hererb

Hi There,

I'm not new to using GPSs and have had a few. In fact, I use my Garmin GPS III Plus for use with my Amateur Radio 2m gear (APRS to those in the know).

I just picked up a Garmin 260W, after getting rid of the Sony NV-U73T. After a week of use, the Sony needs to clearly work out some of its' bugs.

The best way to put my use of a GPS is that I have a "need" to always know where I am. It's been that way since I was a kid and would drive my parents crazy with carrying maps wherever we went by car. Yeah, I have issues, to be sure!

While the Garmin does what I want and need it to do, I would love to have something that would tell me about traffic in almost real-time, as I occasionally travel up to New Jersey to see my family (Rt. 95 - the worst road in America!). I am really, seriously looking at the Dash Express.

By the way I live in Greensboro, NC.

Max

Welcome to the site hererb!

I've not used the new Sony's myself but sorry for the experience. I would like to coax you to get the DASH though so I know someone that has one
Doesen't the 260w have traffic capability though

Welcome to the site

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hererb

Hi There,

Well, the Sony was eye-pleasing and the display was excellent. However, the routes I was given were very "strange", shall we say. However, when I went to do the update and it wiped out my old map - and Sony couldn't figure it out, I said this was not going to work out.

Get this, though! My 260 died yesterday. I tried turning it on and it would start its' boot process, then turn off. I know the unit was fully charged, so it certainly wasn't that. But it would occasionally work, then not for a few hours. It was very strange. Finally it just died. Fortunately, I'm still within the 30 days of return from Radio Shack, so they got me a new one and I'll pick it up tomorrow. I've never had such luck!


To answer your question, the 260 does not have traffic capability.

To answer your other question, I am ordering the Dash tomorrow and it will be here in NC on Friday. I know there's issues with the Dash, but there are issues with all GPSs; you know one does something better than the other, etc., etc. Everything I've read and everything I've heard tells me that once you make your initial investment with the Dash, your monthy fee covers updates to the software (it's only going to get better) and periodic map updates. That's worth it right there, in my opinion. I also like the fact that I'm actually make a better product by just using it. Yes, I'm paying for that priviledge, but having a better product without having to buy a new unit every couple of years does appeal to me.

Sorry I got off on my soapbox.

Thanks for the reply.

Rich, Greensboro, NC

Max

Hey Rich,

Sorry Im getting weird in my old age, I keep forgetting the 260 series of Nuvi is different than the 660 series...thus the traffic confusion.

The Sony, Im sorry to hear of your experience. I'm not a fan of them anymore, well they make a good game system, but thats pretty much where it stops for me. I'd thought of trying one of their new GPS's as they looked styling, but I think I am glad I didn't.

That is really weird that the 260 shut off on you and did some weird things. I've had an issue with the 200 where I've slid the power button 'not enough' a couple times or flipped it while it was booting up and it got all confused, but to have one flat out DOA on you is truly odd. You are just not having good luck with GPS lately, maybe you're producing some serious EMI?

The dash - friday? really? thats awesome! I've been dying to see how they work...to the point of selling some things here so I can snag one, once I know someone that actually has it .

It's harder to justify for me, because the real value is traffic (only). I have a Motorola Q9h smartphone with unlimited data and I'm currently testing it with a Arkon SM212 dash mount and it's a decent solution for using google maps, msn live search, etc. The traffic from those two providers isn't half bad either...but the ability from the dash to do true 2-way client tracking is pretty nice. The only downside is it means everyone has to get a Dash to play...not sure how many folks are out there with them yet .

But - I will be very interested in your input when you get the new device, please let us know what you think about it

thanks Rich!
-Max

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Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.