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If only I had used a GPS the other day I wouldn't have arrived at my job interview huffing and puffing with only two minutes to spare (I usually try to arrive 15-30 minutes before)! Missed an exit on the M2 and went back the other way in the thick of rush hour traffic.
That said, if I were to buy a GPS I'd get one of 'em new thin ones like a Mio 570 with SUNA live traffic that tells you to avoid certain roads, and maybe it's even thin enough to fit inside a lidded centre cubby that you can easily buy off eBay. All I need to do is rig up a mount under the lid so that the GPS flips into place when you open the lid.
The problem with windscreen mounted ones is the suction cup mark will be a giveaway if you have to park in dodgy areas. Can't be too careful these days.
The problem with windscreen mounted ones is the suction cup mark will be a giveaway if you have to park in dodgy areas. Can't be too careful these days.
I have a sunglass cleaning cloth in my car and after i put the GPS away, i give the section of window a quick wipe over, all evidence gone (CSI would be impressed).
As for mounting, I have mine in the centre above the dash compartment. That was, if people are going to steal it from the side windows, it will take them more time and chances are they will cut themelves in the process (the windows dont completely smash out - just shatter). I think front windscreens are a lot harder to break, haven't heard of many thieves using the front as an access point. I also have it in the middle so its easy to plug in to the cigarette lighter - no need for relocation!
I have mine in the centre of windscreen, as close to the dash as possible as well, easy for the power cable to be connected from the cig lighter. At first I had it under the A pillar on the drivers side; didn't mount it 100% and fell off when I turned a corner, almost out the window! I actually use a GPS enabled phone (HTC Diamond) so I have the phone holder mounted all the time; hopefully the thieves are smart enough to know it is a phone holder and NOT a GPS cradle!
sigpic VW Passat CC 2.0T MY2009 (HK) (current)
VW Bora 2.3L V5 MY2000 (HK) (sold)
Subaru Liberty 2.5L MY2000 (Oz) (sold)
Here's where I have my Garmin Nuvi 760 positioned.
Damn, i take it you use voice on it and arent continually looking down there to see where go?
A Pillar for me, mobile phone mount and bought a retractable phone charger (as opposed to the twisty type) and it sits nicely over the steering column and is ready to just plug in when i need it.
Apparently you can get done for having it mounted in the middle of the windscreen as it obstructs vision.
In saying that saw a cop car the other day with one mounted there.
Personally i dont use it with volume just follow the arrows.
I've taken those pictures with 3rd gear selected, so there's heaps of room. No chance of hitting it unless your hand flies off the shifter. Also, no tell tale rings on the windscreen. Tinted windows means it's also near impossible to see it, not that I leave it in there anyway.
Yeah, it's tuned into my radio. But even still, I hardly use it. Glancing down when stopped at the lights has been more than sufficient. Just reading the top of the screen "Turn left at Smith St in 400m" -- Also, before I take off, I always run through the turn by turn sim just so I get a good idea of what general direction I'm heading, so no surprises.
I've never understood why it's so important to have it smack bang in the middle of the windshield. Personally, I find it more dangerous as I've seen people staring at the screen watching their car take a corner as if it's a damn video game!
A Pillar for me, mobile phone mount and bought a retractable phone charger (as opposed to the twisty type) and it sits nicely over the steering column and is ready to just plug in when i need it.
It seems that now when hard installing phones and things into cars they are simply adding in an extra cigarette socket under the dash and plugging in a stock car charger, the benefit being that when you swap phones, they pop the panel off and swap the charger over for a new one, otherwise it all looks hardwired
Same can go for your GPS, get an extention for your lighter, hard wire it in behind the dash and plug your GPS charger into that leaving only the plug to the unit itself exposed for the minimum distace needed.
If it has an engine or heartbeat it's going to cost you.
It seems that now when hard installing phones and things into cars they are simply adding in an extra cigarette socket under the dash and plugging in a stock car charger, the benefit being that when you swap phones, they pop the panel off and swap the charger over for a new one, otherwise it all looks hardwired
Same can go for your GPS, get an extention for your lighter, hard wire it in behind the dash and plug your GPS charger into that leaving only the plug to the unit itself exposed for the minimum distace needed.
For all i use it its hardly worth it. gets used maybe 2-3 times a month.
When i was travelling around oz and had an old EA wagon, i had a fridge in the back that i had hard wired with a on/off switch just down by the drivers seat where the wire passed thru. Was very handy.
For now though, my $6 retractable ebay special is more than up to the job.
I tested three or four GPSs in 'The Goodguys' shop ... hopeless technology! I put in fairly simple routes that I knew ... and these pieces of s**t started putting in roundabouts that don't exist, going round in circles and coming back to the same spot (NOT the programmed destination) over and over again.
My experience with GPS are more positive than negative. Firstly it is not perfect and I use it more of a guide, giving me a rough idea on where to go "next"; I still rely on the road signs to make sure I am in the right lane.
Keeping in mind I am currently in Hong Kong, where it is a city where GPS is renowned to be next to useless as the streets are narrow (GPS thinks you are on the street running parallel to you) and there are lots of tall buildings (GPS can't even find you as there is not enough sky)... so there are 3 key things that I suggest to my friends when getting a GPS device
1) The GPS device uses the latest chipset, locking onto a max of 32 sats (I have had my GPS device re-pick up sat signal when leaving one tunnel and entering another tunnel where the gap between the two tunnels is only about 100m which take around 3 seconds to cross.
2) Good maps, I am using the popular mapking here in Hong Kong. As mentioned I only use it as a reference, so it is good that all the fixed speed cameras are in the map and also that the user interface is easy to use as if you need to "re-program" your destination you can do it quickly at a red light (or on the move if you darn.. but not recommended!!!)
3) Mounting location; i prefer centre of the wind screen myself, mine is low on the dash and I have a high seating position so all my GPS phone "blocks" is the bonnet... but i do agree that people who look at the GPS device whilst driving for the first time may find it difficult to focus on something near (the GPS) and then back onto the road ahead, so be careful, but once use to it, it is okay.
The negative side, i do agree that sometimes the roads it takes is a bit silly, but what i have found is that it does get me to where i want to go eventually, maybe with a slight detour... but then lets face it, you can't compare a computer program to a local who lives and grew up in the area as the person will know all the "short-cuts" and "tricks".
sigpic VW Passat CC 2.0T MY2009 (HK) (current)
VW Bora 2.3L V5 MY2000 (HK) (sold)
Subaru Liberty 2.5L MY2000 (Oz) (sold)
I tested three or four GPSs in 'The Goodguys' shop ... hopeless technology! I put in fairly simple routes that I knew ... and these pieces of s**t started putting in roundabouts that don't exist, going round in circles and coming back to the same spot (NOT the programmed destination) over and over again.
They'll have to try harder if they want my bux.
Dave
Were you IN the shop?
The satellites can't actually see you/the signal when you're indoors and sometimes in cities with very high high-rises so they get confused. Which is fine, because you usually don't need directions to get out of the store.
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