Navigation for under $50

[funboy102]

For the record... this can also apply to GEN 2 audio/video/navi... but i'll post here because I have a Gen 1

So I got this idea from a friend, and I witness it first hand, so I can vouch for this method. What you need is
-Laptop (already owned)
-USB GPS antenna ($47 on ebay Link here )
-OPTIONAL, Car notebook charger, Something like this Just so that you can get more than a batteries charge.
THAT'S IT!

This is pretty self-explanatory. Just buy the USB GPS antenna off of eBay, plut it into your laptop. You do need a software to make this work, so you can either buy Microsoft Streets and Trips, Rand McNally StreetFinder, Delorme Street Atlas, etc... OR you can download it as a bit torrent or from any file-sharing software that you might have... (but you didn't hear the latter from me... what you choose to do is your choice). From personal experience, my friend used iGuidance, which can be found here---> http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance3.html

So once you install the software, the software will work hand in hand with the GPS antenna you already installed. The GPS antenna will work inside the car (you don't have to mount it outside), just leave it on the front dashboard. This means that you can use the GPS when you feel like it, or take it off when you don't feel like using it. When he showed it to me, I was pretty impress at what $50 can do. I mean, this software was fully featured with a detailed maps, directions, route correction (if you veer off the intended route), speed sensor, etc...

Another big plus. While people are looking at their tiny 6.5" or 7" in dash navigation screen... you're looking at a massive ~15" screen... haha, no squinting here...

The only negative is that the average laptop battery last 1-2 hours. So you might need a charger if this is for extended period of time.

Most of us drive our car on routes we normally take everyday, so spending $1000+ on navigation is pretty pricey. But for that trip that we once in a while take to a place not so familiar, $50 is nothing compare to the security of knowing where you're going, and where to go if you're lost.

What you guys think? Opinions?

[SdeA]

Pretty nice thanks for sharing it with everyone

[RDKamikaze]

This would have been so useful about 10 hours ago. My family was on our way back from California and finding the exit for In-N-Out was almost impossible!

[Projex0]

i have microsoft streets and trips 2006. if you guys are going to get 2005 dont because it does not have voice navigation(turn by turn voice) only the 2006+ has that. it works great.

[jrzymuscle23]

i have microsoft streets and trips 2006. if you guys are going to get 2005 dont because it does not have voice navigation(turn by turn voice) only the 2006+ has that. it works great.

Good looks on that- thanks- i think this might be something i might do...

[funboy102]

i have microsoft streets and trips 2006. if you guys are going to get 2005 dont because it does not have voice navigation(turn by turn voice) only the 2006+ has that. it works great.

so you have this USB GPS antenna in your car too? that's cool... how much did you pay?

[SirMacDaddy]

A lot of people take it a step further and do a carputer....

I have always wanted one of those, they are easy to make and they also sell cheap on ebay, but i've come to the conclusion to hold out for the D3...

[Projex0]

there is two kinds one with the gps and one with out the one without the gps locator is i believe 39.99 and the one with it is around 120 or 130.

the only time my gps locator gets suctioned to my front window is when i use it, but yes i do have the gps locator also.

[funboy102]

there is two kinds one with the gps and one with out the one without the gps locator is i believe 39.99 and the one with it is around 120 or 130.

the only time my gps locator gets suctioned to my front window is when i use it, but yes i do have the gps locator also.

what are you talking about? can you cite your sources? My friend WAS using the ~$40 one in the car when I was driving, and it WAS working, and tracking, etc... What you mean GPS locater?

[Projex0]

the software comes with two options
1) is just the software without GPS locator
2) software and GPS locator(all in one package)

GPS locator

[Projex0]

software without the GPS locator
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 5070315592

software WITH the GPS locator
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 3999179728

[Jon11582]

I used to use Streets and trips 06 with the same SiRF locator that is pictured. It doesn't work too well without a passenger to co-pilot, since its on a laptop that would normally be on the passenger seat. Combined with the lack of Text-to-speech, which pretty much requires you to look at the screen to see what street to turn on, its pretty dangerous and disorienting without a co-pilot. Also streets and trips doesn't have some features that even cheap GPS's have. (such as Auto-Reroute when off-route.) not to mention the view it gives you on screen when you're driving isn't optimal.

I switched to a Mio C310x for $189 shipped from outpost.com, and anyone looking for cheap nav should get that. These days, the cheaper standalone navigation units don't cost too much more than a GPS locator + software, so theres no real need to have to lug a laptop with a wire and locator sticking out of it and sub-par software.

[Projex0]

it worked great for me but yes i do agree with you on that it is best to have a passenger.

[funboy102]

software without the GPS locator
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 5070315592

software WITH the GPS locator
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 3999179728

Cool, thanks a lot for clarifying Projex0...

But what I was trying to say is... If you go on eBay, you can get that standalone GPS locater for about only $45. That is what my friend did. As for software... Free if you can use your imagination...

it worked great for me but yes i do agree with you on that it is best to have a passenger.

I used to use Streets and trips 06 with the same SiRF locator that is pictured. It doesn't work too well without a passenger to co-pilot, since its on a laptop that would normally be on the passenger seat. Combined with the lack of Text-to-speech, which pretty much requires you to look at the screen to see what street to turn on, its pretty dangerous and disorienting without a co-pilot. Also streets and trips doesn't have some features that even cheap GPS's have. (such as Auto-Reroute when off-route.) not to mention the view it gives you on screen when you're driving isn't optimal.

as for you these comments, try checking out iGuidance ----->http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance3.html
It does tell you which street to turn on, it has audio feedbacks AND it does have auto-reroute when you go off-route. And the view it gives you, it's just like what i've seen in factory GPS systems, very nice. Just click on the link and check out the demo's, you'll be impressed.

But also... yeah, you're right, standalone GPS is only $200 now... it's going down...

[Jon11582]

I used to use Streets and trips 06 with the same SiRF locator that is pictured. It doesn't work too well without a passenger to co-pilot, since its on a laptop that would normally be on the passenger seat. Combined with the lack of Text-to-speech, which pretty much requires you to look at the screen to see what street to turn on, its pretty dangerous and disorienting without a co-pilot. Also streets and trips doesn't have some features that even cheap GPS's have. (such as Auto-Reroute when off-route.) not to mention the view it gives you on screen when you're driving isn't optimal.

as for you these comments, try checking out iGuidance ----->http://www.inavcorp.com/products/iguidance3.html
It does tell you which street to turn on, it has audio feedbacks AND it does have auto-reroute when you go off-route. And the view it gives you, it's just like what i've seen in factory GPS systems, very nice. Just click on the link and check out the demo's, you'll be impressed.

But also... yeah, you're right, standalone GPS is only $200 now... it's going down...

Like Streets and trips, I dont believe iGuidance 3 has text-to-speech. TTS is the translating of street names into voice.

i.e. It doesn't say "turn right on main street," it says "Turn right in 500 ft," and if theres a few right turns coming up, you need to glance at the screen to see which one it is, then turn. This turn of your head to look in your passenger seat and read the road name is prime time for a car to come flying out of a side street and cut you off.

To be fair, most low end GPS's (Under $400) also do not have text-to-speech, but the screen is situated in front of you where you can glance easily and still keep your eyes close to the road.

My friend has iGuidance and I toyed around with it for a little bit, but didnt take it on the road. From what i saw, it was definitely better than Streets and Trips.