Gps

[nls75]

Has anyone ever used this gps on the train? I was just wondering if it was worth taking on our trip or not.

Thanks

Nanette

 

[MikeM]

I can't speak to this specific make of GPS, but I've taken my Garmin on several trips and it really adds to the trip. Not only does it give me a general sense of where we are, it also allows me to track speed, average speed, peak speed, and similar things. If you load Amtrak stations in advance, you can choose them as "destinations" to see how far away they are (although mileage won't be quite right, it will try to route you via roads vs. tracks). Main thing you'll need is a AC to 12V adapter, which are cheap and can be purchased where cell phone chargers are sold, or your local Radio Shack. As a disclaimer, I have used mine in a sleeper where I can leave it hooked up - if you're traveling Coach it might still be fun to have, but you'll want to put it away when you're not around.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

Let me add that my Garmin has an option to force one's location onto a road. If yours has such an option too, turn it 'off'. Plus, my maps have railroad tracks marked on them so, hopefully, the train stays on those.

 

[Hytec]

My Garmin was very useful on a just completed NOL/LAX/NOL trip. Interestingly, the map did not show the rail line in any state except California, but adjusted our position to a nearby road if one was available, otherwise we were shown in the middle of nowhere (which describes most of the scenery in west TX, NM, and AZ :lol: ). However, when we crossed the AZ/CA line the rail line was shown on the map and the train's position adjusted to it all the way into LAX.

 

[fredevad]

I always have my GPS with me when riding the train, affixing it to the window (usually riding from endpoints, I usually get a window seat). I've used both a TomTom One 3rd Edition and TomTom for iPhone with the TomTom iPhone car kit. I usually use map view or use 2D mode, turn off the auto zoom feature and zoom way out in "normal" view. Unfortunately, there is currently no option to turn off "snap to road" in the TomTom application, so that can get pretty annoying zoomed in to 3D map view. If heard that some may a GeoCaching mode. If yours has that, try turning that on for a better experience.

TomTom's maps provider in the US do show the tracks. In fact, they show track that no longer exist, are no longer railroad right of way and if you didn't see it on the GPS, you'd never know the right of way ever existed there.

 

[gaspeamtrak]

Just wondering who has the BEST GPS to use while travelling by Amtrak or Via.

Sorry my question mark key is not working!!!

 

[nls75]

Thanks everyone! I never thought of putting in the addresses for the train stations along the way. We will be in a sleeper, there is no way I would want to travel coast to coast without a room I found a charger for it online for $6. Now I need to find a scanner. Back to eBay I go. Who knew planning a train vacation could be such fun!

 

[GG-1]

Who knew planning a train vacation could be such fun!

Aloha

Most AU'er have learned and enjoy the planing/execution of rail trips. Some even have close locations so they can do turns.

 

[Sue in KY]

Has anyone ever used this gps on the train? I was just wondering if it was worth taking on our trip or not.
Thanks

Nanette

Nanette --

I can't speak for that specific GPS brand either, but I'll put in a word for my el cheapo little Earthmate LT-40, which I bought at Amazon.com along with DeLorme Street Atlas software (after another member here gave it a good review a year and a half ago). The whole thing cost $29.99 (I just checked, and that's still the current price) and has been terrific for train use! (We always are in a sleeper as well, and I use a netbook with the software.) It follows railroad tracks effortlessly in either 2-D or 3-D mode.

We have a Garmin nüvi for use in the car, but it's a whole lot bigger (not to mention, a lot costlier!), so I'd never consider taking it on train trips, but the little Earthmate is so tiny it hangs on the sleeper bedroom window via its suction cup.

Have fun with whichever GPS you decide on. They're fun additions to our set of "train gizmos"!

 

[user 683]

Definitely bring the GPS receiver!

I've used my Garmin Nuvi on several trips. The only minor drawback I have found is the Nuvi attempts to associate your position with a road on the display - even when the system is set up in pedestrian mode. Too bad there isn't a train mode! Anyway, I have digressed. There are numerous very capable GPS receivers on the market.

As others have said, the GPS will certainly add to your trip. In addition to being able monitor the train position and speed as you travel, most GPS receivers permit you can transfer recorded data to your computer so you can "play back" your trip on a mapping application at any time you choose. Depending upon the mapping application, you can also create plots showing velocity or altitude (for example) on a chart. This information may be useful if you create a trip journal - or if you are simply interested in how fast the train traveled while you were sleeping.

Oh! Consider using a surge protector with your power converter. The AC plug on some power converters is attached to the transformer - and the transformer may be too large to allow the plug to fit into the AC power socket in your roomette. So the surge protector serves two purposes - filtering power spikes and making it easier to use your power converter.

Hope this helps!

Deimos

 

[nls75]

Adding surge protector to my list. I think between the gps, iPhone, my sons Dell mini, and a small scanner we should be set! Now I just wish we were going this year instead of next year.

 

[PerRock]

I used my Magellan the last time I was on Amtrak with no problems. Triton 1500 and so it doesn't do things like road snapping and such; but it was nice to see where we were (although I knew the route like the back of my hand) and how fast we were going. It was much more interesting (and useful) when I was taking the train in Europe; I could even do a little bit of cheap sightseeing with some locations plugged in (I have detailed topo maps of the alps, with data points for things like points of interest). Mine runs off AA batteries; so I would suggest carrying extra batteries (or a charger).

Oh it also shows elevation which can also be very interesting; I snapped this (very crappy) photo of the elevation change on my ferry crossing from England to Ireland.

Crappy elevation photo

I'll dig around I think I got a pic of my GPS (and maybe me) using in Europe.

peter