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that looks like city nav only....it doesn't look like something that would be useful off highway
if you search my username you will see post about my laptop + globastat gps mouse + oziexplorer + iguidance which covers street, topo and aerial photo along with a jeniko.com mount I am very happy
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enjoy,
1leglance
KE7NKP
Disabled Explorers
Helping the handicapped independently access the backcountry www.disabledexplorers.com
Voodoo Blue driver, night nurse, cigar smoker & all around happy camper
Not sure if this reply is on or off your area of interest. I do agree with the comment about off road. All the software packages are on road only. Exception is DeLorme Topo USA. It's the country topo maps. Anyhow...
I'm not familiar with the Garmin software (like their nuvi though).
Reviews I've read, and personal experience suggest the best software for a PC is DeLorme Street Atlas 2008 (vs. M$ Streets & Trips). It has pretty much everything the small dedicated GPS have, but for only $30 to 80 depending on whether or not you also get their GPS locator.
Street Atlas has automatic reroute for when you go off-route. M$ does not (you have to distract yourself from driving to push a lot of buttons).
Benefits of adding to a laptop:
- low price
- large screen
- can put on passenger floor for safe spot, and still see the route
- annual updates cheap (once you have the locator, the software only updates can usually be purchased for about $30 from DeLorme.
Drawbacks
- have to lug around a PC, vs a tiny 3-4" dedicated unit
- screen on PC easily washes out in sunlight
- PC magazine reviews confirm my experience. Position may have a 10-25 second lag. So, if you are OK with the 1 minute ahead warning of a turn, fine. But, often is is a little slow, so you just crossed the road you wanted to turn onto when it tells you to turn. You can get used to this and anticipate, so it's just something you get used to.
I would argue with some of the cons mentioned on laptops for gps....
really it comes down to what you are going to use it for, I use iguidance for streets and named/numbered roads and oziexplorer for off-highway.
My globalsat mouse gps has a fast cold start and a super fast warm start. Also refresh is quick.
But like anything in life you get out of it what you put in...if you buy a cheap setup and toss a laptop on the floor and the gps has to try & look out a window with the roof in the way then it will suck.
You can search my username or go to blairsite.com/Gallery to see pics of my setup.
I also posted a thread on pre-trip nav setup and it has good infon in it.
__________________
enjoy,
1leglance
KE7NKP
Disabled Explorers
Helping the handicapped independently access the backcountry www.disabledexplorers.com
Voodoo Blue driver, night nurse, cigar smoker & all around happy camper
I am using it, it doesn't work off-road as mentioned. On road though doesn't really matter that the screen washes out in sunlight or not, it's got a voice prompt that tells you where to turn and exit.
Though I have never had a problem with my screen washing out, crank up the brightness, problem solved.
When I bought it, I didn't need it for off-road, we moved to Denver and needed something to get us around without getting lost. Works awesome and cheaper than buying a GPS unit if you've already have a laptop.
Does a bunch of stuff I don't really use, like tells you the nearest hospitals, gas stations, restaurants, etc. to your current location. I can't remember all of it right now.
I have used Streets and Trips with my laptop when I have a course plotted, or when I go off-road using the GPS trail feature (not familiar with the other applications mentioned in this thread so I don’t know what makes them more off-road friendly). The update time on Street is fantastic and have never had an issue with missing an exit/road. As mentioned earlier, this has some drawbacks, primarily it is hard to fuss with while driving and takes up either the front seat or floor.
Currently I am using my HTC touch screen smart phone with built in GPS and MS Live Search for navigation almost exclusively. It has both road and satellite views for my on/off-road expeditions. I also have TomTom on the phone should I need a plan B for road navigation. This is a much easier device to work with while driving as it has both the touch screen and voice recognition (MS Live Search).
i have it. i use it and a Garmin GPS60csx for when i have to get out of the vehicle. only thing about the 18 is im still messing around with routing it through the door seal. got in my fj one morning and was suprised with a puddle of water in my passenger floormat. not upset though. (the water was just going right through the seal following the cable till it went back up to my pc). has only happend when the rain was REALLY BAD... do you have a mount for you laptop. im using RAM but there is also another that i was looking at by JOTO...
if you are looking for laptop mounts look at jeniko.com
they have either a bolt to the floor/trans tunnel or a seat bolt mount (needs a bit of tweaking) and the best prices out there.
__________________
enjoy,
1leglance
KE7NKP
Disabled Explorers
Helping the handicapped independently access the backcountry www.disabledexplorers.com
Voodoo Blue driver, night nurse, cigar smoker & all around happy camper
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