GPS Discussion - Blogs http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/ GPS (Global Positioning System) Discussion Forums en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:54:11 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/images/misc/rss.jpg GPS Discussion - Blogs http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/ gps http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/lampard30/11-gps.html Sat, 30 Apr 2011 13:04:12 GMT Hi guys, I am a software engineering student and management. We are currently working on Gps project, I am the one to work on the shortest paths using dijkstra algorithm, so how do I start? Please I need help Hi guys, I am a software engineering student and management. We are currently working on Gps project, I am the one to work on the shortest paths using dijkstra algorithm, so how do I start?

Please I need help ]]> Lampard30 http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/lampard30/11-gps.html GARMIN 550T Maps 800 feet off http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/mjdavey/10-garmin-550t-maps-800-feet-off.html Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:40:27 GMT Hi Guys, New to this site. I design shooting ranges (usually in the middle of nowhere), and this involves hundreds of waypoints, as I site different shooting positions. I've been using GPS units since 1989. Very satisfied with all units (possibly hated the communication with PC, problems for downloading, but that's got better now). I've used and abused many Garmin and Magellan units. My LARGE screen Magellan Explorist XT started to play up, so I bought a Magellan 710 - This proved hard to use with the small screen touch areas - drove me nuts, so it went back and I bought the Garmin 550T. I missed the LARGE screen on the Explorist XT, contacted Magellan, and they said they would replace my old Explorist XT with a Triton 1500 (free of charge - it was their software upgrade that caused the problem). When I'm not using my GPS, my daughter uses it for Geocaching. Two weeks ago she came back frustrated, as the background map showed her about 800 feet off and misdirecting her along the streets. I checked the track on the unit and from start to finish (about 3 miles), the whole track was off - shifted by 800 feet. I downloaded the track to my PC (ExpertGPS) - [Great Product], and it was "spot on". I went outside, recorded a few waypoints, and noticed they were off position according to the map. But, loading them onto the PC, they came up "spot on" - so the unit records perfect, but the background map is off by 800 ft. My neighbor has the same unit, we compared and both units acted the same - 800 ft off... The next day my Triton arrived. I repeated the process on the Triton and the map was accurate. I contacted Garmin, sent them a very detailed PDF file containing photographs of both 550T unit's screens, PC screen displays and side by side photos of the Triton and the 550T.... showing the error. Through several emails back and forth, Garmin's comment was that they used "free" third party maps, and that I should purchase new maps to correct the problem. ($80 a pop to correct their problem??) I suggested that a complimentary map would not cost them anything (software right?) and it would solve the problem and keep a customer happy. Their reply was NO, you have to buy the map to correct the problem. I said that I would be returning the unit and going with Magellan who had accurate maps, and writing this Blog... Their reply was "OK".... The Garmin is being returned, so is my neighbors, and we'll use Magellans, and hence - this warning. ]]> mjdavey http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/mjdavey/10-garmin-550t-maps-800-feet-off.html Whether to add Weather? http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/7-whether-add-weather.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:36:30 GMT Having just returned from a roughly 1800 mile journey on my Motorcycle around the continental United States using some of the best GPS's Garmin has to offer, I still wonder what causes people to make the decisions they do when developing a product.

I actually have 1 question for Garmin regarding the Zumo:

When you made the Zumo 660 series MSN direct compatible...why would you not allow it to have live doppler radar as some of your other newly released units have. I mean it's such a really well put together feature set on the unit, having doppler would only further that awesomeness.

Riding a motorcycle for many is a purist activity. No ceiling or cage around you means no encumberances of your traditional electronic devices. Some consider it a travesty that I have 1 GPS on my bike, let alone 3 and a SPOT messenger.

For those that do have a GPS, ok...we're somewhat techie and we've embraced what technology can do for us. Adding an interactive service like MSN direct is embracing that a good amount more since it means data arriving to the rider that goes beyond only what he sees or hears around him/her.
However, such a service could certainly be more of a feature for many if you had a way to show the people that they simply need this technology option.

Let me explain why I'm perplexed by this, I'll break it down by some of the features.

Send to GPS - Awesome feature, right out of live.com or maps.google.com , you can shoot a waypoint (wirelessly via the internet and MSN direct antennae) onto the GPS. Great feature for when I want to add something and the GPS is not sitting in front of me.

Movie Listings - The likelyhood of me going to a movie on a bike, not so much. I dress for the crash, not the ride...so that means gearing up and down or sitting in a movie theater with my stuff in a seat next to me. Generally, I just avoid doing this.

Stock quotes - Your job may differ, but I can't watch the news or most forms of media without being barraged by these numbers already. I tend to try and unplug from that front while on my bike.

Traffic - Sitting in traffic on a bike is horrible, there is no worse torture. Though many times I try to ride in areas free of traffic and where there are seldom cars...sometimes it cannot be avoided. For those times - it's awesome.

Weather - Cool, I will know the temp where I am and where I am going if I have a destination, but I likely already know at least 1/2 of that information because I am sitting on a motorcycle - in that weather. Clouds on the horizon tell me rain, clouds behind me tell me to speed up.

As you can see...we're about 50/50 here with really useful features. The one I mentioned above is doppler radar. It's not on the list because the enhanced MSN direct feed (which the Zumo does receive as it gets stocks and news info) does not support Doppler Radar on the Zumo 660.

If there were one thing that would get me to crack my wallet open and drop another 200$ or so on a receiver and livetime subscription - it would be the ability to glance at my GPS and see the exact doppler weather pattern for my area. That option however, isn't available.

Just seems weird to me...weird enough that over the past 1800 miles I sat there thinking "why?". Even though I'm not going to ask them, I figure I'll ask those who may happen to read upon this...I'd be interested in feedback.

until next time...keep the expensive side up.
-Max ]]> Max http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/7-whether-add-weather.html Random Photo http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/6-random-photo.html Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:02:46 GMT Oh yeah, I promised a photo...so a photo it is. Shot off the dash of my bike when we stopped in VT on a ride this summer. Oh yeah, I promised a photo...so a photo it is. Shot off the dash of my bike when we stopped in VT on a ride this summer.
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]]> Max http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/6-random-photo.html On the road again... http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/5-road-again.html Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:48:31 GMT So it's been awhile since I updated the blog. The last time I posted there was no such thing as lifetime maps from Garmin, and the 8xx series Nuvi's were still in the future. All that behind us now, has it changed your life for the better?

Admittedly the changes in my life that GPS has brought over the past year are not at all how and where I expected them. Rather than questing after PND type of hardware and solutions, I seem to have been spending alot of focus on apps for my phone, geotagging photos, logging trips, etc.

So, not quite at all what I expected to be doing, but what's done is done. Now I have no excuse to avoid getting a pnd that recognizes my voice, I mean I have to play catchup now, right? :smilebig: ]]> Max http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/5-road-again.html The Easy Button http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/3-easy-button.html Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:59:30 GMT It's never there when I want it to be. But alas I never did get the Jensen or the Colorado :D

Ended up getting a Navigon 7100 and a Nuvi 200 instead. The Navigon is going back, and the 200...well, it's awesome, but some part of me is craving the Nuvi 750/60 now instead.


Otherwise, things are fine and good. Racking up the miles on the GS, and farkling it to bits when I can afford to. It's sort of a double edged sword though. With gas being what it is, I ride the bike more...riding the bike more...means identifying more things I "need" for it, which is counterproductive (finance wise). But, the BMW is the best motorcycle I've owned yet hands down, so I'm not complaining.


My question for the day is, why the heck do I always WITHOUT FAIL seem to cut myself with the bread knife? I can fillet/cube/butterfly meats without an issue, but cutting the damned bread - the stupid serrated oxo blade gets me every time :rant:.


Well thats all I have for today. I promise in my next blog entry, I'll bring along a photo of something...I promise :) ]]> Max http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/3-easy-button.html Torn http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/1-torn.html Sun, 30 Dec 2007 23:50:57 GMT Think it's time to get another gps to help build up our knowledge base here at the site. While one part of me thinks the Colorado is the best bet :D the other part thinks one of the Jensen NVX units would be cool to play with. Coincidentally my Wallet also agrees with the Jensen comment, hmm. :hmm: ]]> Max http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/blogs/max/1-torn.html