[QUOTE=Tapioca Dextrin]
I recommend this device.
[/QUOTE]
What does the Teddy Bear do when you throw it out a window?
Raindog, you’re really looking for 2 GPS’s because of the nature of what you’re looking for. A car GPS is designed to give you directions and run off the car’s electrical system. A hiking GPS is designed to display information and have a longer battery cycle. You can probably find a unit that does both but it may be cheaper in the long to buy 2. Let me explain.
In your car, you want a database that has all the street names and can navigate to a specific destination. To get this there is a sacrifice of visual information because it eats up space. Additional information stored consists of searchable points of interest such as nearest bank or restaurant. When hiking you want to visually see where you are which includes terrain information and detailed landmarks such as lakes, rivers and land contour.
A good car unit is easy to program and use without a manual. You do not want to be distracted by a unit that is hard to use so I would advise creating a test to see which one seems the most logical to use. As an Example, my Magellan can be programmed by searching for a destination by city, zip code or previous location. Sometimes it’s really handy to search by zip code instead of typing in the city (try spelling Punxsutawney versus entering a zip code). The next thing my Magellan asks for is the street name and it will only display the letters that are possible to choose from. Example: if you are looking for Monticello Dr in Punxutawney and you type in “M” it will only display the letters of streets beginning with “M” and continue to pare down the letters until it displays the street you are looking for. It makes it easier to enter and may be useful if you are constantly looking for new addresses.
The bells and whistles that are offered in car units (and therefore add to the cost): screen size, blue tooth, traffic monitoring, points of interest database, storage for music including a slot for memory. If you don’t use blue tooth don’t buy it. If you’re not going to actively search for restaurants and gas stations then you don’t need the expanded level of points-of-interest.
Things to consider: are you going to use this in Canada? Some units have both US and Canadian roads and some don’t. Do you want voice directions to say the name of the street or just turning instructions? Do you want the unit to display a realistic 3d view of major highways? Do you want it to use traffic alert information if available (sent via radio by some cities).
My suggestion is to go to GPS Magazine and poke around. I would personally think in terms of buying 2 units that do what you want without a lot of bells and whistles. Technology will make your choices obsolete the moment you buy it so by the time you’re looking for another unit it will be cheaper and have more features than what you purchase now.
I would also suggest that you learn to effectively use a GPS. I find it more useful to pull up the written instructions while driving rather than watching or listening to instructions. If you’re in a city like Chicago with one exit after another it can be confusing to watch the GPS. If you flip to the instructions prior to turning you will get the exit number and distance, which I find easier than staring at the unit. It also puts your focus back on the road. If I know I’m looking for exit 22B East and it’s 2.1 miles away then I am now paying attention to where I’m at and not for an unknown turn that matches up to the GPS. Many a time I’ve come to an exit with 2 or 3 versions (exit 22A, 22B, 22C) and they are closely spaced on the highway. It’s easy to miss one by staring at the screen and you’re also not paying attention to the road.
Good luck.