Sat Nav

[nmlowe]

I understand how sat nav works off the GPS (global positioning system) of satellites by recieving a signal transmitted by four of the 26 satellites nearest a recievers location..etc etc, and that most sat nav units use a piezo-electric gyroscope linked to a road map database to find the exact position, direction and speed of a car....blah blah blah.
But how does the user enter data into the system?
I'm considering buying a new VW golf, and I am wondering whether to specify the colour screen sat nav option?
Does the user enter the postcode of the destination, or does it require gps co-ordinates?
if it requires the gps co-ordinates, where would I find the co-ordinates of, for instance, my mothers house, or my local supermarket?

Thanks for any help.

[neil_cardiff]

Usually the Sat Nav will be clever enough to let the user enter in a boolean search term against an address, road, town/city name, and/or postcode.

It then maps the route for you using your current GPS signal position.

Then proceeds to annoy the buggery out of you when they (invariably) talk to you and get it wrong.

But joking aside they are very good nowadays and even now come with tvs and all sorts.

Anyone remember the old Maestro that used to talk to you?

[ErnestM]

The Alpine unit that I recently installed in the Esprit offers multiple ways to enter destination/waypoint/routing, all through a remote control: (US model)

1. Telephone Number
2. Street Address
3. Point Of Interest (restaurant, service station, etc)
4. Cross Streat
5. Direct long/lat entry

Go to my profile to check out the system or...
http://online.ayrnet.com/lotus/alpine.htm

It's a single DVD system, 1 DVD=nationwide coverage, no swapping of disks. It also speaks to you in a very pleasant female voice, ie:

You're driving to destination listening to your fav CD, turn comes up, music reduces volume, "she" tells you "right turn ahead, one quarter mile" (etc etc)

ErnestM

[q405mb]

I checked out the Sat Nav on the Golf in detail as I was looking at buying the VR6. (Ended up buying a TVR without the sat nav, more fun).

The UK version requires multiple CD's for different European cities. Also, no support for postcodes yet, only addresses. the BMW version (on a BMW, doh)supports postcodes.

Saw this the other day, thinking of putting it inot the TVR...

www.becker-onlinepro.co.uk

H

[marki]

a mate of mine has just taken delivery of an X5 4:6i man thats a fast wagon , his nav system amazed me with how fast and acurate it was ,,, i think it was alpine also

[david beer]

I have a Clarion sat nav in my griff and for the pin point accuracy it uses a speedo pulse. It is so accurate that its scary!

[getcarter]

agreed.. and as you pull up and they say... "your destination is on your left" ... spooky

[ATG]

Interesting that some hook up to the speedo. GPS used to only be accurate to about 100m, but since the DoD switched off "selective availability" they are now accurate to about 10m. You'd think that +-10m and a map would be more than adequate to locate the system. Maybe it helps when the vehicle is in town and buildings shag the satellite reception?