Cripes...I can speak from experience and here is the only reason why I have doubts.

Last weekend I gave our 8 a classic wax with Meguiers NXT, cleaned the inside and it was sparkling perfect.

On route taking our daughter to her semi formal 'pre-dinner' drinks past the Jinker track on the opposite side of Brisbane (Briz people know this), I realised I forgot to put the street directory back into the car.

After getting 'that look' from my missus Plan B swung into action....ring someone on the mobile and get directions.

That worked but we still had to get of that rabbit warren and another couple said they had their Navman. They assured it would then get us to the Kedron Wavell services club but there was one problem...it took us 6kms off bloody course to get there!

Whilst a GPS is pretty cool device its these types of 'no brainer' scenarios which makes me wonder!!!

 

As to whether it takes you the shortest route? I generally think so, but there are usually options to set re toll roads etc

Here's that pic. Oh, for a Fazza, Lazza, Mazza...or even an Alfa on that road

As you can see, corner exit speeds are not high in a 1.2L Fiat Punto

 

On roads like that Tiimbo I can't see any chance of going 'off course'.

I'm definately getting one....and I reckon I'll go with the Garmin 660 or the Tom Tom GO 710/720.

Does anyone know the best price you can get one for????????????

 

I have the Tom Tom software in an IPAQ and it's great. The only problem I have is with some of the instructions, take second exit on round about gets me sometimes...I made lots of mistakes when I first got it....waiting for comments....

I have however found it really easy to use, simple to log trips and you can also download other voices for it....Arnie and Basil Faulty...However I like English Jane as she's quite sensible! There is an Australian "Bruce" but that's a little too close to home!! LOL

Good luck with your purchase. Try ebay as well there are some bargains on there to!

 

Ahh yes, think about a + round about. In Victoria, if you are turning left you would indicate left, if you were going straight you would never indicate, if you are turning right you indicate right. In certain countries/States, the difference is that you ALWAYS indicate out of a round about, and always indicate left, so if your are turning right you are actually exiting left at the 3rd exit, so you would never indicate until you had passed the 2nd exit (straight ahead exit) and then you would indicate left.

Last time I was in the UK it was like this and I thought that ACT had this rule, not sure about anywhere else.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Actually, the Australian Road Rules have been endorsed by all States, and are very clear on this: you must indicate left even when taking the 2nd (straight ahead) exit, and indicate right, then left, if taking the 3rd

See, eg, http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/as...es_Part_C2.pdf

 

Nice timbo...all I can say is that there is no enforcement of this, obviously more money..I mean criminals to be had in speeding.

 

egad.....Arnie? I'll keep my eye out for that one!

 

Not all roundabouts have the same configuration (e.g. the weird, irregular shaped ones) but I tend to:

1) if I am taking the first exit, indicate left upon entering as you would approaching a normal corner;

2) if I am taking the second exit (which is often the "straight ahead") indicate right or not indicate at all until I have passed the first exit, and then indicate left; or

3) if I am taking the third or fourth exits, indicate right upon entering and then indicate left after passing the last of the exits I am NOT taking.

I'm not sure if that is totally in conformity with the road rules (or even makes sense, lol) but it seems to work okay and I think it gives other drivers a good idea what I am intending to do.

Of course, many do not indicate at all or indicate one way and then go another, so I NEVER second guess people on a roundabout.

 

Dave...have you just had a caffeine hit or something...that paragraph is a whole new language even for me!

 

Since I don't drink coffee, I knew I had a problem, lol.

That make more sense??

 

Thanks Dave. Lawyers have long been the object of criticism for the incomprehensibility of the english language, but I'd put that criticism down to ones intellect not being up to the same level as the other.

Your ability to put break down and pull together a 200 page manuscript would leave the rest of us for dead. You must have devoted shitloads of study to redefine the english language and make it fit with legislation.

Back on topic....I think we can put down some GPS receivers, in terms of accuracy into 3 categories. Consumer-grade, Mapping-grade and Survey-grade.

Consumer-grade GPS have as much as 20 meters of error in measurement, and are typically under $500.

Mapping-grade GPS receivers range from approximately $500 to $5,000 and will have about 5 meters of error, and

Survey-grade GPS receivers will cost upward of $5,000 and will provide 1/2 meter of error.

The bottom line is you get what you pay for....

 

Well, I went down to Harvey Norman and checked out their Garmin and Tom Tom range.

It didn't take me long to realise Garmin has the features, and the secure mount I want for the 8.

Its now down to bucks.

The Nuvi 660 retails for $899 ...no room to move on price. (Ebay price $759)

The Nuvi 310 was $699.....again... no room to move on price (Ebay $649)

The Nuvi 250 W was for $499 but it dosen't have the features I want.

DECISION TIME.........!

 

For the extra $150 bucks, go the 310. If the cheapie doesn't have what you want, it's not a cost saving.

 

Actually, I'd buy cheap. The software will be the same and this gear is soon obsolete. BTW, I did use my TomTom in the Noosa area, when I was there for a wedding in May, and found there were quite a few roundabouts (just to integrate the discussion ) that the TomTom didn't know about. Nor did another relo's new Calais

 

I always say, if it gets you close it better than a map in your lap. The gps gizmo's work, some better than others but as long as it puts you within 50 meters of your destination what's the problem? You still can eyeball you know....

 

Have you tried JB Hi-Fi? They can usually give better deal, sometimes can even match eBay (which works out cheaper as you pay no postage).

 

Well, my patience paid off...I was able to negoiate the Garmin 310 down to $549.00!

The other reason of going retail was the peace of mind of getting good follow up warranty service if it was required.

Should I go the extra 2 years warranty for another $50 bucks?

 

For me its a matter of who is providing the warranty and what they are providing. Read the fine print. For $50 you are halving your saving, but if its a good warranty, ie provides full 1st year warranty extension then I say $50 is a bargain.

 

I don't think so. In 2 years you prob find there is better GPS out there and when your current one ceases to work. Upgrade is on the card anyway, same as mobile phone...

Plus the map you have now will not be as accurate. Buying updated map I think cost money?????

 

^^^ what taka said. If it is going to break, it'll probably do so during the standard warranty period, and you'd be better off saving the money buying maps ugrades as they are released....

.....which I must do for my Tom Tom, after boasting to MACCAA about how good it was, then getting us a tad lost on the way back from the Nats

 

Sorry, going to put my hand up and say I hate the planned obsolecense argument. Yes there will be bigger and better options down the track, but will you need them? WIll you be able to keep using your existing one. Will someone else be able to use it? etc, etc

 

Yes yes Andrew but if there's a 'toy' aspect to the product we all know that there's nothing better than getting a new toy, lol. Otherwise we'd all still have the first decent car we've ever owned. Hang on, I do, hahaha...

 

Ive got the TomTom 910 and I must say that its a fantastic little toy! Its got line and mic out and has 20gb of storage space, mp3 player built in blue tooth and a picture viewer!

Maps are pretty accurate as all TomTom maps are except for a few very minor inconsitancies (as with all of them) such as being told to turn right at a no right turn intersection.

I bought mine for 1110 with a 4 year extended warranty. When I took it to melbourne it worked a real charm although i must say that melbourne has some VERY confusing roads (hook turns WTF?)

It has a really full assortment of POIs (no not persons of interest sarge!) and you can find them really easily. It does support text to speech and it does a fairly good job at attempting to pronounce them.

The window mount could have been made a little better but there is another one out there that can be had for a few more $$$.

I cant really compare it to other GPS's because I havent really played around with them. I use it all the time at work because although I do memorise all the main roads, its all the little side streets that you tend to forget.

IMO it would be a 9/10

 

^


oh yes and its also loud enough to scare Iggy....twice....in a period of 5 seconds apart...