GPS Systems

[ddmoit]

I thought I had seen this topic addressed here somewhere, but I can't find it.

My siblings and I intend to get a GPS system for my parents for Xmas. My experience with GPS is limited to driving around South Carolina as a passenger in John K.'s car. :twitch:

Any opinions on good brands, must-have features? I hear about Garmin the most. Are they really the be-all, end-all brand?

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[MHI]

Hi Dan,

I've got the Garmin nuvi 200 wide screen. I like the small flat size of the nuvi, and its easy to use.

I think Garmin is the best, but they are all close. Tom Tom would be my second choice.:)

p.s. About the features-less is better. For cost, and ease of use. All you are using it for is nav.

[John Bridge]

We have two of the gadgets. We started out with a Magellan but found it lacking. We bought a Garmin and like it a lot better. It seems to be more user friendly. Never put complete trust in a GPS, though. Carry a back-up map if you don't want to be going through narrow congested streets and back-alleys. Ask it for the shortest route and that's what you get. ;)

P.S. Money spent equates to screen size. They all work the same pretty much, and there is only one set of satellites out there.

[ceramictec]

I bought my Mother the TomTom and she loves it, she doesn't get out too far that much so when she does its good for her to use.

I don't use them since I get around easily, have my PDA with Google maps and all roads lead to the same place. :D

[ddmoit]

Never put complete trust in a GPS, though.I have been thus far, reluctant to get GPS for my folks for this very reason. Too many people driving into ponds and on airport runways!

Thanks for the input so far, folks!

[Wiley]

If you don't mind the extra expense, one that announces the turns as street names is very helpful. And bigger screens are a must for us older folks. And I vote for Garmin.

[Bugman]

I second the motion about not putting complete faith into a GPS, or for that matter Google Maps and other on-line maps. The GPS will show you were you are, but all of the maps are man-made. I think that many GPS systems as well as Google Maps, etc. use the same map source. There are errors on the original maps they use. I know from people's experience trying to get to our house. I have offered directions several times, but they are confident in their GPS or Google Maps. I keep track of the time and invariably I get a phone call about 20 minutes after they should have arrived asking how to get to our house. Some of the early city maps showed four of our streets connecting to a major street. Only problem is, when the subdivision was actually built, all four of these streets are cul-de-sacs. Makes for some interesting situations.

That said, GPS units are nice.

[ddmoit]

I hear you, Clyde. When folks use Google to get to my house, they are advised to make an illegal (and dangerous) turn as soon as they exit the interstate. It's been at least 3 years since the interchange was reconfigured, but the info is still wrong on Google and everywhere else I've checked.

[cx]

Ain't never used one of them automobile versions, Dan, but I spend a lotta time inna dark walkin' about inna Wilderness areas with a Garmin hand-held GPS. I find them moderately wonderful.

We tried some Magellan units early on (ten years ago?), but I like the Garmin units much better. And the newer ones better than just a few years ago.

Like the others advise, they're not fool proof. You better be equipped to get around without one if you need to. And they're more than happy to walk you off a cliff if that's a straight line to where you said you wanted to go. :D

[koihito]

I've got a Tom Tom with John Clease's voice. I'll agree that it's not 100% perfect, but I wouldn't dream of traveling without it either. I.E. while in Boca Raton this past Sept. I came upon a wreck that closed down a major intersection. I would have had no idea how to get back to where I was staying, but Tom Tom gave me an alternate route as the police officer made me turn left the wrong way down a one way street...

[Saldibs]

I have had a Magellan 4250 for almost a year, and have not printed out a map since I got it. They are not perfect, but nothing is, not even maps. The real limitations are the new streets that people in construction often have to go to. I always ask if the street is new before relying on the gps to get me there. so far I have not run into a an address or location that the GPS could not guide me to.I must say though that I find my GPS to be one of the best tools that I have ever bought.

[Lazarus]

I waited a long time and looked at most of the units out there. I decided on the Garmin Nuvi 680. Original retail was about $500 or so...and it does purty near everything you could want....bluetooth for hands-free calls, finds traffic jams, gives gas prices, big easy-to-use screen. The list goes on and the directions are turn-by-turn accurate with street names and voice prompts. Liked mine so much, my stepdad got one from the same seller.....right around $200 including shipping. Yep, they're "refurbished," but you would never know it, are factory packaged with a full warranty to boot!

This is the seller I dealt with...he's got about ten of them left and is a good man to deal with.


http://cgi.ebay.com/GARMIN-NUVI-680-AUTOMOTIVE-GPS-V9-2008-FREE-SHIP-MSN_W0QQitemZ150298729262QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item150298729262&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308

[Tool Guy - Kg]

I think Garmin is at the top. According to a source (who knows really?), Garmin calculates addresses like the post office does to figure out where addresses are supposed to be. Other brands else use latitude and longitude, and are inherently prone to more errors.

Many thanks to Wiley for helping me when I was looking. :tup2: I bought a Nuvi 200 widescreen and love it. My hearing isn't great, so going without the feature that calls out the street's name doesn't bother me.

I've used it for 9,000 miles so far and only once has it tole me to turn someplace dumb. There was supposed to be a street where there was a cornfield. Not a biggie. And I think maybe 4 times has it taken me on slightly longer routes than I could have. I haven't printed a map since I bought it. Ya know what's kinna fun is taking it with you onna airplane to see exactly where you are and how fast yer flying. :)

The only thing I'd like to see is the map being updated more promptly to reflect new streets. :)

[Lazarus]

I know with mine, you can go to the Garmin website, plug the unit up to the USB port and download the most current info on streets......

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Yeah, Laz...you can get their version of the updated maps, but that's not what I meant. The peeps that update the maps are too slow in making the changes to reflect reality.

There are relatively new streets that have been in existance for a few years, but they still aren't on the map yet...even the "2009" updated map.

[ddmoit]

OK, I'm leaning towards a Garmin unit with a larger screen and voice instructions. Pardon my continued ignorance, but I still have a few questions.

I presume that all these units come with periodic service fees in addition to initial start-up costs. How much does this run?

Will I have any issues with the fact that I, the purchaser, am not the end user?

[Rob Z]

I just used a Garmin GPS that one of my employees loaned to me for the day. I had to go into Washington DC :eek: and managed to avoid getting lost. I then used it to go to Rockville MD to the county building, and the darn thing was off a bit with the location of the address, side of the road, and a couple of turns to nowhere.

Overall, it was pretty cool, but I will likely stick with the old tried-and-true map reading skills that I learned long ago.

[Westie]

Dan there are no service fees for gps service. Your government provides them to you.

[Lazarus]

Dan~ Initially, I thought the same thing.....but I found this is NOT like a cell phone or cable TV. Once you buy the unit, that's it! No more charges, zero, zip, nada. With the Garmin and the link I provided earlier, you can go to their website and download the most recent maps for nothing. In essence, your purchase price is ALL you ever have to pay for. Check it out.

[stullis]

How much did you want to spend Dan?

We recently picked out the Garmin Nuvi 750 for our ambulance service.
Nice screen size with voice prompts, easy to operate for approx $300 at Sam's Club.

Very nice unit.

[cx]

Dan there are no service fees for gps service. Your government provides them to you.Lemme disagree just a tiny bit with our friend Westie, here.

Your government is not providing the service to you, Dan, you own the system, satellites and all. Unfortunately, your government does control them at this point and only opened the use of them to the owners after years of preventing useful civilian access. And they can still disable such use at their whim by distorting the signals again.

Sorry, Westie, couldn't help myownself. Down here we like to at least pretend it's government of the people sometimes. :)I presume that all these units come with periodic service fees in addition to initial start-up costs. How much does this run?Even the little hand-held ones I carry around in pack or pocket cost no more than the purchase price and are usable 24/7/365 if you like. Good tools these.

I just hope I know where I am next time "they" decide to turn off the satelites or scramble the signals.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[cx]

We recently picked out the Garmin Nuvi 750 for our ambulance service.
Nice screen size with voice prompts, easy to operate for approx $300 at Sam's Club.If this (http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inch-Widescreen-Portable-Navigator/dp/B000UXDFN6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1226899418&sr=8-1) is the same unit, Scott, it's only $225 on Amazon.

Geeez, I paid more than that for our most recent little hand-held units.

[JTG]

Is it the power of the modern computer programer or just happenstance that there is an ad in the box next to these thread "Before you buy you next GPS ----"
:scratch:
JTG

Edit: It's not there now.???

[tilerite]

Any opinions on good brands, must-have features?

Yeah, its called an atlas. You can get one at Kmart or your local AAA. People have been using them successfully for years and years. Nothing works better or lasts longer. :)

[ddmoit]

I never travel without one, Rick (used to get a free one every year from State Farm). They're not much good for street level stuff outside of populous areas though.

For better or worse, I've ordered the Garmin nüvi 750. It seems like a good choice for my folks.

I'm pleased to learn that there are no monthly charges. My ignorance of this has probably prevented me from getting one for myself. Note to GPS marketers....

Thanks for all the advice! :bow:

[bamadave]

The gps is one of the greastest tools available for those who travel frequently. I am all over the country every week working for ESPN and life has been more stress free using the gps (Garmin Nuvi 350). I liked the unit so well, I bought one for the wife, both children and parents.
But, having used one now since they came out, I'll agree they aren't perfect, but like my gun, would rather have it and not need it, than needing it and not having it. That said, there are further cost associated with them. Garmin DOES charge for updates after the unit is a year old. But they are reasonble, around $50. They have to keep making money off you somehow.

[stullis]

That is the one cx, the price just keeps getting better. :nod:

You will like that one Dan and yeah I believe new map updates come out every couple of years. You probably don't really need to get new ones everytime. I believe you can find updates even cheaper than the $50 if you check around places like eBay. Usually they give you the first update for free if you register the unit.

[MudMaker]

Dan,
Like Dave said.. there is a yearly charge if you should so choose to update the maps ( I haven't) but there are also free updates that Garmin has for each of the units at no charge.. Don't know what the difference is between the two, but if I had to guess, I'd say the free updates are for problems that the unit has and the cost updates are for changes in the road systems.
I have a Nuvii 660 and I noticed that it is now discontinued. It's pretty helpful, but like others have said here, you still hafta use common sense with the directions it gives you.. If I think I know where I am, I use Frank's sense (Not Franks-en-sense) and Bobby Sue will eventually pick up and continue on the new course..
Talking directions are a must for me and I also like to interrogate it for gas stations and restaurants while on the road.. :)
Sounds like the 700 series has taken over..
My son has a $150 Tom-Tom and luvs it...

[ddmoit]

I don't mind voluntarily paying for an update once in a while. I just want to avoid regular subscription charges.

Never let it be said that tile is all you know. The collection of knowledge and experience around here is well worth the price of admission.:yeah:

[Sprung831]

just got back from a trip through the great state of iowa. had a magellan GPS that we borrowed from the wife's work, and lemme tell ya, if i didn't, i may still be in a cornfield now! was driving home and decided to go see the field of dreams. pulled out the cell phone, googled the address, put it into the GPS, and there we were. directions were close to perfect, and distances were accurate. kinda makes me wanna link up the nav system on my car stereo.

[stullis]

the nuvi 750 is now $198 at Sams.

Might even pick one up for myself at that price. :)

[Dave Taylor]

I unnerstan' Scott that... that nuvi is sooo' accurate you kin' grid yer' tile floor with it.... on the diagional wif' a double border no less. :sheep:

[Dave Taylor]

Scott, I got a pic of the nuvi installed and actually in use.

[ddmoit]

The unit was on my door step today - Once again, Amazon under-promises and over-delivers. Rather than wait until Xmas, my siblings and I have decided to present it to my folks over Thanksgiving. No sense in it going unused while they travel for the holidays.

Thanks again for the advice (and the levity, Dave!). :bow:

[MudMaker]

I unnerstan' Scott that... that nuvi is sooo' accurate you kin' grid yer' tile floor with it.... on the diagional wif' a double border no less.

You may be able to do that Dave wiff a Nuvii... ya just havta make sure the tiled floor is installed in the correct house... :)

[Marge]

Garmin Nuvi 250 on sale Friday. $99 free shipping at New Egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16858108053&Tpk=58-108-053

[kate42]

http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/turkydance3.gif (http://www.millan.net)

I am very seriously considering getting a navigation system, especially after getting the worse directions from Map Quest the other day.

Based on what I have read in this thread, I am going to check out the Garmin.

One question. Is it advisable to have it installed by a professional? Or, is it easy to install by someone like me? :D

[Lazarus]

Naw, Kate~~It's all intuitive. Real easy to set up. Easy instructions. Don't need to be no "injeneer..."

[davem]

Laura's got a Nuvi, I bought it for her when we moved out to the 'country' earlier this year. I though it might remove one of the stresses of moving, learning your way around.

Didn't know if she'd like it, she usually scoffs at my tech stuff. She loves it. She's got one of the dashboard beanbag mounts so it's easy to put down on the floor when she parks. Cover it up with a handful of crap from the litter on the floor and it's not a temptation to the smash-n-grab crowd. :)

[kate42]

Don't need to be no "injeneer..."

Thanks Laz.

[Marge]

Don't need to be no "injeneer..."

Don't let Bob hear you say that..... :shake:

[tileman2000]

I got the nuvi 250 about a year ago and paid over $200....

Should've held out i guess,but you never know until it's too late.

Not to mention I drive all over the state and sometimes New York,
so not being from this area,it saves me a lot of time and aggravation.

[bbcamp]

Don't let Bob hear you say that.....I hear all, Marge, for I am everywhere...;)

[Saldibs]

I had a Magellan 4250 until a couple of weeks ago. I had it for almost a year so I decided to buy the map updates that were available for the system. I installed them the day that they arrived, I followed the directions to the letter and all seemed to go well (the directions were not complicated and easy to follow). When it was done the system would not start up it would go to the very first screen and then freeze. I called Magellan customer support and they could not help me get it working so they offered to repair it under warranty, I agreed at first but then thought about it because it would be almost a month before I would get it back.
Then it occurred to me that I had bought it at Costco, so I called them and explained what had happened they told me that I could return it and get a refund, even after eleven months. So that is what I did, I had paid $350 for it, got a full refund. With the refund I bought a new Magellan 1412 at Costco and a new HD Radio for my new van. I then called Magellan again and explained the whole thing to them, I was able to get them to agree to refund the cost of the map update that I no longer had any use for. In the end I got a new GPS, a New HD radio and the whole thing cost me about $8

[Dave Taylor]

Bob done quipped........ “I hear all, Marge, for I am everywhere“... :suspect: Anybody gots' a 'GP & S' who kin' tell us where that came from?

[cx]

It came from everywhere, you bowdarkskull, why you need a GPS for that? :rolleyes:

[kate42]

For retired engineers :D

http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/player.swf?b=10&l=197&u=ILLUMllSOOAvIF//P_LxP92A42lCHCeeWCejXnHAS/c

[flatfloor]

Does the Garmin talk?

[kate42]

Does the Garmin talk?

I hear it swears alot. :D

:cheers:

[tileman2000]

Yes Jim,it talks ...as for it swearing Kate,think that's me fighting traffic every morning.I'll keep quiet next time to see what happens.

[doitright]

Hi Guys :)

Since Dan's only previous experience with me and my Garmin (which I enjoy using daily - farm field, pond, or not), I did want to chip in about subscription fees. The Garmin does have an annual fee for traffic alert if your unit is so equipped. I've used it for the last two years, but negating updating it upon expiration. Traffic gets so bad in Chicago and the Burbs, one of the shortcuts (faster route), is to get off & on the exit & entry ramps. Tried it once and the construction crews caught on quickly and just blocked off the on ramp to detour the wise guys a little further! :bang: I won't go into what happened the next time I tried it. :eek:

Free map updates are only for units less than one year old. The 2009 update at Best Buy is practically $80.00. I figure the 2009 edition is technically equivalent to the 2007 real map. My unit continually reminds me that my map is out of date. No kidding, so was the one that came with the unit.

All that set aside, I have been able to use adaptive behavior methods when I can't seem to accurately arrive at a destination. If I didn't find it a waste of money, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another Garmin. :tup2: