Another GPS Question (Sort of)

[devildice]

OK all you electronic experts out there I have a question.

I run MS S&T on my Toshiba "Satellite" laptop......the factory speaker just ain't cutting it. Even with the volume on high, it is very difficult to hear the spoken directions with road noise, etc.

So, I plugged in a pair of ordinary Walkman type speakers into the jack that is normally used for headphones......volume on high and still can barely hear the spoken directions from the GPS. ALL other programs/applications come through loud and clear (in fact too loud on high).

I even bought a pair of so called "laptop speakers", the ones that plug into the USB port. Again, same issue as before. ALL other programs/applications are loud and clear but the GPS is not.

Any ideas on how to correct this.....if it is even possible??????

[Malaki86]

I bought a $20 set of amplified speakers from Target and it works out great for me. You don't need anything great, just something with some true amplification. If you've got an inverter in the truck, find a set that plugs into the power, or get a small inverter (cig lighter style) to power them.

Streets & Trips is bad on the volume level of the spoken directions however. You might check on www.gpspassion.com and do a search there. I think I've seen it mentioned on how to overcome the problem with it.

[terrylamar]

1. In Control Panel, open Sounds and Audio Devices.

2. Click the Audio tab.

3. Under Sound playback, click Volume.

4. Move the volume and wave sliders to the top.

[devildice]

1. In Control Panel, open Sounds and Audio Devices.

2. Click the Audio tab.

3. Under Sound playback, click Volume.

4. Move the volume and wave sliders to the top.

tried that.....and when I run the test to hear the volume, sounds great....however, during the actual use, no dice

[Rev.Vassago]

OK all you electronic experts out there I have a question.

I run MS S&T on my Toshiba "Satellite" laptop......the factory speaker just ain't cutting it. Even with the volume on high, it is very difficult to hear the spoken directions with road noise, etc.

So, I plugged in a pair of ordinary Walkman type speakers into the jack that is normally used for headphones......volume on high and still can barely hear the spoken directions from the GPS. ALL other programs/applications come through loud and clear (in fact too loud on high).

I even bought a pair of so called "laptop speakers", the ones that plug into the USB port. Again, same issue as before. ALL other programs/applications are loud and clear but the GPS is not.

Any ideas on how to correct this.....if it is even possible??????

A fix that I did with my computer was to get one of those little FM transmitters from Wal Mart (they are in the automotive dept - the one I use is white, and cost about $10.)

Plug it into the speaker jack on the computer, and TURN THE COMPUTER VOLUME DOWN (if you don't, the sound is all distorted). Then just set you FM radio to the correct station, and your computer will come through the truck's stereo. :wink:

[devildice]

A fix that I did with my computer was to get one of those little FM transmitters from Wal Mart (they are in the automotive dept - the one I use is white, and cost about $10.)

Plug it into the speaker jack on the computer, and TURN THE COMPUTER VOLUME DOWN (if you don't, the sound is all distorted). Then just set you FM radio to the correct station, and your computer will come through the truck's stereo. :wink:

Thanks Rev,

I'm gonna have to head over to Wally world and see if I can get one of them there gadgets

is there a particular name brand to look for?

[devildice]

BTW....with that device using the radio, that means I have to sacrifice listening to the radio then?

[Rev.Vassago]

BTW....with that device using the radio, that means I have to sacrifice listening to the radio then?

Yes - you cannot use the station you are broadcasting the computer on.

It is similar to this one:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4694330

[Toothpick]

You never did mention which version of Streets & Trips you are running, or did I miss it? Anyway, when I ran the 2006 version, it was barely audible. However, when I switched to the 2007 version, it was loud and clear, with out an FM modulator or amplified speakers. Even with the satellite radio on. Microsoft beefed up their text to speech engine in the 2007 version and the volume, at least on my computer, comes in loud and clear.

[devildice]

You never did mention which version of Streets & Trips you are running, or did I miss it? Anyway, when I ran the 2006 version, it was barely audible. However, when I switched to the 2007 version, it was loud and clear, with out an FM modulator or amplified speakers. Even with the satellite radio on. Microsoft beefed up their text to speech engine in the 2007 version and the volume, at least on my computer, comes in loud and clear.

I'm running MS S&T 2007 w/gps on a Toshiba "Satellite" laptop.

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

I have a Magellan gps.. Cost me 550 with tax.. Ok so I seen that program at best buy for 120 bucks. I also have the same laptop as you, Speakers do suck btw, I use headphones just to hear the movies over the truck idle. But other then this issue how good is that program and where do you mount or put your laptop?>

[Mtc_Is_Hell]

Dont everyone reply at once plz.

[Malaki86]

I have a Magellan gps.. Cost me 550 with tax.. Ok so I seen that program at best buy for 120 bucks. I also have the same laptop as you, Speakers do suck btw, I use headphones just to hear the movies over the truck idle. But other then this issue how good is that program and where do you mount or put your laptop?>

S & T 2007 is a gooed program. Well worth the cost. Also, if you have a GPS receiver (that the laptop recognizes), you can use it, instead of buying the full version with a new receiver.

I kept my laptop in the sleeper. I have a 7" touchscreen monitor & an addon keyboard that I use in the cab.

[Rev.Vassago]

I have a Magellan gps.. Cost me 550 with tax.. Ok so I seen that program at best buy for 120 bucks. I also have the same laptop as you, Speakers do suck btw, I use headphones just to hear the movies over the truck idle. But other then this issue how good is that program and where do you mount or put your laptop?>

S & T 2007 is a gooed program. Well worth the cost. Also, if you have a GPS receiver (that the laptop recognizes), you can use it, instead of buying the full version with a new receiver.

I kept my laptop in the sleeper. I have a 7" touchscreen monitor & an addon keyboard that I use in the cab.

My problem seems to be that I go through GPS receivers. I just bought my fourth one in a year and a half, at $100 a pop. :shock:

[Malaki86]

My problem seems to be that I go through GPS receivers. I just bought my fourth one in a year and a half, at $100 a pop.

Ouch... I'm still on the receiver that came with S & T 2005 - and I use that same receiver for CoPilot & Delorme, as well.

[devildice]

I have a Magellan gps.. Cost me 550 with tax.. Ok so I seen that program at best buy for 120 bucks. I also have the same laptop as you, Speakers do suck btw, I use headphones just to hear the movies over the truck idle. But other then this issue how good is that program and where do you mount or put your laptop?>

S & T 2007 is a gooed program. Well worth the cost. Also, if you have a GPS receiver (that the laptop recognizes), you can use it, instead of buying the full version with a new receiver.

I kept my laptop in the sleeper. I have a 7" touchscreen monitor & an addon keyboard that I use in the cab.

My problem seems to be that I go through GPS receivers. I just bought my fourth one in a year and a half, at $100 a pop. :shock:

Rev,

Maybe if you stop trying to use it as a pc mouse and leave it on the dash as the GPS receiver it was designed to be

[Rev.Vassago]

That's my problem - it doesn't pick up a decent signal on the dash, so I have it mounted outside. I have a knack for getting the USB port stuck in the door jamb, thereby crushing it. :sad:

[devildice]

That's my problem - it doesn't pick up a decent signal on the dash, so I have it mounted outside. I have a knack for getting the USB port stuck in the door jamb, thereby crushing it. :sad:

That's strange that you are not getting a decent signal on the dash as they are designed to "supposedly" work that way.

[Rev.Vassago]

That's my problem - it doesn't pick up a decent signal on the dash, so I have it mounted outside. I have a knack for getting the USB port stuck in the door jamb, thereby crushing it. :sad:

That's strange that you are not getting a decent signal on the dash as they are designed to "supposedly" work that way.

I'm guessing it is due to the fact that I drive a 379. Hardly any slope to the windshield, and a metal visor right above it.

When I did have it on my dash, it would lose its signal, or not "grab" enough satellites to get a decent signal.

[devildice]

Oh I see.....simple solution then....buy a different truck.......just think, after about a 1,000 gps receivers, it will pay for itself