Date:         Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:09:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Heads Up Warning on Garmin GPS Map Update
Comments: To: Greg S <sorkilmo@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1b1c168b0904240947k64d49de3n4ec9f4ca8754d15d@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 RE: I am guessing you would recommend the Garmin (with the
earlier map data).

Actually no, I'm not recommending Garmin.  My personal choice would be
Garmin last. BUT, they seem to have the most complete line of GPS on the
market at this time and the prices are right.  I have a personal bias
against Garmin and especially against Delorme.  This goes back many years
when I was directly involved in computer based mapping, now called GIS.  I
knew some of the principle people that were involved in the creation of both
of those companies and didn't like their business practices. I still don't
like the way most of the GPS makers virtually lock you in to thier
software.  My first choice would be Magellan except they seem to have fallen
way behind in meeting the needs and expectations of the consumer market.
The Garmin Streetpilot 7200 that I have now has a well designed user
interface and decent software.  But most, if not all of the software now
available at affordable prices is oriented toward urban use, in the city.
It's not designed with people like us Vanagon and Westy drivers in mind
where we tend to seek the Blue Highways.
All that said I'll again say that I'm happy (with the exception that started
this thread) with the perfomance so far with my Garmin unit.