GPS Units
- Thread starter KP
- Start date
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73roadrunner
Hoover Mover
If you have Verizon Wireless, you can get it on your cell for $9.99 per month I believe. That's what I do...don't have to worry about crackheads breaking your window to steal it for for drug money! lol
If you're after the slip-it-into-a-shirt-pocket variety, I've been very happy with the Garmin Legend. It's been great for goofing around in the wilderness as well as long roadtrips. The latest version seems to have better battery life and more memory than the old thing I've got.
If you're more geared toward the mounted-on-the-dashboard setup with the Stephanie Hawking voice (the imaginary female version of Stephen Hawking), I can't be much help.
If you're more geared toward the mounted-on-the-dashboard setup with the Stephanie Hawking voice (the imaginary female version of Stephen Hawking), I can't be much help.
dgc333
Well-Known Member
My sons gave me a TomTom One 3rd Edition for my birthday. Never thought much about getting one and have no frame of reference other than using the Garmin that comes in a Hertz rental and the TomTom at the same time. They both work though they use slightly different routes in residential areas (TomTom does have options on how to route you so a different option may result in the exact same route).
When you first get the unit you are directed to hook it up to your PC via the USB port. The unit contains software that is loaded to the PC for managing updates. You get one free map update (ensures you are up to date when you first start using it but you need to pay for updates after that, ~$90 for a complete US/Canada map). It allows you to make map corrections for errors found which you can share via the PC interface. There is also voices and themes you can down load ala cell phone, some free but most cost.
One feature that seems to be useful are the help screens that will tell you where you are if you need to call for help and will route you to the nearest hospital/police/fire and the ability to set it for foot travel so you can use it when walking and it won't route you onto a hiway or such. Of course it has points of interest such as gas stations and restaurants along your trip.
I would assume all the others have the same types of features so you would really need to play with them to see which you like the best. Can't imagine all these companies develop their own map and likely get the data from the same source so accuracy from one to another won't vary much.
What I don't like? I don't like the suction cup mount. It either falls off or sticks so hard that you can't get it off without forcing something under the edge (there is a pull tab to break the seal but it's hard to get a grip on it). I have found that there are other companies making accessories just like there is for cell phones and there appears to be plenty of other options out there for mounting which I will eventually get.
When you first get the unit you are directed to hook it up to your PC via the USB port. The unit contains software that is loaded to the PC for managing updates. You get one free map update (ensures you are up to date when you first start using it but you need to pay for updates after that, ~$90 for a complete US/Canada map). It allows you to make map corrections for errors found which you can share via the PC interface. There is also voices and themes you can down load ala cell phone, some free but most cost.
One feature that seems to be useful are the help screens that will tell you where you are if you need to call for help and will route you to the nearest hospital/police/fire and the ability to set it for foot travel so you can use it when walking and it won't route you onto a hiway or such. Of course it has points of interest such as gas stations and restaurants along your trip.
I would assume all the others have the same types of features so you would really need to play with them to see which you like the best. Can't imagine all these companies develop their own map and likely get the data from the same source so accuracy from one to another won't vary much.
What I don't like? I don't like the suction cup mount. It either falls off or sticks so hard that you can't get it off without forcing something under the edge (there is a pull tab to break the seal but it's hard to get a grip on it). I have found that there are other companies making accessories just like there is for cell phones and there appears to be plenty of other options out there for mounting which I will eventually get.
Thrashard340
Well-Known Member
TomTom and Garmin. We give those away as promotions here at work and people fight for those things. I bought a portable $200 Garmin unit for my Dad for Christmas and he loves it.
BlkArrow
Well-Known Member
I would suggest a Garmin 200w (wide screen). We had gotten two for Christmas but were stolen out of our house, along with a 30 case of monster energy...so really watch out for theft. Even if you take the GPS out they see the circle on the window and they will tear your car apart looking.
We just got my brother another one last night for his HS graduation. He absolutely loves it, it isn't the best there...but for 250$ you can't beat it. It really is a nice unit that has all the features you would ever need. The guy gave us a breakdown of the three brands they had for sale there - magellan, Tomtom, and Garmin.
Magellan - absolutely never get it, they are contemplating about stop selling it at Best Buy. They barely sell any units and they aren't worth the time.
Tomtom - They are a good unit because they have free updates, real time traffic and weather. Just the interface is a little sloppy compared to Garmin.
Garmin - Great unit with a easy to use interface, about $70 yearly update which aren't necessary but are helpful in case of new back roads or anything.
Good luck picking out a unit,if you go to any electronics store they should be able to help you. I am surprised that we got a competent salesperson, though I suppose if you go the car department (where the GPS's are usually located) the people really do know what they are talking about.
We just got my brother another one last night for his HS graduation. He absolutely loves it, it isn't the best there...but for 250$ you can't beat it. It really is a nice unit that has all the features you would ever need. The guy gave us a breakdown of the three brands they had for sale there - magellan, Tomtom, and Garmin.
Magellan - absolutely never get it, they are contemplating about stop selling it at Best Buy. They barely sell any units and they aren't worth the time.
Tomtom - They are a good unit because they have free updates, real time traffic and weather. Just the interface is a little sloppy compared to Garmin.
Garmin - Great unit with a easy to use interface, about $70 yearly update which aren't necessary but are helpful in case of new back roads or anything.
Good luck picking out a unit,if you go to any electronics store they should be able to help you. I am surprised that we got a competent salesperson, though I suppose if you go the car department (where the GPS's are usually located) the people really do know what they are talking about.
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