Today, I made a startling discovery. I wasted my money. I don't need no stinkin' GPS. I had one and didn't realize it. She speaks to me in a feminine voice, although sometimes not in the softest, most friendly tone. She tells me what speed I'm driving; what the speed limit is; when a vehicle is approaching too close; what lane to drive in; when to turn; what time it is; you name it, she has an answer. You probably guessed; I'm married to her, and she's much more expensive to maintain and operate. (I'm glad she doesn't read this Forum.)
Just keep giving her a fresh set of batteries and she'll take care of you for ever
Gee,I have one of those too with very similar features.Wish there was a MUTE button sometimes.
Remember, the disposal fee costs quite a bit more than the cost to maintain.
Terry, you didn't mention her beautiful deep Texas accent, like your own. Geo. n L.A.
George H., in the middle of June, my wife's daughter is moving to Albuquerque from Houston. My wife didn't want her driving it alone and is going with her in the daughter's car. I'll be following in another car to bring wife home. At least I'll get to hear the GPS going there. The return trip will be a different story.
Doug, I don't have to worry about disposal. I'm too old to be able to work a new model.
George C., The accent isn't what isn't what gets your attention; its the stern tone that does.
My pretty wife and I celebrate our 34th anniversary in 11 days. She knows I'm directionally impaired and don't have a clue which way I'm going if I can't see the sun or at noon. She just quietly gives me directions! She's the best navigator I've got and I love her more each year!!!
Noel
Noel, congratulations! Hope you have many more.
i was given a GPS that was so bad, So infuriating i threw it out the window.
The best navigator I ever had on an Endurance Run was my wife!
I used to have a digital GPS. I went back to using the mechanical one that can walk to the car by herself. ;)
I'll admit my human GPS has saved me from an accident or fender bender or two, and she is pretty good at some other things that my TomTom can't do, but I'm the kind of driver that doesn't feel like I need to be in the right lane, five miles ahead of where I'm going to turn right (or left lane if I'm turning left in five miles). I also try to obey speed limits and I am much better at directions than she is. I can usually tell the direction I'm going if the sun is visible. I see much better at night, by her own admission. Like I said in the first post, I guess I'll have to keep her as I'm to old to work, and train a newer model.
Terry, I have your home address and can mail your navigator a copy of these postings if you want me to. The postal service uses their own GPS to find that address.
Speaking about a GPS, My old Garmin gave up ($500.00) so I bought a new Garmin Nuvi 50 two day ago. I have charged it full twice and both times the charge lasted less than three hours and it went off. Have any of you with the Garmin Nuvi 50 had the same experience. It won't be much good in a modelt T if it will not last longer than two hours. You would have to keep it turned off most of the time you are driving. I won't do it but feel like taking it back.
RTFM, Dave, read the manual. What does it give for battery life? If it's not meeting spec, please take it back. Manufacturers need to be held accountable for their sales claims.
Dave it will work on six volts as long as you use the cord that came with it, i have a Nuvi 200 and the battery doesn't hold a charge for long, they wanted $70.00 plus shipping to replace the battery so i just made a lighter fitting with two alligator clips and run the wire under the seat.
Rick
As I mentioned above my new Garmin GPS fully charged did not last 3 hours. It takes me longer than that to get into the mountains let alone do me any good after I get up there.
Anyone, do you have a Nuvi 50 and how long does your charge last????
Ricks
I reread the litature that came with the GPS and none of it said any thing about battery life.
Rick Goelz:
That sounds good I will do it. Understand the Ts I use the most do not have a generator and run off the Mag. Can I just hook up to my little 6volt tractor batter and have the GPS work???
Dave Huson,I don't have a Garmin Nuvi 50 but I have the same experience with my TOMTOM 720,when new it wouldn't go much over an hour on a charge even less if I had the volume turned up.I never even attempt to use it now with out plugging it in. Interestingly I also have a Garmin handheld GPS 76CSx I use for boating and it goes many many hours on two AA batteries it has many more functions but no audio feature maybe that is part of the reason.Don't really know.
George Harrison:
thanks, I have the audio turned off, because I don't like to listen to it. I did turn the Brightness up to 100% and maybe that drains the batteries faster. I think I will turn the brightness way down and see if the batteries last any longer.
Dave, it should work on a small battery.
rick
@Dave, I have a Nuvi 1350 and it is no better!
To the post--I have one of those "special" GPS's(Wife), but mine has the added option of a back-up camera! It seems like it is always telling, or asking how many cars are behind us!!!!Ha Ha Ha!!
Rick Goetz:
Thanks, I certainly will try it because it won't do me much good on an 8 hour short day tour.
Garmin.com Nuvi 50 spec shows battery life "up to 2 hours."
Looks like it's a pretty capable unit.
rdr
Rick Goelz:
Just so I make sure I understand what you did. You are using the cable with the cigarette lighter male plug and plugged that into your GPS then you took a female cigarette lighter and fastened the end to a 6 volt battery then you can plug the two cigarette lighter plugs together. In other words you are using both the male and female cigarette plugs to connect to the battery and the GPS.
As soon as I can find a female plug I am going to try it.
By the way I turned down the brightness to 50% and its seems to be lasting longer. I will know in another hour
The Garmin Nuvi's are designed to be used plugged into a car's lighter plug. The battery that is built in will last for a couple of hours or so, but it is not designed for all-day unplugged use.
What I have done is to use a computer UPS (uninterruptable power supply) sealed 12v battery (you can buy them at places like Batteries Plus for $25-30), hooked up a cigarette lighter receptacle to it, and then I can plug my Garmin into that for extended usage. Depending on what kind of a T you have, this battery can be put under a seat, or could even be mounted under the floor. You then need a low powered charger to charge this battery. What I use is a black power cube that is 12 vdc, and puts out 500 ma. It has a cigarette lighter plug on the end of the cord, so I can just plug it into the receptacle after unplugging the GPS.
Dave, that is correct.
Rick
John Battell:
Thanks, it sounds like you do not use your regular car battery. Now days I mostly use a 16 so of coarse I do not have a generator. I am going to try and use the regular battery that I use when I hand crank my 12 or 16. I have my display turned down to 50% and the nuvi is still on at 3 1`/2 hours. Turning down the display seems to have helped. But I would still like to use it for a full 8 hours so I will still try hooking it up.