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Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Yahoo Message Number: 5215
I've been discovered! The proverbial feline has jumped out of the sack! let the rehabilitation begin. Here's how it happened:
It was innocent from the get-go: Simply add some new gadgets to the old 99 CC 40' Intrigue and you can stop coveting the now coaches. Right? As they say the rest is history.
"I'll just add a VMS 200 EL to the ISC 350. Not only will I have instant current time, but I'll get MPG (rolling and instant MPG) plus MTG, GTG and ETA. Oh yes, HP, temp, torque full diagnostics and history come with the package."
Where to install? I'll just put it next to the Link 1000. That little wonder will almost shine yer shoes and weigh fish! It's wired directly to the 20-12D inverter. With a push of the finger on the LCD screen, you can read AHRS, Watts, Volts, etc, etc.
Besides, I need something to balance the GPS screen. I love the way the GPS gives me ETA, DTD, Elevation, longitude and latitude, POI, CUE (that's DVD-ROM optional) and has a pleasant little female voice.
When I moved the old head-knocker 24" TV and installed the 22" LCD flat screen, I had plenty of room for the DVD. Of course, I had to wire it together with the appropriate switching device for VCR, AUX(RV digital SAT) rear/front and 8 disc CD player.
This whole nonsense all started with that first issue of FMCA. (And to think I ordered it ASAP)
Even though I'm a retired CEO, my wife tells me I'd better quit before my ATM goes DOA!
"But sweetheart, I can't just sit back and wait for the next issue of AARP"!

I lost the argument.

Larry Hanson

Intrigue 10762 03 Accord V6EX toad 14 Grandkids (all above average)

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5226
Gary: I have had two different systems since I bought the coach new in 99. The first was an Alpine. I loved it!. I paid around $1,500 for it and $300 to install. When the monitor went out three years later, I bought the latest Pioneer. I upgraded the monitor to the largest available, 6.5" screen and paid just under $1,000. I installed it myself. Not a difficult job. I liked the Alpine logic and graphics better than Pioneer.
The greatest one of all is the factory system I just bought in my 03 Honda Accord. WOW!. It's touch screen feature takes the joy stick out of the picture and works like a dream.
I mention that for what it's worth because I noticed an ad in the latest Camping World mailer offering a quality GPS system that is portable. It can be moved from MH to toad because it used the 12v power point in your respective vehicle and has an antenna that has a magnetic base on it similar to the early cell phone antennas. Had that been available when I first went into GPS, I would have been a lot better off from a cost standpoint. What else is new?
I suppose driving with GPS systems is a lot like drugs: Once i'm hooked, I can't get out of my driveway without it! When my monitor went out on the first unit, we were going to Denver from Salt Lake City. I had to stop every 100 miles and ask directions! My son called and asked when we expected to arrive. Alas, I had to tell him I had no idea. No ETA!

Larry

Intrigue 10762 ---- Original Message -----

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5227
Re: GPS systems

Another solution is the Co-Pilot (by Travco?) software on a laptop, also portable; has a voice interface that can both speak and listen to commands and has an RV mode (in the 2003 version) that is sensitive to the driving limitations of a big rig. If you have the hard disk space you can load the whole country map on your machine.

Quote from: larry hanson
> I've been discovered! The proverbial feline has jumped out of the
sack! let the rehabilitation begin. Here's how it happened:

Quote
>

It was innocent from the get-go: Simply add some new gadgets to the
old 99 CC 40' Intrigue and you can stop coveting the now coaches.
Right? As they say the rest is history.

Quote
>

"I'll just add a VMS 200 EL to the ISC 350. Not only will I have
instant current time, but I'll get MPG (rolling and instant MPG) plus MTG, GTG and ETA. Oh yes, HP, temp, torque full diagnostics and history come with the package."

Quote
>

Where to install? I'll just put it next to the Link 1000. That
little wonder will almost shine yer shoes and weigh fish! It's wired directly to the 20-12D inverter. With a push of the finger on the LCD screen, you can read AHRS, Watts, Volts, etc, etc.

Quote
>

Besides, I need something to balance the GPS screen. I love the way
the GPS gives me ETA, DTD, Elevation, longitude and latitude, POI, CUE (that's DVD-ROM optional) and has a pleasant little female voice.

Quote
>

When I moved the old head-knocker 24" TV and installed the 22" LCD
flat screen, I had plenty of room for the DVD. Of course, I had to wire it together with the appropriate switching device for VCR, AUX (RV digital SAT) rear/front and 8 disc CD player.

Quote
>

This whole nonsense all started with that first issue of FMCA. (And
to think I ordered it ASAP)

Quote
>

Even though I'm a retired CEO, my wife tells me I'd better quit
before my ATM goes DOA!

Quote
>

"But sweetheart, I can't just sit back and wait for the next issue

of AARP"!

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5232
Oh, but LARRY!!!

You haven't LIVED until you get a Motosat Datstorm 2 way Satellite Internet dish for Internet connection anywhere you go!!!

I Love it as a full timer. I wouldn't be without it!

I am a closet techno-junkie too- but don't tell anyone!

I was looking at the GPS systems. I have the Co-Pilot and I am not happy with it. It has been inaccurate and that is not good when you are driving a 40 ft rig with a toad, solo! Setting up a stable laptop near the driver is not an easy task either. So I am looking at the Streetpilot III as a portable alternative since the cost of the other in-dash systems are so expensive! A company called NAVTECH out of Portland, Or supplies all the mapping data to all these companies for their devices. It is just a matter of how well it is executed. *(And if you are able to see and hear it!)

Happy trails!

Quote from: larry hanson
> I've been discovered! The proverbial feline has jumped out of the
sack! let the rehabilitation begin. Here's how it happened:

Quote
>

It was innocent from the get-go: Simply add some new gadgets to
the old 99 CC 40' Intrigue and you can stop coveting the now coaches. Right? As they say the rest is history.

Quote
>

"I'll just add a VMS 200 EL to the ISC 350. Not only will I have
instant current time, but I'll get MPG (rolling and instant MPG) plus MTG, GTG and ETA. Oh yes, HP, temp, torque full diagnostics and history come with the package."

Quote
>

Where to install? I'll just put it next to the Link 1000. That
little wonder will almost shine yer shoes and weigh fish! It's wired directly to the 20-12D inverter. With a push of the finger on the LCD screen, you can read AHRS, Watts, Volts, etc, etc.

Quote
>

Besides, I need something to balance the GPS screen. I love the
way the GPS gives me ETA, DTD, Elevation, longitude and latitude, POI, CUE (that's DVD-ROM optional) and has a pleasant little female voice.

Quote
>

When I moved the old head-knocker 24" TV and installed the 22" LCD
flat screen, I had plenty of room for the DVD. Of course, I had to wire it together with the appropriate switching device for VCR, AUX (RV digital SAT) rear/front and 8 disc CD player.

Quote
>

This whole nonsense all started with that first issue of FMCA.
(And to think I ordered it ASAP)

Quote
>

Even though I'm a retired CEO, my wife tells me I'd better quit
before my ATM goes DOA!

Quote
>

"But sweetheart, I can't just sit back and wait for the next issue

of AARP"!

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5236
Larry,

How does the Motoossat Datstrom 2 work is it fast, what is the cost.
Thanks,
Gary Bettig
Intrigue 11451

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5238
Larry,

What kind of a system is in nyour Honda? I have been looking at the Garman 295 which is an aviation GPS but thay also make one for streets, it is portable, and has a color display and does talk to you.
Take Care,
Gary Bettig
Intrigue 11451

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5239
anybody tried the Delorme gps system it can fit in your pocket the size of a credit card using usb port to your computer I have the older one and love it

Brian Intrigue 10030

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie/datastorm

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5240
Also having the Datastorm it is relatively fast for downloads, but painfully slow for uploads.

Sometimes you get 1 maybe even 2 Mbps down, but up you typically get modem speeds.

The bigger issue is the much large latency.
Cost is $99/months for the ISP and $6 to 7.5K to buy and install. If you're not technically inclined, I suggest getting a dealer that not only installs but also supports you after the install (and pay some more).

It works most of the time. There is no guarantee, and it can be fickle. If you're technically inclined and don't mind diddling with stuff, it is fine. If you don't easily get frustrated otherwise, you can also learn to live with it.

On a positive note, it may be a good thing that this stuff is still kinda fickle, as that keeps the masses away from it. Since the up and down bandwidth is limitted (and shared by all active users), the fewer people use it, the more bandwidth is available for the actual users.
I telecommute and now I can take off in the MH occasionally and take telecommuting a step further. I can be at the edge of the Grand Canyon and working. But there are occasions that the service is somewhat impeded or completely unavailable (sometimes weather but more often it seems to be technical issues with Hughes Network Services -the owner of the satellites and the up/down link center-).

Re: Confessions of a Techno-junkie

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5242
Gary: Mmmm, can't tell. Honda apparently has purchased the system from someone else. Maybe someone with an Acura or similar Honda product can tell. With this techno-stuff, the latest is only the latest for a few minutes, (or seconds). I have the Pioneer voice-actuated in my MH as well as the Accord, but I'm not as patient as I should be when it comes to learning the commands. It also seems a little dangerous to be fiddling with the GPS when I should be paying attention to that little Hyundai that just sneaked under the radar and got flattened against the curb!

Larry

Intrigue 10762