Re: AAA (or CSAA) Maps versus GPS Maps
- From: Lon VanOstran <RVnFT@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 18:11:00 -0500
Bryan wrote:
I'm about to filter through my box full of AAA maps. I really like my AAA maps. I don't think GPS maps will ever compare.
With that said, for the sake of using a little less paper and needing a little less storage space, I'm wondering what the consensus (could there be one) is regarding the best GPS maps and the affordable GPS units (handheld, not mounted) that I might look at to replace my AAA maps.
I could read ad copy and ask a salesman, but I'd like to go with the first-hand experience this ng has to offer.
Affordable: the less expensive the better. I didn't say cheaper.
Useful: readable maps that really cover areas well over the full range of small scale to large scale. I need reading glasses and generally don't have them with me so the font/typeface needs to accomodate my visual limitations.
Handheld: I plan on using it in whatever car I'm driving in or riding in.
Extra optional features: campgrounds, rv parks, truck stops, Wal-Marts, gas stations/off-ramps.
Updates: Easily and inexpensively updated.
USB/Windows XP compatible.
In March, we bought a Garmin Quest. Compact enough to fit in my pocket, and big enough to see in it's perch suctioned to the windshield in front of Carolyn.
It slick, easy to use, and very accurate. It's one fault is it's inability to hold ALL of the maps and info of the USA at once. I plan our trips on the computer, select "all maps around trip", and load the info for the area of the trip into the Garmin. One of the reasons why it can't hold enough info is that there is TONS OF INFO. If we need a WalMart, or any other chain store, Garmin seems to know where it is, and leads us in.
It easily holds a whole state, or even 2 states, which you can select and load. On a long trip, you need to let the computer load a narrow area around the chosen rout. I prefer loading most of 2 or 3 states, and then doing a new trip for the next leg of the trip. With route tracking, you can save your tracked route on your laptop before you load the next segment of the trip.
It's also easy to change the display to show information that YOU want, instead of being forced to take what you get.
I load the big picture trip into it from the computer. For short trips to the store, or sight seeing, Carolyn has mastered setting up short trips from the unit, and she's pretty quick about it.
Another nice feature, is using it in "stop navigator" mode. Then, it shows the map of the area around you, and shows the name of the next cross street across the top of the screen. I don't know how we got along without this toy. It's GREAT.
It cost ABOUT $400 delivered from WalMart.com
Lon
.
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- AAA (or CSAA) Maps versus GPS Maps
- From: Bryan
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