Thread: In Car GPS

A question relative to GPS in car units.Here in W.A. (as it probably is in most of the country)it is deemed unlawful for drivers to be physically using a mobile phone whilst in control of a vehicle, I wonder how long the relative authorities will take to include the physical manipulations of GPS units by drivers within that same act.

There was a report on this issue on the news when I was in Brisbane. There is a suspicion within the traffic division that some people are mucking about with their GPS while driving along and they are considering applying the same legislation to these as to mobile phones. I don't see any issue with that, as long as it doesn't go any further than making it an offence to operate the interface while driving. Should be similar to the hands-free exception for mobile phones.

Would be a shame if they encumbered the use of the things in any way because I think they are a leap ahead in safety if used correctly. The number of times I have had people slam on the brakes in front of me or suddenly change lanes because they've missed their turn. Or the number of arguments that take place between the driver and navigator. People unintentionally speeding. Going the wrong way up a one way street. All of these things would be eliminated if everyone had one. Should be made compulsory in all new cars.

I played with my TomTom a bit more yesterday (not whilst driving of course) and I noticed the the speed was different to that displayed by the dashboard. Assuming the GPS is more accurate my speedo is 4 km/h slow which I guess is a safety mechanism by manufacturers wanting to err on the side of caution so they can't be sued by un-witting speeders?

HH.

Mine is exactly the same - 4km slow according to the GPS.

speedo reads 5kph higher than the gps in one car, 4 kph in another.

New Rodeo 5kph slower than GPS.usually set the cruise control according to the speedo anyway.

With relavance to my previous statement it is of course common sense to pull over to the side of the road if having to make an enquiry or adjustment of the GPS unit (that is if you're the sole occupant of the vehicle).
this usually applies to those with mobile phones and no hands free,as it is written.

cheers

Thanks for all your thoughts and experience.

I went down to get the Tom Tom XL.
I helped my daughter by the original a while back and it seemed really good. Easy to use and saved time looking up maps in Sydney..


They had a Mio 520 on special for $410. It has the same big screen as the TT XL plus Text to speech and Bluetooth.
I don't have handsfree for my new Next G phone.

I bought the Mio.

It worked fine today.

I have the Mio C520, the sound buggers up when it gets hot.

I look out the window.

Michael
I have just purchased an Hitachi MMP501B and also want to connect a reversing camera. I was hoping to get a wireless one for the caravan. Did you get a wired or wireless and did you have any problems on fitting or connecting to the Hitachi. Can I also enquire what sort of camera system you bought

Cheers
Kaacee

Originally Posted by mcchaddy

Hi,

I just bought a Hitachi MMP501B, 5" screen with Bluetooth and AV input. My only fault with it is the text to speech voice is fairly ordinary. Its pronunciation of some street names it quiet funny at times.

The screen is excellent and easy to read. It uses destinator software and has the latest sensis maps loaded. It POI's are endless. Red light camera detection, speed zones for schools etc. I use the AV input as a reversing camera.

Cheers

Michael.

Have read smattering of this thread on GPS I know a few with them I don't have one and for the price and the number of times I have heard they send you on a wild goose chase give wrong directions etc.

latest was cousin who came to visit last Sunday was given two streets past where she should have turned leading her into a private school ground .

Well don't buy one then, simple.

Honestly, I don't know why people run around trying to convince others that something is useless when they don't have one themselves nor have ever used one. Nothing in life is perfect. Yes they get it wrong sometimes. Does that mean that you should write them off? Well it's no skin off my nose if you do, but basically what you are saying is that those of us who have one have wasted our money. At least borrow one and try it out before you give an opinion, rather than just passing on second hand anecdotes.

Double

Having a rough day SC?

HH.

Not at all, I'm having a ball.

A tennis ball or a football ?

Hh.