If someone wants to move this to the right spot, no problem with me. Wasn’t sure where to post this. I tried to do a search, but you can’t search 3 letters on this site so couldn’t do a search on GPS. Tried Global but none of the threads seem to match what I was looking for so, I appologize if this has been done before. Part of the reason that I typed out the full words for the title was to allow someone to find this later with a search.
I’m doing an across country trip soon and want an automotive GPS unit. I have an older handheld that has topo maps in it, but it isn’t what I am looking for as far as a unit for the car. Anyone have any links to good reviews or any personal recomendations?
Too many brands and too many models. So far have been looking at the Garmin units. People tend to speak highly of them. I’m lost and can’t find my way to the right GPS. Any help would be appreciated.
I have a TomTom XLS and dont care for it. It is super user friendly, but maps arent great and signal is sketchy. I update every week, so I just assume it’s a TomTom deal. I have used a buddies Garmin and have to say I liked it better. Not sure about map updates and such on it though.
Everyone will have their favorite. I was looking for a good unit and didn’t need a lot of frills like MP3, bluetooth, … So I went with the Garmin Nuvi 750. It seemed to be at a good price point ($200) for what it provided. I’ve been using it for about month and it gives accurate directions and has good reception even in my house.
I like the 750 because I can buy Mapsource and create my own routes. If you don’t care about that then you can spend even less. The 750 also has an option for walking and cycling.
I think most of the major brands have solid performance models. So it’s really about your budget for the features you want. You can look up their reviews on sites like Amazon to get a feel for the performance of any given model.
I use my gps more than I thought i would. For instance I was at Home Depot and they didn’t have what I wanted. Rather than just drive to another hardware store I looked up all nearby hardware stores on my gps and called around until I found what I was looking for. Of course it’s great for finding new fishing locations.
One word of warning. Most of the time your GPS will get you where you want to go. However, it’s always a good idea to do a simple reality check otherwise you may be taking the long way or even the wrong way at times. I haven’t been steered wrong yet by mine but I’m sure it will happen.
i have a garmin 200 for a little over a year and i like it very much. even if you make a wrong turn (which i have been known to do) in a few seconds the voice will come on and say recalculating and give you directions so you may pick up the route again. if i had to buy another one it would be a garmin product.
Actually considering the same unit, just with a few different features in the 780. The 780 is a 750 with some bells and whistles and it can be had at a decent price these days. It’s not the latest hottest, but still a current model but can be found discounted. The latest hottest is the 755, they have some new bells, but cost substaintially more.
one of the most important features for any GPS unit is the time it takes to respond to your wrong turns. You want the unit to tell you what corrective action to take as quickly as possible and not waste precious seconds to “recalculate”
A friend of mine got one for his wife, she sells Mary Kay stuff and is on the road alot. I think he looked at the TomTom and Garmin. One of them would not tell you that there was a turn comeing up in a 1/4 mile or anything. It just told you that you needed to turn with no warning at all. I am not sure which one it is but I’ll ask him for you tomorrow and get back to you. Maybe someone else knows for sure.
Really like my Tomtom One - got it about 6 months ago. I’ve used Garmins that friends had and liked them also. There are three things that I like about my Tomtom over the Garmins though.
The Tomtom is more “customizable”, especially the display. I like having as much info displayed as possible.
The satelite “quick fix” feature of the Tomtom allows the current satelite locations to be updated (I also do mine once a week). The unit then locks up the satelites almost instantly. I’ve never had a problem with reception. My sister uses her Tomtom in New York city, and has no problems - my friend’s Garmin loses the signal among the skyscrapers there.
My particular Tomtom allows me to plan my route on my PC, and then transfer it to my GPS, without any other added software. So far, my maps have been very accurate.
When I first got it, I had fun downloading different “voices” into it. Most are free downloads - even the ones they charge for are available free if you search the 'net. This novelty wore off pretty quick though. The look on gzacckey’s face was priceless the first time he heard it say a swear word though.
Bought TomTom 125 round Christmass. Love it. Simple, simple to use no unnescessary stuff. The feature I like the best is that you can make corrections to the map and upload them to share with other users.
If you update it about once week it takes only seconds to lock on to the satellites. Oh and BTW " Bitching Betty" does warn you in advance about upcoming turns.
Most of the Geo caching units are not really auto units. I have a handheld with topo maps for hunting, but it isn’t the best auto unit. The 780 has traffic info and can reroute for an accident etc. I don’t care about the blue tooth or the mp3 player. Garmin just released a new version of maps within the last couple of weeks so if you bought a Garmin within the last 60 days, get the new map for free now.
Thanks for the idea. I plan on using it for the first time to go to the Great Waters fly fishing show in the Chicago land area next weekend.
Since Clay has already bought his, this may not matter, but I thought it might help someone else. My friend bought his wife the TomTom. He said it gave her plenty of warning time for when a turn was comeing up.
I’ll try to do a detailed report when my unit arrives next week and I try it out initially and then after a few weeks of use. If anyone else would like to do a review of their GPS and wants to add it to this thread others might find that helpful too.
I bought my wife a Garmin Nuvi 500 and it is really great and user friendly and you can upload new maps from many sources. I reccomend it and Cabelas has several models and good sales prices. My son’s wife has the Nuvi 250 and loves it.
Bought our TomTom around Christmas time for almost half price. Been satisfied with it so far. Took it on two trips and it took us right to the door. We shut off the voice occasionally. Thanks for this thread as you reminded me to download the HOME program and check for any new updates and check for any new maps etc. Takes a while to use the Back Up feature cause it has to copy all the goodies from your device; but, reckon it’s worth it. Only problem I see is in routing and an example is this:
Going to my sons house for the first test drive, about 25 miles away, there are three exits off the Interstate that all take you into his town. If you don’t know the shortest way(i.e. shortcuts) it may send you to the first or second turn off to the town when I really want the last and third turn off for the best way there. When we went to Gatlinburg, TN it was going to send us further south on the Interstate; but, we knew a better way to avoid all the traffic and turned off at that exit. It immediately tries to get you to turn around and go back; but, after a short while it recalculates the way your now headed and it’s no problem.
Can’t compare it to any other units as this is the first one we’ve used or ridden with; but, works fine and the price couldn’t be beat.
