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I know this thread is a bit old, but I thought I'd share some info.
I'm pretty sure the device runs Linux under the covers.<br>
<br>
I have 1 day worth of experience with a Garmin Nuvi, don't remember the
model. I bought it a year ago then started rummaging through the
menus. I have a hand held Garmin, and it allows for setting up an
itinerary or route with preselected waypoints. You can then save and
reuse the route later. With the Nuvi I tried, you couldn't do that, so
I immediately returned it. I cannot speak to the other features of
that unit. The TomTom will let you save and recall routes.<br>
<br>
I then bought a TomTom XXL IQ unit with a 5" display. Places like
Staples and maybe Best Buy put these things on sale periodically,
usually around Holidays. I got about $100 off the normal price of
mine. I totally love it. Here are some thoughts on the topic.<br>
<br>
You mentioned ease of use. I find the unit itself pretty easy to use.
However, it has many features. To get the most out of it, a bit of
training or reading is in order. The best way is from another user.<br>
<br>
To do updates, you have to run the TomTom software on a Windows
machine, connect to the internet, connect the device, login to an
account you've created, and request updates. Other than that, it's
pretty automatic. Just how easy that is depends on your perspective.
You do have to have some computer savvy, or have someone do it for
you. I've generally had good success with updates. However, I
recently had a problem where the updated software for the GPS crashed
it, and it wouldn't navigate. It would only show the map. They only
let you back up the device once, and each other backup overwrites the
original one. Therefore, I recommend A) update the software when
needed, B) thoroughly test the device, then C) backup the device. I
think map updates cost about $40 for a 1 year subscription. It's a
good idea to update the maps before a major trip. Updating the map
involves logging into your account, purchasing the map update with your
credit card, then running the updater software. Again, it requires
some computer savvy.<br>
<br>
You already mentioned display size. Go with 5" or bigger. I think 5"
is a good size. Four reasons. A) easier to read, B) screen can have
more data if desired, C) easier to touch menu options, and D) easier to
enter street names etc. on the on screen keyboard.<br>
<br>
I think someone else mentioned when this thread originally appeared
that the computer generated voice can announce road names (within the
limits of it's reading ability). The recorded human voice sounds much
better, but cannot read road names. In that case, she'll say something
like "in 1/2 mile, turn right" and then, when you get closer, she'll
say "turn right". In that case, you can look at a large number on the
screen which says how far to the next direction change. When it's
under 100 yards, you know something is about to happen. Also, if the
options are set right, the upper right of the screen will say the name
of the next road to turn on.<br>
<br>
The TomTom has a good strong speaker, which, if turned up, can talk
loud enough to overcome most road noise. I believe it can adjust
volume based on speed, but I don't use that feature.<br>
<br>
The TomTom can dim the screen and change colors automatically at night.<br>
<br>
You can navigate based on a database of Points of Interest, which
contains many popular hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, etc.
You can also navigate to a specific address, specific point on the map,
or a specific city. My favorite method is to use stored waypoints.
For example, once I make it to an ALE meeting once, I store a waypoint
there, at the current location of my car. Then, the next time I want
to go there, I just select navigate to, waypoint (they call it
favorite), ALE Meeting; and, boom, it takes me right there. If you've
never been somewhere, you can store a waypoint based on a picture of
the map to get you close, then refine it later.<br>
<br>
The system has a safety lock which removes many menu options on the
screen when the car is moving. You can disable it, but I wouldn't
recommend it. There is also a quick launch button on the screen, which
you can customize to some extent. Once you hit that button, you can
have up to 6 menu options, chosen from a preset list, that you can
access with only one more touch. On mine, I can do such things as mute
the sound, switch from day / night colors, and report map corrections.<br>
<br>
Speaking of corrections, the system allows all users to report map
errors. When you update it, the errors are reported to headquarters.
After they're vetted, the corrections are sent out to all users. It's
pretty cool. The system has a database of traffic cameras, which can
warn you when you're approaching one. Users can help update that
database too.<br>
<br>
The main flaw in the package for this TomTom device is the mounting
bracket. I found out how crummy it is when it dropped off of the
window a few times. A bit of Googling confirmed that other users had
similar experiences. I would recommend immediately getting a beefier
suction cup mount or something else. I prefer to have mine mounted to
a rubber pad sitting on the dash rather than on the window. Such a
mount may come flying off the dash if you rapidly accelerate while
going up a steep hill. Otherwise, it's pretty stable and takes up less
window real estate. Write me privately if interested in some mounting
options.<br>
<br>
That pretty much summarizes my TomTom experience. I wholeheartedly
recommend them.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Ron<br>
<br>
<br>
On 4/19/2011 12:46 PM, Lightner, Jeff wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:FF38BBA1BF42AB46A7F46524614FAB6202BFC77C@EXVS02.dsw.net"
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">My neighbors who are
senior citizens are considering getting
a GPS for their car and have asked if I’d be willing to help them pick
one.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Since my own GPS is a
factory installed in-dash one I don’t
have any opinions on the ones that one buys and would like some. Of
course I
know that Garmin and others exists but not much more than that.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">From things I know and
I’ve heard I’m thinking
some of what would be necessary:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="">1)<font
face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span
style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">
</span></font></span></span></font><!--[endif]--><font face="Arial"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Easy to
use –
These people aren’t technical. It needs to be easy to input
destinations and also easy to get updates loaded.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><font face="Arial"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="">2)<font
face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span
style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">
</span></font></span></span></font><!--[endif]--><font face="Arial"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Large
display and/or audible turn information – I don’t really know how
good their eyesight is but given that they’re older I’m thinking
this would be helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><font
face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><span style="">3)<font
face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span
style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none;">
</span></font></span></span></font><!--[endif]--><font face="Arial"
size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Reasonable
price for updates. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Of course any other
factors one cares to mention would be
welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span
style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span
style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
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<div> </div>
<div>
<font face="Arial" size="2">Proud partner. Susan G. Komen for the
Cure.</font>
</div>
<div> </div>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone. I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such. I don't always see new messages very quickly.)
Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O) Leave a message.
linuxdude AT c3energy.com
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