You can turn off the TTS, just choose the other english language (the one w/o TTS). On my new 205, I noticed the street name seems to appear more boldly on the top of the screen than on my 260. I only got to use it on the ride home from the store though, havent used it since. Maybe she'll let me try it again sometime. I also don't feel the TTS is that big of a deal. I think a unit with more points of interest is more important.
GPS and auto system info needed
- Thread starter escavader
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OP
escavader
Veteran Member
Iknew id get alot of replys from TBN guys
.Keep em coming im just in the research faze. If TORIN can buy a decent car unit for 99 bucks,do you guys think i ought to buy one for my offroad toys,and one for my truck/cars.Ihave water proof compartments on the sled and wheeler,but they might get juggled around a bit.Will a GPS work in the box?Of course ill have to stop and take it out to see where i am?Sorry for being ignorant,but im thinking from your post a car one and back country portable are two different animals
ALAN
.Keep em coming im just in the research faze. If TORIN can buy a decent car unit for 99 bucks,do you guys think i ought to buy one for my offroad toys,and one for my truck/cars.Ihave water proof compartments on the sled and wheeler,but they might get juggled around a bit.Will a GPS work in the box?Of course ill have to stop and take it out to see where i am?Sorry for being ignorant,but im thinking from your post a car one and back country portable are two different animals ALAN
SnowRidge
Elite Member
The car and portable units are different, but the biggest difference that you will notice is the screen size. The car models are much larger and far easier to read.
If by "in the box" you mean inside a metal container, it will probably lose the signals. When you stop, it will have to reacquire the satellites, which may happen quickly, or may take two or three minutes. It's hard to say exactly.
If the box isn't metal, the unit will probably be able to keep tracking the signals while it is in there. Just be aware that GPS signals are very weak and any kind of material between the unit and the open sky will attenuate the signal to some degree. Some types of material are worse than others. Wet anything is usually bad. Cheaper units are much more prone to losing the signals than the more expensive models. The attitude of the unit makes a difference, too. A unit laying on its back normally will not do as well as one held vertical in your hand, for example.
I suggest buying a quality portable unit designed for outdoors. If it doesn't provides acceptable performance in the car, then buy a car unit, too.
If by "in the box" you mean inside a metal container, it will probably lose the signals. When you stop, it will have to reacquire the satellites, which may happen quickly, or may take two or three minutes. It's hard to say exactly.
If the box isn't metal, the unit will probably be able to keep tracking the signals while it is in there. Just be aware that GPS signals are very weak and any kind of material between the unit and the open sky will attenuate the signal to some degree. Some types of material are worse than others. Wet anything is usually bad. Cheaper units are much more prone to losing the signals than the more expensive models. The attitude of the unit makes a difference, too. A unit laying on its back normally will not do as well as one held vertical in your hand, for example.
I suggest buying a quality portable unit designed for outdoors. If it doesn't provides acceptable performance in the car, then buy a car unit, too.
IXLR8
Elite Member
From Eureka Springs Arkansas to Sturbridge Mass over 2 days.How much time does that make for riding on a motorcycle in the pouring rain?
Sigarms
Super Star Member
Thinking about it, for kayaking, I outfit my boats with a "closed" styrafoam (sp?) padding (I'd cut to fit, then heat on the edges to smoothe it out to make it a tighter fit in the boat). You could use this foam in some sort of box, and cut it out to fit the GPS unit in it with only the screen side showing. Should make the GPS pretty bombproof for any type of jarring. Work it out where you can add a clear plexi glass type cover over the GPS unit so you can still see the unit while it's in the box and you may have something to work with (adding to it's ability to withstand water).
You're a better man than I!
OP
escavader
Veteran Member
She certainly needs one,has no sense of direction.Weve gone to PORTLAND many many times.We went to CABELLAS last week and of course ,being a guy i had to take one of my so called "short cuts" .She complains that each time we go ,i go a different route,so she cant remember how to get there,if she wanted to go shopping while im snowmobiling or something.Pretty clever arent I?If you buy a car unit, beware...
If it ends up in a certain Subaru, you'll most likely have to buy a second one!!!!!! She might not give it back!
ALAN
schmism
Super Member
my non-techie father-in-law got a TOM-TOM for xmass last year from radio shack.
they LOVE it. portable, does everything the common person wants when looking for a "nav" system.
I used it when getting to my brother in laws weding on private property in the sticks. it got me there, told me exactly how to get there.
But
I have an "old school" hand held GPS (megalin merdian gold) i have had for years now. Its old school GPS. Supplies me with TONS more data and has TONS more options on how i can run it. When going from that GPS to a TOM-TOM i was ready to toss the tomtom out the window i got so fustrated at it. But thats only because im used to a more "feature rich" hand held GPS.
Like i said, for simple point and shoot turn by turn directions..... Plug and pray solution. Tom-tom would get my vote.
For something you can take on a boat, plane, in the woods on the 4wheeler, hikeing, geocacheing AND turn by turn directions... look at a full featured hand held GPS unit.
Travelover
Elite Member
I've had both a car and handheld GPS for years, but have not seen a single unit that is good for both on and off road. The on-road GPS selection is pretty good now and prices have dropped significantly, but off road units tend to need a separate topo software package that can be pricey. For topo maps, you also need to look at the scale closely - the 1:100000 scale makes for a rough map.
We borrowed a top of the line nuvi 800 something last year on a trip to Seattle. It worked very well in the country and suburbs, but in the city. eh not so much. If you park in a covered structure it won't find a lock in there. If you go out and are into the land of tall buildings (YUCK ) it also won't find a lock and you can go a long distance in the dead wrong direction before it gets a lock, I know! It also sux to rely on it only to find that the road it wants you to take is gone.
) it also won't find a lock and you can go a long distance in the dead wrong direction before it gets a lock, I know! It also sux to rely on it only to find that the road it wants you to take is gone.
