Garmin GPS - What Should Be 'Basic' Features of GPS Units

Author

What Should Be 'Basic' Features of GPS Units

WC Calm

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

On recent posts to the four (4) main discussion groups for GPS units,
the question about what constitutes basic features has arisen. Got me
to thinking about that also.

Given that units today can come with all kinds of bells & whistles,
what do you think should be the minimum basic features that all GPS
units in the automotive (mobile), all-in-one and walk-around (hand
held) categories should have (each category may have their own
'category specific' features)!
--

Wayne

"In the future Mr.Calm, you must up your shipments of sand to the sea!"

Sam Wormley

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

Colin Wilson

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

> Given that units today can come with all kinds of bells & whistles,
> what do you think should be the minimum basic features that all GPS
> units in the automotive (mobile), all-in-one and walk-around (hand
> held) categories should have (each category may have their own
> 'category specific' features)!

The ability to lock the device with a pin code to make it useless to
thieves.

GARMIN - WAKE UP !

George B.

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

The PIN code scheme doesn't work. Thieves break in, find the unit and grab
it. When they later see the warning sticker or otherwise discover it won't
work, they throw it away. The idea does work for built-in devices - if they
know in advance they may not take the time to steal it.

For portable units though, the coded ones just end up in the trash. Escort
tried that some years ago with radar detectors.

Andreas van Hooijdonk

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

"WC Calm" < wccalm@comcastDOTnet
> wrote in message
news:49d4e2d18361bih
bpeqgca5skv21q2s2l6@
4ax.com...
> On recent posts to the four (4) main discussion groups for GPS units,
> the question about what constitutes basic features has arisen. Got me
> to thinking about that also.
>
> Given that units today can come with all kinds of bells & whistles,
> what do you think should be the minimum basic features that all GPS
> units in the automotive (mobile), all-in-one and walk-around (hand
> held) categories should have (each category may have their own
> 'category specific' features)!
> --
>
> Wayne
>
> "In the future Mr.Calm, you must up your shipments of sand to the sea!"
>

Most important: fit comfortably in your pocket. All the rest will be OK.

--
Andreas van Hooijdonk
http://www.gps-practice-and-fun.com

DanR

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

Colin Wilson wrote:
>
> The ability to lock the device with a pin code to make it useless to
> thieves.
>
> GARMIN - WAKE UP !

Garmin does provide a pin lockout. I don't think it acts as a theft
deterrent. (read what George B had to say)

Rick Cortese

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

WC Calm wrote:
> On recent posts to the four (4) main discussion groups for GPS units,
> the question about what constitutes basic features has arisen. Got me
> to thinking about that also.
>
> Given that units today can come with all kinds of bells & whistles,
> what do you think should be the minimum basic features that all GPS
> units in the automotive (mobile), all-in-one and walk-around (hand
> held) categories should have (each category may have their own
> 'category specific' features)!

Thinking about what people are saying about anti theft device and my
personal needs.

Other then the things you expect now like computer interface available.

A movement alarm. They are useful on boats to let you know if your
anchor let loose and you are drifting, say into the path of the Exxon
Valdez.

It would be useful at least until thieves wised up. I mean just put it
in your car under the seat and if someone steals/moves the GPS or car
the alarm would sound and hopefully panic the thief.

I know if I walked by and heard a loud beeping from a ditched GPS I
would probably pick it up to see if there was any identification on it.
You stand a zero chance of getting a device back that is quietly waiting
in a trash can for pickup.

It would be really useful if there was a simple alarm line brought out
too. Wouldn't have to be too complicated: Just a simple on/off that
could trigger external speaker for big noise and/or box to disable the
ignition on & #91;car,boat,motorcy
cle,...].

Colin Wilson

2006-08-15, 10:34 pm

> > GARMIN - WAKE UP !
> Garmin does provide a pin lockout. I don't think it acts as a theft
> deterrent. (read what George B had to say)

Not for the 26x0 range they don't

RichC

2006-08-16, 4:33 am

"DanR" <dhr22@sorrynospam.com> wrote in message
news:R3tEg.8228$1f6.3222@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> Colin Wilson wrote:
> Garmin does provide a pin lockout. I don't think it acts as a theft
> deterrent. (read what George B had to say)
>

I thought it was a 4 digit code? Anyone persistent enough will sit there for
a while & figure it out.

Ian Dalziel

2006-08-16, 7:33 am

On Wed, 16 Aug 2006 09:32:08 GMT, "RichC"
<rcacace@& #123;REMOVE_TO_REPLY
}swfla.rr.com> wrote:

>
>"DanR" <dhr22@sorrynospam.com> wrote in message
>news:R3tEg.8228$1f6.3222@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
>
>I thought it was a 4 digit code? Anyone persistent enough will sit there for
>a while & figure it out.
>

And try 10,000 codes? That's a while, all right.
--

Ian

Henry

2006-08-16, 10:33 am

Phil Wheeler

2006-08-16, 3:33 pm

mcewena

2006-08-17, 10:33 am

Papa

2006-08-17, 3:33 pm

The minimum features should include clearly understood verbal instructions
for getting from point A to point B. Another minimum feature would enhance
the verbal instructions by making those verbal instructions so good that the
driver will find it rarely necessary to look at the GPS screen.

quietguy

2006-08-17, 10:33 pm

I found my Nuvi does that! Just love it

David

Papa wrote:

> The minimum features should include clearly understood verbal instructions
> for getting from point A to point B. Another minimum feature would enhance
> the verbal instructions by making those verbal instructions so good that the
> driver will find it rarely necessary to look at the GPS screen.

Papa

2006-08-17, 10:33 pm

Yes, Garmin has several very good, easy to use, GPS units to choose from.
Mine is the StreetPilot I5.

"quietguy" <quietguy@REMOVE-TO-REPLYconfidential-counselling.com> wrote in
message
news:44E4FDFA.E79078C3@REMOVE-TO-REPLYconfidential-counselling.com...
>I found my Nuvi does that! Just love it
>
> David
>
> Papa wrote:
>
>

Ron Hunter

2006-08-17, 10:33 pm

Papa wrote:
> The minimum features should include clearly understood verbal instructions
> for getting from point A to point B. Another minimum feature would enhance
> the verbal instructions by making those verbal instructions so good that the
> driver will find it rarely necessary to look at the GPS screen.
>
>
YES! Like "turn left at the first street after the McDonald's on the
right." That should help.

Dave Allison

2006-08-17, 10:33 pm

Garmin Nuvi 350 tells you 2.1 miles, 1.1 miles, 300 feet and dings again
when it's time to make the turn. You can pick from many voices, which I
find the female Australian most clear over the hum of the motor and
tires at 80 miles an hour. (ok, so i'm fast)
example: "in 2.1 miles turn right onto 3rd street" - now that is service.

--
DAve

quietguy wrote:
> I found my Nuvi does that! Just love it
>
> David
>
> Papa wrote:
>
>

Rex B

2006-08-18, 12:33 pm

Dave Allison wrote:
> Garmin Nuvi 350 tells you 2.1 miles, 1.1 miles, 300 feet and dings again
> when it's time to make the turn. You can pick from many voices, which I
> find the female Australian most clear over the hum of the motor and
> tires at 80 miles an hour. (ok, so i'm fast)
> example: "in 2.1 miles turn right onto 3rd street" - now that is service.

One difference I've noticed between a Ford OE system and a Magellan 360
is that the OE announces the street name at the point of turn, while the
Magellan 360 only says the street name prior to the turn, then bongs at
the turn. In a congested urban area where the streets are close
together, that is an issue.

Jack Yeazel

2006-08-18, 10:33 pm

I like to include "Joe's FAQs" in a review... Here they are
for the Garmin StreetPilot c550:
http://gpsinformation.info/550/550.html#Joe's

--
Jack

Get general GPS information at:
http://www.gpsinformation.net/

WC Calm

2006-08-18, 10:33 pm

On Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:35:18 -0400, Jack Yeazel
<jack@finalapproach.net> wrote:

>I like to include "Joe's FAQs" in a review... Here they are
>for the Garmin StreetPilot c550:
>http://gpsinformation.info/550/550.html#Joe's

But what would you like to see as minimum features in the auto gps,
and min features in the hand-held, ect.??
--

Wayne

"In the future Mr.Calm, you must up your shipments of sand to the sea!"

Jack Yeazel

2006-08-20, 12:33 pm

WC Calm wrote:
>
> On Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:35:18 -0400, Jack Yeazel
> <jack@finalapproach.net> wrote:
>
>
> But what would you like to see as minimum features in the auto gps,
> and min features in the hand-held, ect.??

That's a good question... I'll see if I can get a list of
the "Complete" GPS unit (all the features I've ever seen)
and submit it here for review! There would have to be two
lists, one for hand-helds and one for auto units...
--
Jack

Get general GPS information at:
http://www.gpsinformation.net/

Steve Calvin

2006-08-20, 12:33 pm

Jack Yeazel wrote:
>
> WC Calm wrote:
>
> That's a good question... I'll see if I can get a list of
> the "Complete" GPS unit (all the features I've ever seen)
> and submit it here for review! There would have to be two
> lists, one for hand-helds and one for auto units...

Everyones lists will differ greatly which is probably the
reason that there are so many different models on the
market. Personally, my minimum set was the features that the
Garmin GPSxxCSx has which is why I purchased the 76CSx.

--
Steve

Jack Yeazel

2006-08-20, 10:33 pm

Steve Calvin wrote:

>
> Everyones lists will differ greatly which is probably the
> reason that there are so many different models on the
> market. Personally, my minimum set was the features that the
> Garmin GPSxxCSx has which is why I purchased the 76CSx.

-And for a hand-held, I can't think of any (reasonable)
request to add a feature to that model... That's what my
associate, Ron Henderson (of G7ToWin fame), has...
Especially since they fixed the WAAS accuracy problem:
http://gpsinformation.us/gps60c/g76Creview.html
--
Jack

Get general GPS information at:
http://www.gpsinformation.net/

Jack Yeazel

2006-08-20, 10:33 pm

Jack Yeazel wrote:
>
> Steve Calvin wrote:
>
>
> -And for a hand-held, I can't think of any (reasonable)
> request to add a feature to that model... That's what my
> associate, Ron Henderson (of G7ToWin fame), has...
> Especially since they fixed the WAAS accuracy problem:
> http://gpsinformation.us/gps60c/g76Creview.html

Oops! -We noticed that the x models don't have an alarm
clock like the GPSmap 76C...
--
Jack

Get general GPS information at:
http://www.gpsinformation.net/

WC Calm

2006-08-20, 10:33 pm

On Sun, 20 Aug 2006 12:20:56 -0400, Steve Calvin
<calvins@optonline.net> wrote:

>Everyones lists will differ greatly which is probably the
>reason that there are so many different models on the
>market.

While that maybe true, a few listed features may be common to those
that reply and those will emerge as the true minimum features in this
thread!

--

Wayne

"In the future Mr.Calm, you must up your shipments of sand to the sea!"

Roy Lewallen

2006-08-20, 10:33 pm

Jack Yeazel wrote:
>
> -And for a hand-held, I can't think of any (reasonable)
> request to add a feature to that model... That's what my
> associate, Ron Henderson (of G7ToWin fame), has...
> Especially since they fixed the WAAS accuracy problem:
> http://gpsinformation.us/gps60c/g76Creview.html

Guess it's time to repeat a suggestion I and others have made here
before: It would be really nice to have a "save configuration" feature.
Many of us use the 60/76 series receiver for several different purposes,
e.g., hiking, driving, bicycling. I want to show different information
on the map and trip displays, and set features like lock to road, for
each use. It would be very nice to be able to save a setup for each
purpose which I could recall easily, rather than having to manually set
everything when I get into the car after a hike, for example.

Roy Lewallen

bcd

2006-08-21, 4:33 am

Better maps.

Jarod (the puppy)

2006-08-21, 7:33 am

"PW" == "Phil Wheeler" writes:

I missed the original post.

Replying to that post:

The features?

I've read some of the replies and am amazed at how people seem to
have missed the actual question.

"Clear voice", "Easy to understand instrucions" etc etc etc.

Geepers!

Although I am a bit of a techno-geek and have a 96C Garmin, I used to
have (and still do have) a 75.

The 75 is a good example of what is a basic GPS.

It does have a moving map, but it is only your tracks. There is no
map, roads, etc.

A GPS should have - as a basic unit - these:

Lat/Long to as many digits resolution as possible.

Time GMT, local, and if you want to be real decadant, "Summer time
offset" for where you are.

Altitude.

Speed.

Then you have waypoints. Lots are better but at least 100.

Routes. Again, lots are better. My original unit has a limit of
10 I think.

Given what I have listed above, you get these things given - which
are also needed to make navigating to a destination possible.

Time to go to your destination - either in a straight line or via a
route.

Much more than that is sheer luxury.

All this hulla balloo about voice commands and "auto routing" are
meerly icing on a cake.

IMHO:

Sure, get them, but don't beome reliant on it. One day if it goes
kaput you will be in deep ..... (well you know what)

PW>
PW> WC Calm wrote:
PW> > On recent posts to the four (4) main discussion groups for GPS
PW> > units, the question about what constitutes basic features has
PW> > arisen. Got me to thinking about that also.
PW> >
PW> > Given that units today can come with all kinds of bells &
PW> > whistles, what do you think should be the minimum basic
PW> > features that all GPS units in the automotive (mobile),
PW> > all-in-one and walk-around (hand held) categories should have
PW> > (each category may have their own 'category specific'
PW> > features)!

--
========
Thanks.....

Jarod

Jarod (the puppy)

2006-08-21, 7:33 am

"WC" == "WC Calm" writes:

Oh, if you want to reply to me - I'm guessing it was you who started
this thread - I am in sci.geo.satellite-nav

The program I use is cross-posting to all the other groups too.

WC> While that maybe true, a few listed features may be common to
WC> those that reply and those will emerge as the true minimum
WC> features in this thread!
WC>
WC>
WC>
--
========
Thanks.....

Jarod

Peter

2006-08-21, 12:33 pm

My new portable Garmin C340 also announces the street names. I agree
this is a very useful feature.

Peter

Rex B wrote:
> Dave Allison wrote:
>
> One difference I've noticed between a Ford OE system and a Magellan 360
> is that the OE announces the street name at the point of turn, while the
> Magellan 360 only says the street name prior to the turn, then bongs at
> the turn. In a congested urban area where the streets are close
> together, that is an issue.

Phil

2006-08-21, 10:33 pm

On a handheld

Support for multiple grids.

Waterproof.

Bluetooth would be cool.

Phil

--
Top of the Hill

Don Lancaster

2006-08-21, 10:33 pm

Roy Lewallen wrote:
> Guess it's time to repeat a suggestion I and others have made here
> before: It would be really nice to have a "save configuration" feature.
> Many of us use the 60/76 series receiver for several different purposes,
> e.g., hiking, driving, bicycling. I want to show different information
> on the map and trip displays, and set features like lock to road, for
> each use. It would be very nice to be able to save a setup for each
> purpose which I could recall easily, rather than having to manually set
> everything when I get into the car after a hike, for example.

You want 'Profiles' for each form of transport. That would take up
quite a bit of memory.

Roy Lewallen

2006-08-21, 10:33 pm

Don Lancaster wrote:
> Roy Lewallen wrote:
>
> You want 'Profiles' for each form of transport. That would take up
> quite a bit of memory.

That's a surprise. All I'm asking for is to save some options. At no
more than a couple of dozen(*), each of which maybe has, say at the very
outside, 50 or so choices, that could in theory be done with about 6
bits per option, or 144 total, or about the same amount of space
required to store 18 one-byte alphanumeric characters, per profile. For
a dozen profiles, we're up to 216 bytes. Of course I realize that it
would in practice be done in a way that's simpler for storage and
retrieval (which would reduce the size of the code needed to do it), and
this would be less efficient. But if it was done so as to take 100 times
as much storage space as really needed, that's 21,600 bytes, or 1/50 of
1% of the 1GB micro SD card I have in my device. Sounds like a good use
of memory to me. I'd even happily sacrifice 1/5 of 1% of the card's
memory, if they used 1000 times as much memory as it really needs.

(*) I'd expect to set up a default profile, as it has now, and have it
only store those items which are different from the default. At least
that's what I'd do if I were programming it and wanted to conserve memory.

Roy Lewallen

Terje Mathisen

2006-08-22, 4:33 am

Roy Lewallen wrote:
> (*) I'd expect to set up a default profile, as it has now, and have it
> only store those items which are different from the default. At least
> that's what I'd do if I were programming it and wanted to conserve memory.

Sounds like a good idea, but it makes the sw much more complicated:

Each time you make any kind of modification to the default, you would
have to re-visit every secondary profile and update it.

What you can do is to _hardwire_ a base profile, and start with the
default being equal to the base. This would allow you to modify any
profile, including the default, without any extra overhead.

Terje

PS. For my 76CSx I do agree that such a shortcut would be quite useful.

I would even include the capability to show/hide various maps:

For driving, EU CN8 is the primary map, walking means using the TOPO
maps, while sailing defaults to BlueChart.
--
- <Terje.Mathisen@hda.hydro.com>
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"

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