Gps

madmon · 02-15-2008, 10:29 PM

I have one for my phone, so if my phone doesnt flake out I know where I am going. I did wonder though, do most GPS units work for ever car, or will I need one specific for a Saturn?

live2drive · 02-19-2008, 02:05 PM

I had to do a bit of research to answer you as I was curious, too. I've checked with several sites and brands of GPS devices and none of them say they are brand specific. It was interesting to learn about the variety of devices available and how much more they can do besides giving directions.

madmon · 02-19-2008, 05:29 PM

I am debating getting one or not. The one on the phone (a blackberry) works pretty good but the voice for it sounds horrible. I do find with direct travel but when I get into cities I get lost fairly quick, and most of the time I am like one street away from where I need to be. I think it would be a good idea for the up coming family trips we plan to take.

perfectvue · 02-19-2008, 06:30 PM

I have never heard of a brand specific GPS, although it might depend on what you ca easily mount or install in your vehicle based on the dash. Depending on the unit it may give audio directions, visual directions using maps, or all of the above. Most can also give your speed, bearing, and altitude these days. However it is important to note that not all maps are up to date and may be out of date by several years (Google Earth is about 4yrs behind for my home) so if you live in a rapidly developing area it may not be helpful.

Spoot · 02-19-2008, 09:22 PM

There are not brand specific devices, unless perhaps the manufacturer has a customised one installed. They can even be hand held and used for hiking and so on, the only thing you would need to consider for your car is the way it is mounted.

Depending on the model that you buy, you will even have the choice of what voice it talks to you in, not just what language. They are really becoming quite advanced now, so I am sure you will find one that matches your needs.

epsilon · 03-03-2008, 03:02 AM

GPS is really good when you're not familiar with the roads. but since I normally drive in the same area I really haven't needed to buy GPS. But once I buy my Saturn Outlook or Saturn Astra, I will probably get a Garmin or a Magellan to go with the new vehicle.

madmon · 03-03-2008, 04:16 PM

I really need it for when I am off road trips and the such. I cant believe that when you live somewhere for 20 years then move, and come back to visit nothing looks the same anymore and you cant really go by landmarks. That is what is messing me up. The GPS for the blackberry is nice as it checks against traffic too, so I am hoping to look for something like that but with a more clear voice command.

epsilon · 03-09-2008, 08:00 PM

My big issue with my GPS program is that it does not update construction or traffic. I have to rely on my own instincts and the news on the internet and the radio.

madmon · 03-10-2008, 05:08 PM

The one for the blackberry works fairly well, it does traffic but I have yet to need it for anything construction wise too much here in town. I live between "town"/city and the country. This one is built into the phone I use and I'm having some issues trying to get more info on it. I am really looking for something that I can use on the car, since I don't know how long I will end up with this phone for.

Aboyade · 03-17-2008, 04:06 PM

GPS is the going rage these days. I have a visitor from out-of-state who refuses to come unless his rental car has GPS. I have only had experience with his cars but it has been phenomenal in assisting us in maneuvering through Chicago. I've lived here ten years (this time around) and it's shown me pathways I didn't even know existed.

02-15-2008, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
madmon Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a bunker Posts: 57 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	Gps I have one for my phone, so if my phone doesnt flake out I know where I am going. I did wonder though, do most GPS units work for ever car, or will I need one specific for a Saturn?

02-19-2008, 02:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
live2drive Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 56 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	Not car specific I had to do a bit of research to answer you as I was curious, too. I've checked with several sites and brands of GPS devices and none of them say they are brand specific. It was interesting to learn about the variety of devices available and how much more they can do besides giving directions.

03-03-2008, 03:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
epsilon Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 25 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	detachable GPS GPS is really good when you're not familiar with the roads. but since I normally drive in the same area I really haven't needed to buy GPS. But once I buy my Saturn Outlook or Saturn Astra, I will probably get a Garmin or a Magellan to go with the new vehicle.

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02-19-2008, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
madmon Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a bunker Posts: 57 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	I am debating getting one or not. The one on the phone (a blackberry) works pretty good but the voice for it sounds horrible. I do find with direct travel but when I get into cities I get lost fairly quick, and most of the time I am like one street away from where I need to be. I think it would be a good idea for the up coming family trips we plan to take.

02-19-2008, 06:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
perfectvue Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 53 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	I have never heard of a brand specific GPS, although it might depend on what you ca easily mount or install in your vehicle based on the dash. Depending on the unit it may give audio directions, visual directions using maps, or all of the above. Most can also give your speed, bearing, and altitude these days. However it is important to note that not all maps are up to date and may be out of date by several years (Google Earth is about 4yrs behind for my home) so if you live in a rapidly developing area it may not be helpful.

02-19-2008, 09:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Spoot Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 51 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	There are not brand specific devices, unless perhaps the manufacturer has a customised one installed. They can even be hand held and used for hiking and so on, the only thing you would need to consider for your car is the way it is mounted. Depending on the model that you buy, you will even have the choice of what voice it talks to you in, not just what language. They are really becoming quite advanced now, so I am sure you will find one that matches your needs.

03-03-2008, 04:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
madmon Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a bunker Posts: 57 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	I really need it for when I am off road trips and the such. I cant believe that when you live somewhere for 20 years then move, and come back to visit nothing looks the same anymore and you cant really go by landmarks. That is what is messing me up. The GPS for the blackberry is nice as it checks against traffic too, so I am hoping to look for something like that but with a more clear voice command.

03-09-2008, 08:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
epsilon Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 25 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	My big issue with my GPS program is that it does not update construction or traffic. I have to rely on my own instincts and the news on the internet and the radio.

03-10-2008, 05:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
madmon Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a bunker Posts: 57 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	The one for the blackberry works fairly well, it does traffic but I have yet to need it for anything construction wise too much here in town. I live between "town"/city and the country. This one is built into the phone I use and I'm having some issues trying to get more info on it. I am really looking for something that I can use on the car, since I don't know how long I will end up with this phone for.

03-17-2008, 04:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Aboyade Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 18 Marketplace Feedback: 0 Status: Offline	GPS is the going rage these days. I have a visitor from out-of-state who refuses to come unless his rental car has GPS. I have only had experience with his cars but it has been phenomenal in assisting us in maneuvering through Chicago. I've lived here ten years (this time around) and it's shown me pathways I didn't even know existed.