On Mar 28, 8:04=A0am, pc wrote:
> I've just learned I'm headed to San Jose next week on business.
>
> Fly Tuesday, set up Weds. teach Thurs, Fri, Mon, Tues.
>
> I've got a weekend there on the boss-man, and I'm staying five days on
> the tail of the trip on my own.
>
> I like beaches and mountains. =A0Would love to see the canopy. =A0Perhaps
> go snorkeling (I may take my mask and snorkle but no room for fins.)
> I figure I'll probably stay in San Jose the first weekend and check
> out the museums and nightlife.
>
> I don't want to spend _all_ of my time driving after the job is done,
> but I'm comfortable in a 4WD vehicle, and speak enough Spanish to get
> by. =A0(Was married to a Cubana for practically a lifetime....)
>
> Recommendations?
>
> tanks
>
> pc
I'm new at the GPS hardware. In a hurry (I hadn't much time to
prepare for the trip) I bought a Nuvi 260W at Fry's for $279
[apparently an excellent price], and some map software from Rutas
Satelitales in San Jose, CR via the internet and PayPal. Make sure to
order a couple of days in advance, as this appears to be a home based
family business. They have a number in Miami - 305-609-8381. Their
web site is Spanish. Somehow a lifetime ago I stumbled into an
English version, but couldn't find it today for love or money:
info@rsgps.net
You can also reach us by telephone:
In USA: 305-609-8381.
In Costa Rica: Country code 506, phone 8362-6298 [or is it
2362-6298?? depends mobile or land line... pc]
Also, our fax number in Costa Rica is 431-9252. [ likely is
2431-9252....as of now, pc]
Web site lists as business front as "Smart Ways."
Abbey at R.S. Miami told me the software worked "just like the built
in Garman software", but in fact, it's different if you are talking
about how the Garmin stuff works in the USA and Europe. Don't plan on
searching by address (even IF you can get one -- it's fascinating that
most places don't advertise an address here.) Once I figured that
out, it's doing a good job. Be careful, though, as several times
today it instructed me to turn the wrong way down a one way street,
and it led me into a couple of dead ends in downtown San Jose last
night. The hookers thought I was a real scream, driving around and
around.
The R.S. tech support is excellent. They gave me Sergio's mobile
number, and he still managed to be pleasant and helpful when I woke
him up really late last weekend. Very patient, helpful, a nice guy.
Don't believe what your travel agent tells you, virtually ALL of the
auto rental companies can rent you a GPS. As I recall the rates were
in the $10->$15 range per day. Not bad if you are going to be there a
week and don't want to screw with the learning curve like I was forced
to do, since my company travel agent told me Avis didn't have GPS
units (they do... same machine as mine, different map software, I'll
report back when I remember to on that.)
OH.. AND... of course, the week immediately prior to my arrival, they
changed they way all the phone numbers work. You have to put a 2 in
front of the local 7 digit number for a land line phone, and an 8 in
front if the target phone is a mobile. The assholes at Sprint kept
telling me I had too many digits when I had to call the operator
because they hadn't updated their direct dial systems, and had the
temerity to hang up on me when I insisted she was mistaken.
Assholes. Hear that, Sprint? You are assholes.
Ho hum! Life goes on.
I hope this is helpful information for any and all.
pc |