GPS: Is This a Good Deal?

I can't say anything about the brand, but it is definitely a great price considering the 4.3" screen.

 

This link has some reviews: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_700500_omnitech_portable_gps_navigation_system_reviews

For the price I'm not sure you can go wrong.

 

When hacked, this can be used as a video player, mp3 player, load custom gps programs, etc. It runs off windows CE

Not best quality - but you can do a google search

Its worth it only if you will hack if not, dont buy it
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L4lAUTxcYg4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L4lAUTxcYg4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/19/gps-close-to-breakdown

GPS system 'close to breakdown'

Network of satellites could begin to fail as early as 2010


It has become one of the staples of modern, hi-tech life: using satellite navigation tools built into your car or mobile phone to find your way from A to B. But experts have warned that the system may be close to breakdown.

US government officials are concerned that the quality of the Global Positioning System (GPS) could begin to deteriorate as early as next year, resulting in regular blackouts and failures – or even dishing out inaccurate directions to millions of people worldwide.

The warning centres on the network of GPS satellites that constantly orbit the planet and beam signals back to the ground that help pinpoint your position on the Earth's surface.

The satellites are overseen by the US Air Force, which has maintained the GPS network since the early 1990s. According to a study by the US government accountability office (GAO), mismanagement and a lack of investment means that some of the crucial GPS satellites could begin to fail as early as next year.

"It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption," said the report, presented to Congress. "If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected."

The report says that Air Force officials have failed to execute the necessary steps to keep the system running smoothly.

Although it is currently spending nearly $2bn (£1.3bn) to bring the 20-year-old system up to date, the GAO – which is the equivalent of Britain's National Audit Office – says that delays and overspending are putting the entire system in jeopardy.

"In recent years, the Air Force has struggled to successfully build GPS satellites within cost and schedule goals," said the report. "It encountered significant technical problems … [and] struggled with a different contractor."

The first replacement GPS satellite was due to launch at the beginning of 2007, but has been delayed several times and is now scheduled to go into orbit in November this year – almost three years late.

The impact on ordinary users could be significant, with millions of satnav users potential victims of bad directions or failed services. There would also be similar side effects on the military, which uses GPS for mapping, reconnaissance and for tracking hostile targets.

Some suggest that it could also have an impact on the proliferation of so-called location applications on mobile handsets – just as applications on the iPhone and other GPS-enabled smartphones are starting to get more popular.

Tom Coates, the head of Yahoo's Fire Eagle system – which lets users share their location data from their mobile – said he was sceptical that US officials would let the system fall into total disrepair because it was important to so many people and companies.

"I'd be surprised if anyone in the US government was actually OK with letting it fail – it's too useful," he told the Guardian.

"It sounds like something that could be very serious in a whole range of areas if it were to actually happen. It probably wouldn't damage many locative services applications now, but potentially it would r****d their development and mainstreaming if it were to come to pass."

The failings of GPS could also play into the hands of other countries – including opening the door to Galileo, the European-funded attempt to rival America's satellite navigation system, which is scheduled to start rolling out later next year.

Russia, India and China have developed their own satellite navigation technologies that are currently being expanded.

 

Señor Pun... how big is the city in Arkansas where you live that you need a GPS? I don't mean to be an a-hole, sir, but... do you REALLY need one? I can see a good use for one of these GPS thingiemajigs if you're a real estate agent, or in a similar line of work... but... really, do you need it?

I would say it's a GOOD DEAL, based on the features and price, but... only if you really need it.

 

i'd stick to name brands
i have a refurb garmin, works fine

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=2372&name=GPS-Navigation

 

I live in LA, so it's probably unfair to compare my situation with some-town-in-Arkansas.....

Anyways, I thought I would never need a GPS either, until I got one this year. It has become extremely useful so many situations that I've lost count. A GPS system is definitely worth the money, in my opinion.

Anyways, I got a Garmin 4.3'' for $199 from newegg, so the deal you posted is really good for the size of the screen. I don't know about the brand though so I can't make any recommendations, but I love my Garmin.

 

I had a 4.3" Navigon that I liked a lot. It was a little slow, but I hacked it and used it as a movie player etc. That is until my dogs used it as a chew toy and broke the touchscreen glass, but the monitor itself and the unit is still working (but no touch screen so it's useless).


I replaced it with a SONY 4.8" Navu96 (IIRC) which I paid $175 for brandnew from Sonystore.com

 

I checked some prices, and $59 sounds ridiculously low for that screen size and its features.

Since there are countless, please give a few, if you don't mind. I have this perception of "don't need it", but I am trying to figure out how some have used it, like you say. Anyway, I had the same perception about the hands-free earpiece or "bluetooth", but now that I have clients for photography and web design, it is PLENTY useful on my way home and to work.

 

Let's see....this one time I got lost taking an alternate route to work. GPS got me back on track, though I only took that alternate route thinking "hey, what's the worst that can happen, I have a GPS now"

Going to a restaurant that I've never been before. Going to San Diego and randomly taking a drive through downtown without the fear of getting lost. Finding a nearby sushi restaurant. Going to a friend's place for the first time.

Though, yes, a lot of stuff I could've just used Google Map, but I don't have a smartphone to access internet while I'm out. GPS also gives a more detailed turn-by-turn direction than anything you print out.

 

Which model? I just picked up a 765T and it's got a lot of great features.

 

nuvi 750. It's outdated now, that's probably why it was so cheap when I bought it. It has more features than what the OP has posted, including several different languages, downloadable contents (I like changing my vehicle icon between an airplane and a Chipotle burrito) and maps, pretty good search function for points of interests, etc.

 

So... you only wanted to go to a restaurant you'd never been to before, take an alternate route to work, or go through San Diego's downtown because now you have a GPS device? Don't make me laugh. Seriously? You didn't have guts before?

So... in summary... the GPS device makes you more... courageous? OK, I don't need one, then.

 

Yeah, honestly, I could live without it. It's a luxury, after all. Doesn't change the fact that I enjoy having it though.

 

dude you are on a shopping spree this month.

actually so am I.

the Dell monitor I got is sweet. Finally 1080p videos!

 

Momentary thread hijack for Tinman response.

I got a question for you. I have a 1080p monitor now. I have a dvi/hdmi cable, but when I hooked it all up it didn't show up on the monitor. It was as if I had nothing plugged in.

I'm using a Mac G5...do I have to have a HD VIDEO card to be able see things in HD?? I was told I didn't as long as I have the proper cables.