ok... family is taking a trip from cali to yellowstone and wondering if it is worth it or not. With the internets mapping sites we could just print up maps and go from there, but we are curious about gps units and there accuracy. Also with bluetooth included that would be nice for hands free phone that is soon a cali law. What are your pros and cons on buying a navigation unit. lets here em
BTW.... I am talking about an after market gps like a StreetPilot c550 by garmin

 

yeah, garmin GPS devices are awesome, my gf has the garmin nuvi, and that thing rules. if you have the money, it will make your trip so much easier.

 

gps technology ftw.
ive got a harman kardon 810 on at all times while im in the car. i even map locations i can get to perfectly on my own...just for peace of mind (and traffic reports).

you can always mapquest. nothing wrong with that. but a gps seems so...necessary to me since ive gotten it.

when its a road trip, a drive into the city, or navigating through traffic early in the morning, im very happy i purchased a gps.

now..if its WORTH it or not?? thats up to you.

 

I have a NUVI and it's amazing. BUY ONE!!!! Make sure it has text-to-speech though, that way it will say to turn right in 500 feet on Richard Avenue instead of just turn right in 500 feet. Even if you do miss the turn, it will recalculate and give you new directions automatically.

I have the Nuvi 360 myself. Accuracy is amazing, it uses the same maps as Mapquest (Navteq). So essentially you have a portable speaking mapquest giving you directions.

I used it for a 12 hour drive to Florida one time and just followed its' directions the entire time. And when I was down there, if I wanted food I just hit the food category in the Nuvi and it showed me all the local food joints (and took me there if I wanted).

The only con is that it costs a few bucks (which you'll make back anyways since you won't get lost).

I think Scion made this little compartment specifically for the Nuvi :D

 

Hey bro,

I took my older Garmin street pilot c330 to Yellowstone last year. Worked great. It is a benefit of having a portable GPS unit being able to take it with you and use in any car, (rental etc). Not to mention the obvious cost savings as compared to a factory Nav system, and the ease of updating the map software.

Pull the trigger, you won't regret it.

 

Thanks for the advice everybody!!!! After your advice and reading a lot of reviews I decided to go with the garmin nuvi 360. It ships from amazon in a couple days. I think we are really going to enjoy it thanks again for your help!!

NomoreMINI ... how was it? it will be our first trip there and was curious if you had any suggestions on what we should definatly do, or not waste our time on.

kdx80boy..... got any more pics of your install?? looks clean no wires showing etc. How did you route them? also any helpfull hints on how to use the 360, you know like cool stuff you had to figure out on your own?

 

To install it like I did here is what you need to do...

1. Get an Altoids can and turn it over.

2. Suction the Garmin mount to it.

3. Push it down into that compartment till it holds.

The reason there are no wires is because I didn't have the charger plugged in. I normally just let the wire hang over the dash to the cigarette outlet.

Here's a helpful hint- Make sure you set the voice to one that has "TTS" at the end of the name, that way it will speak street names. Also, I had to hack my voice file to make it louder as the stock voice I couldn't hear over the radio. See if it's loud enough for you, if not it's real easy to hack.

Also, check to see what map version you have. If it comes pre-installed with NT2008, you are entitled to a free update from Garmin for the 2009 map.

Here's a great site for info on the Nuvi

 

Hey, how do you hack the audio levels?

I just got my new Nuvi 650 and its quite hard to hear, especially compared to my C330 I replaced.

A walk-through would be appreciated man!

 

thanks for the info and the web site great find!

 

Here is a walkthrough, but before you start doing this stuff, backup your Nuvi drive. Hook the Nuvi up to your computer and make sure you have it so you can see all files (including hidden ones). Then drag the contents onto a folder on your computer.

FYI- I did not create this set of instructions myself, but I did edit it to make it more accurate/easier to follow.

I also recommend making a copy of your backed up file and editing the copy (but make sure it has the original name I.E. it doesn't say copy). Then save the newly edited file and import it into the Nuvi overwriting the voice file in the Nuvi.

1. Connect your nuvi to your computer.

2. Download the program "HexEdit" and open it.

3. Browse to the nuvi drive, Garmin>voices. Open the voice file (*.vpm) of the one you want to edit. (Make sure you select the exact voice file you want changed. Sometimes there are two names that are similar but one ends in TTS, change the one you want changed.)

4. Click the "Find" menu and type <voice_volume>.

5. Look for a line that reads <voice_ volume>65</voice.volume>. The number you want to change is the 65.

6. Change the 65 to a higher number like 95 (stay in the double digits though).

7. Save the file.

8. Drag it into your Nuvi where the other voices are and when requested overwrite the existing file.

Repeat for as many "voices" as you want to be louder. I myself only did it once since I never change the voice. I use the British girl, I forget the name.

If you want to read through the posts yourself here are the two that I used.


http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/t...chTerms=volume

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/t...chTerms=volume

 

Sucks, I tried all those editors and it never ends up working. I always loose the voice all together in the unit.

The files always show up as blocks and weird symbols except for the bottom where there is voice and stuff, which I change the value, but it doesn't want to work sadly.

I tried like three hex editors but none work. Looks like im stuck with the slightly low volume! aha

 

Use the program "HexEdit" that was the actual program I used.

And make sure you use the "Find" menu and type in <voice_volume> to find the location

And for the person right above me....

Reread my instructions (I changed them a little). But if it still doesn't work, just let me know and I'm more than happy to help.

 

Ahhh there we go man, it worked like a charm.

This should be perfect!

Appreciate it man!