Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Holland, MI
Realtor looking for inexpensive GPS Sun May 11, 2008 3:02 am
Hi everyone! New to these forums, and I have been trying to study up a bit but need some help.
I am looking for a GPS under $300. This will be my first GPS, but I am generally good with technology.
Basically what I would like to be able to do is put in around 5 addresses, have it provide me with the best routing. I also have seen real view and that seems to be a feature I would really like. I have read that some don't tell you if your destination is on the right or left, pretty sure I would prefer that it did tell me that piece of info.
I would love a couple of suggestions (and why you suggest them).
The feature where you throw in a few addresses and it figures out the best route is called 'route optimization', not many devices have that. The 750 (the least expensive in that range) starts in the lower $300 range.
The feature where you throw in a few addresses and it figures out the best route is called 'route optimization', not many devices have that. The 750 (the least expensive in that range) starts in the lower $300 range.
Infama, since you aren't yet using the 310 for navigation, you may not realize the optimization may be questionable. Certainly not in league with the Garmin 700's IMO
Infama, since you aren't yet using the 310 for navigation, you may not realize the optimization may be questionable. Certainly not in league with the Garmin 700's IMO
Well, I have one, and I have no problem with optimization. I did my own little test, using Tim's specs, and I'm happy with the results. Did it do it better than a Garmin 7xx - don't know, don't have one, don't want one either!
Not dismissing the 310 Uncle Ben. Only noting to Infama that the optimization may not be completely up to par yet. Never would have missed apples either if you'd never had one
Not dismissing the 310 Uncle Ben. Only noting to Infama that the optimization may not be completely up to par yet. Never would have missed apples either if you'd never had one
You're making an unfounded assumption here buddy! We make and sell apple pies for a living, remember!
Did you ever post the details of that test or tests you did to compare this particular feature 310 vs Garmin 7xx?
Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Holland, MI
Sun May 11, 2008 9:11 pm
infama wrote:
ipaq 310 is best for the price range ond optim.
That isn't saying thats its cheaper, just saying that in your opinion its the best for its price range.
I'm not doubting you on that point.
My concern is that in order to best use the Ipaq it sounds like you need to hook it up to the computer. There are times when I may not be able to do that.
Other than that one concern I actually agree that the Ipaq sounds superior.
"...My concern is that in order to best use the Ipaq it sounds like you need to hook it up to the computer..."
No, I think there's a misunderstanding here. With the iPAQ, you don't need to be hooked to a computer any more so than any other GPS device. You need to hook up to a computer only when you want to back up your device, transfer files, update ... Other than that, the iPAQ 310 is a stand-alone PND.
Uncle Ben, I knew that 's what you did, why I mentioned it. (Bet they're good too. You don't seem like someone who puts up with mediocre)
What I determined was that YES, the HP is optimizing, not simply sorting. Just seems the algorythm is not as robust as the 700's. An optimized route on the nuvi seldom turns back on itself. The HP on two of the three tests did. The finalized routes also were not as efficient as the nuvi routes. Part of it is likely due to the TA mapset. I found the travel estimates from point to point to be consistently poor, not the fault of the HP, IMO. For your area, the TA map may be better in it's reported highway speed assumptions, therefor your results might be better.
Uncle Ben, I knew that 's what you did, why I mentioned it. (Bet they're good too. You don't seem like someone who puts up with mediocre)
What I determined was that YES, the HP is optimizing, not simply sorting. Just seems the algorythm is not as robust as the 700's. An optimized route on the nuvi seldom turns back on itself. The HP on two of the three tests did. The finalized routes also were not as efficient as the nuvi routes. Part of it is likely due to the TA mapset. I found the travel estimates from point to point to be consistently poor, not the fault of the HP, IMO. For your area, the TA map may be better in it's reported highway speed assumptions, therefor your results might be better.
Ahah! It's too bad you didn't share these details with us because I came across instances such as the ones you describe too. But guess what - it's not the optimization algorithm that was at the root cause of the seemingly more feeble optimization script; but rather differences in mapping data. Had you looked at the routing a little closer, I bet you dollars to donuts that you would have found one street showing as a one-way direction on one map, not so on the other, this sort of thing. A valid test would have to use an area where the mapping data is identical....Not exactly an easy task, but doable. Any way, thanks for the reply - appreciate it.
Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Holland, MI
Sun May 11, 2008 9:34 pm
Uncle Ben wrote:
"...My concern is that in order to best use the Ipaq it sounds like you need to hook it up to the computer..."
No, I think there's a misunderstanding here. With the iPAQ, you don't need to be hooked to a computer any more so than any other GPS device. You need to hook up to a computer only when you want to back up your device, transfer files, update ... Other than that, the iPAQ 310 is a stand-alone PND.
That you! Thats helps tremendously, it sounded like for trip planning you needed to hook it up to your computer. Maybe I misread...
"...My concern is that in order to best use the Ipaq it sounds like you need to hook it up to the computer..."
No, I think there's a misunderstanding here. With the iPAQ, you don't need to be hooked to a computer any more so than any other GPS device. You need to hook up to a computer only when you want to back up your device, transfer files, update ... Other than that, the iPAQ 310 is a stand-alone PND.
That you! Thats helps tremendously, it sounded like for trip planning you needed to hook it up to your computer. Maybe I misread...
You can if you want to, connecting to ipaq.com\navigate ... but you sure don't have to connect to that web site to plan any trip - you can do it very well directly on your 310.
The issues weren't because of one-way streets that I could find, but appeared when there were divided highways. The HP seemed to want to route to any other waypoints that were on the same highway direction rather than crossing to the other two (three) lanes.
Of course if I saw the data I might think differently, but that logic sounds good to me. (not crossing multiple lanes as going straight out and doubling back might be faster)
Except that you can't actually double back on the same section. You still have to eventually cross that divided highway.
Is it possible that the maps were NOT identical? What you're saying is that there was no logic whatsoever in the routing adopted by the 310 ... it had to cross the lanes any way, just chose to it miles further away. If that's what you're saying, then I have to tell you that this is something I've never experienced with the 310. I've been using it, not daily, but a few times a week for sure ... never came across a situation like this - unless there was a mapping error.
Not dismissing the 310 Uncle Ben. Only noting to Infama that the optimization may not be completely up to par yet. Never would have missed apples either if you'd never had one
Did you read his budget???
Also,
did you make sure to eliminate any mapping errors.
I recall that TA has the Ridgeview Mall located in the wrong place and that would be the putative cause of that optim. anomaly.
Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Holland, MI
Sun May 11, 2008 10:53 pm
infama wrote:
gatorguy wrote:
Not dismissing the 310 Uncle Ben. Only noting to Infama that the optimization may not be completely up to par yet. Never would have missed apples either if you'd never had one
Did you read his budget???
Yeah, the Nuvi is over my budget, although searching around a bit on the web it is only a little over. I guess I am not convinced one way or the other, but I may have to buy and try each of them to really know my prference.
The nuvi is a turnkey, no frills, solution that works well. The iPaq is more involved, but returns dividends on any investment you decide to make in terms of learning and researching. Just look at the custom thread at gpspassion.com . People are remaking the software and doing incredible things!
Even Costco apparently has the 760 on sale for under $400
Which is twice what you'd pay for the 310 if you shop around. And if one takes the trouble to compare both in terms of hardware, functionality, hackability ... it's a no contest. Not only is the premium asked for the Garmin unjustified, but you get more value for the buck with the 310.
Closer to a third, but a valid point nontheless Uncle Ben. His idea of trying both makes sense.
You agree with me ... Wow! I have placed a big red circle around today's date, just so I don't forget this memorable day! About the price, you did say $400, dind't you. And you can get the 310 for $200 on Amazon, not only on the Amazon store but at other stores that advertise on the Amazon web site.
Now let's see:
Nuvi 760 = $400
iPAQ 310 = $200
$200 x 2 = the price that you'd have to pay for ______
Fill out the blanks correctly my Gator friend and you earn yourself a piping hot apple pie!
I believe I said LESS than 400. I think it's the 360 range. You should have three red circles now if my memory is right. Guess you're getting better. LOL
I believe I said LESS than 400. I think it's the 360 range. You should have three red circles now if my memory is right. Guess you're getting better. LOL
I believe I said LESS than 400. I think it's the 360 range. You should have three red circles now if my memory is right. Guess you're getting better. LOL
I know ... and I'm getting a little concerned about this. If the trend continues, I'll see more and more red circles. Scary thought, isn't it? Have a nice day.
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Have a nice day.