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Bill Butler (65.58.4.37)

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Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 7:44 pm:   

We are planning a excursion from Wa. state south
and then east to Flordia. I purchased a Co-Pilot
guideance system for my personal computor and installed the same in my bus. we took a trial run today and it seems to work fine. It talks to me and tells in advance where and when to turn. It gives speed and elevations. My wife can operate it
as we are driving as it is behind the drivers seat.
I think it is going to be a great help when in strange cities and we are looking for Walmart and other addresses. I was very impressed today with its operation. I have no connection with Co-Pilot
other than an owner of their software that I purchased on Ebay. Anyone else out there that is
using this system I would appreciate some feedback
about your experiences with this it. It is made to be connected to a laptop but I don't have one.
It seems to work fine with this PC.
Thanks.
Scott Whitney (24.205.239.26)

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Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 8:33 pm:   

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the GPS report. I have an old laptop now, but not the GPS. It's a gadget in my future though.

One thing I ought to mention. . .if you are operating your desktop PC while in motion, there is some chance of damaging the hard drive. While I have not heard of it happening since most people in mobile applications use a laptop, it might be a concern. You see, hard drives designed for laptops are expected to be moved and bounced while they are in use. So they offer better shock resistance. Desktop drives aren't. When a desktop drive is off, it is in a special park position so you can move the PC around with out damaging it. But when they are spinning and accessing data, they may be vunerable to sharp jolts.

If you can find out what brand/model hard drive you have, you might want to go the manufacturers Web site and see if there is an spec data on shock resistance. I'd hate for you to hit a bump at the wrong time and crash your drive with all your critical data on it. The other option is to make frequent back-ups of any critical data - which is always a good idea for anyone.

I am sure drives have gotten better over the years, but it might a consideration for you.

Scott
CoryDanes RTSII NE/IL (4.17.253.80)

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Posted on Monday, January 14, 2002 - 9:02 pm:   

HI Bill Butler
What are you wanting to know. I have the CoPilot 2000. They now have the 2001 and soon to be released 2002.
Yes, it is a talker, is'nt it?
I have used it from Chicago to Lake Buena Vista Florida, it performed flawlessly. I also used it from Chicago to Rice Lake, Wisconson. A very nice tool, I'd almost say can't do without. You dont need the map and it shows you exactly where you are.
Ok are there down sides? Maybe, let me continue.... Ok, CoPilot follows the main highways find, it has not been lost yet. But it does not know roads from gravel roads. On rare occasions, it will tell you to use a gravel road as part of your trip but you can tell it to detour and it will find another route.
If you don't have an upgraded copy, you will find places in the city that have been changed and not on the map. Like where streets where blocked or dead ended. Our city made some changes down town and the copilot routed me down a hill where the road is now gone. Updated versions should correct this.
All in all I don't travel without it, it is great and that blabber mouth in the computer has saved me a number of times. Feel safe in your purchase, you have a good product.
Oh, by the way, you can use it at home to help you find places as well. Just fill in a departure and arrival address and it will find the location for you. it can always find where you are as long as the antenna is on.
Best of luck - cd
Doug Chapman (Dcc) (66.185.84.76)

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Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 3:23 pm:   

I operate a Garmin 45XL Gps tied into a laptop computer running Delorme Map & GO or Street Atlas. I am very satisfied with setup, Street Atlas gives audiable instructions. I Believe this setup cost less than Co pilot or Street PilotIII.
Doug
Jeffery L. Barbour (Jeff) (68.10.101.219)

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Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 6:51 pm:   

Any of you all a Macintosh user with a GPS?? How well does it work? What model Mac do you use? Thanks

Jeff
Bill Butler (65.58.0.78)

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Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 10:34 am:   

Scott and Cory. I was just wondering about your experiences with the
CoPilot. Thanks Scott for all the info. I guess I'll just have to take a chance on my hard drive not goin' belly up. Maybe the good ride this
4905 gives us will protect it. I will also get any upgrades available as soon as I find out how.
Maybe I can con the little woman into buying us a
laptop. Shes loaded.
Scott Whitney (24.205.239.26)

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Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2002 - 5:54 pm:   

Hi Bill,

I don't have any experience with a GPS mapping system yet. That is why I read your post with interest. I just thought I would share the hard drive info in case you or others were unaware of the differences. I also use a desktop PC in my bus, but don't operate it in motion.

Scott

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