Garmin GPS - Questions re: Garmin Nuvi 350

Author

Questions re: Garmin Nuvi 350

Caveat Lector

2007-01-10, 3:33 pm

After reading many reviews and web pages, I have narrowed my search to this
GPS Navigator.

But nowhere can I determine if it gives Lat and Long positions in degrees.

And it is not clear if the unit as supplied gives detailed street maps - not
just major highways. Or is this an additional cost?

Any one here own one and can clarify this or offer an alternate unit

Thanks
CL

btcompute

2007-01-10, 10:33 pm

CL,

Yes, the Nuvi 350 comes loaded with detailed local level street maps.
The US street maps are very acurate and comprehensive. You aren't
likely to be disappointed with the maps.

Latatude & longitude:
You can enter Lat & Lon to create a destination, but unless I have
missed something, you cannot determine the Lat & Lon of any point you
select on a map.

If you are looking to use the unit for geocaching or hiking, you may be
better off with other units, perhaps one of the Etrex units. If you are
using it strictly in a vehicle, in my opinion, this thing is hard to
beat.

Brian

Caveat Lector wrote:
> After reading many reviews and web pages, I have narrowed my search to this
> GPS Navigator.
>
> But nowhere can I determine if it gives Lat and Long positions in degrees.
>
> And it is not clear if the unit as supplied gives detailed street maps - not
> just major highways. Or is this an additional cost?
>
> Any one here own one and can clarify this or offer an alternate unit
>
> Thanks
> CL

Caveat Lector

2007-01-10, 10:33 pm

Thanks Brian -- useful info.

My need for Long Lat is at my current position

Wonder if in the menus somewhere this available ?

CL

"btcompute" <btilley@metrocast.net> wrote in message
news:1168466993.201092.318260@k58g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> CL,
>
> Yes, the Nuvi 350 comes loaded with detailed local level street maps.
> The US street maps are very acurate and comprehensive. You aren't
> likely to be disappointed with the maps.
>
> Latatude & longitude:
> You can enter Lat & Lon to create a destination, but unless I have
> missed something, you cannot determine the Lat & Lon of any point you
> select on a map.
>
> If you are looking to use the unit for geocaching or hiking, you may be
> better off with other units, perhaps one of the Etrex units. If you are
> using it strictly in a vehicle, in my opinion, this thing is hard to
> beat.
>
> Brian
>
> Caveat Lector wrote:
>

Caveat Lector

2007-01-10, 10:33 pm

Example of need for current long lat -- Emergency and I cell phone 911,
operator asks my location -- many will be happy if you can give them lat
long from a GPS unit.

There are other needs for current long lat but have to do with Amateur Radio
so won't elaborate.

"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Pnfph.3401$Wx.1935@newsfe07.phx...
> Thanks Brian -- useful info.
>
> My need for Long Lat is at my current position
>
> Wonder if in the menus somewhere this available ?
>
> CL
>
> "btcompute" <btilley@metrocast.net> wrote in message
> news:1168466993.201092.318260@k58g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
>

quietguy

2007-01-10, 10:33 pm

When you select one of your favourites the Nuvi 310 shows its lat and long -
also, if you choose 'my current location' Nuvi shows you your lat and long.

I should think the 350 will be the same

But why not just download the manual and have a look to make certain - or try the
above in the store (if you can)

David

btcompute wrote:

>
>
> Latatude & longitude:
> You can enter Lat & Lon to create a destination, but unless I have
> missed something, you cannot determine the Lat & Lon of any point you
> select on a map.

btcompute

2007-01-10, 10:33 pm

CL,

Quietguy jogged my memory.

You can get your current coordinates quite easily in four taps of the
screen.

With your current location showing on the map, tap:

"Menu"
"Where To"
"My Locations"
"My Current Location"

Your current Lat, Lon, and Altitude are displayed.
Very quick and easy.

Hope this helps.

Brian

quietguy wrote:[color=darkred
]
> When you select one of your favourites the Nuvi 310 shows its lat and long -
> also, if you choose 'my current location' Nuvi shows you your lat and long.
>
> I should think the 350 will be the same
>
> But why not just download the manual and have a look to make certain - or try the
> above in the store (if you can)
>
> David
>
>
>
> btcompute wrote:
>

Caveat Lector

2007-01-10, 10:33 pm

Oh wow guys -- most helpful on all accounts.

So am ordering one tomorrow

News Groups can be a great resource. Thanks for helping make it so.

Here is a story from the San Diego paper

"Ham radio key in California hiker's rescue: The San Diego Union
Tribune's SignOnSanDiego.com Web news service reports that a hiker in the
El Capitan open space preserve suffering apparent heat exhaustion was
rescued July 19 after his hiking companion used ham radio to relay a
message to authorities. ARRL member Rod Dinkins, AC6V, picked up the
distress call from Tim Slaby, KG6QPL, and alerted the San Diego County
Sheriff's Department's Santee station. Slaby resorted to his ham radio
handheld after discovering that his cellphone wouldn't work in the
wilderness. KG6QPL was able to raise the Palomar Amateur Radio Club
repeater some 40 miles away, however. Slaby, who also carried a GPS unit,
was able to pinpoint the pair's location. A sheriff's helicopter crew
rescued the exhausted hiker--identified as Thomas Sayer--and airlifted him
to an ambulance, which transported him to a hospital, authorities said. He
was treated for dehydration and released about four hours later. "For
hikers in need of help, Amateur Radio worked where their cell phone
didn't," said ARRL Vice President (and former Southwestern Division
Director) Fried Heyn, WA6WZO."

I might add GPS as well

CL

"btcompute" <btilley@metrocast.net> wrote in message
news:1168478712.842611.225240@p59g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
> CL,
>
> Quietguy jogged my memory.
>
> You can get your current coordinates quite easily in four taps of the
> screen.
>
> With your current location showing on the map, tap:
>
> "Menu"
> "Where To"
> "My Locations"
> "My Current Location"
>
> Your current Lat, Lon, and Altitude are displayed.
> Very quick and easy.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Brian
>
> quietguy wrote:
>

btcompute

2007-01-11, 7:33 am

CL,

> So am ordering one tomorrow

May I suggest you use this link to find the best price?:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Garmin_Nuvi...by=210&sort=asc

You'll enoy the Nuvi

Brian

Caveat Lector wrote:[color=darkred
]
> Oh wow guys -- most helpful on all accounts.
>
> So am ordering one tomorrow
>
> News Groups can be a great resource. Thanks for helping make it so.
>
> Here is a story from the San Diego paper
>
> "Ham radio key in California hiker's rescue: The San Diego Union
> Tribune's SignOnSanDiego.com Web news service reports that a hiker in the
> El Capitan open space preserve suffering apparent heat exhaustion was
> rescued July 19 after his hiking companion used ham radio to relay a
> message to authorities. ARRL member Rod Dinkins, AC6V, picked up the
> distress call from Tim Slaby, KG6QPL, and alerted the San Diego County
> Sheriff's Department's Santee station. Slaby resorted to his ham radio
> handheld after discovering that his cellphone wouldn't work in the
> wilderness. KG6QPL was able to raise the Palomar Amateur Radio Club
> repeater some 40 miles away, however. Slaby, who also carried a GPS unit,
> was able to pinpoint the pair's location. A sheriff's helicopter crew
> rescued the exhausted hiker--identified as Thomas Sayer--and airlifted him
> to an ambulance, which transported him to a hospital, authorities said. He
> was treated for dehydration and released about four hours later. "For
> hikers in need of help, Amateur Radio worked where their cell phone
> didn't," said ARRL Vice President (and former Southwestern Division
> Director) Fried Heyn, WA6WZO."
>
> I might add GPS as well
>
> CL
>
>
> "btcompute" <btilley@metrocast.net> wrote in message
> news:1168478712.842611.225240@p59g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...

Fred McKenzie

2007-01-11, 12:33 pm

In article <gwfph.3402$Wx.2538@newsfe07.phx>,
"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote:

> Example of need for current long lat -- Emergency and I cell phone 911,
> operator asks my location -- many will be happy if you can give them lat
> long from a GPS unit.
>
> There are other needs for current long lat but have to do with Amateur Radio
> so won't elaborate.

CL-

I was extremely impressed by my Nuvi 350. Mine came with an older map
set than the ones currently shipping. There are certainly new roads
that won't be on the current maps, but you will rarely encounter a
problem.

Yes, you can display the current location in degrees and decimal
minutes. As others mentioned, that information is on the My Current
Location window. It is also on the satellite display window, assuming
the Nuvi is locked onto a sufficient number of satellites.

One disappointment for Ham Radio, was that it doesn't seem to be able to
change the coordinate format to display Grid Square information. My
older Garmin GPS can display several formats including Grid Squares, as
in EL98np. If someone figures out how to do it, please let me know!

If you intend to use the Nuvi for APRS, it has a USB port but not a
regular serial port.

Fred
K4DII

Caveat Lector

2007-01-11, 12:33 pm

"Fred McKenzie" <fmmck@aol.com> wrote in message
news:fmmck-7501BF.12200311012007@nntp.aioe.org...
> In article <gwfph.3402$Wx.2538@newsfe07.phx>,
> "Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote:
>
>
> CL-
>
> I was extremely impressed by my Nuvi 350. Mine came with an older map
> set than the ones currently shipping. There are certainly new roads
> that won't be on the current maps, but you will rarely encounter a
> problem.
>
> Yes, you can display the current location in degrees and decimal
> minutes. As others mentioned, that information is on the My Current
> Location window. It is also on the satellite display window, assuming
> the Nuvi is locked onto a sufficient number of satellites.
>
> One disappointment for Ham Radio, was that it doesn't seem to be able to
> change the coordinate format to display Grid Square information. My
> older Garmin GPS can display several formats including Grid Squares, as
> in EL98np. If someone figures out how to do it, please let me know!
>
> If you intend to use the Nuvi for APRS, it has a USB port but not a
> regular serial port.
>
> Fred
> K4DII

Thanks Fred for the info -- may go APRS when I get the Garmin

for long/lat to grid squares -- I use http://www.amsat.org/cgi-bin/gridconv
or
http://www.arrl.org/locate/grid.html

or
http://www.arrl.org/locate/gridinfo.html#programs

But sure would be handy if the Garmin would do these for you.

Maybe I'll use my laptop for the conversion.

Nice to know if you are a roving mobile six meter station.

73
CL

quietguy

2007-01-13, 10:33 pm

Hi Fred

Since I do not know much about lat and long stuff, this may not be helpful - but
just in case...

where to
coordinates
format
then choose which format you want for lat and long - Is it the British National
Grid that you wanted? If so you are in luck as that is one of the choices

If, not, then.....maybe someone else will find the above useful

cheers

David

Fred McKenzie wrote:

>
>
> One disappointment for Ham Radio, was that it doesn't seem to be able to
> change the coordinate format to display Grid Square information. My
> older Garmin GPS can display several formats including Grid Squares, as
> in EL98np. If someone figures out how to do it, please let me know!
>
>

Fred McKenzie

2007-01-17, 12:33 pm

In article
<45A973AB.205A0E05@REMOVE-TO-REPLYconfidential-counselling.com>,
quietguy <postings@REMOVE-TO-REPLYconfidential-counselling.com> wrote:

> Since I do not know much about lat and long stuff, this may not be helpful -
> but
> just in case...
>
> where to
> coordinates
> format
> then choose which format you want for lat and long - Is it the British
> National
> Grid that you wanted? If so you are in luck as that is one of the choices
>
> If, not, then.....maybe someone else will find the above useful

David-

Thanks for the tip. I tried to enter my EL98np, but the British
National system would not accommodate the format.

The Ham Radio Grid-Square system is also called "Maidenhead"
coordinates, named after a conference in Maidenhead, England. There is
a discussion about this system at
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles...-net/grids.html

Fred

Caveat Lector

2007-01-17, 12:33 pm

As you may know - once you have your long/lat from the Nuvi
You can find the Maidenhead Grid square at URL:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/toys/gridconv.html

or vice versa

Or use a program on a PC (or Palm?)

http://www.arrl.org/locate/gridinfo.html#programs

Great for six meter Amateur Radio work

CL

"Fred McKenzie" <fmmck@aol.com> wrote in message
news:fmmck-E58CDB.12420517012007@nntp.aioe.org...
> In article
> <45A973AB.205A0E05@REMOVE-TO-REPLYconfidential-counselling.com>,
> quietguy <postings@REMOVE-TO-REPLYconfidential-counselling.com> wrote:
>
>
> David-
>
> Thanks for the tip. I tried to enter my EL98np, but the British
> National system would not accommodate the format.
>
> The Ham Radio Grid-Square system is also called "Maidenhead"
> coordinates, named after a conference in Maidenhead, England. There is
> a discussion about this system at
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles...-net/grids.html
>
> Fred

Bob Bailey

2007-02-13, 10:33 pm

btcompute wrote:
> CL,
>
> Yes, the Nuvi 350 comes loaded with detailed local level street maps.
> The US street maps are very acurate and comprehensive. You aren't
> likely to be disappointed with the maps.
>
> Latatude & longitude:
> You can enter Lat & Lon to create a destination, but unless I have
> missed something, you cannot determine the Lat & Lon of any point you
> select on a map.
>

WhereTo > MyLocations > CurrentLocation > ViewMap
Set the new location by tapping it on the screen etc...
Then Back will give you the coordinates for that new location...

kernbob

2007-11-18, 4:33 am

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 12:49:04 -0800, "Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>After reading many reviews and web pages, I have narrowed my search to this
>GPS Navigator.
>
>But nowhere can I determine if it gives Lat and Long positions in degrees.
>
>And it is not clear if the unit as supplied gives detailed street maps - not
>just major highways. Or is this an additional cost?
>
>Any one here own one and can clarify this or offer an alternate unit
>
>Thanks
>CL
>
>

Hjgt

GeorgeB

2007-11-18, 10:33 am

Various free programs will download waypoints from the unit and
display (and allow editing) of the coordinates. Some (GPSU for sure)
will download the current position/time.

The Quest is a good compromise, good options but no touchscreen, but
for serious in-car use, the touchscreen on the nuvi (and StreetPilot)
family is really nice.

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 16:18:56 -0800, "Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>Thanks Brian -- useful info.
>
>My need for Long Lat is at my current position
>
>Wonder if in the menus somewhere this available ?
>
>CL

LinkBot