One of the very cool devices I saw at CES was the Garmin Nuvi 370. I was dazzled by it. As I mull over all my travels, I think about the work arounds that I have had to put in place to make sure that found where I was going to, I realize how incredibly neat it would have been to have had the Nuvi.
What I have been doing is taking my tablet, putting it on the front seat of my car, Streets and Trips running, and depending on whether I had the sensor, I had some kind of GPS solution. But it was always awkward, and I worried more about my expensive Tablet sliding off the seat, and having an even greater mess on my hands.
But what totally dazzled me about the Nuvi was that I could buy maps for Europe, and then with Nuvi in my pocket, I could walk thorough Italian hill towns or Paris never be lost.
The only disappointing piece of the Garmin solution is the cost of the follow on maps. But my guess is that this is the kind of device that will stimulate the market, and cause competitors
But the price of not being lost is a bargain in the short or long run!
I carry a handheld mapping GPS (Garmin Legend). It can find address, streets or intersections but has no trip routing.
I mark the hotel & meeting destination. I've rarely used it but just knowing it's there if you need it is reassuring! Maps are fine but having a map that knows where you are and where you are heading makes a huge difference!
I haven't used much in the US but haven't driven there. However it was great when cycling around San Francisco!
Posted by: RobiNZ | January 24, 2007 at 02:10 AM
If you are looking for a more convenient way of tracking your whereabouts, I am finding a Dell Axim x51v, bluetooth gps and TomTom Europe to be brilliant.
I recently bought an Arkon powered pda mount to hold it when driving and increase the volume for the instructions, (see my blog entry http://lowjib7.blogspot.com/2007/01/another-successful-trip-with-gps.html).
I get the versatility of a Pocket PC along with an effective gps system. The BT gps receiver is the latest chipset and can handle 32 channels and enables me to grab a signal indoors - yes, there are occasions.
Not a choice for everyone maybe but it's one I am enjoying immensely. I am just getting into geocaching, as a way of spicing up our walks.
Posted by: Philip Ferris | January 24, 2007 at 01:08 PM