Portable GPS, what to buy?

[mussel]

I am shopping for a portable GPS, Tomtom and Garmin seem to be the 2 most popular ones, anyone has any experinece with either? Whose interface's better? Hard drive vs. SD flash card based models? I also prefer units with European maps, are there any free map downloads?

 

[Ace Rimmer]

IMO the Garmin units are currently king. Their antennas are reputedly the most sensitive. There is no point in a fancy GPS if it can't pick up a signal.

I own a Garmin Rino 130 which is a radio/GPS unit designed for hunters and hikers. It is not a good driving GPS.

For a driving GPS I have used a Garmin Nuvi with good results. There are a lot of them out there so check out this link for a comparison chart of the Nuvi series. I have used a Garmin Nuvi 360 (not mine); if you insist on Euro maps then I think the 370 or 670 is for you.

Hope this helps!

 

[dkzzzz]

I use Tom Tom One . It can be had for around 150.00. Deals pop up all the time at BestBuy or online retailers.
It has only GPS and bluetooth/cell phone capabilities. I really have no complains. Easy to operate comes with US/CAN and EU maps.

 

[visionology]

Garmin I like the most and would say TomTom is second if I had to choose. Don't really like any of the other brands.

I'm getting a Garmin for my girl for Xmas. I hope they come out with a widescreen version of the 360

 

[Mute]

Stick with Garmin or Magellan. I've found too many errors in the TomTom database.

 

[odoreater]

I have a Garmin as well, and am very satisfied with it.

 

[eg1]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 350. Haven't had it for very long, and since it's the first one I've used I have no basis for comparison.

 

[javyn]

Nuvi 350 I've had since Feb...no basis for comparison either, but I'm quite pleased with it.

One note, whatever you get make sure it dictates street names, it is way more helpful to hear "turn left on Eagle street in .5 miles" rather than "turn left in .5 miles". That feature will cost a bit more, but it is absolutely necessary for me, to keep from having to look at the navigator constantly.

Also, the 2008 map update CD from Garmin just came out in August. Be sure to register your product on Garmin's website, and order the update CD while you can still get it for free (it's normally 70 dollars)

PS - No navigator is a replacement for local knowledge of an area. It WILL get you from point A to point B, but if you already know how to get there, it will frustrate you with directions that seem to be drafted by a marsupial. Still, if you have no idea where you are going, it doesn't matter what kind of route it gives you, so long as you get there.

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by javyn

One note, whatever you get make sure it dictates street names, it is way more helpful to hear "turn left on Eagle street in .5 miles" rather than "turn left in .5 miles". That feature will cost a bit more, but it is absolutely necessary for me, to keep from having to look at the navigator constantly.


I've found the street name feature to be kind of useless here in Jersey because it tells you: "turn left on county road 610" instead of "turn left on springfield avenue". Who the **** knows the streets around here by their county road number?

 

[HomerJ]

I've tried Tom Tom One and Nuvi 350. Tom Tom was harder to read with sunlight and didn't have text to speech. I like the 350 better than the new models Garmin has put out. I'd look for one on closeout.

 

[javyn]

Here in TX many/most streets are labeled with both so I kinda luck out. The ones that aren't always lead to a light bulb going off in my head "OH SO THIS IS FARM ROAD 1959!" etc.

I've found the street name feature to be kind of useless here in Jersey because it tells you: "turn left on county road 610" instead of "turn left on springfield avenue". Who the **** knows the streets around here by their county road number?

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by javyn

Here in TX many/most streets are labeled with both so I kinda luck out. The ones that aren't always lead to a light bulb going off in my head "OH SO THIS IS FARM ROAD 1959!" etc.

Here they're always labeled as both too, but for some reason, only the number is programmed into the GPS and not the name of the street. But, all things being equal, it's probably better to have that function than not to have it.

Also, the most useful thing that I find about the GPS is having the function that tells you what time you are going to arrive. Barring traffic or having to drive through an area with a huge number of streetlights, it's usually accurrate within a minute or two and really helps in planning the day.

 

[visionology]

I think the newer ones also will tell you about traffic up the road and let you automatically select an alternate route. Might come in handy. I know it would of when I was going to Spring Lake, NJ this year. We hit serious traffic on the GW and probably could have went an alternate route if we knew it was ahead.

Anyone have a GPS with bluetooth? I'm curious how well it ties into the phone and if it really is a useful feature. I have a headset but if I can go without it, why not I suppose.

 

[SoulPatcher]

Sorry that I'm late to the dance, gentlemen, but I was just reading up on some GPS innovations - http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/24/au...in&oref=slogin The Tele Atlas initiative toward 3D mapping and the potential speed trap notifier is definitely going to sway my favor toward their products. Here's a pic of the 3D landmark recording vehicle: I've personally been using a TomTom ONE XL and I've been quite impressed. I'm still a young lad so price is a heavy factor into my equation, and the ONE XL was the best inexpensive one out there. I really want to try the ONE XLS; I haven't used one that has Text to Speech yet. GPS Nirvana awaits... What kind of errors have you found with the TomTom database? I've personally been pretty lucky and happy thus far...

 

[SoulPatcher]

Just for follow ups sake on this issue - did anyone see this from the CES show recently?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4338447...7603669480939/

Bill Gates at the TA booth... what could that mean? Also, has anyone seen the TA van driving around? I'm wondering where it is now...