The one thing I miss driving my 2000 SL500 is a nav system. My other car, a 2000 BMW 540i/6 has one built in, and I can't begin to tell you how many times it has come in handy - I've become a big fan of this "toy"
I have looked at the Garmin Street Pilot III, and wonder if anyone has any experience with it. It's kind of big and clunky, but seems to be the next best thing to a factory unit. Is there anything else out there that might be an alternative and more elegant solution?

I am preparing for a worldwide(at least North America and Europe) tour and have been researching this quite a bit. The StreetPilot III would be my choice among that type of unit, but I have discovered what I believe to be a much better alternative for the same cost.

if you go to Teletype.com you will find a system available from them that works with a Compaq iPAQ handheld computer. The one that is the most practical and economical is the auto mini. You can get it even cheaper at MPSource.com (I think that's correct.) Also at racoindustries.com you can get a vent clip that will clip the unit to an air conditioner vent.

To put together the system I want is going to require buying everything from three different sources, but I think this is what I'm going to do. This will mount inside your car more cleanly than an SPIII, it has a larger display, more easily and economically updated as new maps come along and the handheld computer can be used for other things. Actually, if you're not planning on using it in Europe it will be a cheaper approach than an SPIII. The euro map is an additional $150 you won't have to spend. You can fix one up for North America only for about $600.

The Comand system was not available on the 203 car when I bought mine and I wanted it bad. But, I drive several different cars at different times. I will be able to easily move from car to car, plus carry it on trips to use in a rental car.

Let us know what you decide,

I am looking at this bit of news with the hope that we would have it here - but thats wishful thinking. Our roads change all the time that the GPS would be as confused as we are.

I did hear that our neighbours already have this in the market. It would be quite handy provided it also shows all bridge links and ferry routes.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Miracle of technology could mean never having to ask for directions again
By Daily Telegraph Correspondent
(Filed: 31/08/2006)

Getting lost will soon become a thing of the past, an expert claimed yesterday.

Scenes of tourists or walkers struggling with the pages of a map are likely to be consigned to history as technology combines mobile phones, digital cameras and satellite navigation.

Mapping giant Ordnance Survey has seen sales of paper maps fall to only nine per cent of its revenue as electronic maps take on three and even four dimensions.

A "virtual map" could allow a wayward traveller to hold a flat-screen up to the road. A digital camera would capture what the user is looking at, Global Positioning System satellite technology would pinpoint where the handset is and the screen would show information including street names, transport links and entertainment venues laid over the picture.

Dr Chris Parker, the head of research and development at Ordnance Survey, said yesterday: "Developments in portable, even wearable computing mean mapping no longer solely consists of geographic features on the landscape.

"The future will look like a world of 'ambient intelligence', embracing a revolution in the way geographic data is collected, managed, delivered, traded and used."

He told the Royal Geographical Society's annual conference in London it was possible that road signs could become superfluous, with motorists using in-car satellite navigation systems to find their way.

Such a move would require greater accuracy of data than is currently available to prevent incidents where drivers are directed across rivers or over cliff edges.

The technology could also be used by utility companies and even market researchers to call up data about homeowners while standing on their doorstep – raising questions about privacy and intrusion. "Technology is neutral," said Dr Parker. "What society does with it is the important thing.

"We design our own futures. How much of my privacy do I give up to receive a service?"

Cartographer Alex Kent, from Canterbury Christ Church University, is still fighting the corner for traditional maps.

He said: "Maps don't just perfectly mimic the landscape. They are human and social projects and there remains a crucial art to mapping to make them user-friendly as well as easy to navigate that can be lost in all the new scientific techniques."

I'd rather see the forest than the trees.

For leisure travel, I prefer 'dead reckoning' where I have a general sense of direction of travel and some tentative intermediate stops. Then with a wide-open, flexible schedule I am able to take full advantage of the surprises and detours that pop up.

and if we could somehow be able to use them without the woman in the other seat realizing what we were doing, THAT would be nirvana, eh guys?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Hmmm, a corallary of, "If there's no woman around, would I still be wrong?"

Maps,,,, on a typical sunday I will head west for 100 miles,,, go south, or north, for 100 miles, head east for 100 miles, then head north, or south, for 100 miles. I usually come pretty close to home and NEVER look at a map. And I see all kinds of stuff I never imagined that were within 100 miles of home. Not to say that I don't want a GPS unit,,, I just don't want it on a sunday drive.

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

If you left camp and went due south 100 miles, due east 100 miles and returned to camp by traveling due north 100 miles, what color would the bear be that is eating your camp food?