I need a GPS
Saturday, December 29th, 2007 - 7:47pm
I get lost really, really easily, and I end up really, really lost, so I figured it might be time to get an in-car GPS navigation system. I'm looking to spend under $200 and have no subscription fee, yet preferably be able to update the maps either automatically or manually. I don't really need the super fancy real-time traffic and accident reports and the like, just something that's going to tell me how to get to where I want to be.
Any recommendations?
NOTE: This is not a doodle bug.
I'm a Garmin whore. And while I don't yet have a Nuvi, I expect one of those will meet your needs perfectly. You could get a Nuvi 200 for $180 from Amazon. Here is Garmin's lineup to compare features.
For info and reviews, GPSPassion is the go-to place.
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Buy nothing until you find out how the mapping data is to be updated. It's usually not free, and a GPS with outdated maps makes an expensive paperweight.
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Tom Tom one is pretty good entry model.
you can also get John Cleese's voice for it.
shihonage wrote:
PSN: BoogleGWJMoving to Tech.
*runs out to store*
Certis beat me to it. - Elysium
We have a HP ipaq with Tom Tom on it. We absolutely love it. We got Dad a Mio Digiwalker which I'm not entirely thrilled with. It's just not as easy to work as the Tom Tom.
Around September I picked up a GPS for myself after some intensive research, I decided the Garmin Nuvi 350 looked best for my situation. While it is an older model, it seems to be a dependable one and is well reviewed. We certainly have different criteria, but you might give it a look.
Anyone have any experience with good devices for hiking? I was fairly close to buying one 2 years ago, but everything I read talked about poor performance in trees. I could never make up my mind on what I should get, so ended up getting nothing. Then I looked again earlier this year, and I swear nothing much had changed in the product line since I last looked. Everyone was still complaining about tree performance, and the car GPS units had taken off to such an extent, it seemed like the devices used for hiking were just being ignored.
My devices with the SiRFstar III chip work great in trees. I datalog my runs and mountain bike rides and my original eTrex Vista worked in the fall and winter when I originally got it but then in the spring it's accuracy went to hell, with a lot of dropouts. I now use a Forerunner 305 for running and an Edge 305 for biking. The accuracy is much better and no dropouts to be had. I believe that the eTrex line was rumored to go to the SiRFstar chip but I'm not sure if that happened or not.
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Exactly, my dad bought the one a step up from the one and laughs every time Cleese tells him he's a wanker because he didn't follow the route it wanted him to. Also, the TomToms feature a matte screen, like on business laptops, that allows it to be easily read in sunlight, but not indoors.
shihonage wrote:
PSN: BoogleGWJGarmin StreetPilot C330 $120 shipped
Navigate With Ease
StreetPilot c330 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator® NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the c330 takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, the c330 accepts custom points of interest (POIs) such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. Traveling abroad? The c330 comes with an SD card slot, making it convenient to add optional maps.
I have a Garmin and I'm happy with it.
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Consumer Reports rated the TomTom One the best value and overall unit ... for what its worth.
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I have Garmin Nuvi 350 and I am thoroughly happy with it. Bought it just when it was released ~2 years ago, and since then it has repaid us back its price many times over. My wife swears by it.
The newer versions of nuvi are distinguished by larger screens with 16:9 aspect, built-in Bluetooth handsfree, and live traffic data subscription bundles. Additional regional maps (eg European countries) are available as add-on products. Maps are updated every 2-3 years, and the firmware is being actively updated and enhanced to this date for the older units such as mine, which is a nice display of Garmin's support of their customers' investments. The unit's text-to-speech feature is superb (don't even consider buying a model without it!!!), and it's very pocketable. Many times, we took it on walks in unfamiliar places -- eg walks around Washington, DC or on Cape Cod. Its drawback is that the traffic data module is a separate add-on, and the service itself works on a subscription basis.
TomToms are generally regarded as having better screen presentation -- the maps are redrawn in a fluid, dynamic way, while Garmin maps are redrawn in discrete snapshots. Also, some of the TomTom models have built-in accelerometers which supposedly help in intermittent low-signal situations (urban canyons). My nuvi lacks that; however the precision or signal retention has never been an issue, even on rainy days in mid-town Manhattan.
I'd also like to point to Navigon, which is less known on American market. Their top-level models selling points are exceptionally rich interface (they show actual lane information and simulated road signs which you should be seeing on an actual roadway), and the built-in traffic data module with lifetime subscription. They're priced very attractively too, and the build quality is top-notch.
Xbox Live tag Gorilla800lbs
Wife got a Nuvi 200 for Xmas. She is directionally challenged. It's an under $200 unit. I'm not sure if it can be updated or not. She hasn't had enough time with it yet to really say yay or nay. But so far I'm impressed with how easy it is to use and how well it works. CAn automated pizza delivery be that far behind?
Two years ago.
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Uh, Giant Pizza Slice? Pepperoni laid out as waypoints?
I don't get it...
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Web: Mantis on the Mountain
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Women can't be in the same room with me without abandoning men forever - rabbit
You type /pizza in EQ2 and it arrives at your place. Or use a macro.
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Was that only 2 years ago? In everquest you were going to be able to (or are able to?) order a pizza while playing the game. All you would have to do is type /pizza and the order interface would pop up.
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As for GPS Units, I was just given a Magellan Maestro 3225 as a gift. The reviews I saw are generally favorable and I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it and finding a new unit.
I haven't used it yet but I will report back here once I have.
I'll let you all know what I think once I've had a chance to get familiar with it.
MrDeVil909: I feel it necessary to point out that there are drug resistant strains of most STDs. Especially in developing nations.
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Nevermind, I missed the "Can automated pizza delivery be far behind" question and that made your reply just something of a non-sequitur.
Live: LiquidmantisGWJ | PSN: LiquidmantisGWJ
Web: Mantis on the Mountain
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Women can't be in the same room with me without abandoning men forever - rabbit
Yeah by automated pizza I meant the car drives itself to your door...via GPS.
Garmin just announced the new nuvi "T" range -- now incorporating the "lane assist" view (pioneered but half-assedly implemented by Navigon), landmarks view and lifetime traffic alerts (hence "T"). 755T sells for the paltry $499. Available Oct 1. This is absolutely the best thing you can buy right now for that kind of money. Higher models add Bluetooth, voice inputs, European maps, MSN Direct feeds etc.
Xbox Live tag Gorilla800lbs
I don't own one, but the last several times I'm rented a car for work travel I've picked up a Garmin Nuvi from the rental place for the duration of my trip. They're fantastic.
Podunk wrote:
I recently bought my wife and me both Nuvi 760s and we've really liked them. It was especially useful on our recent road trip vacation.
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Women can't be in the same room with me without abandoning men forever - rabbit
I'm a TomTom slave, myself. I used to use an old iPaq pocket PC with TomTom 6, with a Holux M1000 bluetooth GPS. The Holux is a very good unit if you have a spare pocket PC hanging around, or a compatible phone.
The iPaq has been demoted to universal remote control, since my new phone has a built in GPS. I now use TomTom 7 with it; there is very little difference between 6 and 7.
If you are due an upgrade on your handset, it may be worth looking into the ones with GPS built in, and saving some cash overall.
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I also have the Nuvi 350 and am very happy with it. The most important feature to me is good spoken directions from the unit. The 350 announces both upcoming turn directions and street name (e.g. "In 0.4 miles, turn right on Main Street") so I can focus my attention on traffic. Staring at the map display when you're driving is dangerous.
The 350 very easy to use IMO and I'd highly recommend it.
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