Garmin GPS - Newbie Questions

Author

Newbie Questions

Jim Becker

2007-11-24, 4:33 am

I'm looking at getting a GPS. Heard good things about Garmin. I do have a
couple of questions:

1. Can you easily move the unit from vehicle to vehicle? I understand this
may require a mounting pad or bracket in each vehicle, but other than that
can it be done 'easily'?

2. I've heard some companies (models) require a subscription. Does Garmin
and if so, what do you get and do you have the option to not subscribe?

Thanks

--
Jim Becker
Virginia Beach Backyard Weather
http://members.cox.net/jbecker31

Edwin Pawlowski

2007-11-24, 4:33 am

"Jim Becker" <jbecker31nospam@cox.net> wrote in message
news:9zJ1j.1046$iw1.818@newsfe22.lga...
> I'm looking at getting a GPS. Heard good things about Garmin. I do have
> a couple of questions:
>
> 1. Can you easily move the unit from vehicle to vehicle? I understand
> this may require a mounting pad or bracket in each vehicle, but other than
> that can it be done 'easily'?
>
> 2. I've heard some companies (models) require a subscription. Does
> Garmin and if so, what do you get and do you have the option to not
> subscribe?

Moving the bracket takes about 30 seconds. It is suction cup mounted to the
windshield

No subscription needed. Every 18 months or so, they offer updated maps but
if you have no problems with old ones, no need to update. Go can buy it and
be operational in just a few minutes.

Jim Becker

2007-11-24, 4:33 am

Thanks

I wonder if you could have multiple suction cup mounts for each vehicle?

--
Jim Becker
Virginia Beach Backyard Weather
http://members.cox.net/jbecker31
"Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
news:rIK1j.73988$Um6.3722@newssvr12.news.prodigy.net...
>
> "Jim Becker" <jbecker31nospam@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:9zJ1j.1046$iw1.818@newsfe22.lga...
>
> Moving the bracket takes about 30 seconds. It is suction cup mounted to
> the windshield
>
> No subscription needed. Every 18 months or so, they offer updated maps but
> if you have no problems with old ones, no need to update. Go can buy it
> and be operational in just a few minutes.
>

Jack Erbes

2007-11-24, 4:33 am

Jim Becker wrote:
> I'm looking at getting a GPS. Heard good things about Garmin. I do
> have a couple of questions:
>
> 1. Can you easily move the unit from vehicle to vehicle? I understand
> this may require a mounting pad or bracket in each vehicle, but other
> than that can it be done 'easily'?

If you have the bean bag style mounting base that just sets on the dash,
those are very easily moved and/or stashed out of sight to deter theft
too.

They have a new style friction base that has three flexible legs instead
of the bean bag base. It does not work anywhere as near as well as the
bean bag. It wants to slide around a little. The stylists ruled on the
new one and they lost the bubble on the coefficient of friction between
the new and old style bases.

> 2. I've heard some companies (models) require a subscription. Does
> Garmin and if so, what do you get and do you have the option to not
> subscribe?

If you buy a GPS receiver that has the street and highway maps preloaded
(City Navigator North America usually) you have everything you need,
just make sure you buy one that had the most recent version of the maps
on it (i.e., maps have not gone out of date on the shelf). In a year or
so they will come out with another version and it will cost $75 or so to
upgrade but you don't have to buy every upgrade. I plan to upgrade
every two years or so, not every year.

There are some models that use services that have additional
subscription fees (MSN Direct, FM TMC traffic info, XM radio and
weather) and those may need to be renewed annually or so. You can get
more info on those here:

http://www8.garmin.com/traffic/

Jack

Edwin Pawlowski

2007-11-24, 4:33 am

"Jim Becker" <jbecker31nospam@cox.net> wrote in message
news:9vM1j.1055$iw1.244@newsfe22.lga...
> Thanks
>
> I wonder if you could have multiple suction cup mounts for each vehicle?
>

Sure, there are other styles of mount also. Check the Garmin web site for
accessories. I forgot to mention, removing the unit from the mount takes
but two seconds. Just one quick movement of the hand and it is off the mount
and secure with you. Theft of GPS units has been going up fast as they are
so quick to take out. Mine is not in the car unless I'm in the car.

The power is through the mount also, so when you clip it in place, the power
is on and goes off (on to better reserve) when you remove it.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Jim Becker

2007-11-24, 7:33 am

Thanks for all the responses!

If I may, I read about the GPS having a battery 'life'. Is the unit not
plugged into the vehicle power (cig lighter) while in use? What's the issue
about battery life? Also, if one does decide to update the maps, is this
done over the Internet? Connect GPS to home PC? or does it download from
it's own satellite? I've also noticed some units come preloaded while
others may not. Advantages there?

Thank you

--
Jim Becker
Virginia Beach Backyard Weather
http://members.cox.net/jbecker31
"Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
news:kXN1j.19354$4V6.7919@newssvr14.news.prodigy.net...
>
> "Jim Becker" <jbecker31nospam@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:9vM1j.1055$iw1.244@newsfe22.lga...
>
> Sure, there are other styles of mount also. Check the Garmin web site for
> accessories. I forgot to mention, removing the unit from the mount takes
> but two seconds. Just one quick movement of the hand and it is off the
> mount and secure with you. Theft of GPS units has been going up fast as
> they are so quick to take out. Mine is not in the car unless I'm in the
> car.
>
> The power is through the mount also, so when you clip it in place, the
> power is on and goes off (on to better reserve) when you remove it.
> --
> Ed
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/
>

Edwin Pawlowski

2007-11-24, 7:33 am

"Jim Becker" <jbecker31nospam@cox.net> wrote in message
news:p0V1j.4657$ip1.4600@newsfe21.lga...
> Thanks for all the responses!
>
> If I may, I read about the GPS having a battery 'life'. Is the unit not
> plugged into the vehicle power (cig lighter) while in use? What's the
> issue about battery life? Also, if one does decide to update the maps, is
> this done over the Internet? Connect GPS to home PC? or does it download
> from it's own satellite? I've also noticed some units come preloaded
> while others may not. Advantages there?

They have lithium ion batteries that last abut 5 to 8 hours. They are
charged when in the mount or with a charger. Most units have pre-loaded
maps that are updated with a CD from Garmin and USB connection on your
computer. Nothing downloads from the satellites, they are just used for
locating the unit.

The only time the battery is used is when I'm putting in an address at home
or otherwise playing with settings, or, when I take it out of the car for a
short time to go into a store. That saves time as it does not have to
re-boot when I put it back in the mount.

Updating is easily done if you choose to do so. The software also has POIs
(point of interest) that are updated along with it. Gas stations, stores,
etc. are included. That may or may not be important to you. If you use it
mostly locally and there are no major road building projects, you may want
to skip an update.

Like any tool, learn how to use it, learn how it works, and learn it is not
always the "best" tool for the job. Your brain is. Computers sometimes
take routs that are illogical to a driver, but perfectly logical for a
computer. It does not know that you prefer to avoid a certain intersection
or highway because of traffic. I live in New England and going south it
always routes me across Rt 95 and the George Washington bridge. In most
cases, I prefer using Rt 84 and the Tappan Zee Bridge. Having made that trip
over a hundred times, I don't use the GPS anyway, bit I trust my experience
more than a computer.

IMO, the best use of GPS is the short trip in a strange town. With a
rudimentary knowledge of the layout of the 48 states and Canada, I can get
to Atlanta or Boise or Saskatoon just following the road signs. When I get
to those places though, it certainly helps me find 45 Park Street much
easier.

Jim Becker

2007-11-24, 10:33 am

Thanks Ed

Excellent info

: )

--
Jim Becker
Virginia Beach Backyard Weather
http://members.cox.net/jbecker31
"Edwin Pawlowski" <esp@snet.net> wrote in message
news:GuV1j.23387$lD6.4328@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
>
> "Jim Becker" <jbecker31nospam@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:p0V1j.4657$ip1.4600@newsfe21.lga...
>
> They have lithium ion batteries that last abut 5 to 8 hours. They are
> charged when in the mount or with a charger. Most units have pre-loaded
> maps that are updated with a CD from Garmin and USB connection on your
> computer. Nothing downloads from the satellites, they are just used for
> locating the unit.
>
> The only time the battery is used is when I'm putting in an address at
> home or otherwise playing with settings, or, when I take it out of the car
> for a short time to go into a store. That saves time as it does not have
> to re-boot when I put it back in the mount.
>
> Updating is easily done if you choose to do so. The software also has
> POIs (point of interest) that are updated along with it. Gas stations,
> stores, etc. are included. That may or may not be important to you. If
> you use it mostly locally and there are no major road building projects,
> you may want to skip an update.
>
> Like any tool, learn how to use it, learn how it works, and learn it is
> not always the "best" tool for the job. Your brain is. Computers
> sometimes take routs that are illogical to a driver, but perfectly logical
> for a computer. It does not know that you prefer to avoid a certain
> intersection or highway because of traffic. I live in New England and
> going south it always routes me across Rt 95 and the George Washington
> bridge. In most cases, I prefer using Rt 84 and the Tappan Zee Bridge.
> Having made that trip over a hundred times, I don't use the GPS anyway,
> bit I trust my experience more than a computer.
>
> IMO, the best use of GPS is the short trip in a strange town. With a
> rudimentary knowledge of the layout of the 48 states and Canada, I can get
> to Atlanta or Boise or Saskatoon just following the road signs. When I
> get to those places though, it certainly helps me find 45 Park Street much
> easier.
>

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