GPS Primer: GPS Info explained simply

Garmin Nuvi 255 Review

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 19:52:33 +0000

The Garmin nüvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator is my first foray into vehicle GPS. I purchased it for a vacation driving from Pennsylvania to Florida. The nuvi 255 is a very basic model. The full-color, almost-square touch screen is about 3.5 inches diagonally. There are larger models, but this one takes a minimum of windshield real estate. I found the screen size to be fine. I have not used larger models, so I may not know what I am missing. My nuvi 255 was not bundled with lifetime maps, but it does come with one free map update. Lifetime maps are available as an upgrade from the the Garmin website. It does not have traffic. It will find gas stations and other services.

We had a stop on our trip that was a personal residence in a development, and here's where it really shone. Residential developments can be confusing for a stranger. Rather than following a set of multiple-turn directions hand written or printed from google, the Garmin nuvi 255 took us straight there with a minimum of stress.

My pros and cons are as follows. This is my first vehicle GPS, so some comments may not be specific to the model, but rather the brand or simply the state of technology at this time. And there's a strong chance some of my cons will be addressed with a read of the manual, but when it comes to gadgets, I'm in the school of "If the feature I want is there, but isn't obvious, it's a design flaw."

Pros

Small screen size is unobtrusive yet gave me all the information I needed. I know others like the bigger screens, but I did not feel limited
Several accents to choose from, if you want an Aussie or a Brit to lead you
Many languages built-in, though we used only the English
Directions were mostly accurate, with a few exceptions
Displays speed limits
GPS calculated speed is very nice. Our vehicle odometer showed us to be 2 mph faster than we really were.
Real-time destination arrival time.
Security pin option
Inexpensive. I found a refurb from Amazon for under $70
Windshield mount was secure, easy to use and remove
Remembers a list of recently entered addresses, even if not officially saved
Detour function worked quickly
Satellite acquisition took a few minutes after being off for a few days, as any GPS must do. But for daily use during our trip it never needed time to acquire them.

Cons

Voice accents were pretty weak. Basically the same male or female computer voice faking a different accent. The female Brit's "Boulevarrrrrrrrggghd" had a little too much Pirate.
When we went off course, the unit suggested returning to the route by going the wrong way on a one way street.
At one point, the unit somehow failed to track our location as we approached a turn, and we missed the turn, thinking the unit knew something we did not. It caught up in a few seconds, and got us back to the right path, but that could be a big problem on an interstate with few exits or turn-arounds.
I'd like an option to show the destination arrival time as a countdown.
I'd like the option to quickly display the time on the GPS unit main navigation screen.
Overhead view requires a lot of zooming out to be useful, and did not remember previous settings
I'd like to be able to instantly zoom out to, say, a 100 mile view to see the big picture, like a paper map can provide. I could get there, but after a lot of zooming out, which is not a safe task while driving
The security pin if wrongly entered throws up a large, unhelpful warning window that is difficult to clear in order to retry
Battery life is very short, maybe 15 minutes. I'd like more time so that I can enter addresses and such in a comfortable seat or at a picnic table away from the car, particularly with multiple destinations planned. EDIT: The battery life was 15 minutes when I was using it actively, entering address or previewing routes. When I used unplugged it to navigate with minimal interaction, the battery life stretched to two hours.
Speed limits accuracy was so-so. On interstates and other four-lanes, it was accurate 90% of the time; on secondary highways, it was somewhat less. It appeared to me that some limits had been recently changed and the maps had not caught up.
I'm not sure, but I may have burned my free map update prematurely. It may actually have come with the most recent maps, but I did not know how to be sure.
The map update software for Mac frequently crashed. I'm still not sure I have actually completed the update to the unit, but I do know I have exhausted my one free map download from the Garmin website. As a newbie, my opinion of the map update procedure is unresolved until I have more time to sort it out.
The estimated time of arrival seems too optimistic when a route has a lot of stop lights. We'd have to hit nearly every light green in order to keep up with the original estimates.

There you have it, a newbie's guide to the Garmin nuvi 255. I really enjoyed using the unit, and look forward to future trips with it.

Helpful Links:

Garmin nuvi 255 manuals

Garmin nuvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen version. The widescreen version of the 255. It is still available, but all widescreen 205-series have been superseded by the 1300-series. The basic 255 non-widescreen is still in production.

Garmin nüvi 1350LMT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator, the replacement model for the 255W

GPS Links

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:02:34 +0000

Selected links to information on the web about GPS. If you have a suggested site, feel free to email us.

Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site
Learn more about geocaches and get coordinates to start searching!

MacGPS Pro
Software for linking your mac to GPS receivers. Support for Apple Macintosh OS is sadly an afterthought among many GPS manufacturers. MacGPS Pro helps add that functionality back. MacGPS Pro supports almost all GPS receivers for moving map images on the Mac screen in real-time. Connect to your Garmin or Magellan for transferring Waypoints, Routes, and Track Logs. MacGPS Pro works with no receiver connected for viewing digital maps, measuring distances, editing waypoints, and creating routes.

GPSy
GPSy is a sophisticated Macintosh GPS communications and GIS mapping program. GPSy connects your Macintosh to a broad range of Global Positioning System (GPS) navigational units and has advanced mapping, logging, and data transfer features. GPSy has extensive support for USGS DRG topo maps, Internet DGPS-IP servers, GPSyLinks to Internet Map Servers, StreetAtlas 4, and IPC's MapFan II, as well as user-scanned maps, Magellan and Lowrance/Eagle data transfer protocols, Sony IPS protocol, Rockwell Zodiac/Tripmate binary protocol support, Trimble TSIP support and much more.

GPS Types

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:22:36 +0000

GPS Units have exploded in popularity and usefulness from the simple handheld units for hikers of the 1990s. The variety of features, brands and models available make it impossible to list here. Rather, let us organize them into broad categories to get you started. Here are the most popular categories today, and some general buying tips.

Vehicle GPS Vehicle GPS are used on your dashboard for turn-by-turn directions. The popularity of these is growing exponentially; they are quickly becoming a "must-have" gadget for drivers. Look for units that come with plenty of maps and lifetime updates, because any extra maps or updates must otherwise be purchased separately, which can quickly negate the savings of cheaper units. The best-selling model is currently the Garmin Nuvi.

Handheld GPS Handheld GPS is intended for use for hiking and outdoor activity. These units can be programmed with topographical maps and a series of waypoints to guide the hiker. They do not replace paper maps, but rather supplement them. Furthermore, they are not "turn by turn" guides, but rather "general direction" indicators. A handheld GPS is what is needed for geocaching.

Fitness GPS Fitness GPS are designed to provide information on how far and fast you have traveled on your workout. Some can also biometric feedback like heart rate.

Marine GPS Marine GPS can be programmed with nautical maps and provide nautical calculations. Some models also include sonars for fish-finding.

A Word About Cell Phone GPS Cell phones may also have GPS capabilities, but they may not use the satellite system. Cell towers can be used to triangulate position just like satellites can. Of course, cell service is required. A clear signal from at least three towers is needed, as well, so in areas where cell service is spotty, so will your phone's GPS capabilities.

Essential GPS Skills

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:07:15 +0000

GPS receivers are amazing gadgets. They do so much cool stuff with every model, that it can get overwhelming. To keep it under control, when you first get your GPS, concentrate on the following three skills. The details of what button to push when vary with the GPS model, so we won't go into that here. When you get your GPS, look through the manual to learn these three tasks. If you can do at least these three, then you will have gotten your money's worth. And once you have these down, you can build upon them as you explore the other neat things your GPS can do.

1. Learn how to enter a waypoint
This gives you some place to go.

2. Learn how to determine your position
You might use the internal map in the GPS, or record a waypoint for use with an external map or software, or some variation.

3. Learn how to navigate
That is, get from where you are to where you want to go. A key thing for a new person to remember is that most basic GPS units do not work well as a traditional compass, where you stand and orient yourself. You must be moving for the GPS to figure out which way to point. So, once you have your destination waypoint chosen, START WALKING to get the GPS navigation feature fired up. There are models that have an internal compass, but they are more expensive at this time.

About software for your GPS. To get the most out of your GPS receiver, you may need to purchase computer software to go with it. The software gives you an easy way to enter and extract information, for example waypoints. Entering waypoints with the little buttons on the unit is doable, but it gets tedious fast. With software, you enter them in your computer or copy them fom a website, then with the touch of a key upload them to your GPS. You can also extract or download waypoints you have recorded on your journey to print them directly on a map. And software may be the only way to upload maps into your GPS receiver for use in the field. Your GPS may come with maps loaded, but they are often limited in detail. The number of detailed maps you can save in your GPS is limited by the memory of the GPS. Units may or may not come bundled with various software or maps that you will need; be certain to reach the product descriptions carefully.

GPS Pitfalls

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:03:54 +0000

There are a few things to keep in mind when using a GPS that may not be obvious to a beginner. Read through these to keep the surprises to a minimum.

A Moment of Privacy, Please
Every time you turn your GPS on, it will need some time to track down the satellites. The longer you have had your GPS off, the longer it will take. It can be a few seconds if you've only had your GPS off a few hours, to 20 minutes or more, depending on conditions, if you have had your GPS off for months. This is normal, just give it time--and a clear view of the sky.

Blue Skies, Smiling at Me
Your GPS needs a clear view of the sky to find the satellites. It will not work in a building, nor too close to buildings or hills that block the horizon. Handheld GPS units can be problematic in a car (see below). And even heavy leaf cover can interfere. If your GPS unit is having trouble finding satellites, step out into the open. If in doubt, find a clear view of the southern horizon in the northern hemisphere, as the satellite tracks favor the middle of the globe rather than the poles.

Basic GPS units are Poor Compasses
Basic GPS's do not have internal compasses. They have a hard time determining what direction you are facing when you are standing still. They calculate your direction using the GPS satellites, and you must be moving for the GPS to figure out which direction you are facing. If you want your GPS to function more like a traditional compass, where you stand still and orient yourself to a certain direction before moving, make sure the model specifies that it has an internal compass. These are usually more expensive models. Or, just bring a regular compass with you; they are cheap!

Not THAT Accurate
GPS receivers' maximum accuracy is 10 feet under ideal conditions. Much of the time it will be less accurate than that, 50 feet or worse, and fluctuates as you move. This is still plenty accurate for most uses most of the time, but it can be a little disconcerting at first. WAAS-enabled units are supposedly more acccurate more of the time, but are still at the mercy of satellite visibility and atmospheric conditions.

Got Batteries?
GPS receivers need batteries to function. Always bring spares...and bring an old fashioned compass and paper map if you will be in unfamiliar territory.

Baby, You Can Almost Drive My Car...
Handheld GPS units don't do well in cars. They don't see well through the metal and glass of the car. You may need an external antenna. Navigational GPS units built for cars will include this...but then they aren't designed for walking.

Wilderness Safety
With a GPS, you might find yourself more likely than you ever were to explore somewhere you have never been, or even get off the trail as you hunt for a geocache. Do some research on wilderness safety before you head out. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Bring water and emergency supplies, especially foul weather gear, even if you are only going to be out for the afternoon. Remember you can go without food for days, but hypothermia or heat stroke can kill you in hours--and dehydration makes hypothermia (or heat stroke) more likely.

Maps, Maps, Maps
You still need maps. You can store a lot of information in your GPS, but good old maps will still be useful. Drive to the park using roadmaps, use the trail maps to get into the general area of your destination, then use the GPS to zero in.

Mother May I
Always respect the rights of landowners, be they your neighbors or the government. Obey the rules concerning trespassing, restricted areas or sensitive wildlife habitats. Check the park regulations concerning journeying off the trail.

Keep Your Feathers Numbered
Always have a back up plan in case your GPS fails. You may run out of batteries, drop the unit in a lake, or just can't get a good fix on enough satellites due to weather or landscape, or delete a waypoint by accident. If you will be in unfamiliar territory, bring a paper map and a compass "just in case" you need to find your way back out without your GPS.