Garmin GPS 18 USB GPS Receiver for Notebooks

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Has anyone ever used this product? I have rigged up a stand that sits right above the shifter and allows me to set me laptop on it so that my girlfriend and I can watch movies while we travel (I dont really watch the movie, but I have the comp hooked up to my stereo so I can at least listen to it while she watches). This is MUCH cheaper than buying a tradition GPS that sits on the dash, and with the computer would have a larger screen making it easier to see. I just didn't know if anyone had anything to chime in on, experiences....etc?

Here's the link:

http://www.garmin.com/products/gps18/#

CJ10chris · **Posted:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:38 pm

I have it also in one of my XJ's and I love it. Its way easier to see then the e-trex vista screen (old set-up). The only downside to using it on a laptop screen is at night the white map background is almost blinding. I put a piece of tinted plastic with velcro we put over it at night to dim it down. I use the Delorme Topo USA 6.0 program with it.

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

thanks for the info, when I was reading the write ups about it, it showed that the system automatically turns the background to black to make it easier on the eyes. So maybe this particular model has added this new addition? Also, it said something about needing MapSource maybe? When you bought this, did it come with all the software that you needed in order to be able to use it? I know it says that it comes with nRoute software....is that all that I need?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:27 pm

I have MapSource & a GPS v. nRoute is a data manipulation program that uses the MapSource data and makes it a real time routing program. The old MapSource had this capability but they did away with it in later updates. nRoute won't do anything w/o it. I don't know if the 18 comes with MapSource or not. It's a cd or 2 which contains all the US maps. Also nRoute did automatically flip the display based on the data for sunset/sunrise. (Took me a while to figure out why it seemingly randomly picked a time to flip the display!)

Update:
From Garmin:

Quote:

The GPS 18 ships with a fully unlocked MapSource® City Navigator DVD

Wow! Price really went down! MapSource itself used to be like $175 unlocked for just the program!

Big D · **Joined:** Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:08 pm **Posts:** 349

When you get a chance can you post a picture of how you have the laptop mounted?

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

Big D wrote:

When you get a chance can you post a picture of how you have the laptop mounted?

If you are talking to me, yes I will do that for you. But NOT TONIGHT, it's raining like crazy down here in FL, and I am under a Tornado watch. But I'll be sure to have pics posted by Monday. But its not the prettiest looking set up.......it just works. :lol:

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:02 am

Check my CarDomain link. A whole bunch of pics of a laptop setup......

jinstall · **Posted:** Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:43 am

Funy I was just looking at this on Amazon.com. $90 and better prices? Microsoft Auto Route Europe 2006 here and my Garmin Rino 120 as a GPS reciever.

Garmin GPS 18 USB GPS Receiver for Notebooks

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