I recently came across a very good buy for a marine gps. I purchased an Eagle Intellimap 502c and Mapreate S/W 6.3. Not wanting to wait until Spring, decided to hook it up and use it the car. Here are some comments and observations from using it in this mode.
Portability:
I will be using this GPS in my 20' bowrider and 14' fishing boat. So, from the get go, it was a requirement to be portable. This mounting will also allow for use in my car and other possibilities.
Mounting:
Choosing a mount came down to two systems. The RAM ball mount system or the Johnny Ray removable swivel mount. The RAM system is very flexible, but I ended up choosing the Johnny Ray due to windshield clearance in mounting position and a lower cost. The JR-500 was a perfect match to the Eagle bracket. It has a push button release mechanism that will allow for easy removal. While the RAM system does have pricing for individual base mounts, I wasn't able to find individual JR bases. Cost was still lower for the JR and have additional brackets that might find a future use.
Power Plug:
This came down to buying multiple Eagle power cords and wiring into each boat/vehicle, or wiring to a cigarette lighter, and having the female plug in each. I chose the latter, due to cost, and easier portability. My suv and fishing boat already have these ports, and the bowrider was overdue. I rigged up a temporary power cord from a male adapter that was sitting on the shelf. The fuse holder was put inline because most pre-wired ports can provide enough current to melt the small diamter power wire, in the event of a short.
Base:
Everyones vehicle will be different, based on visability, windshield slope, and possible mounting locations. On my suv, it has a "soap dish" type of container on the center dash. I was able to fit a piece of king starboard from some scrap I had. With some adheasive foam gasket material, was able to make for a tight, but removeable fit. This was able to prevent drilling into the vehicle dash. The base of the JR mount fit easily on the king starboard. A little black paint was required to "hide" the white KS.
Use:
- Visability:
The 3"x4" 256 color screen is very visable in the car. The JR mount along with the Eagle tilt bracket allow for perfect perpendicular position to your eyes. While it is still very visable off angle. like many screens straight on is optimum. It has different backlighting modes which come in handy at night. It was very visable during bright sunlight driving day. I am able to glance at it while driving and easily make out position on map. A smaller or monocrome map might require you to focus longer, before turning eyes back to the road.
- Position Aquisition:
This unit has an internal antenna. While on my dash, after power-up, takes a couple of minutes to acquire its position. Once established, I have not lost lock. The WAAS signal is received depending on location.
- Map Assist:
For traveling, the GPS works well in map assist type mode. You can easily see where you are on the map. This will probably save a number of traveling "discussions" with my better half, on where abouts we are. It does not provide any means for turn by turn instructions. You can download waypoints and trails, to provide some guidance, but since this gps is designed for point to point navigation, it is not suited well for highway use. The MapCreate S/W does provide many POI (Points of Interest), resturants, hotels, etc. You can create custom maps with all the specific detail you want on the area you plan to travel in. For the testing/driving I have done with it, the Mapreate maps have been good. I have only found one mistake, where a interstate connection bridges was about 1/4 mile off. From research on the web, Mapcreate (including ver 7) is not considered great highway map.
Overall, I'd say its worth doing to add gps capabilty to your car. This will extend the usefulness of your marine gps.
http://www.canadalake.org/MarineGPS-Auto.html
Portability:
I will be using this GPS in my 20' bowrider and 14' fishing boat. So, from the get go, it was a requirement to be portable. This mounting will also allow for use in my car and other possibilities.
Mounting:
Choosing a mount came down to two systems. The RAM ball mount system or the Johnny Ray removable swivel mount. The RAM system is very flexible, but I ended up choosing the Johnny Ray due to windshield clearance in mounting position and a lower cost. The JR-500 was a perfect match to the Eagle bracket. It has a push button release mechanism that will allow for easy removal. While the RAM system does have pricing for individual base mounts, I wasn't able to find individual JR bases. Cost was still lower for the JR and have additional brackets that might find a future use.
Power Plug:
This came down to buying multiple Eagle power cords and wiring into each boat/vehicle, or wiring to a cigarette lighter, and having the female plug in each. I chose the latter, due to cost, and easier portability. My suv and fishing boat already have these ports, and the bowrider was overdue. I rigged up a temporary power cord from a male adapter that was sitting on the shelf. The fuse holder was put inline because most pre-wired ports can provide enough current to melt the small diamter power wire, in the event of a short.
Base:
Everyones vehicle will be different, based on visability, windshield slope, and possible mounting locations. On my suv, it has a "soap dish" type of container on the center dash. I was able to fit a piece of king starboard from some scrap I had. With some adheasive foam gasket material, was able to make for a tight, but removeable fit. This was able to prevent drilling into the vehicle dash. The base of the JR mount fit easily on the king starboard. A little black paint was required to "hide" the white KS.
Use:
- Visability:
The 3"x4" 256 color screen is very visable in the car. The JR mount along with the Eagle tilt bracket allow for perfect perpendicular position to your eyes. While it is still very visable off angle. like many screens straight on is optimum. It has different backlighting modes which come in handy at night. It was very visable during bright sunlight driving day. I am able to glance at it while driving and easily make out position on map. A smaller or monocrome map might require you to focus longer, before turning eyes back to the road.
- Position Aquisition:
This unit has an internal antenna. While on my dash, after power-up, takes a couple of minutes to acquire its position. Once established, I have not lost lock. The WAAS signal is received depending on location.
- Map Assist:
For traveling, the GPS works well in map assist type mode. You can easily see where you are on the map. This will probably save a number of traveling "discussions" with my better half, on where abouts we are. It does not provide any means for turn by turn instructions. You can download waypoints and trails, to provide some guidance, but since this gps is designed for point to point navigation, it is not suited well for highway use. The MapCreate S/W does provide many POI (Points of Interest), resturants, hotels, etc. You can create custom maps with all the specific detail you want on the area you plan to travel in. For the testing/driving I have done with it, the Mapreate maps have been good. I have only found one mistake, where a interstate connection bridges was about 1/4 mile off. From research on the web, Mapcreate (including ver 7) is not considered great highway map.
Overall, I'd say its worth doing to add gps capabilty to your car. This will extend the usefulness of your marine gps.
http://www.canadalake.org/MarineGPS-Auto.html
