| Author | Message | ||
| kristine starr (Kbunnystarr)
Registered Member Username: Kbunnystarr Post Number: 116 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 24.121.79.98 Rating: N/A |
good morning. yesterday a friend mentioned they might gift me with a GPS system, and asked me to look into them......I decided to start here. He said maybe truckstops are a good place to look as well, does anyone have any real positive or real neg things to say about any particular system> or what ot look for ? or stay away from? he said look for the flat panel and that they plug into a cig lighter? anyway ANYTHING ya'll can share would be super great.......its seems like a great gift, but i want to know what im getting and also dont want to spend tons of $ on it.have heard you dont have to to get a nice system.$300-400, is that true? | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
Registered Member Username: Prevost82 Post Number: 275 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 208.181.210.47 Rating: N/A |
do you have a laptop? Then buy MS streets and trip with the GPS ... it's a little over a $100 Ron | ||
| Charlie Krueger (Charliek)
Registered Member Username: Charliek Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
The laptop program is great for the bus but not for the car or pickup as there isn't enough room to be useful. I have bot types and they are both great systems that talk you through turn by turn to your destination. Right now $300 buys a pretty good system unless you need traffic advisory and blackberry. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 112 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.30 Rating: N/A |
We have used Co-Pilot for several years and use it in the coach or any vehicle on a lap top (can also be used on a TV screen) I put a Port in the roof of our coach and place the receiver there....hasn't missed a beat. Updates available every couple of years at a reasonable price. Available currently at a good price thru Camping World. I believe Ian is handling the Tom Tom (sp). FWIW RCB | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 276 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.211 Rating: N/A |
I bought a used Garmin Street Pilot at a thrift store for under $20. Now that I've used and abused it, I'd swear by the convenience of having one. It can interface with nearly any PC, and using a program like MS Streets puts the data on the big screen.... But even without a PC, the map displays nicely on the GPS's screen, complete with 99% accurate speed... A stand-alone unit like the Garmin is great to have, but a PC with a decent mapping program (like MS Streets) on your PC, is just as valuable. There's quite a few brands, but after talking to owners of each, I found the Garmin to be the most useful... (Add-ons for GPS and Mapping programs are here: Scripts | ||
| kristine starr (Kbunnystarr)
Registered Member Username: Kbunnystarr Post Number: 117 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 24.121.79.98 Rating: N/A |
yes, i have 2 laptops, one i use that has wireless for internet the other is "spare" i suppose.......older...no wireless....thanx for all the info guys.........keep it comin :o) | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 277 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.117 Rating: N/A |
See if this site is of any help: Epinions.com | ||
| Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
Registered Member Username: Pete_rtsdaytona Post Number: 324 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 72.40.14.234 Rating: N/A |
last years model - also works with windows 98 and older / slower / small memory / laptops but needs USB port ?? check specs on web site and compare agaist your old laptop. $53 --> http://www.buy.com/prod/streets-trips-2006-full-product/q/loc/111/201744328.html otherwise Garmin GPS-18 (about $120 ) - not only does it talk to you (most do) - but it has a built in mic and you can speak to it (like where am I - zoom in - pan left / pan right / etc) needs windows xp - faster processor - usb - more memory - more disk - chech spec agaist your laptop first doesn't listen well in a noisy bus Pete RTS/Daytona | ||
| carl white (Carl_mci_9)
Registered Member Username: Carl_mci_9 Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 24.154.148.105 Rating: N/A |
They are great and allows you to find fuel, food, rest areas etc. I have a cobra 3000 with a 5 inch color screen. The only negative I know of is, if you get off the main drag because of a detour or something. It will not warn you of weight or height restrictions on that road. carl | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 139 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.226.200 Rating: N/A |
I have a DeLorme LT20 and Road Atlas in a laptop. The GPS works fine. The Atlas is handy for all sorts of trip functions. As has been described, a laptop in a car isn't an ideal device. Even in the bus the laptop sits on an end table. Messing with the laptop while I'm driving would be a disaster...probably. Terri can play with the laptop. I've found that by the time I head somewhere..the GPS just reinforces where I'm at... Still, the mapping software is a great adjunct to traveling. Unlike the tiny handhelds, which are better in cars and pickups, a laptop map is large enough to be easy to read and cover a lot of area without scrolling around. My GPS antenna is under the front cap and works great. You'll enjoy whatever you get. Be sure that your laptop is fast enough and compatible if you use PC software and GPS. Cheers, JR | ||
| Justin Griffith (Justin25taylor)
Registered Member Username: Justin25taylor Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2007 Posted From: 70.251.188.254 Rating: N/A |
I agree with R.C. I drive at least 100,000 miles a year all over U.S. and Canada. Co-pilot is by far the best system I have ever used. The routing choices it uses are great. It will also keep you off of roads with low clearances and bridges that are unsafe for busses. It will guide you to the nearest truck stop as well as find parking areas, rest areas and such. I combine mine with a wireless internet card to give up to the minute traffic and weather info. Jotto-desk makes a neat little stand for your laptop that bolts to the floor and it swings around out of the way when not in use it also will adjust in about 6 different directions. I have used Garmin, Delorme, Microsoft, Sony, Magellan and many other brands of software and stand alone GPS recievers and Co-Pilot is by far the best. YMMV Best, Justin | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 114 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.239.0 Rating: N/A |
Justin...never heard of the Jotto-desk, but I have been pondering a better arrangement in the coach. Just now we have the laptop set on the "dash", but as you can imagine, that is some distance from both driver and passenger in a coach. No problem in an auto. Available where? Having said that, I am set up to run it thru the TV mounted on the front bulkhead, up high. Haven't tried it yet but may, as early as this coming weekend. The new version 9 is great and much superior to the original we had several years ago....5, I think. RCB | ||
| Rob King (Skykingrob)
Registered Member Username: Skykingrob Post Number: 11 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.29.87.81 Rating: N/A |
Hey RC try this link http://www.jottodesk.com They have several under motorhome but they seem expensive to me Rob 91 LeMirage XL Missouri | ||
| Muddog16 (Muddog16)
Registered Member Username: Muddog16 Post Number: 340 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 4.225.93.74 Rating: N/A |
TomTom is by far the best of all the GPS Systems, I have Delorme its bulky by the time you buy a decent laptop, the laptop takes up to much room, tomtom is portable from vehicle to vehicle. During the different sports seasons I manage to travel to many different locations without a hitch, you just enter your destination and it plots the route, it alerts you before the turns with plenty of time to make a turn, the only clitches I've noticed are new interchanges not yet entered in the data bases, both Delorme and TomTom seem to experience this. The good news is the prices have really dropped in the last year for both! Pat | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 541 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
Any GPS system is only as good as the data base it uses. The data base have to be udpated, usuallu annually, to keep them current. | ||
| Cliff (Floridacracker)
Registered Member Username: Floridacracker Post Number: 314 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 65.33.146.203 Rating: N/A |
Kristine, Take a look at some laptop mounts for vans. They have a riser post and can be swung out of the way. Most are very heavy duty. Cliff | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 115 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.53 Rating: N/A |
Thanx, Rob....Priiiiiceeey!!!! Out of my budget, I'd say. Back to the CAD program.....  RCB | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 542 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.1.180.218 Rating: N/A |
I made a simple laptop platform that attaches to our dash. 2 small pieces of aluminum angle bolted to the dash with exactly 1" between them. A length of 1" square aluminum tubing for the arm was bolted between the 2 pieces of angle using a 1/4" bolt with a self locking nut. This provides enough friction to hold arm in place and allow it to be moved. On the other end of the arm, 2 more small pieces of aluminum angle bolted to a piece of Lexan (this is what the laptop sets on). A short length of 1" square tubing attaches to the angle pieces on the Lexan. A 2" length of 1/2" rod connects the 2 pieces of square tubing to allow the Lexan to swivel as well as pivot. I tried to uplaod a photo, but it was to poor quality when reduced to a size that fits. If anyone want photos email me and I will send them to you. Jack (Message edited by JackConrad on April 04, 2007) | ||
| Jerry W Campbell (Jerry_w_campbell)
Registered Member Username: Jerry_w_campbell Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 69.19.14.23 Rating: N/A |
Hi Kristine, I decided I had to have the laptop for better maps and a handheld to take to the boonies. About a year ago I bought a discontinued, refurbished Magellan Meridian Platinum handheld GPS with a connection for the computer for $150. On the laptop I have Delorme 3-D topo maps with all the hot springs marked of course and on the handheld there are more crude but acceptable topo maps. Waypoints are other info is uploadable and downloadable from the computer to the handheld. This works great for me and it was cheap. Good luck with your choice. Jerry | ||
| Newbie Goldberg (Noobgoldberg)
Registered Member Username: Noobgoldberg Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 131.104.231.111 Rating: N/A |
Kristin, I've used a number of these GPS systems, mostly with a pocket pc (like a palm pilot) that I have. Pocket PC's are perfect if you're in and out of different vehicles all the time, and space is a constraint. I do most of my driving in Canada, and became attached to iGuidance, which (when I acquired it) had the best Canadian coverage of any system. I think others have now come closer in what is covered, and iGuidance has some pretty significant shortcomings which will probably force me to find a different system in the future (i.e. can't easily import my own points of interest, difficult to avoid specific sections of road, etc). I haven't kept up with MS streets and trips, but the last time I tried to use it (ST 2006 I believe) it had terrible coverage for Canada, with incorrect road names rampant. If you are one who just blindly follows directions from a talking box this might be okay, but I prefer to correlate directions to maps and road names, and MS ST 2006 was not appropriate for the task. It's okay if you're staying on freeways, but as soon as you're off the beaten path it was pretty terrible (rural roads are especially bad). Since you have two laptops and a bus, however, I would highly recommend Copilot, as it is the only one with bridge height data that I'm aware of. The trucker version has a great deal of information applicable to commercial vehicles, but it is probably overkill for a private coach as you wouldn't be as concerned about where scales are, hazmat routings, etc. You probably want to stick with Copilot live, which you can grab for about $150 bucks (http://www.alk.com/copilot/laptop.asp). It has a much better dataset now than it did in previous versions. If you need a receiver, pretty much anything that will connect to your laptop, produced within the last 5 years, will probably be sufficient. Don't be swayed by anything claiming "32 satellites" or anything silly like that; it's just a marketing gimmick and you will rarely, if ever, be in contact with more than 9 satellites at one time and even with one that only seeks out 12 satellites your time to position acquisition won't be more than 90 seconds at the most. That pretty much covers the amount of time for you to hit sufficient air pressure to move anyway. Once the system is "warm", i.e. it knows where the satellites are, connection times are measured in a few seconds. In addition, you really only need an expensive receiver if you spend a lot of time in urban canyons, like New York City, and even then pretty much all GPS receivers have a hard time maintaining an accurate position. It's best to keep your eyes open and use old-fashioned maps when driving between skyscrapers, as the GPS quickly becomes useless. Complete stand-alone units are okay, and much better than they were even a couple of years ago, but they--on average--are pricier and less customizable than laptop software. There are benefits: they start up, acquire the satellite, load the software, etc, all by themselves, but this is offset by a limited ability to import your own points of interest, updated map data, etc. Why would you want to import your own points of interest? This allows you to download and add all of the WalMarts/Flying J's/KOA campgrounds/really good mechanics suggested by Busnuts into your GPS so you can just click a button and find the nearest...whatever you need. If you're into some hobby, you can add national locations for whatever suits your fancy (astronomy, geocaching, model train exhibits, fishing holes, etc). Newer stand-alone units are becoming capable of this type of data import, but they are priced in accordance. If someone is familiar with an old system than has this capability, please let us all know. Anyway, hope that helps. EDIT: Here is a guy off of Ebay who sells Laptop mounts for your bus. I haven't used one of these, but I remember others giving him a good review at a forum I visited before. Caveat emptor, of course, but for $30 you really can't go wrong. http://stores.ebay.com/MOBILE-LAPTOP-MOUNT EDIT #2: Here is an example of what's available in terms of custom POI's for your GPS software: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=56474 These are free. You can also purchase POI's from online retailers as well(i.e. http://www.gps-poi-us.com/poifiles.html) but I don't know why you would, when most of them are available for free. (Message edited by noobgoldberg on April 04, 2007) | ||
| Mike Eades (Mike4905)
Registered Member Username: Mike4905 Post Number: 150 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 68.207.200.143 Rating: N/A |
I use a new garmin and it has a bus setting built in. I rive a tour bus now and I find it to be almost perfect. I was in N.C. two weeks ago and I di not have to look at a map. Price was 369.00 at Circuit City. I am happy with the unit. I have a garmin 5 you can buy cheap if you want to try it. Mike | ||
| captain ron (Captain_ron)
Registered Member Username: Captain_ron Post Number: 678 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 75.202.255.53 Rating: N/A |
I have a Rand McNally GPS for a laptop that you can have for free or anybody for that matter. It's an older one and is a 9pin serial connection instead of USB. I have the software also. Just give me an address to send it to and it's yours. antenna model # 1225B-R1 |