View Full Version : GPS systems
iris lilies
8-18-16, 2:02pm
I really meed one, it is not. "Want." It will save much marital discord in the Irislily household, haha.
So, one question I have:I do not nevessarily want the gps system to plot the most efficient route for me. I like taking surface roads, not inyerstates. How will these systems accomodate this?
How does the voice/audio work? Is Blue tooth built in? I see several different pricings of Garmin sustem and jave no idea why they are different.
Don't know most of the answers but there is some flexibility. Make sure you get one with lifetime updates. Our Honda costs $100 for every update so we are keeping the Garmins. I LOVE THEM and we have two simple ones. I am much more comfortable traveling alone, can find locations pretty fast and, if I mess up, it gets me back on route. Driving alone, I cannot read a map unless I stop and this does it all by itself. The newer one we have clearly gives a picture of complex interstate areas where there are multiple lanes.
Voice directions can be changed and turned on and off. Only a few have voice command per a quick google check.
There is a command to "avoid hiways" but several have warned that some roads are hiways that are not expected.
http://gpstracklog.com/compare/garmin-nuvi-comparison-chart
I haven't bought one in the past 5 years or more so I'm not up to speed on latest features, read my response with that in mind. Different manufacturers and varying models have different features. The last one we bought, a Tom Tom, had the ability to choose between fastest route and scenic route, but not the ability to exclude interstates, although I'd not be surprised if that were a possibility.
Bluetooth gives you lots of options, you can pair it with just about anything that's bluetooth enabled but I think the most helpful feature is that some highways have bluetooth transmitters which transmit current road conditions directly to your GPS.
I believe some newer models have the ability to receive voice commands, similar to my iPhone's ability act upon my voice command to "Take me to ........". If I were buying a new one, I'd insist on that feature.
This is interesting. Do any of these GPS give you traffic volume meaning slowdowns due to congestion information when traveling? I have to choose between two routes. One is a toll so volume is usually much less, the other is 'free' but the volume of traffic is often stop and go with frequent accidents etc. I have been choosing the toll route for peace of mind but would use the free route if I had some way of getting accurate info.
Simplemind
8-19-16, 12:13am
Years ago my DH bought a Zumo for his MC and we also used it in the car. It was a revolution for me because I was never good at reading something on paper while I was trying to navigate. Then the universe was revealed to me through my cheap Tracphone with the Google Maps app. OMG, it is a lifesaver. I work as an on call volunteer and get called over hill and dale in three counties. I have rarely had an issue and when I have I will plug in the Zumo and it is a great back up. If I am really in the boonies I will run them both. They give directions differently and I have to laugh because it sounds like two women competing. The Zumo will say "recalculating" but Google will just pause a moment and catch up. Google will also give you a screen shot of what the home our building looks like. VERY helpful.
Razz, Google maps lets you know of any traffic delays or construction. It gives you route options and will tell you how long each will take with traffic delays. Priceless.
Also have to say that the Garmin is so easy to use (technologically totally simple) that my mother-in-law could figure it out without a book. I just don't need another device to learn or teeny tiny buttons to push.
This is interesting. Do any of these GPS give you traffic volume meaning slowdowns due to congestion information when traveling? I have to choose between two routes. One is a toll so volume is usually much less, the other is 'free' but the volume of traffic is often stop and go with frequent accidents etc. I have been choosing the toll route for peace of mind but would use the free route if I had some way of getting accurate info.
I'm not up on current technology - I know my older Garmin can receive information (subscription required, I think it's sent via FM) through the special cable that was provided with it. I think newer ones can also bluetooth to an app on your smartphone, not sure about costs. Mine also downloads historical traffic info when I update maps, but historical isn't very helpful for commuting, you already know where the rough spots are.
This is interesting. Do any of these GPS give you traffic volume meaning slowdowns due to congestion information when traveling? I have to choose between two routes. One is a toll so volume is usually much less, the other is 'free' but the volume of traffic is often stop and go with frequent accidents etc. I have been choosing the toll route for peace of mind but would use the free route if I had some way of getting accurate info.
If you have a smart phone the waze app does this quite well because it tracks the speeds of everyone using the app. Our old garmin, probably 5 years old, did this but not reliably or terribly accurately.
Google ap for tracfone...Does it use data? I cannot seem to find the answer to that but it would be great to have a back up for traffic info.
The Garmin Nuvi will warn you of traffic in cities, but it doesn't re route you- or at least I haven't been able to access it. It doesn't record traffic where there are no sites or cameras or whatever it is that triggers the cute little traffic signal on the screen.
Google ap for tracfone...Does it use data? Yes.
The mapping systems on smart phones are not GPS, although they achieve the same result. They use data exchanged between cell towers to triangulate your position rather than satellites.
I have no idea how much data it actually uses though, my company phone has unlimited data and I've never tried to check.
Thanks Alan, for now the Garmin works most of the time.
Simplemind
8-19-16, 9:04pm
Alan is right. That is why I never ditched the Zumo because if for some reason the phone gets a glitch the Zumo will work. The phone however is much quicker and easier to use by voice where the Zumo needs to be typed in.
frugal-one
8-20-16, 2:54pm
IL... the system we bought is Garmin NUVI 65 LMT. It plugs into the car's lighter, has turn by turn directions with spoken street names, displays current street, speed, speed limit and arrival time.... plus the other stuff I told about earlier. We even take it on vacation (in carry-on) to use in rental car. It is the perfect size! I love it! The best thing I have purchased in a long time!
Here is one at Amazon (can find cheaper elsewhere) where you can read the reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Naviga.../dp/B00HEGP28I
iris lilies
8-20-16, 5:02pm
IL... the system we bought is Garmin NUVI 65 LMT. It plugs into the car's lighter, has turn by turn directions with spoken street names, displays current street, speed, speed limit and arrival time.... plus the other stuff I told about earlier. We even take it on vacation (in carry-on) to use in rental car. It is the perfect size! I love it! The best thing I have purchased in a long time!
Here is one at Amazon (can find cheaper elsewhere) where you can read the reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Naviga.../dp/B00HEGP28I
thank you!
simplelife4me
8-20-16, 10:02pm
Alan, that is not true. All smart phones have gps that can work without any cell signal. They can also work with towers too. I have been hiking all this year in the backcountry that way using a cheap android phone.
http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone-gps-map-backpacking/
Alan, that is not true. All smart phones have gps that can work without any cell signal. They can also work with towers too. I have been hiking all this year in the backcountry that way using a cheap android phone.
http://www.adventurealan.com/iphone-gps-map-backpacking/
I learn something new every day. I just did a little web surfing and it appears that you're right. Later model iPhones at least have a GPS receiver built in, with the major difference between a traditional GPS and and your smartphone being that the smartphone version defaults to the cellular connection in order to use maps from the internet. Without cellular service, the spartphone GPS module kicks in and works off satellites, but depends upon pre-loaded maps for the area you're in. Apparently there are apps for that.
Would someone please be able to advise if an iPhone 5S has a GPS receiver built in? How do I check for this?
Love the new term - techweenie. Yep, that is me:D
Would someone please be able to advise if an iPhone 5S has a GPS receiver built in?
According to this 5 year old article (http://tewha.net/2011/10/how-the-iphone-gps-differs-from-a-standalone-navigation-gps/), yes. It has a pretty good explanation of how and when it is used.
I believe it does - gps in iPhone 5
I go to remote places in rural Arizona where there is no cell signal at all. No roaming. Nothing. And I can always turn on my iPhone map and see exactly where I am in the world.
Thank you, I will study up on it and load up my route with Wifi and then travel. One more thing that this phone does. Amazing! I am listening to music on it right now and it is wonderful to enjoy such a beautiful variety of classical music from the Netherlands without a lot of talk or ads.
I listen to classical music from North America but have found that the mix is different from Europe.
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