Eclipse AVN2210p

[Dave]

I was looking for a new stereo for my new truck and ran across the Eclipse AVN2210p. Anyone ever used one or even seen one in person?

Looks like an ideal solution for me since I am also in the market for a new vehicle-based GPS...

 

[spressomon]

Looks and sounds nice by the review! I wonder if it is like the rest of the street type GPS systems in that it won't allow full interface with topo maps?

 

[Dave]

I don't think there are any provisions for topo maps on the TomTom Duo. For me personally, I've found it easier to use paper maps for topo even when I've had it available on the GPS.

One thing I don't like about the TomTom Duo, I think it uses Tele Atlas maps. I've read that Navteq maps are much better for North America, specifically the U.S.

 

[craig]

Tele Atlas maps are better if you want to know where the "front door" of a business/home is, but Navtech maps are better for routing yourself to a destinations. Depending on your applications, you will want one vs the other. Generally speaking navtech is better for in-vehicle driving directions and that is what most people here are concerned with. Neither is good for routfinding offroad.

 

[Dave]

Tele Atlas maps are better if you want to know where the "front door" of a business/home is, but Navtech maps are better for routing yourself to a destinations. Depending on your applications, you will want one vs the other. Generally speaking navtech is better for in-vehicle driving directions and that is what most people here are concerned with. Neither is good for routfinding offroad.

Craig, so if I'm understanding correctly, Tele Atlas is better at pinpointing where on the map a destination is but Navteq is better at routing to that destination? Does Tele Atlas route differently then Navteq?

My previous GPS (Mapopolis software on a PDA) used Navteq and I was always surprised at how many small roads (Forest Service roads) and even some trails were on the map...and fairly accurate too! Could I not expect that with Tele Atlas maps?

If we're going too far off the beaten path, we almost never rely on a GPS anyway, but it's always nice to be able to compare what we're seeing on the GPS to what we're seeing on the paper map.

I went to Circuit City today and they happened to have this Eclipse unit. I messed with it a little (pushed buttons), pretty neat device that would probably work for what I'm needing.

 

[craig]

Yep, you got it. Tele Atlas put a fair amount of money into finding out where entrances and driveways are. Navtech put a lot of money into mapping roads. The good news is that believe Navtech bought Teleatlas so they should have a superior product out soon. I believe Microsoft has been merging the two datasets together for years.

Navtech doesn't calculate the routes though, it is just data. The routing engine software calculates the actual route. Navtech makes a routing engine but most companies have or make their own.

Craig

 

[Dave]

It'll be here tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

As far Tele Atlas being bought, I did some Google'n and it looks like TomTom the highest bidder at this point. Garmin was a contender but I don't think they've answered TomTom's latest bid.

 

[Dave]

I like it so far! I haven't had it too far off the beaten path, but I'm happy with it!