Info on WAAS

GPSnewbie · 06-10-2008, 8:51 PM

Hi,

I had been considering buying the Garmin nuvi 760 but after reading reviews about the FM transmitter and how cell phones using the Bluetooth feature aren't clear, I'm not so sure now. I don't want to spend money on features I can't use.

I then decided the Garmin nuvi 260W would be a good choice without those extra features.

My BIG problem with it is that it doesn't have WAAS. I had heard that was an important feature for a GPS. Is it?

Max · 06-11-2008, 1:11 AM

As long as the unit has Sirf you're pretty much ok.

As for the bluetooth and FM transmitter...I've used both on many gps's and they don't beat the line in on my stereo or my bluetooth headset.

btw - welcome to the site

GPSnewbie · 06-11-2008, 10:19 AM

Max,

Thanks for the information and the welcome to the site!

ninja279 · 06-12-2008, 6:05 PM

Check out this garmin page, it expalins WAAS.

Garmin: What is WAAS?

dav · 06-13-2008, 2:23 PM

Interesting, they say that WAAS provides accuracy twice what I've seen on my nüvi. I've never seen better than 21 feet accuracy, and they say with WAAS one should see 9-10 feet accuracy (3 meters).

Maybe worth getting a WAAS unit instead of a Garmin "high-sensitivity receiver" after all.

Max · 06-13-2008, 3:13 PM

Unless you're geocaching with a handheld (and maybe even then) it's not too big a deal because most auto units take the accuracy factor into account unless it's set in 'off road' mode.

toker815 · 06-13-2008, 9:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dav

Interesting, they say that WAAS provides accuracy twice what I've seen on my nüvi. I've never seen better than 21 feet accuracy, and they say with WAAS one should see 9-10 feet accuracy (3 meters).

Maybe worth getting a WAAS unit instead of a Garmin "high-sensitivity receiver" after all.

My Magellan Meridian Color generally see's around 20 to as low as 12 but generally with good signal shows an average of around 20-30 feet accuracy. I have been EXTREMELY pleased with the accuracy and ease of use of this unit. But its also the first gps I've ever owned at all, never had any problems with it either so I still havn't had the joy of trying to talk to tech or customer support lol.

dav · 06-19-2008, 3:00 PM

My (something goes here) is bigger (or smaller) than your (something)!!!

The accuracy/precision issue is pretty much of a red herring. I want to turn at the next intersection with a light... how close does the GPS have to be for me to see and react to the correct intersection? Especially when it is also telling me the street name?

10 feet, 20 feet - really the same for most any consumer need. It is really even good enough for geocaching.

Since the specs are only for "ideal lab conditions" anyway, what I get from my nüvi in real life is quite good enough for me.

06-10-2008, 8:51 PM	#1
GPSnewbie Join Date: Jun 10 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, Tennessee Posts: 13	Info on WAAS Hi, I had been considering buying the Garmin nuvi 760 but after reading reviews about the FM transmitter and how cell phones using the Bluetooth feature aren't clear, I'm not so sure now. I don't want to spend money on features I can't use. I then decided the Garmin nuvi 260W would be a good choice without those extra features. My BIG problem with it is that it doesn't have WAAS. I had heard that was an important feature for a GPS. Is it?

06-11-2008, 1:11 AM	#2
Max 'tis the season for seat time Join Date: Dec 28 2006 Location: Near Boston, Ma. Posts: 873 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Info on WAAS As long as the unit has Sirf you're pretty much ok. As for the bluetooth and FM transmitter...I've used both on many gps's and they don't beat the line in on my stereo or my bluetooth headset. btw - welcome to the site __________________ Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.

06-11-2008, 10:19 AM	#3
GPSnewbie Join Date: Jun 10 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, Tennessee Posts: 13	Re: Info on WAAS Max, Thanks for the information and the welcome to the site! Last edited by GPSnewbie; 06-11-2008 at 10:41 AM.

06-12-2008, 6:05 PM	#4
ninja279 Join Date: May 03 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 42	Re: Info on WAAS Check out this garmin page, it expalins WAAS. Garmin: What is WAAS?

06-13-2008, 2:23 PM	#5
dav Join Date: Jan 04 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 414	Re: Info on WAAS Interesting, they say that WAAS provides accuracy twice what I've seen on my nüvi. I've never seen better than 21 feet accuracy, and they say with WAAS one should see 9-10 feet accuracy (3 meters). Maybe worth getting a WAAS unit instead of a Garmin "high-sensitivity receiver" after all.

06-13-2008, 3:13 PM	#6
Max 'tis the season for seat time Join Date: Dec 28 2006 Location: Near Boston, Ma. Posts: 873 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Info on WAAS Unless you're geocaching with a handheld (and maybe even then) it's not too big a deal because most auto units take the accuracy factor into account unless it's set in 'off road' mode. __________________ Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.

06-19-2008, 3:00 PM	#8
dav Join Date: Jan 04 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 414	Re: Info on WAAS My (something goes here) is bigger (or smaller) than your (something)!!! The accuracy/precision issue is pretty much of a red herring. I want to turn at the next intersection with a light... how close does the GPS have to be for me to see and react to the correct intersection? Especially when it is also telling me the street name? 10 feet, 20 feet - really the same for most any consumer need. It is really even good enough for geocaching. Since the specs are only for "ideal lab conditions" anyway, what I get from my nüvi in real life is quite good enough for me.

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