GPS Navigation for nothing...................
Discussion
Well almost...........
OK folks, first real post and I’ll probably regret it in the morning, but here goes.
My Road Angel will output its GPS data to a laptop with AutoRoute on it. This works in the car but there is no real navigation on AutoRoute and it does not give voice commands. So to use it you need to look at the laptop occasionally whilst driving, not very safe, probably worse than a mobile phone in fact.
I got some software from a bloke at work that is truly a navigation tool, voice prompts and everything else. You never have to look at the laptop on the passenger seat, in fact I cover it up with a newspaper so I don’t get car mugged. Navigation is by voice command and I think its dead cool, especially as I do a lot of driving in unfamiliar towns and it stops me getting lost and frustrated.
But what does everyone, Inc the BiB, think. Safe/legal or not.
Hamster
OK folks, first real post and I’ll probably regret it in the morning, but here goes.
My Road Angel will output its GPS data to a laptop with AutoRoute on it. This works in the car but there is no real navigation on AutoRoute and it does not give voice commands. So to use it you need to look at the laptop occasionally whilst driving, not very safe, probably worse than a mobile phone in fact.
I got some software from a bloke at work that is truly a navigation tool, voice prompts and everything else. You never have to look at the laptop on the passenger seat, in fact I cover it up with a newspaper so I don’t get car mugged. Navigation is by voice command and I think its dead cool, especially as I do a lot of driving in unfamiliar towns and it stops me getting lost and frustrated.
But what does everyone, Inc the BiB, think. Safe/legal or not.
Hamster
I have often wondered about the legality of using GPS navigation systems in cars, but their use appears to be accepted. What concerned me was the business about not having a TV in the car in a position where it can be viewed by the driver.
Someone then told me that Satnav systems are deemed to be OK since they give you voice instructions, and therefore you are not dependent on looking at the map screen, although obviously you probably still do so at times, and I certainly do.
If you are viewing a laptop display on the front passenger seat I would have thought that was more tricky in safety terms than having the map screen unit fixed at the base of the windscreen, i.e. nearer your normal field of view.
Obviously some official guidance would be helpful here.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
Someone then told me that Satnav systems are deemed to be OK since they give you voice instructions, and therefore you are not dependent on looking at the map screen, although obviously you probably still do so at times, and I certainly do.
If you are viewing a laptop display on the front passenger seat I would have thought that was more tricky in safety terms than having the map screen unit fixed at the base of the windscreen, i.e. nearer your normal field of view.
Obviously some official guidance would be helpful here.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
The best way to implement a gps display would be by using a HUD (heads up display) should be easy enough with a small monitor mounted on the dash (with image fliped) the image from the screen is then fliped to normal via the windsheild or another pieace of glass/plastic mounted above the monitor
Must admit been using GPS for some time, using iPAQ, Tom Tom navigator and PoI (Points of Interest - camera locations). Bought a cell phone holder from Halfords to 'mount' iPAQ with PCMCIA adapter (double - one for the GPS card and one with 5GB h/drive for European maps).
I currently live in Milan but work in Switzerland (Basel), drive to Basel on Monday and return on Friday, a round trip of 700km.
Find the iPAQ invaluable as software contains both fixed and 'possible' mobile camera locations although you must keep it updated. Don't really use the navigation functionality as I have factory fitted GPS in the car (Volvo) this also has the advantage of traffic info and divert options in case of holdup (Gotthard tunnel the usual culprit).
Have set audible warnings for 30 and 10 seconds before a camera and works a treat (first thing I pack when I go to UK particularly if renting a car in UK).
If I drive to UK I avoid France like the plague and use the German Autobhan for as long as possible travelling through Belgium before the last leg through France.
There is another GPS package for the iPAQ which I have just aquired but have not had a chance to test it as current package works very well.
Let me know if anyone requires more details.
Cheers
Jenks
I currently live in Milan but work in Switzerland (Basel), drive to Basel on Monday and return on Friday, a round trip of 700km.
Find the iPAQ invaluable as software contains both fixed and 'possible' mobile camera locations although you must keep it updated. Don't really use the navigation functionality as I have factory fitted GPS in the car (Volvo) this also has the advantage of traffic info and divert options in case of holdup (Gotthard tunnel the usual culprit).
Have set audible warnings for 30 and 10 seconds before a camera and works a treat (first thing I pack when I go to UK particularly if renting a car in UK).
If I drive to UK I avoid France like the plague and use the German Autobhan for as long as possible travelling through Belgium before the last leg through France.
There is another GPS package for the iPAQ which I have just aquired but have not had a chance to test it as current package works very well.
Let me know if anyone requires more details.
Cheers
Jenks
bluepolarbear said:
Well almost...........
I got some software from a bloke at work that is truly a navigation tool, voice prompts and everything else.
Being trying to find something like this - what is is the software called? Is the maps up to date?
I use Infomap Navigator, and being as it is only £40 I've actually bought it
lunarscope said:
I've also bought Infomap Navigator (Europe Professional). It was about £120 but has a lot more data (>4GB) than Autoroute and also gives you proper satnav with voice prompts. I will be using it with a 7" touchscreen on the dash.
It has a few problems. The buttons are a little bit small and depending on the resolution you run, it will cut off the bottom of the "distance to" display and you don't seem to be able to adjust that. It also likes to throw up a dialog box that you need to click once in a while, which would be annoying if your laptop is out of reach.
I have it running to a 7" touch screen TFT and it works fine for the price. I'd like to try copilot to see whether the difference in price is worth it though...
jenkinsd said:
Must admit been using GPS for some time, using iPAQ, Tom Tom navigator and PoI (Points of Interest - camera locations). Bought a cell phone holder from Halfords to 'mount' iPAQ with PCMCIA adapter (double - one for the GPS card and one with 5GB h/drive for European maps).
Jenks
Also use iPAQ, Tom Tom navigator and PoI (Points of Interest - camera locations) when I go on a delivery anywhere. I'v found I don't bother with maps in the car anymore. The POI helps not just to tell you where the cameras are but to remind you if you are day dreaming (we all do it!). It also means that where there are cameras you can keep to real speeds and not what your speedo says (If I take my van to do a true 70 mph the speedo needs to read 78 mph).
Totalpda.co.uk is where I got mine from and they do good prices on new and reconditioned gear.
>> Edited by drifting on Tuesday 27th July 01:00
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