Helo Listers, If you are not interested in this subject, please use your delete command. Otherwise, read on:
It is now nearly three weeks since I first got my hands on gps mark 3 and as one who vehemently criticized version 2' I feel I ought at least to comment on the improvements, if any, in this latest version. For those who perhaps may be contemplating purchasing GPS mark 3' may I hasten to reassure them, for this latest version is undoubtedly a veritable asset and a considerable step forward. So, let me commence by thanking all those who are responsible for creating this latest offering. We now have a program which, not only adds interest to any journey, but whose routing ability makes it a definite help to anybody on the move. Now you must appreciate that I live in the UK, thus, though I hope my comments prove accurate for other regions, I obviously can't guarantee it. The cross-country routes offered to me in the many I have asked from the system, have all been sensible, workable and, by the motorists I have consulted, pronounced to be good routes. Specialist local knowledge of certain areas is bound to help drivers come up with alternative routes which may offer slight advantages, but this surely would apply to any of these proprietary routing systems. The considerable expansion of the POI file, has lifted the information one gains from the system, on to a totally higher plain compared with gps mark 2. This will probably be even more expanded in future upgrades and will make it a positive treasure-chest of local information. The "explore mode", is equally obviously, going to be extremely useful; though I must confess I am only just beginning to get to grips with this facility. No, of course perfection has not yet been attained; this may well take a little longer. The way the information is delivered when one is following a route, is at times confusing. For example, When following a road into which a roundabout has been inserted, the system speaks as though one should be taking the road, or roads, one crosses on one's way around the roundabout. Surely, the only information you really need at this point is to know you keep going along the road on which you have travelled to the roundabout; the other roads may be of interest, but to say: "take the A 91", and then add: "for 26 feet", when you are merely crossing it on your way round, I find over-complicating the route information. I suppose what is needed is two or more levels of information. This is how some systems overcome this confusion and perhaps this is something to consider in a future upgrade. Though it adds slightly to the complexity of setting-up the routing, I consider the splitting-up of the UK map into six regional maps, to be a good thing; it certainly has speeded-up the initial search process, and the adding of the "cross-street" facility where house numbers can't be located, is a considerable help. However, the boundaries of these maps seem to be somewhat curious. I, for instance, live about eight miles from the Welsh border and about fifty miles west of the city of Birmingham; and would, by all normal reckoning, be in the west midlands. However, my area is shown on the North of England map. Nevertheless, once these few anomalies have been taken into account, the system appears to work well. The actual finding the location of points or places, I consider was always fairly good and still is. Always taking into account satellite reception, and the weaknesses in the calculation of actual house number positions. When setting a house as a poi, the accuracy of location seems very good indeed. However, while travelling in a vehicle, I have had two occasions when the word "arrived", has been announced when I was approximately half-a-mile from my actual destination. Perhaps I should add that the announcement was repeated when I eventually reached the desired point. However, my comparative inexperience in this sphere might have been the cause rather than the system. This will need further research on my part. Finally, the word "ramp" in this country, in relation to motorways, according to many I've spoken, usually refers to the road leading on to, or off of a motorway. However, one has to regard it as being synonymous with "motorway". For example, one route suggested driving for ten miles along the M 5' then for eight miles on ramp, then a further six miles on the M 5. When a map was consulted it showed that it really meant twenty-four miles along the same motorway, the M 5. If "ramp" is going to be used in this context, then surely it ought at least to be credited with a road number. Summing up: a very good effort. I shall enjoy exploring its potential in succeeding months. Don Cooper.
