Need GPS - Which should I buy???

NissanAltima · 01-11-2004, 11:15 PM

I'm about to buy GPS for my carputer. I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on which to buy. I'm currently thinking about The Earthmate GPS Receiver with Street Atlas USA 2003 from Best Buy for around 100 bucks. Is that a good one, or should I go with something else?

With a 6 inch TFT LCD screen, will I be able to read the street names? Are some programs better than others about making it easier to see on a smaller screen?

Thanks for the help.

nadir_s · 01-11-2004, 11:35 PM

hmm... with a composit LCD screen, you'd be better off with a GPS software that allows you to change text (size/font). I am about to start a search for such software because I bought a 7" widescreen TFT screen and wish I had researched more and got the touch/VGA.

GinoRP · 01-11-2004, 11:40 PM

That's what I have and I'm happy with it. I know there is a 2004 version now available from Delorme's website. I suggest registering on their webisite to recieve cool discount codes. I think it takes a while to get your first mailing though.

I have had every edition since their Road Warior release and never regreted it. I even have thier old Earthmate (serial to USB).

A good tip for 7" display and 1200 x 768 people... The font-size can be increased in version 2003 and up. There is a setting for a larger display size that you can enable.

I've also owned a Pharros and wish someone discouraged me from it early on.

Good Luck,

GinoRP

Quote: Originally Posted by NissanAltima

I'm about to buy GPS for my carputer. I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on which to buy. I'm currently thinking about The Earthmate GPS Receiver with Street Atlas USA 2003 from Best Buy for around 100 bucks. Is that a good one, or should I go with something else?

With a 6 inch TFT LCD screen, will I be able to read the street names? Are some programs better than others about making it easier to see on a smaller screen?

Thanks for the help.

Altimat · 01-11-2004, 11:49 PM

I have a USB GPS mouse from Ebay and Streets and Trips 2004 (cheap), but it looks like Destinator may be one of the better software packages available.

wi77iam · 01-12-2004, 01:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GinoRP

The font-size can be increased in version 2003 and up. There is a setting for a larger display size that you can enable.

Hey Gino,
I have the Earthmate and Street Atlas 2003. I haven't been able to figure out how to change the font size / display size - can you tell us how?

GinoRP · 01-12-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by wi77iam

Hey Gino,
I have the Earthmate and Street Atlas 2003. I haven't been able to figure out how to change the font size / display size - can you tell us how?

I know it's a toggle and it was under one of the tabs. I'll have to find it on my drive home. It only effects the map and not the application, but helps tremendously. I remember there was an negative setting also, but didn't look good at all.

Gino

wi77iam · 01-12-2004, 10:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GinoRP

I know it's a toggle and it was under one of the tabs. Gino

Nevermind, I found it. Under the Map Display tab, there is a button for Display to set the Map colors (there's a selection for mobile map color) and the magnification (50 - 200%), which increases/decreases the size of everything including the font. Also on the GPS tab, there is a check box to auto turn-on the magnification and the mobile map color. Sweet, I should have looked harder for these before. Now I just have to find the Heading Up toggle. This makes Street Atlas almost my favorite again - if only it was more accurate.
Thanks.

wi77iam · 01-13-2004, 07:17 AM

Bad news. The magnification function only exists in v2004 not in v2003.

GinoRP · 01-13-2004, 03:41 PM

I know there was a patch available from the Delorme website. Try that becuase there is an option in my 2003

Quote: Originally Posted by wi77iam

Bad news. The magnification function only exists in v2004 not in v2003.

whatever · 01-13-2004, 05:29 PM

Before you choose, check the following thread. I'm not sure if this feature is in any nav software out there, but here is a response I got from Delorme's tech support regarding Street Atlas 2003.

click the following thread.
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/gps/20489-delorme-street-atlas-nav-audio-question.html

GinoRP · 01-13-2004, 11:18 PM

To increase the font in Delorme Street Atlus 2003 you would choose the magnification on the right toolbar...

Quote: Originally Posted by GinoRP

I know there was a patch available from the Delorme website. Try that becuase there is an option in my 2003

inniss777 · 01-20-2004, 09:56 PM

One thing that sucks about delorme street atlas is that allot of the streets do not appear. It kinda defeats the purpose of having a navigation system when you can't even see what street you are on or the street you are approaching. What do you guys think of Iguidence? I'm thinking of switching to it.

XxAndyxX · 01-21-2004, 09:30 AM

No putting price in consideration, is CoPilot the best GPS software out there? Also, I was going to buy a Delorme for aobut $108, but am I mostly paying for the software or should I just go buy the cheapest GPS receiver possible?

chenko · 01-21-2004, 10:10 AM

I see that alot of people have the USB GPS Mice thingys, (whoever makes them)... when looking at this, they are cheaper than the £100 garmin unit I was looking at, but its accuracy was only 45meters?! the garmin was 10 meters like most others that I have used, which is probaly the largest you would want to go for roads. (you cant get much better than 10m on public GPS due to restrictions)

Red-Rx7 · 01-21-2004, 01:21 PM

http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merch...tegory_Code=GS

Call 1-800-MY-DELUO and ask for Paul in Sales. Tell him Mike H. (Red-Rx7) sent you over. He will answer all your questions regarding an appropriae NAV system. I like the Routis 2k4.