From owner-xj-digest-at-digest.net Sun Apr 11 12:44:27 2010 From: xj-digest xj-digest Sunday, April 11 2010 Volume 01 : Number 3176 Forum for Discussion of XJ cherokees and wagoneers Brian Colucci Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: xj: good portable talking GPS? Re: xj: good portable talking GPS? SV: xj: good portable talking GPS? xj: GPS update Re: xj: GPS update XJ Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/jeep/xj/ Send submissions to xj-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to xj-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to xj-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:39:58 -0700 (PDT) From: Ed Kummel Subject: Re: xj: good portable talking GPS? If all you need is a basic automotive GPS, almost any model will do. The devil is in the details., I like TomTom (you may too considering that it is now running Linux as it's base OS) The nice thing about the TomTom is that you can create groups of others that use TomTom. When you discover an interesting route or destination, you can upload it to your group and then everybody in your group has access to that route or destination. Really great if you're coordinating a family reunion to some out of the way place. Other features to look for is that some GPS's will communicate to a home database and will report your location and speed. This database will maintain a real-time picture of traffic in your immediate vicinity and if your chosen path encounters any traffic or slowdown as determined by the other GPS's already in that traffic pattern, it will suggest an alternate route *around* the traffic slow-down. But like I said, if all you need is a basic GPS device, then any will do. Check out www.geeks.com They usually have come sweet deals on new and refurbished units. I picked up a TomTom XLOne for $79. Stick with known brands...Magellan, Garmin, Bushnell. Geeks.com has a really nice TomTom XL340-S 4.3" (big screen...bigger than most) for under $122. This has a really nice feature of "text to speech" meaning that it will read street names for you. Why is this important? Well, the GPS will tell you "take next right in 200 yards". I don't know about you, but I don't know "200 yards" and if it's an exit off of a highway, which merge do I use? If I knew the the street name, I can make the correct decision. Ed web/gadget guru - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ By Galactic God in Futurama "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." - --- On Sat, 4/10/10, john wrote: From: john Subject: xj: good portable talking GPS? To: Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 7:07 PM looking for a good, portable, dash mounted type GPS that has an easily readable display, talks to you clearly, absolutely simple to operate... decided this is a good thing to have, to move between vehicles... trust me, it's not for me... but for someone I care about, don't want her to get lost... :) All I have to do is look at a map or go there once even 30 years earlier, and I'm good to go... but for me to explain how I get where I've been or going to someone directionally challenged, well... it's beyond my ability to communicate... I have an older Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS, have had it for a long time, useful for checking the speedo after gear/tire changes... but otherwise it's a blunt instrument. I don't think it provides directions, if it does it would require reading the instructions... that's beyond my capability, ;) need something so intuitively obvious that anyone can use it... so, looking for something that will plug into the cigarette lighter, or even operate independently for hiking... but it's got to be easy to read... large image... (you'll understand why large images are important as you get older if you don't know already... :) costco has a sale on one... around $200... not sure we need to spend that much... ??? thanx, john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:29:37 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: xj: good portable talking GPS? there are two requirements... one for the geek in me, which are minimal... speed and elevation... and the rest for my wife... which is UTTER simplicity, big pictures and clearly delivered instructions. :) ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Sat, 10 Apr 2010, Ed Kummel wrote: # If all you need is a basic automotive GPS, almost any model will do. The devil # is in the details., # I like TomTom (you may too considering that it is now running Linux as it's # base OS) # The nice thing about the TomTom is that you can create groups of others that # use TomTom. When you discover an interesting route or destination, you can # upload it to your group and then everybody in your group has access to that # route or destination. Really great if you're coordinating a family reunion to # some out of the way place. # Other features to look for is that some GPS's will communicate to a home # database and will report your location and speed. This database will maintain # a real-time picture of traffic in your immediate vicinity and if your chosen # path encounters any traffic or slowdown as determined by the other GPS's # already in that traffic pattern, it will suggest an alternate route *around* # the traffic slow-down. # But like I said, if all you need is a basic GPS device, then any will do. # Check out www.geeks.com # They usually have come sweet deals on new and refurbished units. I picked up a # TomTom XLOne for $79. Stick with known brands...Magellan, Garmin, Bushnell. # Geeks.com has a really nice TomTom XL340-S 4.3" (big screen...bigger than # most) for under $122. This has a really nice feature of "text to speech" # meaning that it will read street names for you. # Why is this important? Well, the GPS will tell you "take next right in 200 # yards". I don't know about you, but I don't know "200 yards" and if it's an # exit off of a highway, which merge do I use? If I knew the the street name, I # can make the correct decision. # # Ed # web/gadget guru # # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # # By Galactic God in Futurama # # # "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at # all." # # --- On Sat, 4/10/10, john wrote: # # From: john # Subject: xj: good portable talking GPS? # To: # Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 7:07 PM # # looking for a good, portable, dash mounted type GPS that # has an easily readable display, talks to you clearly, absolutely simple to # operate... # # decided this is a good thing to have, to move between vehicles... # trust me, it's not for me... but for someone I care about, don't # want her to get lost... :) # # All I have to do is look at a map or go there once even 30 years earlier, # and I'm good to go... but for me to explain how I get where # I've been or going to someone directionally challenged, well... it's # beyond my ability to communicate... # # I have an older Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS, have had it for a long time, # useful for checking the speedo after gear/tire changes... but otherwise # it's a blunt instrument. I don't think it provides directions, if it does # it would require reading the instructions... that's beyond my capability, ;) # need something so intuitively obvious that anyone can use it... # # so, looking for something that will plug into the cigarette lighter, # or even operate independently for hiking... but it's got to be easy to # read... large image... # (you'll understand why large images are important as you get older if # you don't know already... :) # # costco has a sale on one... around $200... not sure we need to spend that # much... ??? # # thanx, # john # # # # ----- # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum # http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:00:11 +0200 From: "Sune Cullberg" Subject: SV: xj: good portable talking GPS? Then it is a automotive gps you need. A do-it-all model is poor in navigation. A TomTom, Garmin Nuvi, Navigon or similar is easy to operate if you know what address you want to go at. But not many show elevation, if it is available you need to dig deep in menu. I have a TomTom XL just replaced by Navigon app in my Iphone, and a garmin 76 for out-of-the-car use. I have the TomTom Iphone car kit in my XJ, but use Navigon in it. That because TomToms Iphone app can4t set a lat/long as a destination. The TomTom XL can, but as my phone is sitting there anyway I don4t take the Tomtom with me. If you want to drive around Europe I have one for sale :-) /Sune Sweden - -----Ursprungligt meddelande----- Fren: owner-xj-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-xj-at-digest.net] Fvr john Skickat: den 11 april 2010 07:30 Till: xj-at-digest.net Dmne: Re: xj: good portable talking GPS? there are two requirements... one for the geek in me, which are minimal... speed and elevation... and the rest for my wife... which is UTTER simplicity, big pictures and clearly delivered instructions. :) ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Sat, 10 Apr 2010, Ed Kummel wrote: # If all you need is a basic automotive GPS, almost any model will do. The devil # is in the details., # I like TomTom (you may too considering that it is now running Linux as it's # base OS) # The nice thing about the TomTom is that you can create groups of others that # use TomTom. When you discover an interesting route or destination, you can # upload it to your group and then everybody in your group has access to that # route or destination. Really great if you're coordinating a family reunion to # some out of the way place. # Other features to look for is that some GPS's will communicate to a home # database and will report your location and speed. This database will maintain # a real-time picture of traffic in your immediate vicinity and if your chosen # path encounters any traffic or slowdown as determined by the other GPS's # already in that traffic pattern, it will suggest an alternate route *around* # the traffic slow-down. # But like I said, if all you need is a basic GPS device, then any will do. # Check out www.geeks.com # They usually have come sweet deals on new and refurbished units. I picked up a # TomTom XLOne for $79. Stick with known brands...Magellan, Garmin, Bushnell. # Geeks.com has a really nice TomTom XL340-S 4.3" (big screen...bigger than # most) for under $122. This has a really nice feature of "text to speech" # meaning that it will read street names for you. # Why is this important? Well, the GPS will tell you "take next right in 200 # yards". I don't know about you, but I don't know "200 yards" and if it's an # exit off of a highway, which merge do I use? If I knew the the street name, I # can make the correct decision. # # Ed # web/gadget guru # # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # # By Galactic God in Futurama # # # "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at # all." # # --- On Sat, 4/10/10, john wrote: # # From: john # Subject: xj: good portable talking GPS? # To: # Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010, 7:07 PM # # looking for a good, portable, dash mounted type GPS that # has an easily readable display, talks to you clearly, absolutely simple to # operate... # # decided this is a good thing to have, to move between vehicles... # trust me, it's not for me... but for someone I care about, don't # want her to get lost... :) # # All I have to do is look at a map or go there once even 30 years earlier, # and I'm good to go... but for me to explain how I get where # I've been or going to someone directionally challenged, well... it's # beyond my ability to communicate... # # I have an older Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS, have had it for a long time, # useful for checking the speedo after gear/tire changes... but otherwise # it's a blunt instrument. I don't think it provides directions, if it does # it would require reading the instructions... that's beyond my capability, ;) # need something so intuitively obvious that anyone can use it... # # so, looking for something that will plug into the cigarette lighter, # or even operate independently for hiking... but it's got to be easy to # read... large image... # (you'll understand why large images are important as you get older if # you don't know already... :) # # costco has a sale on one... around $200... not sure we need to spend that # much... ??? # # thanx, # john # # # # ----- # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum # http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:25:24 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: xj: GPS update thanx all for the input... developing better requirements... refined requirements: ================================ 1) easy to use - absolute must. 2) reads street names (text to speech?) - absolute must. 3) accurate and clear instructions (no lakes please - obscure reference to office episode) - absolute must. 4) 4.3" or larger screen (easy to read at a glance) - absolute must. 5) BLUE TOOTH capable for HANDSFREE (wife doesn't use a headset, need in the car) - absolute must. 6) easy to move between benz and jeep(s) - important 7) easily updated maps - not important (they don't do much to improve roads here. ;) 8) desired and important: speed readout 9) optional, but desired: elevation readout 10) optional, but not needed, portable for hiking 11) not concerned about the price, but less than $200 is better... this will be an important tool can't find if this does elevation: - ------------------------------------ http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-265WT-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Navigator/dp/B001ELJ9QK#moreAboutThisProduct INPUT FROM FRIENDS: ================================== - - Garmin or TomTom above their cheapest models - - Garmin - one that reads the street name - - Garmin 265WT which I like a lot. (garmin/amazon link) - - Garmin Nuvi 200 for Father's Day. - That thing is great. It is very easy to use and clear to understand. - - look at the Garmin Nuvi models - - have used a Garmin 205w and 255w. Very nice interface and very simple to use. I - - Navigon is another decent brand.. BUT: not made by Chinese domestic firms - - any 4.3 or larger - (tiger link) - - never had a bad Motorola product, and they do have GPS in their cell phones, - - Nuvi 1450 with the 5" screen is the ticket - - TomTom XLOne for $79. Stick with known brands...Magellan, Garmin, Bushnell. - - Geeks.com has a really nice TomTom XL340-S 4.3" (big screen...bigger than most) <$122. This has a really nice feature of "text to speech" meaning that it will read street names for you. LINKS TO CHECK OUT: ===================== http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37 http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-265WT-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Navigator/dp/B001ELJ9QK http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=20&Nav=|c:2374|&Sort=4 NEGATIVE: ===================== TomTom - I dislike the ABCD keyboard The Garmin units are a pita for map updates TomTom tends to take odd routes, some Dutch guy programmer with no clue how complex Chicago is have Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS - horrible interface newest Magellan that I own is a 4140. I would not recomend it at all. Poor interface and unreliable. Navigon is another decent brand.. BUT: not made by Chinese domestic firms ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:39:22 -0500 From: Tom Moulder Subject: Re: xj: GPS update Interesting discussion about difference between altitude and elevation http://www.poi-factory.com/node/26785 On 4/11/2010 2:25 PM, john wrote: > thanx all for the input... developing better requirements... > > refined requirements: > ================================ > 1) easy to use - absolute must. > 2) reads street names (text to speech?) - absolute must. > 3) accurate and clear instructions (no lakes please - obscure reference to office episode) - absolute must. > 4) 4.3" or larger screen (easy to read at a glance) - absolute must. > 5) BLUE TOOTH capable for HANDSFREE (wife doesn't use a headset, need in the car) - absolute must. > 6) easy to move between benz and jeep(s) - important > 7) easily updated maps - not important (they don't do much to improve roads here. ;) > 8) desired and important: speed readout > 9) optional, but desired: elevation readout > 10) optional, but not needed, portable for hiking > 11) not concerned about the price, but less than $200 is better... this will be an important tool > > > can't find if this does elevation: > ------------------------------------ > http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-265WT-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Navigator/dp/B001ELJ9QK#moreAboutThisProduct > > > > INPUT FROM FRIENDS: > ================================== > - Garmin or TomTom above their cheapest models > - Garmin - one that reads the street name > - Garmin 265WT which I like a lot. (garmin/amazon link) > - Garmin Nuvi 200 for Father's Day. - That thing is great. It is very easy to use and clear to understand. > - look at the Garmin Nuvi models > - have used a Garmin 205w and 255w. Very nice interface and very simple to use. I > - Navigon is another decent brand.. BUT: not made by Chinese domestic firms > - any 4.3 or larger - (tiger link) > - never had a bad Motorola product, and they do have GPS in their cell phones, > - Nuvi 1450 with the 5" screen is the ticket > - TomTom XLOne for $79. Stick with known brands...Magellan, Garmin, Bushnell. > - Geeks.com has a really nice TomTom XL340-S 4.3" (big screen...bigger than most)<$122. > This has a really nice feature of "text to speech" meaning that it will read street names for you. > > > LINKS TO CHECK OUT: > ===================== > http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37 > http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-265WT-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Navigator/dp/B001ELJ9QK > http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Recs=20&Nav=|c:2374|&Sort=4 > > > > NEGATIVE: > ===================== > TomTom - I dislike the ABCD keyboard > The Garmin units are a pita for map updates > TomTom tends to take odd routes, some Dutch guy programmer with no clue how complex Chicago is > have Magellan SporTrak Pro GPS - horrible interface > newest Magellan that I own is a 4140. I would not recomend it at all. Poor interface and unreliable. > Navigon is another decent brand.. BUT: not made by Chinese domestic firms > > > > > > ----- > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum > http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > - -- I don't have a carbon footprint... I drive everywhere I go! tm / Houston / 85 Jeep Cherokee, 2 dr. 2.5L, 4x4 ------------------------------ End of xj-digest V1 #3176 *************************