Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

I think I need a car gps...any advice?

Hi Everyone

 

Just returned from a 3 day trip and once again I am aggravated by my poor map reading/navigation.

 

I'm thinking about getting one of those gps for the car. What do I need to know. Heard Garmin is the best. Any suggestions appreciated.

Views: 387

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sue Shafer on February 9, 2010 at 3:37am
I have a Tom Tom and love it. I find it to be very user friendly.
Permalink Reply by Frank Borszcz on February 9, 2010 at 4:35am
I have a Garmin, its great but sometimes takes you out of your way. I have done a few experiments while traveling to a known destination. I input the destination data into my Garmin just to see what way it would take me. More often then not it chooses a route I normally would never take. I think most GPS systems are like this, think they choose the main highways. Just remember to update your GPS, this is easily done on the GPS makers website. I have heard that Tom Tom and Garmin are the best so either way you will have a good system.
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on February 18, 2010 at 3:50am
I don't have one...are they easy to use? Also how much is a good one?
Permalink Reply by John Anstey on February 21, 2010 at 4:08am
I have a Tom Tom. Its great. It also allows you to correct any errors on the maps, and pickup corrections made by others, when you sync online. Lots of options to plan your route: shortest distance, shortest time, etc.
Permalink Reply by newbie on February 21, 2010 at 7:49am
If you have a smartphone(blackberry or equiv.) with GPS built in(most newer phones do), download google maps for free.
Permalink Reply by Jacqui Laporte on February 23, 2010 at 5:07am
I have a Garmin...I like it, but here are some ideas for you:

- I like my Garmin because it allows me to categorize Favourite destinations....You can group them for Personal, Business, Kid Stuff, specific trips, whatever categories you choose. It makes it easier to find them later.
- Rural locations are sometimes tough because you often need the new Municipality name, not the old township or mailing address. Maybe some of the other GPS units are better at this, I dont know.
- You can set it to avoid gravel roads (or in our case, stick to them!). What I havent found it able to do is exclude No Winter Maintenance roads....
- One thing I havent been able to figure out easily is to have a north arrow on the screen. Unlike a map, the GPS tells you which way to turn, left or right, but it doesnt tell me which Im currently going! With a map, you can always orient yourself when you get to an intersection. I finally found a way to do that, but its not easy on my Garmin. I think Google Maps is better at this....
- I also like the ability to zoom in or out - to see more of the map than just the immediate direction.
- Get one with a big screen! Although you should have it on Voice when driving, because GPS do fall under the distracted driving rules!
- Mine came with a car charger with a REALLY long cord on it. That was great, because when you put the GPS on the display unit (on the window using the suction cup thing) or the dash, I found that the charger cords are not long enough.
- I got my GPS at Canadian Tire for $150 - $200, I think...I think that's a fairly standard price, and I just waited for one to come on sale.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Canada Backs AI Tools for Smarter Vineyards

The Government of Canada is investing in advanced agricultural technology to help grape growers improve crop management and disease detection. Funding will support the development of innovative machine learning and computer vision tools that provide real-time crop insights, helping farmers increase productivity, improve crop health, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the grape and wine industry.

Canada Pens Potash Deal with Bangladesh

Canada has announced a new government-to-government agreement with Bangladesh for the supply of Canadian potash. The deal is expected to support food security, strengthen trade relations, create opportunities for Canadian workers, and ensure a reliable fertilizer supply for agricultural production.

Still Slow Going for Saskatchewan Harvest

The Saskatchewan harvest continued to make relatively modest progress this past week and remains well behind normal. Thursday’s provincial crop report showed the overall harvest at just 27% complete as of Monday, up 9 percentage points from a week earlier. That is well behind 41% last year, and the five- and 10-year averages of 58% and 50%. Most of the progress came earlier in the week before widespread heavy rainfall brought fieldwork to a halt across much of the province. Some of the largest totals included 138 mm in the rural municipality of Longlaketon, 132 mm in Eyebrow, 127 mm in Sarnia and 121 mm in McKillop. Fields are now saturated in many areas, leaving producers waiting for warmer, drier weather before combines can return. Cropland topsoil moisture increased sharply, with 33% rated surplus and 58% adequate. Another 7% is rated short and 2% very short. Excess moisture and high winds were the main sources of crop damage during the week, the report said, with isolated

ICE Close: Sharp Crude Rally Supports

Canola futures closed moderately higher Thursday, supported by strength across the broader oilseed complex and a sharp rally in crude oil. Chicago soybean futures posted solid gains ahead of Friday’s USDA WASDE report, providing spillover support to canola, while surging energy markets added another bullish influence for vegetable oils and biofuel feedstocks. Brent crude jumped more than 6% to over US$107/barrel and U.S. crude climbed above US$102 as escalating Middle East tensions heightened concerns about global energy supplies. A slightly weaker Canadian dollar also helped underpin canola by making Canadian supplies more competitive for foreign buyers. Today’s Saskatchewan crop report pegged the overall harvest in that province at 27% complete as of Monday, up just 9 points from a week earlier and well behind last year and the average pace as wet conditions continue to hold farmers back. The canola harvest was estimated at 9% complete. Additional precipitation and periods

Alberta harvest reaches 10 per cent complete

According to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s latest crop report, 10 per cent of major crops have been harvested, as of September 1, 2026. That’s up six percentage points from the previous week, although harvest remains behind the five-year average of 23 per cent and the 10-year average of 17 per cent. Harvest progress varies across the province. The South Region reported 27 per cent of major crops harvested, while Central Alberta sits at nearly 12 per cent. Harvest is just getting underway in many northern areas, with completion ranging from one to three per cent across the Northeast, Northwest, and Peace regions. Dry peas continue to be the furthest along, with just over half of the provincial crop harvested. Barley harvest has reached 20 per cent complete, while six per cent of spring wheat acres have been combined. The latest report also shows soil moisture conditions remain well above historical averages across Alberta. Provincial surface soil moisture is rated 56 per cen

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service