WHICH GARMIN GPS MODEL IS EFFICIENT??

[b***@gmail.com]

Hi,

I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.

Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.

I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.


Meteore

[Peter H. Coffin]

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 10:03:13 -0700 (PDT), ***@gmail.com wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked
> the salesman is there many returns? He replied that 80 percent are
> returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He
> replied they also have a high rate return.
>
> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely
> satisfied with.
>
> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there
> from map updates to freezing.

The vast, vast majority of GPS returns are unneeded gifts or returned
because they're "too confusing", not because their feature sets were
missing something or because they actually didn't work. Careful review
of manufacturer websites to make sure you know what model you want to
buy and you'll be fine.

--
If you've got the luxury to kvetch about having to reinstall software or
do yardwork, life's okay.

[Rick Blaine]

On 6/15/14, 1:03 PM, ***@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>
> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.
>
> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.
>
>
> Meteore
>

What you seem to be asking about is effectiveness and reliability, not
efficiency.

Yes, they're all effective and yes they're all reliable. They'll direct
you to where you ask them to take you-- usually by the most
common/obvious route on major roads, though not necessarily on the very
fastest or shortest way that a local resident would take.

Garmin and Tom Tom have slightly different interfaces. Some folks prefer
one, some the other. I think Garmin has a bigger market share and most
folks in this NG likely prefer Garmin.

As for reliability-- like most electronic devices, a GPS will work right
out of the box and if it doesn't die within the first 72 hours that it's
on, it will last long past when it's obsolete.

Stand alone GPS devices are a contracting market though as in-car
navigation systems and cell phone navigation app use both are on the
rise. I find my Garmin gives better, clearer, more precise directions
than my cell phone but if I didn't already own a GPS, I don't think I'd
buy one at this point. My cellie is good enough. A big downside of
cellular nav apps is that they burn a lot of data so if you use it much,
you'd need a big data bucket.

--
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into
mine.

[Elmo P. Shagnasty]

In article <lnl115$84k$***@news.albasani.net>,
Rick Blaine <***@cafeamericain.ma> wrote:

> Stand alone GPS devices are a contracting market though as in-car
> navigation systems and cell phone navigation app use both are on the
> rise. I find my Garmin gives better, clearer, more precise directions
> than my cell phone

That's an understatement.

I have a Garmin, but I was in an unfamiliar town last week looking for
somemplace for lunch. Google Now suggested a place, so I said "take me
there".

I could have gotten there in a mile on surface streets, but Google Maps
took me 5 miles out of my way in a total roundabout trip that included a
freeway.

Fortunately in my Garmin I had the address I needed to return to, so on
the return trip I just hit "recently found" and the address, and bam!
that's when I realized that Google Maps had completely screwed me around
on the initial route.

I picture some Google engineer watching me on his screen, cackling in
glee as I drive around randomly wasting gas because his Maps easter egg
sent me on that trip.

I will forever use Garmin, and I will take whatever Google Now tells me
and spend the effort to type it into the Garmin--bypassing that whole
Google Maps crapola completely.

[Patty Winter]

In article <elmop-FECFA3.17321015062014@[78.46.70.116]>,
Elmo P. Shagnasty <***@nastydesigns.com> wrote:
>
>I have a Garmin, but I was in an unfamiliar town last week looking for
>somemplace for lunch. Google Now suggested a place, so I said "take me
>there".
>
>I could have gotten there in a mile on surface streets, but Google Maps
>took me 5 miles out of my way in a total roundabout trip that included a
>freeway.

I don't use Google Maps in the car (i.e., on a mobile device), but I
seem to recall from using it on my computer that you have a choice
whether to be told the most direct route (which often doesn't involve
freeways), the fastest route (which often does involve freeways), etc.
Perhaps there's a setting you could change to avoid situations like
that in the future.


Patty

[Theodore Heise]

On 15 Jun 2014 23:15:05 GMT,
Patty Winter <***@wintertime.com> wrote:
> In article <elmop-FECFA3.17321015062014@[78.46.70.116]>,
> Elmo P. Shagnasty <***@nastydesigns.com> wrote:
>>
>>I have a Garmin, but I was in an unfamiliar town last week
>>looking for somemplace for lunch. Google Now suggested a place,
>>so I said "take me there".
>>
>>I could have gotten there in a mile on surface streets, but
>>Google Maps took me 5 miles out of my way in a total roundabout
>>trip that included a freeway.
>
> I don't use Google Maps in the car (i.e., on a mobile device),
> but I seem to recall from using it on my computer that you have
> a choice whether to be told the most direct route (which often
> doesn't involve freeways), the fastest route (which often does
> involve freeways), etc. Perhaps there's a setting you could
> change to avoid situations like that in the future.

On a recent trip to Tokyo, Google Maps did a terrific job showing
which subway routes I could use to get where I needed to go. It
worked flawlessly multiple times. I'm not aware this type of
functionality is available on my eTrex, but maybe I've missed it.

--
Theodore (Ted) Heise <***@heise.nu> Bloomington, IN, USA

[DaveG]

On Mon, 16 Jun 2014 06:53:43 -0400, Theodore Heise wrote:

> On a recent trip to Tokyo, Google Maps did a terrific job showing which
> subway routes I could use to get where I needed to go. It worked
> flawlessly multiple times. I'm not aware this type of functionality is
> available on my eTrex, but maybe I've missed it.

Unlikely. SatNavs are not intended for use on public transport. They
usually only have drive or walk options but will normally advise if the
driving route requires the use of a car ferry to cross water.

Routing via public transport requires very frequent updates.

To confirm the post above yours, routing on google maps usually gives me
two or three alternative routes to choose from. My Satnav does the same,
based on Quickest, Shortest, and Fuel Efficient. I'm not sure what
Googles criteria are.

--
GCHQ - The only part of the government that actually listens to you.

[Patty Winter]

In article <lnl115$84k$***@news.albasani.net>,
Rick Blaine <***@cafeamericain.ma> wrote:
>
> A big downside of
>cellular nav apps is that they burn a lot of data so if you use it much,
>you'd need a big data bucket.

Why do they need a data connection? I use CoPilot GPS just fine on
my iPad without a cell signal. Are you perhaps talking not about
actual navigation, but about extra features such as real-time traffic
conditions?


Patty

[Gene E. Bloch]

On 15 Jun 2014 23:13:07 GMT, Patty Winter wrote:

> In article <lnl115$84k$***@news.albasani.net>,
> Rick Blaine <***@cafeamericain.ma> wrote:
>>
>> A big downside of
>>cellular nav apps is that they burn a lot of data so if you use it much,
>>you'd need a big data bucket.
>
> Why do they need a data connection? I use CoPilot GPS just fine on
> my iPad without a cell signal. Are you perhaps talking not about
> actual navigation, but about extra features such as real-time traffic
> conditions?
>
> Patty

Depends on the software in use.

If the SW loads large map sets onto the device, no data connection is
needed later, but many setups load map data in small chunks on an ad hoc
basis.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

[Peter H. Coffin]

On 15 Jun 2014 23:13:07 GMT, Patty Winter wrote:

> In article <lnl115$84k$***@news.albasani.net>, Rick Blaine
> <***@cafeamericain.ma> wrote:
>
>> A big downside of cellular nav apps is that they burn a lot of data
>>so if you use it much, you'd need a big data bucket.
>
> Why do they need a data connection? I use CoPilot GPS just fine on
> my iPad without a cell signal. Are you perhaps talking not about
> actual navigation, but about extra features such as real-time traffic
> conditions?

Some programs cache map data agressively, some don't. Google Maps tends
to expect a data connection all the time and doesn't cache much, unless
specifically set to, and even then it discards maps older than 30 days
and makes you re-cache them. It also doesn't allow very MUCH to be cached
at a time either, and is not terribly economical with storage of cahced
maps.

--
We're the technical experts. We were hired so that management could
ignore our recommendations and tell us how to do our jobs.
-- Mike Andrews

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 10:03:13 -0700 (PDT), ***@gmail.com wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
>He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>
>Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.
>
>I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.
>
>
>Meteore

Since you specificaly asked for a recommendation, I'll give you mine
and why I chose it. My old Garmin was still working fine, but the maps
were hopelessly out of date, so instead of going for a map update, I
decided to buy a cheap Garmin with lifetime updates on maps. I chose
the nuvi 50LM for $97.90 (then). I see it's now $89.99 on Amazon. It's
a basic GPS with a large screen and really no frills..... and it works
fine.

My wife has a more "feature filled" Garmin, the 1450LMT (Lifetime Maps
and Traffic) and it works fine also, except that the traffic feature
is rather lame. Between the 2 of us, we've had 6 Garmin GPS units, and
never had a problem with any of them "not working". My original unit,
the GPS V, still works, but it has a tiny screen, Black & white, and
is bulky, so it sits on a shelf in the closet.

[DaveG]

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 10:03:13 -0700, bigrog318 wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the
> salesman is there many returns?
> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom
> Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.

Either he lied, or you were not specific enough with your question or you
are trolling.

Any shop with an 80% returns rate would no longer stock the product.
Profit margins are not *that* high.

Others have suggested that high returns rates might reflect unwanted
gifts or people finding them too complex to use. I doubt even those
numbers added to the inevitable faulty returns would amount to anywhere
near 80%. Something stinks here.



--
GCHQ - The only part of the government that actually listens to you.

[Gene E. Bloch]

On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 22:42:17 GMT, DaveG wrote:

> On Sun, 15 Jun 2014 10:03:13 -0700, bigrog318 wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the
>> salesman is there many returns?
>> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom
>> Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>
> Either he lied, or you were not specific enough with your question or you
> are trolling.
>
> Any shop with an 80% returns rate would no longer stock the product.
> Profit margins are not *that* high.
>
> Others have suggested that high returns rates might reflect unwanted
> gifts or people finding them too complex to use. I doubt even those
> numbers added to the inevitable faulty returns would amount to anywhere
> near 80%. Something stinks here.

And perhaps Staples is not the best place to conduct such a survey.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

[Holger Issle]

Hi,

>Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.

We can, but at least my magic glass is foggy. Maybe you can tell us
what you want to use it for? There are different models for sports,
hiking, cycling, automobile ... and your financial limts would be nice
on top so we know what recommendations make sense.

--

Ciao,
Holger (GUS-KOTAL, GUS#1100, GRR#51)

90-92 Honda CB400 10 Mm | 93-95 Yamaha TDM 850 26 Mm
95-97 KTM 620 LC4 13 Mm | seit 97 BMW R1100GS 81 Mm (Die Renndrecksau!)

cu @ http://www.issle.de

[b***@gmail.com]

For autos.

[Holger Issle]

On Mon, 16 Jun 2014 08:30:16 -0700 (PDT), ***@gmail.com wrote:

>For autos.

We are happy with the nuvi 2460LMT. For sure go for one with "LM" to
get map updates included. Then think about screen size (big is
beautyful, but you need the space to mount it) and comfort features
you like to have. I would take one of the "advanced" series.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/n%C3%BCvi%20Advanced/on-the-road/automotive/cOnTheRoad-cAutomotive-bBRAND466-p1.html

The smartphone link might be a thing to get if you like to have added
features on your phone - download and review the garmin link app
before you choose!
--

Ciao,
Holger (GUS-KOTAL, GUS#1100, GRR#51)

90-92 Honda CB400 10 Mm | 93-95 Yamaha TDM 850 26 Mm
95-97 KTM 620 LC4 13 Mm | seit 97 BMW R1100GS 81 Mm (Die Renndrecksau!)

cu @ http://www.issle.de

[DaveG]

On Mon, 16 Jun 2014 18:40:36 +0200, Holger Issle wrote:

> The smartphone link might be a thing to get if you like to have added
> features on your phone - download and review the garmin link app before
> you choose!

Bear in mind that *all* the so called smartphone link facilities will
cost you money over and above the purchase price. Apart from sending a
destination from your phone, when it works. Even the "free" weather app
is gone and is only available as a paid function now.

--
GCHQ - The only part of the government that actually listens to you.

[Angelo Campanella]

On Sunday, June 15, 2014 1:03:13 PM UTC-4, ***@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
>
> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>
> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.
>
> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.
>
> Meteore

Up til recently, directions and routes around town (Columbus, OH have been pretty neat and efficient. I'm now on my THIRD update in eight years. BUT after the last update (this spring) My c340 has become a freeway ADDICT; very long short trips with a lot of wasted mileage taking more time to do than a short city trip. Given a choice between a long freeway route vs a short city route the "Faster" Nav setting ALWAYS takes the LONGER freeway route. To get my C340 to take the city route, I have to reset my Nav to "Shorter". This gets ridiculous for short trips (less than a mile). I believe that Garmin must put in a THIRD routing; "Expedient"; where freeways are chosen only when when thy increase the trip length greater by LESS than 10%. I don't carter to go "FAST" just to go FAST regardless of the distance!!

[Desh]

On 8/15/14, 5:15 PM, Angelo Campanella wrote:
> On Sunday, June 15, 2014 1:03:13 PM UTC-4, ***@gmail.com wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
>>
>> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>>
>> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.
>>
>> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.
>>
>> Meteore
>
> Up til recently, directions and routes around town (Columbus, OH have been pretty neat and efficient. I'm now on my THIRD update in eight years. BUT after the last update (this spring) My c340 has become a freeway ADDICT; very long short trips with a lot of wasted mileage taking more time to do than a short city trip. Given a choice between a long freeway route vs a short city route the "Faster" Nav setting ALWAYS takes the LONGER freeway route. To get my C340 to take the city route, I have to reset my Nav to "Shorter". This gets ridiculous for short trips (less than a mile). I believe that Garmin must put in a THIRD routing; "Expedient"; where freeways are chosen only when when thy increase the trip length greater by LESS than 10%. I don't carter to go "FAST" just to go FAST regardless of the distance!!
>


Just curious-- other than because you can, why would you use a GPS for
short city trips or trips less than a mile?

--
We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to
visit violence on those who would do us harm.
---George Orwell

[Gene E. Bloch]

On Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:38:44 -0400, Desh wrote:

> Just curious-- other than because you can, why would you use a GPS for
> short city trips or trips less than a mile?

So as not to get lost.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

[Desh]

On 8/15/14, 6:43 PM, Gene E. Bloch wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:38:44 -0400, Desh wrote:
>
>> Just curious-- other than because you can, why would you use a GPS for
>> short city trips or trips less than a mile?
>
> So as not to get lost.
>

Get lost a mile from your house? Yowza!

--
I’m not saying we should kill all the stupid people, I’m just sayin’
let’s remove all the warning labels and let the problem sort itself out….

[Brad Rogers]

On Saturday 16 Aug 2014 15:07 in message <lsnoju$jv8$***@news.albasani.net>,
Desh wrote:

> Get lost a mile from your house? Yowza!

Your question said nothing about being at home.

--
Regards _
/ ) "The blindingly obvious is
/ _)rad never immediately apparent"
I am alone there's nobody there
I Look Alone - Buzzcocks

[Angelo Campanella]

On Friday, August 15, 2014 6:38:44 PM UTC-4, Desh wrote:
> On 8/15/14, 5:15 PM, Angelo Campanella wrote:
>
> > On Sunday, June 15, 2014 1:03:13 PM UTC-4, ***@gmail.com wrote:
>
> >> Hi,
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >>
>
> >> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
>
> >>
>
> >> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>
> >>
>
> >> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.
>
> >>
>
> >> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.
>
> >>
>
> >> Meteore
>
> >
>
> > Up til recently, directions and routes around town (Columbus, OH have been pretty neat and efficient. I'm now on my THIRD update in eight years. BUT after the last update (this spring) My c340 has become a freeway ADDICT; very long short trips with a lot of wasted mileage taking more time to do than a short city trip. Given a choice between a long freeway route vs a short city route the "Faster" Nav setting ALWAYS takes the LONGER freeway route. To get my C340 to take the city route, I have to reset my Nav to "Shorter". This gets ridiculous for short trips (less than a mile). I believe that Garmin must put in a THIRD routing; "Expedient"; where freeways are chosen only when when thy increase the trip length greater by LESS than 10%. I don't carter to go "FAST" just to go FAST regardless of the distance!!
>
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> Just curious-- other than because you can, why would you use a GPS for
>
> short city trips or trips less than a mile?
>
>
The trips I reference are not so short, primarily for practice, but also for new routes. My main point is that even for short trips, the recent algorithms by Garmin include freeway legs that were not there before. So now, one finds high speeds where they were not present before, but the overall trip length certainly is greater, and the time is not the shortest. Just a few such trip experiences so far, but it's noticeable and annoying, and adds cost to local travel. Garmin needs to add a third category; "Expedient" where trip DURATION is minimized optimally.

Ange

[Gene E. Bloch]

On Sat, 16 Aug 2014 03:21:14 -0700 (PDT), Angelo Campanella wrote:

>> Just curious-- other than because you can, why would you use a GPS for
>> short city trips or trips less than a mile?

> The trips I reference are not so short, primarily for practice, but
> also for new routes. My main point is that even for short trips, the
> recent algorithms by Garmin include freeway legs that were not there
> before. So now, one finds high speeds where they were not present
> before, but the overall trip length certainly is greater, and the time
> is not the shortest. Just a few such trip experiences so far, but it's
> noticeable and annoying, and adds cost to local travel. Garmin needs
> to add a third category; "Expedient" where trip DURATION is minimized
> optimally.

Good points. More useful than my sarcastic remark - but Brad Rogers had
an excellent point about that too.

Note: I don't know how you formatted your post, but it took me a few
minutes to find a (reasonable) method to make your material appear as
normal lines rather than a single line of over 560 characters.

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

[John Carter]

Angelo Campanella <***@gmail.com> wrote in
news:85754a95-2df6-43c4-aa52-***@googlegroups.com:

> On Sunday, June 15, 2014 1:03:13 PM UTC-4, ***@gmail.com
> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>>
>>
>> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I
>> asked the sa lesman is there many returns?
>>
>> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi
>> if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate
>> return.
>>
>> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely
>> satisfied with.
>>
>> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out
>> there f rom map updates to freezing.
>>
>> Meteore
>
> Up til recently, directions and routes around town (Columbus, OH
> have been pretty neat and efficient. I'm now on my THIRD update
> in eight years. BUT after the last update (this spring) My c340
> has become a freeway ADDICT; very long short trips with a lot of
> wasted mileage taking more time to do than a short city trip.
> Given a choice between a long freeway route vs a short city route
> the "Faster" Nav setting ALWAYS takes the LONGER freeway route.
> To get my C340 to take the city route, I have to reset my Nav to
> "Shorter". This gets ridiculous for short trips (less than a
> mile). I believe that Garmin must put in a THIRD routing;
> "Expedient"; where freeways are chosen only when when thy
> increase the trip length greater by LESS than 10%. I don't
> carter to go "FAST" just to go FAST regardless of the distance!!

If you are going on such short trips around where you drive
frequently, why do you use a GPS? If you know a surface route is
better than what the GPS ays, why do you even use the gps?

I'm not trying to be a smartass, but I woud like to find out what
I'm missing here.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 16 Aug 2014 01:17:30 GMT, John Carter <***@mymailsvr.org> wrote:



>
>If you are going on such short trips around where you drive
>frequently, why do you use a GPS? If you know a surface route is
>better than what the GPS ays, why do you even use the gps?
>
>I'm not trying to be a smartass, but I woud like to find out what
>I'm missing here.

What you are missing is knowledge of big cities. With thousands of
streets, you cannot know them all and may not even know what section
of the city they are in.

In the case of the OP, he may know that the highway is better or not
to get to a particular section of the city, but unless he knows the
street is in that section, he is going to follow the route.

I lived in Philadelphia for 35 years. While I knew my neighborhood and
my parents area, there are sections I never went to and have no idea
of street names there. Even a mile from my house, I'd have to look on
a map or use the GPS to find it. Once looking at a map, I'd know how
to at least get to the area with my familiarity. If I was a salesman
covering the city, GPS would be a wonderful tool.

[Desh]

On 8/16/14, 7:54 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 16 Aug 2014 01:17:30 GMT, John Carter <***@mymailsvr.org> wrote:
>
>
>
<SNIP>

> I lived in Philadelphia for 35 years. While I knew my neighborhood and
> my parents area, there are sections I never went to and have no idea
> of street names there. Even a mile from my house, I'd have to look on
> a map or use the GPS to find it.

Eddie, Eddie-- you need to get out more;-)

--
If you’re not dropping balls, you’re not learning how to juggle.

[Charlie Roberts]

>Angelo Campanella <***@gmail.com> wrote in
>news:85754a95-2df6-43c4-aa52-***@googlegroups.com:
>
>> On Sunday, June 15, 2014 1:03:13 PM UTC-4, ***@gmail.com
>> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I
>>> asked the sa lesman is there many returns?
>>>
>>> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi
>>> if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate
>>> return.
>>>
>>> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely
>>> satisfied with.
>>>
>>> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out
>>> there f rom map updates to freezing.
>>>
>>> Meteore


I have had a Garmin Map 76 for nearly 10 years (I think!) now and
have always found it a superb general purpose GPS to use. Easy
interface, batteries go forever, etc. Used to home in on places
not on the map, but for which I could get coordinates. And,
using them on planes for fun.

This summer's vacation involved a road trip through France,
Germany and Switzerland. I was loath to buy (and carry! -
they allow precious little baggage these days!!) detailed
road maps for three countries. Specially since I would be using
only a small portion of the atlases. So I buckled in and finally
bought an automobile GPS: a Garmin nuvi 65 LMT. It was the
only model on teh shelf and time was short. Bought the
European map, of course.

In terms of the real function, it was fantastic. It locked
in pretty quickly in Zurich and did it job just fine. Specially
taking us to the 4 very smalltown hotels and a friend's house
out in the country.

But, I did get quite frustrated with the touch screen interface
which is terrible (the $ 75 ZTE phone is so much better).
Luckily, I did learn about Garmin Basecamp and downloaded
it and used it to define some routes, etc. If one plans on
using this unit for anything other to driving to known street
addresses, better get Basecamp. A serious flaw, IMHO, as it
ties you to a laptop, which you now have to lug around (that
counts as one carry on item!). There are many other
drawbacks in terms of the nuvi itself and they can all be
improved upon. Hopefully, Garmin will do so in the future.

As for Basecamp, there are supeb tutorials on YouTube that
are way superior to the Garmin tutorials and web based
documents - the worst way to present a manual. I could
never specify a custom route till I returned from our vacation
and discovered the tutorials!

One other thing: it is BIG! We decided not to mount it at
all as it blocks out critical points. Too much of visual field
is blocked. We just left it lying near the gear lever, or,
on the passenger's lap!

In short, I have no real issue with the Garmin nuvi 65 LMT.
It works and can take to to places you want. It was
dropped twice and it is still OK! Good satellite lock in,
though the narrower valleys in the Schwarzwald and
in the Bernese Oberland did make it loose reception
for a while. No big deal. The touch screen is no good
for any serious route defintion, etc. Even scrolling is
not easy. In conjunction with Basecamp, it seems
fine. Could be better, though!

CR

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 9/7/2014 2:06 PM, Charlie Roberts wrote:
>


>
> If one plans on
> using this unit for anything other to driving to known street
> addresses, better get Basecamp. A serious flaw, IMHO, as it
> ties you to a laptop, which you now have to lug around (that
> counts as one carry on item!).

Easy to get around. I bought a $198 Acer netbook with 10" screen.
Easily fits into carry on bag so it is not an extra. I was not sure how
I'd like it, but it has thousands of miles in both the USA and Europe.
I like it better than a tablet and it it more portable than a
traditional laptop.

[Charlie Roberts]

On Sun, 07 Sep 2014 15:43:16 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <***@snet.net> wrote:

>On 9/7/2014 2:06 PM, Charlie Roberts wrote:
>>
>
>
>>
>> If one plans on
>> using this unit for anything other to driving to known street
>> addresses, better get Basecamp. A serious flaw, IMHO, as it
>> ties you to a laptop, which you now have to lug around (that
>> counts as one carry on item!).
>
>Easy to get around. I bought a $198 Acer netbook with 10" screen.
>Easily fits into carry on bag so it is not an extra. I was not sure how
>I'd like it, but it has thousands of miles in both the USA and Europe.
>I like it better than a tablet and it it more portable than a
>traditional laptop.

Thanks for the advice. I will look into it. Seems a lot better than
a full time laptop to lug around -- which is used for nothing else
than checking mail and calling on Skype.

sj

[MR]

On Sun, 07 Sep 2014 19:55:24 -0400, Charlie Roberts <***@gmail.com>
wrote:

> On Sun, 07 Sep 2014 15:43:16 -0400, Ed Pawlowski <***@snet.net> wrote:
>
>> On 9/7/2014 2:06 PM, Charlie Roberts wrote:
>>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> If one plans on
>>> using this unit for anything other to driving to known street
>>> addresses, better get Basecamp. A serious flaw, IMHO, as it
>>> ties you to a laptop, which you now have to lug around (that
>>> counts as one carry on item!).
>>
>> Easy to get around. I bought a $198 Acer netbook with 10" screen.
>> Easily fits into carry on bag so it is not an extra. I was not sure how
>> I'd like it, but it has thousands of miles in both the USA and Europe.
>> I like it better than a tablet and it it more portable than a
>> traditional laptop.
>
> Thanks for the advice. I will look into it. Seems a lot better than
> a full time laptop to lug around -- which is used for nothing else
> than checking mail and calling on Skype.
>
> sj

I also have an Acer Aspire One. Have had it for nearly two years and it
travels all over with me. At home I plug it into the kitchen tv with the
HDMI cable for watching tv. Great little pc. I think they have a nicer
model out now for about the same or less money.
MR

---
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active.
http://www.avast.com

[Angelo Campanella]

On Sunday, June 15, 2014 1:03:13 PM UTC-4, ***@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I went to the local Staple store to purchase a Garmin GPS. I asked the salesman is there many returns?
>
> He replied that 80 percent are returned to store. I also asked hi if Tom Toms are any better. He replied they also have a high rate return.
>
>
>
> Cam someone advise me of a Garmin model,that they're completely satisfied with.
>
>
>
> I read on web now that there are a lot of dissatisfied users out there from map updates to freezing.
>
>
>
>
>
> Meteore

I've had a Garmin 30c for several years and I am satisfied with it. It takes some getting-used-to. The best thing to do is to drive around with it for a while, testing where to set it and trying a few little trips with it.

Someone else here asked me why I use my Garmin 340c even on very short trips; only a mile or so at times. Two reasons: 1- to get used to its commands (they are weird at times), especially the last few hundred fee in the country. The second; maybe I'll learn a better route as compared to what I have been driving for years. The more you use it, the easier it gets. Every once and a while, an address is impossible to enter the common way you know it. For instance, the zip code is a handy alternative to the city name.

[DaveG]

On Sat, 16 Aug 2014 01:17:30 +0000, John Carter wrote:

> If you are going on such short trips around where you drive frequently,
> why do you use a GPS? If you know a surface route is better than what
> the GPS ays, why do you even use the gps?
>
> I'm not trying to be a smartass, but I woud like to find out what I'm
> missing here.

Some models track fuel consumption and efficiency so using it all of the
time might be what some want to do, especially if calibrating the fuel
usage for town and open road driving.

Personally, I always fill the tank up right to the brim every time and
reset the totals on the Garmin, entering the fuel used, miles driven and
price per litre. That gives me average mpg, estimated cost in fuel per
trip planned etc. Not taking the Garmin on every trip at least switched
on if not actually set to routing mode, keeps that system in sync with
the fuel actually in the car.

It's nice, IMO, to see the breaking and acceleration bars in the green
and an average fuel consumption well over 60mpg :-)
(no, I'm not a petrol-head)

--
GCHQ - The only part of the government that actually listens to you.