GPS Users

I did some searching through the board and found a few good posts on GPS.

I saw that some of you had been using the GPS V.

Anyone still using it that can comment on how they like it after some time?

In my case, it's a love/hate relationship.

I love what it does, I just hate how it does it.

Staring at this post for a few minutes, wondering what my next sentence would be gave me some insight, I think.

The instructions suck! There, I said it! And I feel good about it.

Yer on yer own big guy! That's how I felt reading the instructions!

It really is nice and does a good job,...and if I ever figure out how to properly work it, it's probably better than I think.

Please don't be alarmed by what I say. The device is fantastic and does the job. I'm only frustrated by the lack of informative instruction. I truly think that they've been talking to my brother. You know him... My brother, the guy who is famous for the phrase..."I don't need no stinkin manual"

Well, you asked, you got it, Toyota. Errr...something like that.

Thanks for the heads up. One thing I noticed (especially with motorcycle parts) is the lack of good instructions

I am kinda of like your brother in the fact that with electronics I hardly read the directions

I played with the Garmin eTrex Legend over the weekend and it does 99% of what I wanted it to do and it does it very well. However, I have also been considering the GPS V instead now! (dammit, there goes my planned budget)

Anyone know how it compares to the Legend? The website lists the differences if you do a comparison but I want the realities...
1. What type of batteries does the GPS V use?
2. The screen is larger, the resolution is less... how does this affect your viewing pleasure? Is it still acceptable?
3. Is the GPS V able to use MapSource CD's?
4. Is 3000 trackpoints enough? It looks like 10,000 is standard on all the other models.
5. Is 500 way points enough for autorouting?
6. What the heck are "proximity waypoints"??

Up here, I can get the Legend for $268cad (w/out carkit, cd, pc-cable) or I can get the GPS V for under $500cad (w/ carkit, cd, pc-cable) - Which is the better deal?

Check out this link. Conq posted it a while back in an old message about GPS.

Other then that I am in the same boat as you

GPS Comparison Chart

[ConqSoft]

If you don't want built in auto-routing, go with the GPS 176 or 176C (Color) instead. Larger screen, more waypoints, expandable memory, etc. The GPS V comes with 19megs, and that's it. No support for memory modules.

http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_compare.html

What exactly is auto-routing again? Is that where you let the gps pick your route for you

[ConqSoft]

Originally Posted by TGZ13

What exactly is auto-routing again? Is that where you let the gps pick your route for you

Yes. You pick a point on the map, or input an address and it will tell you, turn-by-turn, how to get there from your current location. Without it, you will see all the roads, and your location, but you have to find your way on your own. Even without having it built in, you can do route-calculations ahead of time on the PC (using the MapSource software), and transfer that route (or routes) to the GPS, and follow them that way.

Thanks Conq... I think thats a feature I might want b/c most of the time that I would need gps is when I am already out.

Also I just did a search through ebay and found this GPS V

edit: By the way there were even lower deals going on but this is just one that I found which beats some of the prices I have seen

Here's a http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-v/ that's specific to the Garmin GPS-V. You may find some helpful info there.

The reason for the price drop is that some units are being discontinued by Garmin because newer ones are being introduced. I recently picked up their 2610 Street Pilot and got a chance to play with it a bit this weekend. The large screen will work nicely on the bike too.

One thing, make sure you get enough memory. I have a handheld unit and it doesn't hold as much as I want it to and there's no memory expansion. A slot for additional memory is well worth it, IMO.

Happy shopping!

[ConqSoft]

Example:

I have a 128meg card in my StreetPilot III Deluxe, and I can get the whole state of NC, and several counties deep into the surrounding states.

The 19megs on the GPS V will get you a handful of counties, depending on the street density in the area/etc.

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Example:

I have a 128meg card in my StreetPilot III Deluxe, and I can get the whole state of NC, and several counties deep into the surrounding states.

The 19megs on the GPS V will get you a handful of counties, depending on the street density in the area/etc.

I can see how lack of memory can be a big isue!! HMMMM back to reading

They make microdrive CF cards that hold 4Gb of memory now so you can keep that in mind too.

FWIW, the latest Streets CD (version 5) that Garmin provides with their units that has street info and other info is about 1.4 Gb. That includes the entire US and some parts of Canada.

[ConqSoft]

But, Garmin's memory modules are proprietary, so a microdrive won't work.

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

But, Garmin's memory modules are proprietary, so a microdrive won't work.

Not on my unit. That's the nice change. It even came with a standard 128 mb CF card.

[ConqSoft]

Ah, cool. It's about time.

Now that you brought up the memory factor I have been looking at the 176 but is the ability to add memory worth the extra $$. Sounds like it would be in the long run i am on GPS overload..

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

If you don't want built in auto-routing, go with the GPS 176 or 176C (Color) instead. Larger screen, more waypoints, expandable memory, etc. The GPS V comes with 19megs, and that's it. No support for memory modules.

http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_compare.html

The problem with going to the 176 is a) cost. I have to go up to $650-700 for the 176, when my original goal was around $200-300... Like I said, the GPS V is even more than I needed.

Another problem is size... The 176 is beautiful for bike or car but I have to use it for camping and taking with me when I travel. A compact unit with a big screen would be ideal.

Actually its not much more then the V then I thought. I found a few places that have it for $450. HMMMMMM

[ConqSoft]

Ah, yes. For camping/etc, the V would be better. Better battery life also.