GPS System recommendations?

[Paula]

I'm going to be getting a GPS system and would love to hear recommendations about brands, as well as features. I am not brilliant with directions (for example, I'd rather directions say turn right/left rather than turn east/west...). I also like voice commands (perhaps a nice handsome voice with a little Italian or French accent) and advance notice of turns. What else should I be thinking about and what brands/problems/features should I avoid? I drive an old minivan so the Italian/French accented voice needs to be nonjudgmental.

[Arkiehawg]

I have used Tom-Tom, Garmin and Magellan in the past.

The Tom-Tom is good and has a reasonable price.
I didn't like the Magellan because it isn't nearly as user friendly as the others.

I have a Garmin 330C. It is a couple of years old now and works great! Extremely user friendly with a touch screen. I fly a lot on business and take it with me everywhere. Very few issues. The only issues I may have is when there is very new detours due to construction. Sometimes it doesn't pick up on it....but rarely.

[Johnrudy]

I have a Garmin 330C. It is a couple of years old now and works great! Extremely user friendly with a touch screen. I fly a lot on business and take it with me everywhere. Very few issues. The only issues I may have is when there is very new detours due to construction. Sometimes it doesn't pick up on it....but rarely.
I agree about the Garmin. We just bought one this year and it is amazing. It has the text to voice feature and it does literally tell you, "turn left here" or "turn right at the 2nd light." Pretty good price too.

[elgordoboy]

Check out Amazon. I like something like the Garmin 350 it tells you actual strreet names as you approach. It just makes you feel more secure.

[Johnrudy]

Check out Amazon. I like something like the Garmin 350 it tells you actual strreet names as you approach. It just makes you feel more secure.
Exactly. I believe that's the one we bo't. It was around $400.

[peapod1980]

Paula, we have a friend who's a pilot, and when he's on the ground, I know he uses a Garmin, though I don't know which model. I can find out if you want specifics.
P.S. Your last sentence is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time.

[Ocean Lover]

Paula, we have a friend who's a pilot, and when he's on the ground, I know he uses a Garmin, though I don't know which model. I can find out if you want specifics.
P.S. Your last sentence is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time.

I agree...too funny.:biggrin:

[Beach Runner]

Here's what hubby who is in Germany says:
TomTom is the biggest in Europe, and I am satisfied with mine (after all, it was free using American Express points).

In Europe I rent Mercedes with OEM units and also have my TomTom with me (even if you ask for a car with GPS, you can't be assured that you'll get one). The TomTom performed better, although keep in mind that rental car GPS is usually not the best GPS, even if it is in a Mercedes.

After having an early version of the Garmin, I think I were to buy one, I'd buy the Garmin.

[Paula]

Thanks for all the useful information. Glad you appreciated my concerns, even when listening to an automated voice. If I'm going to be listening to someone give me directions in the car, it has to be a pleasant experience. After all, at some point I'll listen to this voice give me directions all the way from Michigan to SoWal...

[JUL]

I'm going to be getting a GPS system and would love to hear recommendations about brands, as well as features. I am not brilliant with directions (for example, I'd rather directions say turn right/left rather than turn east/west...). I also like voice commands (perhaps a nice handsome voice with a little Italian or French accent) and advance notice of turns. What else should I be thinking about and what brands/problems/features should I avoid? I drive an old minivan so the Italian/French accented voice needs to be nonjudgmental.


Paula,
I really stink with directions too, but I will tell you when I used a GPS on a visit to SoWal without my husband I ended up in Opp and I couldn't find my way out. It was awful and embarassing. I came alone at Christmas and without a GPS and did much better.
The problem was the GPS had taken me a slightly different route and things began to look unfamiliar and I got confused by thinking...this isn't the right way. It ended up adding an hour to my trip and ridicule from the 3 teens with me who had been sleeping.:idontno:

[singinchicken]

A couple things to look for in a GPS...


Bells and whistles (voice direction, Bluetooth, route planning, points of interest, etc...) will add to the $$ of any GPS you buy. Choose what best suits you and don't over purchase.

Screen size is important. Be sure to look at the screen from a distance close to how far it will be away from you when you are driving. If it's too small, go bigger.

Make sure that you get one that allows you to make up your own routes. You'd be suprised how many don't.

Find one with a good "Point if Interest" collection. Those would be gas stations, ATM's, hotels, parks, etc... I use mine for that all the time.

Find one that has a really bright screen for daylight that can be adjusted to different levels. Also, some have night screens that change the color pallet which makes a huge difference.


The Nuvi and Zumo models are very good. Lowrance just came out with a new model called the XOG that is good as well. Buy which ever one you choose online. You will save a lot of $$.

...and a final few nuggets...

Most GPS's, regardless of make / model all use the NavTeq database. If there is an error in one, it will be in all. Even Google uses the NavTeq DB. In that respect, none are better than the other. It all comes down to bells and whistles, ease of use, and what makes you feel good.

All GPS models use mathematical algorithms to generate routes. If you are going from A to B and have a specific way that you go, chances are the GPS will take you a different way. Generally, they route in this order: fastest route, highways from biggest to smallest, surface roads. Some will take into account left turns and tolls. They are best used for situational awareness (not directing you) when you know where you are, getting you out of a lost location, or allowing it to reroute you when you have to detour.

BTW...I have a Lowrance iWay 500C and love it. It was designed to be used on motorcycles and is waterproof and has a giant screen. The downside is that it is really big, and heavy; however, it was the unit that best suited my need and probably would not have bought that particular model if it was for my car only. Base your purchase on the criteria above, and you can't go wrong...

Oh...and the more you use it the better you will understand how it works and why it does what does. Have fun with it!

[Paula]

All great advice. I would be concerned about being given directions in a round-about way (sometimes MAPquest does that, too), so I'd have to be able to be somewhat specific about the general way I'd like to go.

So much good advice, and keep it coming because I think I'll buy it next weekened!

[singinchicken]

All great advice. I would be concerned about being given directions in a round-about way (sometimes MAPquest does that, too), so I'd have to be able to be somewhat specific about the general way I'd like to go.

Coincidentally, also powered by NavTeq. Pull up a Mapquest map and look in the lower right corner!

GPS generated directions are, in most cases, identical to Google and Mapquest directions down to the last turn because the software that they all use is the same.

There is a learning curve with all of GPS units, but if you get one that allows you to program your own routes you can avoid the "round-about" directions that your refer to!

[ShallowsNole]

Thanks to Paula for this thread, as we have been considering *another* GPS. The one we have is an older model that requires you to download maps, which does you no good when you are at the Orlando International Airport and it cannot locate Orlando.

This same GPS pulled me off I-10 in Mobile and told me to go right, even though I could clearly see the USS Alabama on my left, and people turning left into the parking lot off of 98. When I turned left, it almost jumped off the dashboard at me, squawking "OFF ROUTE! RECALCULATING!" Six hours later, after a trip through Foley and Pensacola, dam thing telling us we were wrong every time we made a turn, we decided to eat at IHOP in Gulf Breeze. As we crossed 98 it came alive again, telling us we are off course. Fuzz pulled the plug out of the power port, threw it in the back seat (almost hitting ShallowsSquirt in the process) with the admonition to "eff off, b****!"

I tend to get giggly when I get tired, and that took the cake. Just remembering it is enough to bust a gut and bring me to tears. You would have had to be there. :blush: :funn:

[Beach Runner]

Our TomTom frequently tells us to turn on dirt roads, like when we're coming home from the local Mexican restaurant (not like we don't know how to get home from there -- I think hubby likes her voice :lol:) or when traveling down Highway 81 on the way to the beach. When we don't turn, it asks us to turn around and go down that road.:eek:

NavTeq has all of the streets in our neighborhood in Seagrove labeled incorrectly (and our street doesn't even exist!). I have emailed them to correct this. There response was:

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This is an automated reply to your report of incorrect map data. Please be advised that the map data found in Maps is sourced largely from NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas. You can report this error directly to our map-data providers using the following links:

NAVTEQ
http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/secured/submitDur.do?userType=CONSUMER&language=en


TeleAtlas
http://www.teleatlas.com/MapInsight/index.htm

While we can't guarantee individual corrections in the immediate future, please be assured that we're working with our sources to consistently refresh this data. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve this service."

[singinchicken]

NavTeq does update once...maybe twice a year depending on how many changes they have to make. It's not perfect, but it's close to the only game in town so we're kinda stuck with it!

[Paula]

Thanks to Paula for this thread, as we have been considering *another* GPS. The one we have is an older model that requires you to download maps, which does you no good when you are at the Orlando International Airport and it cannot locate Orlando.

This same GPS pulled me off I-10 in Mobile and told me to go right, even though I could clearly see the USS Alabama on my left, and people turning left into the parking lot off of 98. When I turned left, it almost jumped off the dashboard at me, squawking "OFF ROUTE! RECALCULATING!" Six hours later, after a trip through Foley and Pensacola, dam thing telling us we were wrong every time we made a turn, we decided to eat at IHOP in Gulf Breeze. As we crossed 98 it came alive again, telling us we are off course. Fuzz pulled the plug out of the power port, threw it in the back seat (almost hitting ShallowsSquirt in the process) with the admonition to "eff off, b****!"

I tend to get giggly when I get tired, and that took the cake. Just remembering it is enough to bust a gut and bring me to tears. You would have had to be there. :blush: :funn:

Sounds nasty - what kind did all these bad things?

I'd like to stay around the $200 price range, but it sounds like good ones are about $400?

[Arkiehawg]

Singinchicken......My wifey says you must be an IT nerd.....

Regardless, I am impressed and truly do appreciate the detailed response.

[Miss Kitty]

:floor: Oh, ShallowsNole...that is the funniest thing I have read in a long time!

[singinchicken]

Singinchicken......My wifey says you must be an IT nerd.....

Regardless, I am impressed and truly do appreciate the detailed response.

Closet IT nerd! I know just enough to be dangerous...:biggrin:

[sowalgayboi]

Avoid the extra piece of equipment and ask your cell phone provider if they offer it. All of them download the directions fresh every time from a server that is updated more frequently than the little boxes and most offer traffic/construction/other avoidance features.

[luvthebeach]

Paula - Whichever brand you buy, my advice is to make sure it has the "text to speech" feature! I bought a Garmin 340c a year ago....absolutely LOVE IT! It not only gives you "right/left" directions, but gives street names as well. Some other models will only tell you "turn right in 500 ft.". For me, it's important to hear the street name as well. Also, it has built-in destinations such as hotels, restaurants, car repair places (important when you're traveling and your windshield wipers need replacing in the middle of a thunderstorm!)....and it gives you phone numbers so you can call ahead to make sure they're open and/or have what you're looking for! When I made the decision to buy each of my two sons a GPS for Christmas, I initially made the decision to buy them the 340c. However, although it was still available at most stores, I learned that it was going to be discontinued because it is larger than the newer sleeker models. The model that replaces it (has the exact same features but is a thin, sleek version) is the Garmin Nuvi 260. Sells for around $350, but if you watch the rebates you can get it for around $299. Needless to say the gifts were a hit....they LOVE their GPS's as much as I love mine!

If you buy one with the right features, it's well worth the money you spend, especially if you travel a lot.

Good luck!

[Johnrudy]

Avoid the extra piece of equipment and ask your cell phone provider if they offer it. All of them download the directions fresh every time from a server that is updated more frequently than the little boxes and most offer traffic/construction/other avoidance features.
I have to be honest with you swgb... Mr. JR is a cell phone designer with one of the largest communications companies in the world and he can get all the downloaded stuff he wants for his phone (for free as a perk) and he chose the Garmin. He said NONE of the designers care for the phone service nearly as much. It's just not that good and he says it's expensive.

[sowalgayboi]

I have to be honest with you swgb... Mr. JR is a cell phone designer with one of the largest communications companies in the world and he can get all the downloaded stuff he wants for his phone (for free as a perk) and he chose the Garmin. He said NONE of the designers care for the phone service nearly as much. It's just not that good and he says it's expensive.

I have heard this too, just wasn't sure what sort of bells and whistles you needed, nor did I know the costs.

If Mr. JR designed the Motorola Pebble (so appropriate for a small, useless, and annoying object) or the Motorola i730 for Nextel please whack him with the largest GPS device you can locate. :biggrin:

[ShallowsNole]

Sounds nasty - what kind did all these bad things?

I'd like to stay around the $200 price range, but it sounds like good ones are about $400?

I'd have to find the box. I can tell you it wasn't a mainstream brand. My brother gave it to us when he "upgraded." I don't think it's even possible this experience could happen to you today.

On a side note, don't try to GPS the Courthouse Annex's Coastal Centre Blvd. address. You will wind up at the end of Cabbage Rose Lane. :funn:

[sowalgayboi]

I'd have to find the box. I can tell you it wasn't a mainstream brand. My brother gave it to us when he "upgraded." I don't think it's even possible this experience could happen to you today.

On a side note, don't try to GPS the Courthouse Annex's Coastal Centre Blvd. address. You will wind up at the end of Cabbage Rose Lane. :funn:

Most of the GPS things don't work on 30-A. :idontno: I love telling guests that they can try it if they really want to get to Blue Mountain beach from Seagrove via Niceville. The husbands really hate it when they have to resort back to "traditional" directions that use local landmarks to get to the rental. :funn:

[Paula]

More thanks to everyone. I'm leaning toward a Garmin. The cell phone thing wouldn't work because the screen would be too tiny and I can barely figure out the features on my cell phone now (I like to think in terms of "simplify, simplify, simplify" when it comes to technology - just get me through the day a bit more easily, no more and no less).

As for directions in SoWal, I'm pretty good with directions there, I just want to be able to get there (and other places) easily. Perhaps using the GPS system over time would improve my direction-skills.

Any other things to avoid?

[luvthebeach]

Most of the GPS things don't work on 30-A. :idontno: I love telling guests that they can try it if they really want to get to Blue Mountain beach from Seagrove via Niceville. The husbands really hate it when they have to resort back to "traditional" directions that use local landmarks to get to the rental. :funn:


I've had no problem at all on 30A with my Garmin...all of the street names show up (except any very new streets, of course) and satellite reception has been great!

[Johnrudy]

I have heard this too, just wasn't sure what sort of bells and whistles you needed, nor did I know the costs.

If Mr. JR designed the Motorola Pebble (so appropriate for a small, useless, and annoying object) or the Motorola i730 for Nextel please whack him with the largest GPS device you can locate. :biggrin:
:floor: I'll be sure to!!