Petrograde
09-11-2003, 08:18 PM
Just wondering,.... I was thinking about buying a Garmin Streetpilot 3. I'd like to talk to somebody who owns one before I drop 800 bucks.
TooManyFords
09-11-2003, 08:43 PM
For just a few bucks more you can get a laptop and a USB GPS to run Streets & Trips. Thats what I use on a Toshiba Tablet PC and will bring it with me to Ennis in case you'll be there.
Ok, the Toshiba is a bit north of a few more bucks, but the idea is the same and laptops are getting real cheap.
dwasson
09-12-2003, 06:34 AM
I use a Magellan SportTrak Pro and a Compaq notebook with Delorme Street Maps. I have a clip-on mike on my collar with a mute switch. I can use voice commands (Next Turn, Zoom In, Where Am I ....) and hear voice warnings from the computer. It's a pretty slick system.
Dan
engine23ccvfd
09-12-2003, 07:49 AM
Yep like the comp based system myself...we are playing with the technology for our fire trucks....they say its for mapping and such but we all know its big brother.....bastages
Festus
09-12-2003, 08:47 AM
Before you dump $800 into the Garmin, here is a really cool option you might want to explore. Used Compaq Ipaqs are all over eBay for a few hundred bucks. NavMan makes a sleeve that turns the Ipaq into a GPS for about another $300 new. The sleeve includes software that gives you audible turn by turn instructions etc. Pretty much everything the Street Pilot does.
However, IMHO the display on an Ipaq is larger and more detailed, and has a LOT more storage of maps than the StreetPilot. The StreetPilot limits you to 128 MB data card, and you have to use Garmin's data card which costs $250 for another 128 MB.
The Navman uses Compact Flash cards and you can get them from any Office Supply/Computer Store. The going rate for a 512 MB compact flash card is about $150. $100 less for 4 times the storage.
To top it all off you have the added benefit of having a PDA as well, to do other things. The StreetPilot will only be a GPS.
And as TooManyFords said, another option is using a laptop. With a laptop you can have an even bigger display of the map. I use Streets and Trips too, and it works great with a cheap GPS receiver.
Eric
SergntMac
09-12-2003, 12:18 PM
It's weird how this is happening here, but great minds think alike, eh?
About a month ago, in preparation for the trip to Marauderville, I dove into the GPS market head first, and I've tried a few combinations. I always wanted the Street Pilot III, but the bucks kept me looking at my options.
First, I tried the DeLorme USB add-on kit for my HP notebook, 130 bucks from Best Buy. It wouldn't work inside the car, GPS signals hate metal, and I wasn't really hot on the idea of installing a my notebook in my MM either. Too "cop-ish" for me, thank you. Although, for those of you interested, there are some great computer mounts at www.pro-fit-intl.com
I returned that, and bought a Magellan Meridan Color, again at Best Buy. Odd shape, but workable. Hard on batteries. Took it on a road trip to Rock Island, IL for a dyno tune, and I was pleased with it's operation and features, but I still wasn't that satisfied. Controlling the features on the move (like dimming the screen at night) are buried in a maze of choices, some cryptic too.
Adding up the cost of all the accessories I wanted to make my Magellan work my way, I was in deeper that I thought. It was now over 500 bucks, and I took it all back to Best Buy. Mark[N40GL] guided me to www.gpscity.com and I looked at all that comes with the Street Pilot III, and realized that although steep, EVERYTHING is in the box. I spent a few days lusting over it, but never came to place an order. Now, here's where this story gets good.
I was on my way home, determined to order my SP3 the moment I walked through the door. I knew I would have it by trip time. On the way home, I drive past a Galyan's Super-Sports store, and decide to stop in. Yup, they have 'em, and at full retail, 799. I asked if the store was competitive and the salesman said "we'll match, not beat, anyone's verified price. I asked if that included internet shopping and he checked with the boss, who came over to us. "What's the price you have?" I said "699 at GPSCITY.com" "That's not an E-Bay store, is it?" "Not that I know of" I reply. He said he could match the 699, but he has to verify it first. "Cool..."
We punch up GPS City and guess what? I was wrong, it was 679 bucks, and only 8 bucks shipping to my zip code. Done. 682.99, down from 799.99! But, wait, there's more...
I get to the cash register and the clerk wants me to open a Gaylan's charge account. I'm not interested, and he says, "so, you don't need the 10 percent discount then."
"Whoa! Not so fast slick, where do I apply." A few minutes later, I'm driving home with my SP3 for 614 bucks, plus no interest and no payments for 12 months! Dayum. That's less than 100 bucks away from my Magellan purchase with accessories, and the Garmin SP3 is twice the GPS in quality and features.
Needless to say, try this yourself. Go to www.gpscity.com and place an order, print out the bill. Find one of these Gaylan stores, or, the other outdoor super store, (Bass Pro?) and see what they offer. You can't go wrong.
IMHO, the Garmin SP3 has everything you would expect in a high quality GPS. Full color screen (244K colors) 128K memory card, cables, power, mounts, mapping CD Rom, everything, in 1 box!
Next, look up the custom mounts at www.pro-fit-intl.com They have a custom mount for the Marauder/GM/CV that slips behind the dash for a real clean pro install look. Part number MR-51-95 (36.95), and get a swivel base EZ-1026 for 9.95, and that's all you'll need.
I added a second swivel base and a extender plate (EX-13-70) for more flexibility, and a place to hang my Star-Tac cell phone.
I'm doing the install now, and have to run out for a few nuts and bolts from Ace, I'll try and post a pic later today.
Hope this helps...
Petrograde
09-12-2003, 12:28 PM
You bet it helped! Thanks Sarge! I've been looking at the SP3 since I got my MM. .. and thanks for the link for the mount! I was wondering about that.
WolfeBros
09-12-2003, 04:01 PM
I bought a Garmin GPS V about two years ago. I took it all over with me on business trips and liked that it was small and was water resistant and floated. Could use it on a boat too. I decided that the display was too small to see on the dashboard so I bought the StreetPilot III earlier this year. It is a great unit and does an excellent job. I highly recommend both of these Garmin units. I used a beanbag mount on my dash but will look into the mount you suggested Mac. Thanks.
SaxGuy
09-13-2003, 05:15 PM
I've got a slightly used Street pilot 3 for sale if anyone is interested.
Rob1559
09-13-2003, 05:44 PM
I use Magellan that attaches to a Palm Pilot. It is pretty simple but effective. Plus it was free with the palm.
Hey SaxGuy. Nice website. You must be competing with the Sax Shoppe. If memory serves me correctly, Selmer saxes do come with accessories AND a C* MPC. Are you selling decontented "B" models?:)
I play a 1952 Super Action.
cyled
09-13-2003, 08:33 PM
I have the Pocket CoPilot (version 3.0 need to upgrade to 3) on a Compaq iPaq 3650 (just used for GPS since it is an older model iPaq). The GPS is a jacket that slides on the iPaq. It uses a memory card (their sleeve has a slot for this) for storage maps. I use a PCMCIA adapter on my laptop to download to the memory card.
I have a windshield mount that I use which puts in great view for me. It even has speech feature.
It seems to have the most features for the money at the time. I have had it for 1.5 years...
It has all the maps on the Desktop portion of the software so you can just run maps and directions off of their if you want.
Petrograde
09-13-2003, 11:19 PM
Hey Saxguy HOW MUCH? PM me!
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