Laptop Gps Units/software

99silveradoz71 · March 3, 2008

Semi-ot, but does anyone use a GPS setup for a laptop? I just picked up a laptop at the start of the year and will be making the usual spring vacation roadtrip. I figured I have the laptop now and will take it on the trip so I don't get buried by missing days of reading the forum and such, so I'd also get a gps receiver and some software to make getting there easier. Anyone recommend any setup?

VMax2007 · March 3, 2008

Great Question and topic!!!

I too am considering getting a laptop soon, for HP Tuners and because I need a 2nd computer anyway since I have a high school daughter that needs my home computer alot!!! I have also been considering a GPS Nav (such as a garmin or TomTom) because I want a portable one, I do NOT want an in-dash one since I want the portability. I have not been able to justify the cost of a decent GPS though, so going this route may be a great idea!

Ranger · March 3, 2008

Microsoft Streets and Trips has a pretty nice setup, only about 100 bucks (last I checked) and it has a fairly comprehensive map from what I've seen...Personally I use a Magellan Roadmate 700 but may be going to an indash system in a while.

badmeds · March 3, 2008

I used to use a version of this one:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=&pID=420

I found it to be great for what I was doing but can be cumbersome if you don't have room for your laptop.

A friend of mine uses the NUVI:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=339

I was impressed with how quickly it rerouted if you missed a turn and the voice turn by turn was excellent. We were testing it out in Atlanta and it was kind of fun trying to get lost.

Kevin

99silveradoz71 · March 3, 2008

Well I tend to spoil myself with something nice at the start of the year once our overtime buydown and holiday conversion checks come. I don't use a lot of my ot or my holidays, so I get a nice check to start the new year. So this year it was the laptop. I figure most of the hotels I'm at on vacation have access in the rooms, so you can plan the day's stops right in the hotel room instead of waiting to get on the net in the lobby and such. And being that I shelled out the coin for a laptop and will be taking it on the trip, I figured using it as the GPS would be the next good step. So I'm right with you on that one Jeff. I picked up Garmin's "GPS 18 USB automotive pack the other day at Best Buy. My laptop has bluetooth, but I felt more comfortable going old school with a USB cable setup I think. It has voice prompts, turn by turn directions, and off-route recalculation according to the box. I haven't opened it up yet as I know how Best Buy is with returns(thus why I don't shop there...-I had someone buy a cd as a gift and went to take it back and I was only able to exchange it for the exact same title). Anyhow, I thought I'd toss this topic out there and see if anyone had any recommendations for what they use. I've got this here if it sounds/looks good.

It looks like it got good reviews on their site. Here's a link if anyone wants to take a look and give me their thoughts. Thanks again.

Garmin GPS 18 USB from Best Buy

Starrman · March 3, 2008

I've always just enabled my VZ Navigator on my Verizon Wireless cell phone when on trips. If you're a Verizon customer, it's cheap and works well.

On a side note, I'm not real familiar with laptop pc GPS software, but considering it would also need an antenna/receiver it probably would be cheaper to just get a handheld gps for $120-$150

Here's a quick link of a few different things to look at (pc software with and without gps antenna / self contained handheld GPS systems)

http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=GPS

slimjim2525 · March 3, 2008

I don't know much about these portable GPS units, but I'm starting to look around. Do you type in the address you're looking for, or are some of them voice recognition. I would hate to pull over and type in an address, if I could just speak to the thing.

killa1982 · March 3, 2008

hello, i actually tried using the microsoft streets and trips 2006 and it was just a pain in the butt....the program itself is not bad but its just very ackward trying to use a laptop to navigate plus the program freezes up often, my problems were solved when i bought my handheld garmin c340 for $139 . hope i could be of help..good luck

Semi-ot, but does anyone use a GPS setup for a laptop? I just picked up a laptop at the start of the year and will be making the usual spring vacation roadtrip. I figured I have the laptop now and will take it on the trip so I don't get buried by missing days of reading the forum and such, so I'd also get a gps receiver and some software to make getting there easier. Anyone recommend any setup?

j.roffel · March 3, 2008

I've got Streets and Trips 2008, it runs fine, but sometimes after about 4 hours it'll freeze and you have to close and open it. The GPS reciever it comes with is a Pharos reciever so you can use it with pretty much any gps software, but to be honest I wouldnt really recommend it. It does its job, but isnt the best for rerouting (it likes to tell you to turn around and take the turn you missed rather than rerouting, you have topush a button to get it to do that.) The one you bought looks nice, I'd stick with it.

Also keep in mind for the turn by turn voice prompt your gonna want to plug it into your AUX port, and so you might want to put music on your laptop too so that you can still listen to music with the turn by turn on.

2004GMC1500CC · March 3, 2008

Semi-ot, but does anyone use a GPS setup for a laptop? I just picked up a laptop at the start of the year and will be making the usual spring vacation roadtrip. I figured I have the laptop now and will take it on the trip so I don't get buried by missing days of reading the forum and such, so I'd also get a gps receiver and some software to make getting there easier. Anyone recommend any setup?

I bought a TomTom One 3rd Edition for my daughter for Christmas from BestBuy on black friday for $125. Had a chance to use it this weekend and really like it. It does voice directions and has a bunch of points of interests that we used quite a bit. Re-calculates routes automatically for you if you miss a turn. Can't imagine having a better unit, especially for the price I paid.

insainiac · March 3, 2008

I got the garmin nuvii 350 right before Christmas ...then we got our truck right after Christmas and it has the Navigation in it...so I thought I would give the Nuvi to my daughter to keep in her car....I personally like the Nuvi better ...it is small and fits in my purse and I really love that it says the street names where as the one in the truck just says turn ahead blah blah blah ....and never says the street name. It is also great if you are out of town somewhere walking around siteseeing....since it is so small. It has a small flip up external antenna that gives it better reception when you are around tall building etc. We leave ours on the whole trip so a laptop wouldn't be kind of bulky for us.

chevylobo · March 3, 2008

i have the gps set up that best buy sells for 130 i bleave it was it comes with antanna and software for lap top its great to have 15 inch laptop screen for gps as apposed to the small screen of most gps units

WilliamsVMAX · March 3, 2008

IMO don't go buying the GPS software and receiver for your laptop. Its awaste of money and it takes up so much room in your vehicle. I highly recommend portable vehicle unit. My wife bought me the new Garmin Nuvi 760 for my birthday, and let me tell you its a great gift. It works so well with such good accuracy its unreal. It also tracks your steps unlike the previous Nuvi models. I put between 60-70k on my truck a year and this little unit helps out so much. I just have it mounted on my windshield for easy access and away to go. If you want a pic I will post one of it in the truck. It might cost alittle more that laptop software but its worth the money. Thats my recommendation.

WFO · March 4, 2008

Forget the clumsy lap top and power converter for a GPS and buy a Nuvi. We went out west last year for two weeks. My wife and I flew into Arizona rented a car and drove 3500 miles to South Dakota and that flew back home. I used my Garmin 2610 GPS to navigate and my lap top and WiFi to book are hotel rooms nightly, send photos to family and friends, and to look up attractions along the way. We visited Sedona AZ, Grand Canyon AZ, Four Corners, Arches National Park UT, Jackson Hole WY, Grand Tetons National Park WY, Yellowstone National Park WY, Devils Tower WY, Mount Rush More SD, Sturgis SD, Deadwod SD, Crazy Horse SD, Custer State Park SD. My Garmin never let me down. I tell my friends a GPS can save marriages. If my GPS ever breaks it will be replaced immediately.

insainiac · March 4, 2008

Forget the clumsy lap top and power converter for a GPS and buy a Nuvi. We went out west last year for two weeks. My wife and I flew into Arizona rented a car and drove 3500 miles to South Dakota and that flew back home. I used my Garmin 2610 GPS to navigate and my lap top and WiFi to book are hotel rooms nightly, send photos to family and friends, and to look up attractions along the way. We visited Sedona AZ, Grand Canyon AZ, Four Corners, Arches National Park UT, Jackson Hole WY, Grand Tetons National Park WY, Yellowstone National Park WY, Devils Tower WY, Mount Rush More SD, Sturgis SD, Deadwod SD, Crazy Horse SD, Custer State Park SD. My Garmin never let me down. I tell my friends a GPS can save marriages. If my GPS ever breaks it will be replaced immediately.

Amen! To the last two sentences!