Date:         Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:59:00 -0800
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: GPS for farsighted eyes?
In-Reply-To:  <4790EDC3.3020705@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

 RE: Reading Glasses for the Laptop GPS in the Vanagon
Drifting a little off topic here but hell, it's Friday.  I've worn glasses
(near sighted) since i was seven years old and since they stay on all time
(and with habits built up over the many years) I don't have much trouble
loosing or breaking them.  BUT, solutions for being able to see the laptop
screen or even read the dash instruments?  Well, for those in the 40 years
plus range it starts to be a problem and if you don't already wear glasses
all the time the only solution is custom made glasses.  These can be had
from a number of sources (can't link to any right now) but custom glasses
can be made.  The competitive shooting community has some pretty exotic
combinations made up especially for shooters getting on in age.  In my case
the progressive lenses are a very good solution for on the road, no dividing
line in the lens to look under or over, just look where you want to see and
they provide the correct correction.  My personal case is even more critical
since I've had lens implants (cataracts) in both eyes now and the fake
lenses, although giving tack sharp vision, have no accommodation, can't
focus except at infinity.  Therefore a reading correction is mandatory.  And
for viewing the computer screen I have +2.00 clip ons that I use.  Made them
up myself to start, now have store bought.  But like many others I've found
the use of the laptop while on the road a mixed blessing.  Best software BUT
very distracting to try to see while driving, just plain damn dangerous.
That's why I've said several times on the lists that the laptop is for use
by a co-pilot, not a Vanagon driver.  Which brings us to the dedicated
units.  There is a local Vanagon fanatic (sorry Curt) that has the Garmin
7200, monster 7" screen and the Garmin 60cx (cs? ) and finds pro and con on
both.  He's very impressed with the handheld, it will even load the topo
maps, very complete coverage, fast and easy to use.  I damn near bought one
a while back myself.  The 7200 is great when mounted on the dash and also
does it's job very well.  But can't load the topo maps to it. A few months
ago, after somone on the lists pointed it out, I bought a Pioneer AVICS-1,
4" screen, dash mounted.  Set it up and used it on a three week trip last
fall.  Conclusion:  Probably fine for in city navigation and works on the
highways just fine, great for knowing what's around the next turn even.
BUT, the POI database is lousy (unless you want to find the nearest
Burgerking, used it that way once) but can't find Glacier Park!  Once in the
park it could tell me I was on Loop B in the campground, but didn't know
there was a campground!  No campgrounds in the searchable database!  You
will notice this is the first time I've mentioned this unit since the thread
started on GPS, I can't recommend it at all for the kind of use most on this
list would want it for.