[ILUG] SatNav advice

[Gareth Eason]

Ronan Mullally wrote:
> On Wed, 21 Jan 2009, Gerry Boland wrote:
> 
>> I read an interesting article on the technology of GPS:
>> http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/assisted-gps.ars
>>
>> It seems to imply that the more advanced GPS units have smarter algorithms
>> for determining its position as fast as possible, i.e. on turning on the
[snip]

	Hi,

	I would recommend Garmin, for various reasons, not least being that I
have managed to put OpenStreetMap.org data on them. However, routing
using this data is not yet readily available, though it's being worked
on. This means that while you can see where you are on the map, the
Garmin will likely still use its own (possibly out of date) map for
telling you how to get from A to B.

	Like all things, I think you just need to buy on featureset. If it
helps, the criteria I used were (roughly);
- Wanted bluetooth for handsfree phone capability.
- Wanted FM transmission so I could play media through the radio - my
car doesn't have an Aux-In :(
- Wanted SD slot and capability for playing media (with FM transmitter)
- Wanted Garmin, so I can put OSM data on it and view it.
- I also have previous Garmins and software for them, so Garmin was my
preference.
- Preferred something that will show me the path I've travelled.
- Preferred widescreen, so I can see more road.
- Wanted maps of (at least) Ireland and the UK. Europe preferable but
not required, USA preferable but not required.
- Maps I wanted had to be built in, since I have another use for the SD
slot :)

	So after all that, I picked the Garmin 760, which met all the
requirements above.

	One thing I've found very weak on Garmins is the ability to search for
things though - to the extent that I'll look places up on OSM and then
just go to a pinpoint on the GPS, rather than trying to figure out which
one of the 10 'Main Street, Cork' returned is the one I want. Apart from
that really annoying weakness - which is common across all Garmins -
I've found the unit great.

	Hope that helps.

	Best regards,
	-->Gar