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TheUltimateMacUser wrote:

That's because most of those cell phone navigation programs don't use GPS.  They use cell tower triangulation to figure out where you are.  The accuracy of CTT varies from "very inaccurate"  to "'okay, we are somewhere in north america' inaccurate" depending on cell tower density in your area.

It'd probably take a lot of money to do (so obviously they wont) but that could probably adjust that ran to inaccurate to decent if they further calibrated the triangulation calculation algorithm using the GPS system's data as a base. Taking such steps with an increase in cellular infrastructure and/or phone capable of both CTT & real GPS would only enhance the total accuracy of the system.

ScifiterX wrote:

TheUltimateMacUser wrote:

That's because most of those cell phone navigation programs don't use GPS.  They use cell tower triangulation to figure out where you are.  The accuracy of CTT varies from "very inaccurate"  to "'okay, we are somewhere in north america' inaccurate" depending on cell tower density in your area.

It'd probably take a lot of money to do (so obviously they wont) but that could probably adjust that ran to inaccurate to decent if they further calibrated the triangulation calculation algorithm using the GPS system's data as a base. Taking such steps with an increase in cellular infrastructure and/or phone capable of both CTT & real GPS would only enhance the total accuracy of the system.

In California and Oregon it is accurate enough to give a stupid "recalculating route" message when on the offramp because you are hungry or want to take a leak. And it does so fairly quickly when on the offramp.

I'll chime in for Garmin.  I've got a Nuvi 350 and I love it.  It's taken me all over the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with nary a wrong turn.  I've also had a fantastic experience with Garmin's customer support.  Nine months after purchasing the Nuvi, I smashed the screen - completely my fault, I contacted Garmin about replacing the screen, told them what happened, and expecting them to quote me a price on replacing the screen since I figured they wouldn't replace it due to the warranty not covering owner smashing, I was surprised when they asked me to send in my unit and they sent me a new one.  Had it within three days.  I was nothing less than impressed with everyone I talked with.

I got my wife a TomTom a year ago. Its' great, more than great and unless you need the most up to date maps (the new ones come pre-loaded w/most recent maps anyway) then you really don't use the software, and if you do decide you want to download additional maps, its' $$$$$. Not worth it to me considering maps cost almost as much as the actual device.

If your question is strictly do they have Mac native software than the answer is yes.

Last edited by wellfleation (2008-12-10 11:13 pm)

So it's still tied.

Well, I sent a message asking for the Garmin. But since it's late at night, I can send a followup. As I said Tom and Garmin are the two I am into. The real question is which one has better software and a better interface? Apple has spoiled me, I can't use anything if its interface is a piece of crap.

Do they have them at Circuit City on display to use? CC is closer for me.

Jasoco wrote:

Do they have them at Circuit City on display to use? CC is closer for me.

I don't know if CC has live displays.
Don't you live ~15 miles from 2 best buys

I guess it's all a perspective. I live out in the sticks and ANYTHING is 15 miles away and I have to travel a 24+ miles to get to a decent mall. I guess try CC if they don't have live ones ... try somewhere else

Last edited by mrreet2001 (2008-12-11 6:01 pm)

My dad tells me he used a friends Garmin the other day and it made him wish he had a Garmin instead of his TomTom. So that could be something.

I got a Nüvi 200w this morning. So far it's pretty sweet.

I was surprised to see there is no software in the box. But impressed to see the software isn't even required as I can do everything right from the unit. But I downloaded RoadTrip from Garmin anyway just for completion.

I also noticed it only has a car charger. But I found a USB cable for my computer that works with it and am wondering if my computer is charging it right now like the car would? And if so, could I also use an iPod's USB charging block to charge it on a wall if I had to as well? There is no meter or icon on the screen to signify that it is charging, but it does turn on and go into a "Connected to computer" mode when plugged in.

The UI is surprisingly intuitive. I am impressed. I haven't been confused by it like I have some other models. Even Dad's old TomTom was a little awkward when I used it a year ago.

I can't wait to get out and test this thing out a bit.

So cool. They have downloadable vehicles for the map UI. Too bad they don't have any De Loreans. I'll have to use the station wagon "Road Trip" car for now. LOL

So anyone know about the charging thing? It seems it does charge via the computer's USB port which is cool. But I just wanna know if I can also use one of those USB chargers that you get for iPods because I think I have one lying around somewhere with a USB plug. But I won't try it until I know it won't explode instead.

And the Mac support is amazing. The vehicles downloaded right from Firefox to the unit. I didn't have to do any manual stuff.

Mine does too.