Garmin GPS-18
Posted on Jun 09, 2007 - 10:13pm by Porter Corn in Technology
For those who are techno junkies as I am and don’t care to spend $250-1000 dollars for a dash mounted GPS unit, The Garmin GPS-18 is the way to go.
The GPS-18 includes a GPS sensor bundled with nRoute® and MapSource® City Navigator® software that automatically guides you with turn-by-turn directions and voice prompts to your destination. A suction cup window mount and a mirror mount accessory complete the package.
The included nRoute and City Navigator DVDs put navigation and detailed maps, including a hefty points of interest database, at your fingertips. To get started, just download the navigation and map data software, connect the GPS 18 receiver to your USB or Serial port and start navigating. Look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions to your destination — displayed right on your laptop screen!
GPS 18’s compact size is perfect for truckers or other business travelers who take their laptop on the road. The small, highly accurate GPS 18 is a 12 parallel channel, WAAS-enabled sensor, is available with either a PC or USB connection. For truckers, the USB kit is the best since your laptop’s USB port powers the receiver.
Despite bad reviews of this package that I encountered while researching the purchase, I have personally been very pleased with it. Try to confuse it by going the opposite direction it tells you to go, no problem! It will catch the mistake and reroute you in seconds.
The settings include truck specific options that help keep you away from restricted routes and low clearances.
At only $129.95, this is the ideal solution for the driver that won’t leave your wallet empty.
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I’ve got a friend who was asking me about GPS devices, I was under the impression you had to spend the 4-500 to get anything worthwhile. Do you use this one yourself? I’m skeptical about trusting my navigation to a 130 device, even from Garmin
Those others have a screen and memory built in. If you’re using your laptop, all you need is the receiver to send the computer to place the coordinates on a map. I don’t use this one, but some Microsoft Streets and Trips are bundled with a GPS receiver. If you want to pay 500+, you’ll get a smaller unit you can mount on the window, but for $130 you can use the laptop you already have.
I use this one myself Ernie. The screenshot is taken from my Toshiba Laptop. This blows Delorme and Microsoft Streets out of the water in my opinion. I base that opinion on the fact that the GUI is uncluttered with needless fluff and eye candy. What is not shown in the screen shot is the lower panel which contains your heading info and ground speed as well as ETA to destination and ETA to next turn.
I don’t generally recommend anything unless I use it, have used it or have gotten my hands on it in some manner
ok very good to know, I already told my friend about it and he asked the same question I did (did you actually use it) so he’ll be happy to hear. Saving money is always good. I’ve found some GPS systems too complicated so the simplicity is nice to hear about too, i might pick one of these up when my one finally dies
If you’re using your laptop, all you need is the receiver to send the computer to place the coordinates on a map