Recommendations for GPS

[frugal-one]

Interested in buying a GPS. Guess to have lifetime updates would be best. Not sure what else to look for?

[nswef]

We have a Magellan- about 5 years old and with the lifetime updates it has worked pretty well. I'm not always sure why she takes us where she does, but generally it is great. I was the map navigator and balked at having a machine...I still use the paper maps for long trips along with the gps, but I am pleased to have it. Especially when I am driving alone.

[herbgeek]

My recommendation is to get one that says the street names (perhaps they all do this now, but it didn't use to be this way). When I'm in an unfamiliar area, its better to hear "take a right onto Main Street" rather than just "take a right turn" for additional confirmation.

I've had a TomTom as well as a Garmin. The TomTom did not keep its charge for very long, so would need to be plugged into the accessory socket - which is where the satellite radio is normally plugged in.

[bae]

What do you want to use it for?

[frugal-one]

What do you want to use it for?


We travel often and are unfamiliar with the area. I understand some also tell traffic problems, etc. Also, I am not the best with directions so it may help me from getting lost. We just have a trac phone so a GPS seems the most conducive to our needs.

[simplelife4me]

Your smart phone can do most of it, even turn by turn with HERE app.

[bae]

I have been very happy with the recent generation of Garmin products for outdoor, nautical, and automotive use.

[iris lilies]

Your smart phone can do most of it, even turn by turn with HERE app.

but I don't think the
OP has a smart phone.

i was just talking to DH this week about getting a stand alone GPS system, probably buying someone's used system. I tire of turning around 3x each time I go to a new place. I am the queen of getting lost. Yet, I do not want to give up map skills.

and the comment about about GPS saying aloud the names of streets is gold. I can't imagine blindly following the disembodied voice to,turn right here, left there, etc. I would constantly want to be checking the street names.

[SteveinMN]

If you're not going to use a smartphone, get a Garmin. I have used my smartphone for years (Telenav on my Nokia; Scout on my old iPhone, and Apple Maps on my current iPhone). DW does not want a smartphone, so we got her a Garmin. The user interface just seems to work better than the TomTom we tried for a while.

The better GPSes speak the street names (though occasionally with odd results; apparently the St. Clair street we live near is Street Clair Street :)). The even-better ones will tell you which lane you should get into to make the turn. Pretty cool..

Notes of caution on map updates: Some of them just are not cheap -- almost enough to make you want to purchase a new GPS, with its improved interface, for not much more money. And if you buy a used GPS that came with "lifetime maps", make sure the update service is transferrable to you as a new owner/computer user. Otherwise you just get stuck with old maps -- or a need to buy updates.

[freshstart]

I have had 2 Mios, they are rather large so that I can actually see the screens. Easy to use, I turn the voice off. They got me easily through a career of having to locate patient's homes. Now that I'm not driving, I use my iPhone app and tell people who drive me how to go, i like the interface but once I'm driving the phone will probably be too small to see.

I have found every Tom Tom a friend has to be counterintuitive and hard to follow, my Dad doesn't even use his.

I don't know if most Targets do this but when I was looking for one the last time, the salesman pulled a box of deeply discounted GPSs out from behind the counter and went through them with me to make sure I got what I wanted and knew how to use it. It was 60% off!

[ToomuchStuff]

If you're not going to use a smartphone, get a Garmin. I have used my smartphone for years (Telenav on my Nokia; Scout on my old iPhone, and Apple Maps on my current iPhone). DW does not want a smartphone, so we got her a Garmin. The user interface just seems to work better than the TomTom we tried for a while.

The better GPSes speak the street names (though occasionally with odd results; apparently the St. Clair street we live near is Street Clair Street :)). The even-better ones will tell you which lane you should get into to make the turn. Pretty cool..

Notes of caution on map updates: Some of them just are not cheap -- almost enough to make you want to purchase a new GPS, with its improved interface, for not much more money. And if you buy a used GPS that came with "lifetime maps", make sure the update service is transferrable to you as a new owner/computer user. Otherwise you just get stuck with old maps -- or a need to buy updates.

Not a smartphone user, and also have considered a GPS (and generally I print off Mapquest directions if I need them). One thing that Steve mentions that I want to expand upon, is you have to be careful about buying refurbished GPS's as well. Several of the deal of the day, websites have had them before, and I have only seen lifetime updates on refurbished, ONCE.
I did try a Tom Tom once, that was picked up from a garage sale for $5. Streets were out of date (road construction since), but was close enough that I knew exit names at that point. You might also be able to borrow one from someone and see if it works for you. (some people might decide just to go with a smart phone and keep upgrading it in their name for you)

[frugal-one]

I wondered what Bae meant when he asked me what I planned on using the GPS for. Now I know. It does help navigate when boating, hiking, and traveling by car. We did purchase a Garmin Nuvi 65 LMT that has free lifetime maps & traffic. As others here mentioned, the "voice" tells when to turn and tells the street names. It was on sale for $159 and is our anniversary gift to ourselves. We went for a test run today and I am TOTALLY IMPRESSED. We went to the town we were going to and plugged in restaurants. It came up with a myriad of them. Also told speed limit in the area and the speed we were going, how long until we reached our destination and could check for traffic conditions if desired. I left it in my glove box of the car. There are times when I am not sure how to get to an area so this will always be available. We actually bought it for a trip we are taking later in the year but see where this can be used more often. Thanks all for the replies. It helped with the decision of what unit to buy.:thankyou:

[nswef]

The best thing is when you are staying in a strange area If you need to go somewhere, then get back to the hotel,it's right there. No more trying to remember landmarks and streets. They are NOT good when something is in a shopping center...seems to get you to the outer edge and then you are on your own. I love it, though and balked at getting one. I'm converted now and use it frequently even around home.

[SteveinMN]

One suggestion: if you're parking somewhere at which you feel more comfortable stowing the GPS somewhere unseen, make sure you don't leave its power cord hanging from the lighter. And if you mount it on your windshield with suction cups, the holder's presence (or the outline of now-removed suction cups) could tip off someone that there's something of value in the car.

I probably sound paranoid, but I make it a rule to never leave anything visible in my car when I park in a public place and I've never had to come back to broken glass and missing items.

[ToomuchStuff]

One suggestion: if you're parking somewhere at which you feel more comfortable stowing the GPS somewhere unseen, make sure you don't leave its power cord hanging from the lighter. And if you mount it on your windshield with suction cups, the holder's presence (or the outline of now-removed suction cups) could tip off someone that there's something of value in the car.

I probably sound paranoid, but I make it a rule to never leave anything visible in my car when I park in a public place and I've never had to come back to broken glass and missing items.


+1

Now that GPS on the phones is more common, I haven't heard about the break in's that happened when GPS first became popular for vehicles a few years ago. Still, no excuse not to realize there are idiots who think your stuff should be theirs.

[frugal-one]

One suggestion: if you're parking somewhere at which you feel more comfortable stowing the GPS somewhere unseen, make sure you don't leave its power cord hanging from the lighter. And if you mount it on your windshield with suction cups, the holder's presence (or the outline of now-removed suction cups) could tip off someone that there's something of value in the car.

I probably sound paranoid, but I make it a rule to never leave anything visible in my car when I park in a public place and I've never had to come back to broken glass and missing items.

I am paranoid also. Everything is stowed in the glove box. I also always lock my car. It is so automatic to lock my car that it is even locked while in the garage.

[rutter]

buy a used 2013 Moto X Android smartphone off eBay. Don't activate it for phone service. Using wifi, get a map app that can be used offline with turn by turn direction, like HERE map. If you need traffic information, you're going to need to sign up for phone service. If you do , get on something prepaid or pay as you go, like Airvoice.

[befree]

I bought a Garmin that plugs into the cigarette lighter and sits on the dashboard about 8 yrs ago, after I couldn't find the hotel I was booked at in a large city...driving around and around the area for a solid hour. It makes travel so much easier...tells you which lane to get into before the next turn, announces the exact number of feet before the turn, and that is so great in an unfamiliar city. My poor night vision also appreciates the forewarning of turns while driving at night. I wouldn't be without one now