More GPS advice please - Garmin

[Marvin]

Hi everyone!

We are looking for a GPS and we have decided tentatively on the Garmin Nuvi 760 after initially reading the previous thread on here and then doing some research. We will be using it when we go to Canada and the US next year and also around Australia. I am aware that I will have to get some North American maps for it. We basically want something reliable that reads street names and can do multi stop points on a programmed trip.

Do people think this is a good choice? How easy is it to add maps? Where do people recommend to purchase from?

I have called around and the price varies hugely, however the cheapest I could find was $550 in store and $547 online (including extra aerial, case and lcd protector).

Thanks!

Lee

[photohiker]

Good choice.

Maps are added via SD card.

Buy the CD version of the maps if you can and transfer via your own SD card, much more flexible.

More info here: http://www.gpsaustralia.net/forums/

Reliable seller: http://www.octapc.com.au/prod3865.htm

Regards,

Michael

[radar]

Lee,

your other option is just to get a rental car that has a GPS, either built in or added. GPS's are dirt cheap in the USA so you certainly would be able to get it over there, pre-loaded with the USA maps, ready to go. You can always sell it on ebay when you get back.

My neighbour has a Nuvi 760 and he was going to the UK and Ireland. It was cheaper for him to pay the extra for a GPS in the car then it was to buy the maps here.

cheers,

André

[gstark]

GPS's are dirt cheap in the USA

About US$130 in Target, when I was there in April.

At that price, I'd just buy one for the trip once I land

[phillipb]

I bought a Navman about 3 years ago for around $600, I just bought an LG for my daughter a few months ago for $250 and it leaves my navman for dead. It's like cameras, the latest models are cheaper and better then the previous generation. Buy the latest model even if it's cheap, you can't go wrong.
Aldi had one for $149 in a recent catalogue.

[photohiker]

On our europe trip, we just asked for an upgrade from the renault we had booked, and landed up with a saab diesel that had GPS at no extra cost. Only downside was that the GPS only spoke french. We learned a lot...

Also, spme of the hire car places are offering tomtom gps's for a few bucks a day...

Garmin GPS used to be a lot cheaper in the US than here. Since Garmin took over the AU distribution, the price has dropped a lot. Probably not worth buying one from the states now, unless you are actually going there. Probably less than 10% difference in the prices now, compared to paying double here compared to new units on ebay a few months ago.

[biggerry]

Whilst not on your wish list, I noticed that you can get Topo maps of Aus with the Garmin Nuvi 760, if they are anything as good as the Magellan (read http://www.nextdestination.com.au/) topo maps of aus I would recommend getting them, they are a very handy thing to have when planning trips around aus.

I have not looked at GPS units for quite a few years, but I do have a handheld magellan unit which I used with the topo maps whilst doing the Gibb river road in WA, features like track logs and vertical profiles were very handy.

Given my time over I would buy Garmin provided their maps are up to scratch, the physical units always seemed better that magellan.

Check out http://www.gpsoz.com.au/ and http://www.ja-gps.com.au/

Let us know how you go and what you think of the unit - if you buy, I know I would be interested.

[gstark]

Aldi had one for $149 in a recent catalogue.

Geoff ??!!

Geoff ?? !!!!!

[phillipb]

Aldi had one for $149 in a recent catalogue.

Geoff ??!!

Geoff ?? !!!!!

[Marvin]

Great advice once again, thanks guys. We are actually going to Canada for a year and swapping cars with our exchange family over there so we will not be hiring a car. I thought I would buy one here as I will have no little time to shop before I start work there and we will have to drive 3 1/2 hours in our second week, in the dark, on the wrong side of the road, in snow, to another city and find our way. It scares me half to death and I just want something to tell me where to go!!!

[gstark]

we will have to drive 3 1/2 hours in our second week, in the dark, on the wrong side of the road, in snow,

The only one of those that's an issue is the "in the snow" bit.

By your second week you'll be starting to become accustomed to driving on the other side of the road ... these days I just land where ever, wander to the Avis (sometimes Budge-It, occasionally it Hurts) counter and grab my pre-booked car, and drive away from the hairy-port.

The issues that you'll run into to (pun intended) are that the gearstick and internal mirror are in the wrong place ... and so too is the bloody steering wheel! Once weekly - perhaps more frequently - you and/or your partner will wander around to the wrong side of the vehicle to get in. I always let that happen when I see it starting to occur (as we approach the vehicle) but then, I'm a cruel bastard.

While you're driving, there are actually two serious issues that need to be borne in mind. The first is that one that you've mentioned, the one of driving on the other side of the road. That usually manifests itself if you're the only car on the road; when others are present they will serve to guide/remind you of the correct side of the road to be on.

The second is that while driving, you will be sitting on the LH side of the vehicle, with the rest of the vehicle to your right. This is the opposite of what you're used to, and it can be problematic. While driving, you are used to placing yourself into a certain place on the road ... between, for instance, the lane markings. This is a relative position, and you are generally placed a little to the left of the right or centre lane marking.

A potential problem occurs when you drive a LHD vehicle, because you are now on the other side of the car, with a vast expanse of car body sitting where you are not used to having it. On a freeway you might find yourself tending to occupy the same relative position to the lane markings, but if you do, you will find half your car is in another lane. This is not a recommended technique for safe passing of other cars.

Once you understand this issue, (and it will affect you on surface streets as well as on the freeways) then you can adjust your driving to suit, and it becomes less of a problem.

I just want something to tell me where to go!!!

I thought you had a partner.

[Marvin]

I thought you had a partner.

 LOL, yes I do. He is very quiet and doesn't say any bloody thing!!! Thanks for the great advice Gary. The driving (and our trip to Edmonton) is the main part I am worried about at the moment. Well, that and the dollar.

[gstark]

Well, that and the dollar.

What dollar?

[garyr]

I know you are looking at the Garmin - but currently in the US the TomTom ONE 130 (with 1gb internal memory and US+Canadian maps) are retailing for USD149 - probably about the best value I have seen here in GPS's. Very few models below that price, and TomTom is good. The only downside is that there is no SD card so if you purchase additional maps you need to backup and reload (1gb is not much space really). You can buy the same units in AU (but be careful some only have 512mb of memory) with AU maps pre-loaded, and then buy the US maps - with current exchange rates it makes it about AUD30 cheaper to buy all in the US. The better the PP gets to the USD the cheaper it gets buying it in the US.

[ATJ]

A potential problem occurs when you drive a LHD vehicle, because you are now on the other side of the car, with a vast expanse of car body sitting where you are not used to having it. On a freeway you might find yourself tending to occupy the same relative position to the lane markings, but if you do, you will find half your car is in another lane. This is not a recommended technique for safe passing of other cars.

I realised this very early on and worked hard on positioning the car in the lane rather than myself. I now have no trouble at all either here or in the US.

Once weekly - perhaps more frequently - you and/or your partner will wander around to the wrong side of the vehicle to get in. I always let that happen when I see it starting to occur (as we approach the vehicle) but then, I'm a cruel bastard.

On my last trip I did this once (and I was there for a week, so, once weekly fits my experience ). I had pulled up in a shopping area outside a bottle shop (yes, I found a bottlo!) got out of the car and pulled on the door of the shop only to realise it was closed. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I hurried back to the car (in an attempt to reduce the embarrassment only to walk to the passenger side of the car.

While you're driving, there are actually two serious issues that need to be borne in mind. The first is that one that you've mentioned, the one of driving on the other side of the road. That usually manifests itself if you're the only car on the road; when others are present they will serve to guide/remind you of the correct side of the road to be on.

Again, once on the last trip when I was in a mall car park and I was the only car on the road - I realised soon enough.

Another trick I taught myself was mentally doing the chicken dance. If my left arm were to hit a door, I drive on the right side of the road.

Even when you have mastered all of these issues there are some others.

Knowing where to look for the driver in other cars. Many a time I have come to a 4-way stop sign (and they are common) to look at the driver in a car at one of the other stop signs only to realise they aren't even paying attention (um, that's the passenger) or worse there is no driver (but luckily there is a passenger and they seem to have things under control).

Paying tolls. You have to use your left hand to pay the toll. It sounds obvious but I kept trying to pay with my right hand and had to stretch across my body.

Wipers versus indicators. If you already drive a European car, this won't be a problem, but for me (two Holdens), the wipers and indicators are swapped.

[moggy]

The other biggie is roundabouts, I got caught out in Europe and didn't realise I was going round the wrong side until my passengers yelled out! Fortunately nothing was coming the other way and I exited OK. I never did that again.

Bob.

[gstark]

A potential problem occurs when you drive a LHD vehicle, because you are now on the other side of the car, with a vast expanse of car body sitting where you are not used to having it. On a freeway you might find yourself tending to occupy the same relative position to the lane markings, but if you do, you will find half your car is in another lane. This is not a recommended technique for safe passing of other cars.

I realised this very early on and worked hard on positioning the car in the lane rather than myself.

That's the key to this one.

Once weekly - perhaps more frequently - you and/or your partner will wander around to the wrong side of the vehicle to get in. I always let that happen when I see it starting to occur (as we approach the vehicle) but then, I'm a cruel bastard.

On my last trip I did this once (and I was there for a week, so, once weekly fits my experience ). I had pulled up in a shopping area outside a bottle shop (yes, I found a bottlo!)

That would be a "Liquor Store".

Or a supermarket.

Or in California, even a gas station.

While you're driving, there are actually two serious issues that need to be borne in mind. The first is that one that you've mentioned, the one of driving on the other side of the road. That usually manifests itself if you're the only car on the road; when others are present they will serve to guide/remind you of the correct side of the road to be on.

Again, once on the last trip when I was in a mall car park and I was the only car on the road - I realised soon enough.

My first trip to the US, in the days BC, San Louis Obispo (beautiful little city) ... did this in the middle of a four way, four lane intersection, no other vehicles. Craziest U-turn in the history of mankind, as I realised and corrected the error.

Knowing where to look for the driver in other cars.

Especially useful on the freeway, where there are all those driverless cars.

Wipers versus indicators. If you already drive a European car, this won't be a problem, but for me (two Holdens), the wipers and indicators are swapped.

Only an issue for me when I get into a Hondoyota. Here.

[gstark]

The other biggie is roundabouts, I got caught out in Europe and didn't realise I was going round the wrong side until my passengers yelled out! Fortunately nothing was coming the other way and I exited OK. I never did that again.

Don't try that at the Arc De Triomphe.

[photohiker]

One of the driving gotcha's that hasn't been mentioned, and is quite hazardous is moving into a main road, especially from an uncontrolled T-Junction. You need to pay extra special attention whenever you do this.

It is disastrous not to look into the correct lane for approaching vehicles on the main road. People have been caught. Badly.

You have to remember that saying from school. "Look once, look twice, and look again"

Good luck, and take care.

Michael

[ATJ]

That would be a "Liquor Store".

This was actually a bottle shop. They specialised in wines. Which was handy as I wanted to buy some Zinfandel (thanks to Captain Slow for the suggestion).

[ATJ]

One of the driving gotcha's that hasn't been mentioned, and is quite hazardous is moving into a main road, especially from an uncontrolled T-Junction. You need to pay extra special attention whenever you do this.

Or moving from a one-way street into a two way street, especially when turning left as you start from the left side of the road and have to go to the middle.

A few years ago I had a scary one. I was driving down a freeway (actually a parkway ) and it had a left exit (most exits are on the right). The exit lane was quite long and for a moment I forget where I was. I had to turn right onto the connecting road, the lights were green and my speed was appropriate to end up on the left side of the other road - until I noticed there were two lanes of cars waiting at the lights where I was heading. All I can say is I was very thankful the rental car had ABS and power steering and I was able to turn it a lot sharper than I was expecting.

[gstark]

Zinfandel

Wash your mouth out with soap.

No, make that a white zin.

There is but one thing worse than a white zin, and that would be a Gallo white zin.

[ATJ]

They make a white Zin? This was definitely red.

[gstark]

The white is more of a pink, but yes.

Sad, isn't it?

[Marvin]

Excellent, you guys are just making me feel so much more confident about driving!! At least I will be thinking about how I am driving, all the more reason to have a gps!

[ATJ]

Lee,

I'm not sure if you have traveled to the US before so if you have, I'm sorry for telling you something you may already know.

Getting around in the US (and I suspect Canada will be the same), is significantly easier than it is in Australia. All the roads are well marked with great signage and most exits, intersections, etc. are very well marked, usually with plenty of warning. Additionally, most of the through roads have an associated number, be they Interstates (e.g. I-95), national highways (e.g. US66), state roads, or town roads. I find it very easy to navigate over there and I have not yet had to resort to using GPS.

On my last trip I was going to a few places I hadn't been before, or places I had been but coming from a different starting point along a different route. I looked up Google Maps, determined the road numbers and the rest was easy.

For example, on the first day I went from my hotel to the office, my directions were this simple:
1. Head west on US-202/US-6 toward Sawmill Rd Continue to follow US-202 Entering New York 11.5 mi
2. Continue on RT-100 0.9 mi

On the Wednesday I had to go from the hotel in Connecticut to Westford, Mass., a journey of 160 miles. It was almost as simple:
1. Head east on US-202/US-6 toward Old Ridgebury Rd 0.1 mi
2. Turn right at Old Ridgebury Rd 0.3 mi
3. Turn left to merge onto I-84 E toward Hartford Partial toll road Entering Massachusetts 104 mi
4. Take the exit onto I-90 E/Massachusetts Turnpike/Mass Pike toward Boston/N.H.-Maine Partial toll road 27.9 mi
5. Take exit 11A to merge onto I-495 N toward N.H.-Maine Partial toll road 25.9 mi
6. Take exit 32 for Boston Rd toward Westford 0.2 mi
7. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for RT-225/Littleton/RT-110/Groton and merge onto Boston Rd 0.2 mi
8. Turn left at Littleton Rd/RT-110 0.6 mi
9. Turn left at Technology Park Dr 0.1 mi

While the above may look complex, it was basically, I-84 to I-90 to I-495 to RT-225 to RT-110. The 160 miles took me 2.5 hours (i.e. an average speed of 64 miles per hour. )

[Marvin]

Thanks Andrew. I haven't traveled to the USA or Canada before, it's all new to me. That's very handy to know. I actually wasn't too sure how accurate Google maps was.

[gstark]

All the roads are well marked with great signage and most exits, intersections, etc. are very well marked, usually with plenty of warning.

Typically, you will get three exits' warning, and often the placement of the signs will tell you where the exit will be located. While mostly the exits will be to your right, sometimes they will be on the left, and the signs' placement will often reflect this.

Additionally, most of the through roads have an associated number, be they Interstates (e.g. I-95), national highways (e.g. US66), state roads, or town roads.

In the US, odd numbered highways run north to south, while those with an even number run from east to west. The old Route 66 (US66), I-10 and I-80, all run E-W, I-95, 101, 99, 35 etc all run N-S.

I find it very easy to navigate over there and I have not yet had to resort to using GPS.

As Andrew illustrates, many journeys can be easily planned before you depart.

It's only at the micro level, as you approach a destination, that you might need more detailed instructions.

I would have the GPS available, but plan my trip beforehand, using the GPS for strange, unplanned areas, such as shopping in unfamiliar regions.

On my last trip I was going to a few places I hadn't been before, or places I had been but coming from a different starting point along a different route. I looked up Google Maps, determined the road numbers and the rest was easy.

Yep.

Even getting your rental car from LAX, and then getting to say, Anaheim, where Disneyland is, isn't too hard. As you exit the rental car lot (it's big, and off the main airport strip) there are directions to the 405 (I think), which you already know runs N-S. Look for the I-405 S signs, they will be to your right, and then exit the surface roads onto the freeway. You'll know you're on an LA freeway because the posted speed limit is 65mph, and although you are traveling at 65, everyone is passing you, doing about 75.

Catch up!

After about 15 or 20 minutes/miles, you could take the Long Beach Freeway exit, but that heads west, towards the coast. For Anaheim, you want to go east.

Or you could stay on 405 ... after about 35 miles/minutes from LA, you'll see where 405 becomes the San Diego Freeway (605). Can't remember if this is before Newport and SNA (John Wayne) airport, but you should be getting the idea. Just after, I think.

My first exit is usually in Fountain Valley though, about ten minutes north of SNA.

[ATJ]

In the US, odd numbered highways run north to south, while those with an even number run from east to west. The old Route 66 (US66), I-10 and I-80, all run E-W, I-95, 101, 99, 35 etc all run N-S.

Gary,

I believe that is only true of the Interstates and even then there are exceptions. It is certainly true of the main Interstates (i.e. the 2 digit ones, I-80, I-10) especially the 0's and 5'. When they have 3 digits, they are often the opposite. For example, in NY state. I-95 and I-87 go largely N-S. I-84 is largely E-W. I-287 is EW and I-684 N-S. Then you can have ring roads, like I-440 around Raleigh, NC which is a complete circle around Raleigh and has no single compass direction.

In the example I gave from Danbury, CT to Somers, NY, US-202/US-6 started as E-W and then turned to be N-S. I then turned onto RT-100 which was N-S.

[ATJ]

I would have the GPS available, but plan my trip beforehand, using the GPS for strange, unplanned areas, such as shopping in unfamiliar regions.

Agreed. I wasn't really suggesting to go without having one (at least as a backup) but more commenting that most of the time you don't really need one.

[gstark]

In the US, odd numbered highways run north to south, while those with an even number run from east to west. The old Route 66 (US66), I-10 and I-80, all run E-W, I-95, 101, 99, 35 etc all run N-S.

Gary,

I believe that is only true of the Interstates and even then there are exceptions.

I think you will find that the exceptions are probably local-ish, perhaps sub-sections of the major routes. I'm pretty sure that this is all something Fed, perhaps dating back to Roosevelt's time? I used to know this stuff, but that was when I first moved to the US ... 16 years ago.

The other thing that can be useful to be aware of is the typical city/town street naming and numbering scheme that is in place.

In any city or town, you will find that there's a zero street, with streets going away from that street being named for numbers (1st St, 3rd Ave etc) and the streets that are perpendicular to those named alphabetically - A St, B St, and so on. Street numbering is done on a block basis - 0-100 will be on the zero block, 100-200 will be on the 1 block (start at 1St or A St), 1120 will be between 11th and 12th streets, (or perhaps 11th and 12th Avenue) and so on.

The zero st? Main St, of course.

With that knowledge, it becomes very easy to find one's way around most US cities.

[photohiker]

On the other hand, when you do take a wrong turn, the GPS will be invaluable to get you back on track... We all know what a PITA it can be regaining direction when the wrong offramp is accidentally taken.

[gstark]

In the US, odd numbered highways run north to south, while those with an even number run from east to west. The old Route 66 (US66), I-10 and I-80, all run E-W, I-95, 101, 99, 35 etc all run N-S.

Gary,

I believe that is only true of the Interstates and even then there are exceptions.

How about this ....

North-South U.S. Highways: The odd numbered highways from US 1 on the Atlantic coast to US 101 on the Pacific coast ...

East-West U.S. Highways: The even numbered highways from US 2 along the Canadian border to US 98 along the Gulf of Mexico

The current system of highway numbering dates from 1956, which was Eisenhower's presidency, rather than Roosevelt. That said, I still seem to have a recollection of Roosevelt's (or presidency) in some of this, although it doesn't seem to relate to any of the significant dates listed.

Wikipedia also offers much that is relevant. Take a look at what it says about two-numbered and three-numbered highways. Particularly 101, which is a two digit highway.

[ATJ]

Gary,

There is a distinction between US highways (or US routes), Interstates and other highways. They are not all the same. The US Highways follow those rules. The Interstates do, to some extent, with the exceptions I mentioned. Once you get to other highways (state highways, etc.) things will be different.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Highway_System which shows that the rules change once you get to Auxiliary Interstates:

Unlike primary Interstates, three-digit Interstates are signed as either east/west or north/south, depending on the general orientation of the route, without regard to the route number. For some looped Interstate routes, inner/outer directions are used as a directional labeling system, as opposed to compass directions.

[BBJ]

Hi Lee, well i got one of those GPS the other week that you mentioned, not that i have learnt how to use it yet and well i guessthey have there lil flaws with maps as i just updated my maps today for free. Seems to be ok and the Bluetooh works a treat with Mbl phone but just not mine. LOL I also cant putmy home addy in as it comes up with next doors but not mine but no major dramas. Bt seems to be a good unit and no matter what you read all have there lil trates of some sort and makes it hard to choose what to get but the 760 seems to work ok.

Cheers
John
BBJ

[Marvin]

Cool, thanks for the information John. I ordered the Garmin Nuvi 760 yesterday. It will hopefully be here mid next week so I will let everyone know what I think of it, if I can manage to work it out!
Lee

[bwhinnen]

Cool, thanks for the information John. I ordered the Garmin Nuvi 760 yesterday. It will hopefully be here mid next week so I will let everyone know what I think of it, if I can manage to work it out!
Lee

They're a great unit. I've had one since February, we bought ours in the US for our trip over there but have the current AUS maps as well. Works well over here and they are dead easy to use!

[BBJ]

Lee, I updated my map yesterday as if you buy one like we have we get a free map upgrade so did mine yesterday and worked ok only the program to install it all was like over 200 meg so dont go trying it on dial up. You will be there for awhile so upgraded from 2008 to 2009 maps.

Cheers
John

[radar]

Lee,

The driving (and our trip to Edmonton) is the main part I am worried about at the moment.

The driving around western Canada is actually pretty easy, even in winter. As long as there isn't a snow storm at the time, the driving to Edmonton, I assume from Calgary?? is pretty easy, good road all the way and gets cleared of snow and ice. Driving in the cities, eg Calgary/Edmonton, is very easy as they use the grid system, streets go north/south, avenues east/west and the cities are divided in four quadrants, NE, NW, SE, SW. So if the address is 1412 12th Avenue NE, that address will be in the NE quadrant, on 12th avenue between 13th and 14th street. Once you get used to it, very easy to get around.

A gotcha for Australians living in Canada over the winter, when you plug-in your car (in the electric mains), remember to unplug it before driving off It does get very cold out in Alberta.

Have fun in Canada, great part of the world

cheers,

André
(Canuck who lived in Calgary for 5 years)

[Marvin]

Thanks for the reassurance Brett and John. Ryda called and they are posting it today so I should have it by Wed or Thurs.

Andre, thanks for the advice and information about Calgary/Edmonton. I feel a bit better now. I have seen pictures of snowy roads and my neighbour told me about how he thought the road went one way but couldn't see because of the snow and ended up in a ditch, so I have been panicking a bit. The kids are excited to visit the West Edmonton Mall while we are in Edmonton. I have to work unfortunately, so Pete and the kids will enjoy themselves.