Garmin GPS

[asagi]

Hi Bro,

Thinking of getting a GPS and a shop at Sim Lim recommend me Garmin Streetpilot C320. He told me this model is very popular.

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp320/

I wonder is anyone have try this and care to share some comment.

Cost slightly more than 1K and therefore hope to have some advise before buying.

Thank you

 

[Henry1515]

Re: Garmin GPS

I am also keen to get one if it is good. :nehnehhh:

 

[The Mixmaster]

Re: Garmin GPS

Me interested too. Looks like we may have sufficient interested people to form a mini-group buy.

The important thing is that it must be user-friendly and come with maps for Singapore and Malaysia. I wouldn't even mind paying for map updates that come out from time to time.

Can anyone give feedback about this Garmin product?

 

[drivemax]

Re: Garmin GPS

I'm using the free Garmin Queue map together with MapKing on my O2 mini.
You can get free Garmin map of Spore and M'sia from www.malsingmaps.com which
are mostly contributed by enthusiasts. You may also find out more info from the forum
if anyone has ever use the GS sp320.
As for the MapKing, you are require to buy and register per map but the graphics and the 3D view is nicer and easier to configure.

Since I'm not using the Garmin hardware, in order to use the Garmin map, I would need to install a proxy software which sometimes may hang if insufficient battery power or the pda goes into sleep mode (I have to disable the sleep mode if I'm using the Garmin). The garmin map offer a great bird eye view which you may zoom in/out very smoothly.

As for those who already have a PDA and who love to tinker with the setting and configuration,
you can just buy a GPS bluetooth receiver and choose the map software (Garmin Queue, MapKing or Agis) of your choice.
For those who like hassle free and purely GPS for the car, then you can shop around for Garmin, Tibo, MIO (to name a few).

Just remember to check if the reception can go through those heavily tinted window with solar film, otherwise
you will need an additional antenna.

just my 2 cts and I'm still exploring...

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Garmin GPS

I bought a Garmin StreetPliot e320 today.

2 words to describe it: BLOODY FANTASTIC!!

It's sensitive (the sky was overcast today but no problems getting satellite fixes at all), fast, accurate, extremely user-friendly, has very detailed voice instructions that give you plenty of warning, recalculates a new route within 3 seconds when you miss a turn, plenty of preloaded destinations (food, hotels, petrol stations, ATMs, malls, night spots, golf places, hospitals, car workshops...).

A nifty feature is the trip computer page that tells you your overall average, moving average and maximum speeds and distances. As you all know, your GPS derived travelling speeds are much more accurate than your car's speedometer.

I have Huper Optik solar film installed on my car and no problems at all. I mounted it on the windscreen suction mount thingy that's included in the package. If you prefer, you can stick it on your dash as they also provided a base plate with double sided tape. However they do warn you that it is PERMANENT and will be very hard to remove if you decide to later.

It runs on lithium batteries, so if you don't want the messy charging wire always connected, you can leave the wire somewhere until your batteries wear out. No A/C charger is provided in the package.

The screen is very bright and can be easily seen in broad daylight. In fact I only use 50% brightness. The speaker is loud and clear. You can even choose the slang (American or British English), haha.

It came preloaded with the official Garmin Singapore and Johore maps and when the whole of Malaysia is completely mapped, I will be entitled to a new SD card that will contain complete Singapore and Malaysia maps for free. If you need maps of other countries, they are easilt available via Garmin's own website.

Oh, you can even search by HDB block number.

I bought it for $1180 at Perfect Watch in Sim Lim Square.

It's one of those things that make me say: "Damn, I should have bought this a long time ago." Of course, I'm an idiot when it comes to navigation. If you're very familiar with local roads, this might be unnecessary.

No more fumbling with a street directory while driving. Key in your destinantion, and just follow instructions. Can't be any simpler.

Check it out: http://www.garmin.com/manuals/StreetPilotc320_OwnersManual.pdf

Here are some pics for your amusement:

 

[eggz]

Re: Garmin GPS

Hi CBS,

Thanks for the review and pictures. I must say, this Garmin C320 is very tempting...

couple of questions

- do you know when full Malaysian maps will be available?
- roughly how long do the batteries last on a full charge? Is there a warning (either visual or audio) when the batteries are running low?

 

[ferd]

Re: Garmin GPS

eggz,

i think the garmin unit is powered through the cig lighter socket you see in the bottom pic.

cheers!

 

[BlackStealth]

Re: Garmin GPS

Anyone used both Tibo and Garmin before? Which is better?

Somehow, I still wish Singapore software can be this advance...

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Garmin GPS

Eggz,

according to the lady in the shop, it's "very soon". It has surely taken donkey years for Garmin to develope S'pore/M'sia maps. And since it has already offered complete S'pore/Johor maps, my guess is that it should be pretty soon.

I haven't done an experiment to test the longevity of the batteries yet. But I can tell you that I played with the unit out of the car running on batteries for 3 hours yesterday, and didn't even put a dent on the battery meter. I suspect the batteries should be pretty good. If you know the design of the Garmin Nuvi, it's less than 1/2 the size and has even more functions then the e320, so, I would assume that they put in quite a large battery in the e320.

You can see the charge of the battery via a battery meter, much like a mobile phone. I'm not sure whether there will be an audio warning for low battery status, but I would bet there is. This device has been really well thought through from my limited experience.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Garmin GPS

Blackstealth,

GPS in S'pore is still in it's infancy. It would take a very sizeable market interest for any developer to want to make S'porean maps to such detail. I don't think it will ever happen lah, unless got government grant or something.

 

[T6]

Re: Garmin GPS

Anyone used both Tibo and Garmin before? Which is better?

Somehow, I still wish Singapore software can be this advance...

BS,

There was an article in the Straits Times Digital Life comparing a Garmin with a Tibo (not sure which model though) and Garmin was rated better.

 

[emiffy]

Re: Garmin GPS

Haha, was at Perfect Watch this afternoon, and yes, the Garmin is great.

The pricing is slightly less if you don't want the enhanced maps of Malaysia when it comes out.

and CBS -- what were you doing at 3am?

 

[BlackStealth]

Re: Garmin GPS

Lucky i put the Tibo plans on hold.......

 

[asagi]

Re: Garmin GPS

Blackstealth,

GPS in S'pore is still in it's infancy. It would take a very sizeable market interest for any developer to want to make S'porean maps to such detail. I don't think it will ever happen lah, unless got government grant or something.

Hi CBS,

Thanks for your review.

I'll will go and buy one tomorrow. Any bro wish to join me can SMS me at 96805406

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Garmin GPS

Aaaaa...makes me itchy itchy leh...GARMIN GPS......

if pool buy can get at $700 each or not

 

[asagi]

Re: Garmin GPS

Aaaaa...makes me itchy itchy leh...GARMIN GPS......

if pool buy can get at $700 each or not

Ahbengdriver,

I think it is impossible to get it at $700. Perfect Watch quoted me a best price $1150 last week payment by CASH.

For over 1K, I think it is not so easy to organise a group buy especially pre-collection of money etc..

Anyway, I will check out tomorrow if there is any better price for order of more than 5 pcs.

 

[chickenbackside]

Re: Garmin GPS

Hi guys.

I wasn't happy about some things about the Garmin setup.

1) The charging/power cable running from the cigarette lighter to the device is too ugly to look at on a daily basis

2) I can't charge my phone or do anything with the 12v socket when I'm using the device. I want the socket to be free

3) When I pull the key out, current is still being drawn to charge the device and it forces me to dismount it even if I don't feel like it

So, off I went to Ah Wee and asked him to fix it for me. "No problem!" he said.

Here's the process:



Cut the damn thing

Extend the cable

Fused for safety

Tapping power from somewhere down there

Running the wire under A pillar trim. Good view of the curtain bags at the same time

Done! The result:

Much much better.

No more ugly wire, 12v socket is free for other use, power is cut when I switch off the engine.

Now I can sleep peacefully...




Well, not really, cos my Vorsteiner bonnet is in Singapore already but stuck at customs. I'll update on that once that is done...

 

[T6]

Re: Garmin GPS

As usual, trust Ah Wee to do a great job. Hey, have u considered mounting it on the right of the car IU? Seen some bros mount it over but for a smaller Garmin though.

 

[14m3]

Re: Garmin GPS

How come you guys are not interested on the HP Ipaq 6515 with built in GPS receiver?

 

[asagi]

Re: Garmin GPS

Hi CBS,

Just to check with you. When you input your destination, does the Garmin offer only one route or is there several routes that you can select?

The route selected by the Garmin may not always be the route you want to take (e.g traffics etc..). What do you do under such circumstances?

Thank you in advance