Don't need a stupid voice telling me to turn here or there, just need really accurate road, track and trail data.

In the US, they have some really cool map data which gives you 3D and terrains and satellite image overlays, but we have Telstra/Sensis as a mapping monopoly, so it is unlikely to get better.

Usual story, mass market, single entity provider = sub standard products.
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pro's n Cons.

Learn how to use a map

From what I know most GPS units can be uploaded with maps from camping stores and 4WD accessories shop. Perhaps a standalone GPS like a Garmin xplorer? And of course a $50 prepaid phone. But thats just me, my experiance with mobile phones and all the wizz bang features, although limited, is not very good.
 
Re: Choosing a GPS Unit... Pros n Cons

Hi

We've had a TomTom for about 18 months now. It is brilliant. We have taken it interstate, into the country as well as through the cities. I can highly recommend them.

Dale
 
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