> Any suggestions on what models are hot right now and might
> be a good buy?
To my mind there have always been two schools of thought on this
subject (not counting using a unit built into the car, which doesn't
work in an unmodified LBC dashboard). One school says use a hand-
held or portable GPS unit, using loadable maps, possibly with routes
worked out from an online site like Mapquest. The alternative, and
my own preference, is to use a laptop PC-based map program that
reacts with an attached GPS unit.
A PC-based map program gives you convenient access to maps for areas
you may not have loaded into a smaller unit. It can calculate
fastest or shortest routes. It lets you plan routes, look at
alternatives, check driving times, etc. It can provide travel
services, phone numbers, etc. The map display can be large and
detailed. The PC resources let it do voice synthesis to announce
upcoming turns, and voice recognition to respond to commands.
Of course, it has disadvantages too. It does require carrying the
laptop. It can be hard or impossible to watch while driving because
you can't stick it to your windshield with suction cups.
Some of those limitations are easy to overcome. A willing passenger,
especially one with geek tendencies anyway, can carry the laptop and
watch the display. A headset with mic lets you hear upcoming turns
and give the computer commands. A power inverter or car adapter lets
you run the laptop indefinitely.
My preference for many years has been DeLorme StreetAtlas. I use it
with a DeLorme Earthmate GPS unit, an old one I bought years ago.
They have nice USB and Bluetooth units now. StreetAtlas recognizes
other GPS units too. I put the laptop in the center of the floor of
our Caravan, behind the seats where I can glance at it quickly if I
wish but where it is otherwise out of site, out of mind. I listen to
it and talk to it with a headset. It tells me when to turn, and
recalculates the route if necessary. (And scolds me gently.) I can
choose which Microsoft voice it should use. It is quite good at
recognizing commands. It rejects other speech because a setting lets
me define how a command must start. (A friend once suggested the
command be "Yo Bubba!" I've stuck with it.)
Perhaps portable GPS units do all this now too. But you still can't
get the big screenful of map details.
--
Jim Muller
jimmuller@rcn.com
'80 Spitfire, '70 GT6+
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