Automotive Navigation/GPS Systems

[Bigun]

Ive been seeing more and more of them on the tube and wondered if anyone here has or used one and how they are programmed as far as individual maps and directions. I see that there are several companies making them with different graphics and tho what little ive seen of them they are pretty expensive tho I can see how one could be very handy, especially if it is easy to see while driving and in real time as far as your current location, direction, etc. and would beat having to stop every so often and be looking over the atlas. I was also wondering if they have a function like a GPS where you can save different locations to memory.

[wordsmythe]

My Dell handheld has a GPS system in it. As long as you make sure you have the right maps on it then you've got a great tool.

I used it in Cities to find specific addresses more than finding my way across the wilds of Kansas.

If you get a handheld be sure you get one with expandable memory. I can put extra maps on a CF or SD card if I want. A friend had one with fixed memory and that sucked for him.

[Bubba]

I went to KC with my brother and his family to see the Van Halen concert, he used a Garmin, not sure the model number. Driving there from Dodge we stopped in I think Topeka. The GPS has preprogrammed points of interest, like places to eat, places to shop, etc...told us right where to exit, then told us how to get right back on the interstate after we were done. After the Van Halen concert, police was directing the traffic to go in the opposite direction of where we needed to go, the GPS guided us right back through all the back streets to get us back on the Interstate again, we would have been pretty lost without it.

[Made in the USA]

I have had them in Hertz rental cars, and they were GREAT!! I would still be trying to find my way around in Florida without it. I wish I could afford one for my own car. If you miss your turn or whatever, they immediately redirect your route. I didn't trust it for awhile, but kept getting my butt in deeper. I finally learned that the thing knew more than I did!! Especially when I about got arrested in Disney World for being in the "off limits" part!!

[Jolly Rancher]

Originally Posted by Made in the USA

Especially when I about got arrested in Disney World for being in the "off limits" part!!

Minny Mouse's dressing room??

[Highwayman]

What was explained to me is that some update from the satellite feed and require a monthly subscription fee for updates. Others you have to buy the updates whenever and load them in. So when you do a cost comparison, be sure to add that in.

[K C Muffin]

When I'm out of town and rent a car, it always has the Hertz NeverLost system in it. It has gotten me out of a bad neighborhood more than once (after I got in because I'm too hard headed to listen to it!). The Hertz system even talks to you!!! And it reminds you that if you're driving, you should not look away from the road.......

I'd like to have one in my own car, but I rarely take my own car out of town for something that I don't already know where I'm going. So it would be pretty meaningless. I really wish I could load it onto my Palm Pilot. I have the Palm that has the phone in it and it doesn't accept the expandable memory cards. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd still choose it, though, because it eliminates carrying more than one device.

The only thing though............the stupid things don't help you when there's road construction...Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhh

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

What was explained to me is that some update from the satellite feed and require a monthly subscription fee for updates. Others you have to buy the updates whenever and load them in. So when you do a cost comparison, be sure to add that in.

I've never had a pay service.

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by Jolly Rancher

Minny Mouse's dressing room??

Yeah, they told me I was -------Goofy!!

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

I've never had a pay service.

How does your Dell handheld update for say, new housing developments?