By Mike S on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 12:08 pm: Edit

I am thinking about installing a navigation system in my 2001 Disco. Any experience with different systems? Any suggestions on where to install the components for the best ergonomics, etc? I'm looking at the Blaupunkt or the Visteon NavMate systems.
Thanks,
Mike

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 12:13 pm: Edit

i like the ones that come with the acura MDX. touch screen and all and real easy to use.
i think they kick ass.

By ryan on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 12:22 pm: Edit

Doesn't the 2003 Disco 2 HSE have navigation as standard?

By Scott Bowden (Scott_Bowden) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 04:11 am: Edit

Alpine has a neat head unit that the display screen comes out of and a DVD player for the nav. disc. I went with the Garmin Street Pilot III. It is color and has voice navigation. I made a mount in the tray on top of the dash. The price was $800 from GPSnow.com. I also purchased a topo cd for off road and an additional memory card to load the topo only. I have all my city, road and topo on one card and the only the topo on the other. The city maps will override the terrain lines on the topo and only leave numbers if multiple maps are loaded on the card.
This GPS can go from vehicle to vehicle also.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 04:19 am: Edit

I have a Garmin GPS III Plus which I like to use.

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 05:15 am: Edit

That's what I use, too. If I need more detail than what the Garmin screen can provide, I just hook it up to my laptop and run either Top Usa or Street Atlas USA.

By Bluegill (Bluegill) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 06:04 am: Edit

man, what ever happened to paper topos, line-of-sight, and a compass? I have a Garmin GPS, but mainly just so that when I get us lost, I can look at the lat/long on the GPS and say, "Honey, I know precisely where we are..."

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 07:08 am: Edit

I have maps and a compass as well.. Just in case the Garmin dies.

By Mike S on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 02:48 pm: Edit

Thanks for the ideas. I guess the reason I was thinking about the vehicle-mounted varity of nav system was that it linked with the vehicle speedometer and was supposedly slightly more precise in location. I think I will check into the Garmin Street Pilot 3 though as an alternative.
Thanks again.
Mike

By Mike B. on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 04:39 pm: Edit

The Garmin GSPIII+ has recently been discontinued. You can pick it up for about $250.00 or so (down from $367). It is a great all-around unit - great for the vehicle and great for hiking. Also works in the boat. It's not color, but the screen still is pretty readable. You can upload and download maps directly to it, so you don't need those cards. Off-road, it runs 100ths of a mile versus the others that only read in 10ths of a mile. It is much better suited to off-road and hiking use because it's readout is much more precise. Believe me, 1/10th of a mile is a long way in the woods!.

The Garmin eMap is also about the same as the Garmin III+, however, the antenna is built in on the eMap, whereas, it is removable on the GPS III+. You can hook the GPS III+ up to an external antenna.

Thanks,
Mike B.

By jpitman on Sunday, October 07, 2001 - 06:13 am: Edit

The thing to watch with GPS dash mounted, is how good is your eyesight! get one with big enough characters so you can read it comfortably from your natural driving posture. This is where the BIG Garmin screens (128, 162?) come in useful - EASY to read!

By Slider on Sunday, October 07, 2001 - 02:21 pm: Edit

External (BNX? connection) antenna is available for the Emap

By Slider on Sunday, October 07, 2001 - 02:23 pm: Edit

OOOPS...I meant mcx for Emap...gpsaccessories.com

By gp (Garrett) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 05:19 am: Edit

check out the new StreetPilot V as well. about $450 is the cheapest i have seen it. not color, but some nice bonus features.

By CK Disco II on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Where can I purchase a Garmin GPS III+ amd a
GPS V?

CK

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 06:12 pm: Edit

West Marine
REI
Sports Chalet
Sports Authority (?)

many jeep, rover, and mtn. biking outfits

peter

By p m on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 06:14 pm: Edit

BlueGill,

i just thought of several ways to get position information using a handgun.
as with a GPS, you need to average over a few samples.

hehehe

peter

By gp (Garrett) on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 06:35 pm: Edit

let me know if you can get a streetpilot V for under $450. that is the best i have seen to date. i am at home now, but i have a few places bookmarked at the office that have them for around $450. i like the V over the III. you loose color, but have a better GPS overall.

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 08:37 am: Edit

check these sites for prices:

http://www.selectzone.com/

http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/default.htm

By Mike S on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:02 pm: Edit

Any one try the Street Pilot in their Disco with the cold climate package and the heated windshield? Do the fibers in the windshield cause a problem with the GPS antennae?
Mike

By mongo on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:12 pm: Edit

Hey Mike,
here's what I'm doing...Garmin GPSIII+, external antenna, serial interface, old laptop (233 pentium) 13" display, Docking station from police car (from work) and delorme topo 3.0 software. A little awkard but it kick a$$...

pics to follow

Frank (way to much time on my hands...)

By adam@PowerEnterprises.NET on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:22 pm: Edit

I have the Alpine DVD Navigation system with the wide screen monitor in my disco.. If i had a choice on paying the $3k and having it, or getting the $3k back.. i'd get it back.. Although ladies love the fact that i have an N64 and dvd player plugged into the unit as well, it is only good for ON ROAD navigation. Street names, no coordinates what so ever.. Change that.. i would keep the wide-screen.. get too many bitches that way.

Adam

By Erik Olson (Jon) on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:23 pm: Edit

On the very low price front, I'm running a Visor with Magellan GPS Companion which displays lat/long, alt, speed, time. Good for finding your position, but the maps are lame. Anyone know of Topo maps for the Companion?

Actually, I like Mongo's new plan with the cop-o-dock. That sir, will be the s---!

Post pictures of the laptop over the ZF if you please!

Erik

By adam@PowerEnterprises.NET on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:24 pm: Edit

oh yeah, the DVD Nav WILL NOT interface with the Disco's onboard computer.. this means that half of the functions go right out the window.. Plus the DVD for it was made in like 1998 and there isn't shit for roads except in major cities (Mainly ATL and Miami) I cannot find a newer version of this DVD, ALPINE claims Navtec makes it, and vise versa..

Adam

By CK Disco II on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:47 pm: Edit

I need another GPS III+

Where can I buy it?
CK

By gp (Garrett) on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 08:23 am: Edit

check my post from yesterday.......there are 2 links there. i would also advise you on considering the V. no color, but more accurate (WAAS) and more features.

By reagle on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 09:01 am: Edit

mongo,
who make the docking station for the law enforcement? motorola? how big is the unit?

ryan

By Scott Bowden (Scott_Bowden) on Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 09:44 am: Edit

try www.GPSnow.com

By OEX on Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 05:44 pm: Edit

With any navigation system, I think it is best to start with what you want from it. Do you want to use it on pavement or off? Will it be important to remove it? Is navigation the only function you want (i.e. do you also want communications, text ability, terra-trip coupling, etc)? Will it remain in the US or do you intend to use it out of country?

In my opinion you should find the software that works best for you and go from there. All GPS give you long/lat., but it is what you do and the software does with the information that differs. On a base level, the first place to start is to learn how to use a GPS with your map and compass. Next, choose software that suits the goal you have in mind. Then build/find the system that works best, is the most reliable, can take the extreme conditions of your vehicle, is space effective, and is cost effective.

I have been dealing with nav software and hardware for the last 8 years and have found that no one makes a system that is very good, but I expect and need particular attributes.


Software outline, pros/cons:
--Closed system GPS--i.e. In vehicle OEM are very limited for trail use, but may be all you need. They stay 'on road' and show no topo features.

--Dash units are based on proprietary maps and have limited memory. Some of the topo info is fine.

--Computer software; There is a wide selection, but attributes are limited. Most of the programs do not allow you to see bread crumb trail and their maps are proprietary; (you must use their maps). Maptech has very good attributes (see below), but again they are based on proprietary maps and are limited to the States. Good choice for the States!


For me the system should have the following attributes:

Important attributes: (this is for what I do—hard driving everyday, teaching navigation, use in global locations, tough conditions, etc.)
1. Non-proprietary map use
2. Bread crumb graphics and recording
3. Trip computations---speeds, distances, etc.
4. File sharing--i.e. you can send recording of your days ride to a friend who can then play it back and navigate by it.
5. Note taking ability---drawing on map and leaving notes (journal/road book) for particular marks or waypoints
6. Interface with any GPS hardware or antenna
7. Graphic display must be resizable---i.e. you can see it and use it if displayed on different size monitors.
8. Graphic size should allow for use of touchsreen monitors---i.e. 'Button’ sizes should be easy to hit with a dirty-gloved hand-=--monitor should be splash resistant
9. Support comes from people who use and developed software
10. Software manufacture should be willing to change program it faults or shortcomings are encountered
11. Software should not have to run on CD-ROM (not great on a tail), most will do this, but many are very memory intensive.
12. CPU ruggedized and weather/water resistant
13. Seamless map transition
14. Data base of points of interest

I am demanding, but I think that we all should be. I have developed a system that covers all these 'wants' and more. At this time I use a software package designed for rallies, it will allow any map to be used (scanned in gif, tif, jpg, hand made, satellite photos, etc), has more attributes than I can use, great support, low memory use, log book, topo features, play back, file sharing,....bla bla bla. I keep this loaded on a vehicle computer that remains under the seat in a waterproof case or above flood line (memory is used not CD-ROM, for example over 800 maps of Africa easily loaded and used). The computer has loads of expansion ports, COM ports, etc. The display is a touchsreen monitor mounted on or in the dash--I install keyboard software to be able to use e-mail etc. The GPS unit can be just an antenna or a dash mounted portable unit--this allows me to download/upload data and leave the vehicle in emergencies with a GPS, map and compass in hand.

The software is called Touratech QV 2.0. It is distributed out of Quebec and produce in Germany {http://www.qvnav.com/}, tell them Overland Experts referred you). I have used this software in Moab, New England, Iceland, Africa, Europe, and Central America. QV is loads of fun, as well as a great utility.

The hardware is your choice- for the CPU I am putting together a built-in vehicle computer to suit my and my client's needs, but Panasonic has some very interesting products in the toughbook line. The monitor is the most difficult one, most in-dash types will not allow VGA connections, etc, but will take RC jack (then you need a video conversion card and hardware), but then have no touchscreen capabilities. Monitors are out there, you just have to look and figure out what works best in your vehicle.
The cost is dependent on your CPU mostly---I purchased and set-up my system or less than $2500.00 (it can be done for less). That may seem like a lot of money, but when you look at other ‘complete’ kits or GPS units with maps only, it is a good deal. You get a much better and more flexible system that can change as your needs or interests change.

Sorry for the long note, but I hate to see people buy things that they will not use or things they will grow out of early on.

Cheers, OEX

By adam@PowerEnterprises.NET on Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 11:52 pm: Edit

OEX, dude.. If you typed all that, you have waaaaayy too much time on your hands

Adam

By Mike D1 on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 12:25 am: Edit

Adam,

I was thinking the same thing just as I saw your post! I was thinking ...get a life!

Well OEX, that was mind numbing load of info. But I did read it all!

By gil on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 11:31 am: Edit

damn..give the guy a break...he sure answered the question..

By jet99 on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 12:15 pm: Edit

i have used the Garmen Street Pilot and it is awesome and for 800 bucks you cant beat it,it has helped me travel all over the country with ease-a real life saver

By John Kruger on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 12:17 pm: Edit

Hey OEX, great reply.

It is guys like you that save me hours of time and energy. You are fullfilling the purpose of this board.

I would like a little info more details on your specific setup. I am considering doing the same, but I need to add a DVD/CD player to the mix.

Thanks

John Kruger
www.teampb.com

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 01:34 pm: Edit

OEX,

I'm more interested in finer resolution than a 1:500,000 or 1:250,000 scale maps can offer. The 1:50,000 is getting better, though.... When covering an expedition, I'm sure those smaller scales are covering what you would want, so they're meeting your needs well.

I'm happier with 1:24,000 scale maps, they've got the resolution that I want. For work, I'm roughly bouncing over about 40 quads to cover the field area. For my own personal roaming on a regular basis, it'd be at least 5 times as many.... still only an area that would be covered by one or two 1:500,000 scale maps... I'm just needing to focus on that area, bring in as much contour detail as possible.

DeLorme's TopoQuads would 'almost' work for me... problem is, I'm operating in 3 states most of the time, with occasional forays into 4 adjacent ones or so... Their TopoQuads program is sold by state, and I'm ALWAYS bouncing along the state line of those three states, and the program doesn't have a facility to seam the states together, so I can't do it w/ one disc... That REALLY bites.

As far as the work part goes, we have all of our 40 7.5min maps in an in-house database that I can open up on a laptop's screen... The only downside is that it, too, only contains the relevant portion of one of the states... it doesn't cover the other two at all.

IF I could get a special edition of TopoQuads that would focus on the juncture of the 3 states (Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina), and pick up the adjacent turf (Kentucky, West Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia), then I'd be set.

Til then, it's Street Atlas, combined w/ the 3 paper-copy Gazetteers (VERY good to have anyway, laptops WILL die.....)



-L

By michel on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 01:50 pm: Edit

The software I've been looking at is called fugawi (stands for "were the fuck are we") from canada. It's got all the attributes OEX mentioned and can be used on the water as well. Scan you own maps or get them on CD rom, true topo maps etc. cheap at 120 cnd.

Michel

By Reed Cotton on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 04:55 pm: Edit

I use a StreetPilot Color on my '96 Disco. It mounts fairly well just to the right of the instrument binnicle. I use an external antenna that I found on e-Bay, and have it mounted to the top of the Safari Snorkel. (When people ask, I now tell them that the snorkel is just the GPS antenna mast, they go away just as confused as they would be with the real reason it's there.) The Garmin Metro software I have found to be the most practical, though I have also used their Topo product too.

For most of my driving, (read commuting), I keep it on, it makes a nice easily read "heads-up type of speedometer, that is more accurate than the LR one. But when traveling I have found it handy for finding streets, and even was able to back-track through a warren of intertwining trail in Nothern Wyoming, when I had taken a wrong turn (Just exploring - Not LOST!).
Other than that, it just looks cool.

By Chris DeJesus (Mudy_Ovl) on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 05:43 pm: Edit

Check out this GPS on EBay
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1288867783
It has a color display with large view screen and is WAAS enabled (position accuracy less than 3 meters.) Look quickly, the auction ends in 20 minutes. Time now is 14:42 PST)
Good Luck
CD

By OEX on Friday, October 26, 2001 - 07:59 pm: Edit

Resolution-------Software
Touratech takes 1:24,000 (7.5 min) USDIGDS and incorporates it without the need of entering points to calibrate---it has been done for all the maps. This will allow you to see your border points seamlessly and you get all the attributes of QV that are not elsewhere available. Do not forget you can scan in only what you need at any scale (make the map you need in a photo software package and incorporate it into QV---it will have what you uniquely need)!! You do not need to run QV off a CD-ROM so it is VERY fast; this makes QV more usable than the rest! TopoQuads is great, but no bread crumb---antique in this market---have you looked at Maptech, the seams are much better, with bread crumb, and trio info is more user friendly. I like TopoQuads and the rest of the line, but simple things need updating. I look forward to when they do.

What company makes fugwai ???

There is a place that makes a map board that will place a lighted dot anywhere on a paper map as long as two long/lat points are known...nice but lacks attributes I need, but may be just right for someone else.

Always know you map and compass---it is an insult to the great technology of the GPS to not know the real STUFF from which it came---and with practice, it is much more fun (clearly the only reliable choice).

Please, Garmin and etc are great! Again use what you need, want, have, can afford, etc---these may not all be the same.

John:
The CPU I use has a CD/DVD built in. What do you need a CD/DVD for---I have gone through too many to find them useful unless it is a must. We (OEX) install the units into vehicles and buy them from different manufactures to suit the clients needs...tell me what you want and we can go from there.

Cheers, OEX