Hi everyone - radio & nav questions

[parnami]

Springfever: I've been a Garmin customer since well before they introduced their first car nav system, which I also own, having paid, at the time, $1500. I'm now looking for a replacement, especially in light of the fact that the unit is LARGER than the smartcar I have on order.

However, having used a car gps all these years, I've grown accustomed to using the speed read out on the gps..in leiu of my car's speedo. However, from what I've been able to determine, once a route is set on the new Garmin units, the speed display is replaced with a "silly" arrival clock. Is this correct and, if so, are you aware of any "workaround" that I might use instead of being chased to another, lesser brand gps?

[angel]

Okay parnami, I'll try to give it a stab.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 360. It's been a wonderful lil gadget! Easy to use, easy to read, and has bluetooth. I can see my mph, estimated time of arrival, and lots of other information about my trip including my highest speed. It's not one of the more popular models and I'm not sure why. It's usually found at a great bargain price, it's easy to use, and has features usually not on other gps units.

[jwight]

Just my .02, but GPS units, IMHO, are like digital watches - a couple of years from now they'll be sold in grocery stores and K-Mart next to the disposable cameras. Again, my opinion only, but I can't see paying over $200 for one at the most. Take a look at the Mio units: http://www.mio.com/us/ Their 200 series can usually be found on sale somewhere for $200 or less. No Bluetooth, HD TV or latte dispenser, but a good value for the money.

[parnami]

Originally Posted by angel

Okay parnami, I'll try to give it a stab.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 360. It's been a wonderful lil gadget! Easy to use, easy to read, and has bluetooth. I can see my mph, estimated time of arrival, and lots of other information about my trip including my highest speed. It's not one of the more popular models and I'm not sure why. It's usually found at a great bargain price, it's easy to use, and has features usually not on other gps units.

Thanks for the response, angel. However, my understanding of the current Garmin units is that, while all of that information IS available, your SPEED is NOT available on the map page, while a route is operating. When no route is set, yeah, the speed appears on the map page, but, as soon as one is set, poof, it's gone; replaced by a silly arrival time clock which I used for a day or so when I first got my unit then removed. (Mine dates from the days when Garmin still felt people bright enough to learn how to configure the display to suit their personal tastes.)

I LOVE Garmin units; love the interface and by all reports, they still have the best operational software in the business. I'd hate to have to shop elsewhere just because of a sily little thing like not having speed shown in my map page. Problem is, having had it available all these years, I've grown to appreciate it's value. Others, who've never had the ability won't miss it, I'm sure.

I'd love for someone to tell my my understanding is completely incorrect??

[angel]

Originally Posted by parnami

Thanks for the response, angel. However, my understanding of the current Garmin units is that, while all of that information IS available, your SPEED is NOT available on the map page, while a route is operating. When no route is set, yeah, the speed appears on the map page, but, as soon as one is set, poof, it's gone; replaced by a silly arrival time clock which I used for a day or so when I first got my unit then removed. (Mine dates from the days when Garmin still felt people bright enough to learn how to configure the display to suit their personal tastes.)

I LOVE Garmin units; love the interface and by all reports, they still have the best operational software in the business. I'd hate to have to shop elsewhere just because of a sily little thing like not having speed shown in my map page. Problem is, having had it available all these years, I've grown to appreciate it's value. Others, who've never had the ability won't miss it, I'm sure.

I'd love for someone to tell my my understanding is completely incorrect??

Unfortunately the speed is not available on the main screen. Guess I use the auto mph reading instead. Best of luck finding one that does what you want how you want.

[SpringFever]

Sorry, parnami, can't help you there. I am truly spoiled in my Benz's as they have two speedo readings available as driver set options - I can set a digital reading in addition to the regular analog and also, my cruise gives me a 2nd digital reading on demand when I ask it what I set the limit at. With all this gagetry in my larger vehicles, I have no need to ask my GPS/Nav unit for a speed check. Coputed arrival time is far more intersesting to me. I will not need the Nav unit in my fortwo as it is being used exclusively as a local driver; never planeed to use it for long trips in unfamiliar territory. BTW, I've not been motivated to search for a "workaround" but the Garmin tech folks are really very responsive to their customers. P.S. Costco just dropped the price on the Nuvi 660 to less than $400!