GPS question
#1
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GPS question
My wife is on the road a lot, going to these out of the way places for boy scouts. The other day, she told me that she would like a GPS for her birthday. I know nothing about them, other then it is kind of like google map, and it talks to you. What should I be looking for.
#2
I can only speak from experience, but I have a Mio 520 in my car and it is fairly adequate. I bought wifey a Garmin 1450 ( I think) and she likes it, except when she sets it to "shortest distance", instead of "quickest route". I takes her off the main road to cut throughs making it the "shortest" way. Really laughable. She was driving me home from the hospital after my knee surgery ( I was in the back laying down, really comfy) and she kept asking if she should take a certain street. Heck, there's only one highway, so I told her to stay on 129. Nope, she followed her GPS and took every side street in the city. I just took a pain pill and went to sleep
Almost all of them "talk" to you. I like my Mio 520 because it has the option of a woman's voice, and since I am geared to listen to wifey tell me things, it is more appropriate.
The newer ones are updatable, some with lifetime updates (3 times a year), but are a little more expensive. Look into that, as roads change around here daily.
Almost all of them "talk" to you. I like my Mio 520 because it has the option of a woman's voice, and since I am geared to listen to wifey tell me things, it is more appropriate.
The newer ones are updatable, some with lifetime updates (3 times a year), but are a little more expensive. Look into that, as roads change around here daily.
#3
I have a Garmin Nuvi (not sure of model) that works just great. Easy to use, easy to read and hear. Bought a factory refurb unit from Walmart.com....$90 incl shipping. Worked and looked like new.
I was actually given a cheaper model by SiL for Christmas...but it was smaller and didn't have the "Correct Lane" indicator. I returned it for a credit and got a slightly better model. The lane feature is really invaluable for our trips to Phoenix or LA. It tells you what lane you need to be in to be able to make your turn or exit.
Updates are important. Since mine was a refurb...I only get software updates...not maps and data. Think they had different ways you could get them, 1 time for a small price, 1 year for more, 3 yrs for even more, etc, etc. Most new ones give you at least 1 yr of map updates I think.
Garmin and Magellan are pretty much the Big 2...but there are others.
I really doubt there's a reason to pay more than $150 or so (if that), unless you want one that can be linked to you phone and act as a hands free unit.
I was actually given a cheaper model by SiL for Christmas...but it was smaller and didn't have the "Correct Lane" indicator. I returned it for a credit and got a slightly better model. The lane feature is really invaluable for our trips to Phoenix or LA. It tells you what lane you need to be in to be able to make your turn or exit.
Updates are important. Since mine was a refurb...I only get software updates...not maps and data. Think they had different ways you could get them, 1 time for a small price, 1 year for more, 3 yrs for even more, etc, etc. Most new ones give you at least 1 yr of map updates I think.
Garmin and Magellan are pretty much the Big 2...but there are others.
I really doubt there's a reason to pay more than $150 or so (if that), unless you want one that can be linked to you phone and act as a hands free unit.
#4
I use a Garmin Novi but Magellan and Tom Tom are also good. Some have traffic updates, but that's mainly for big city driving.
You definitely want one that talks so you don't have to keep glancing at it.
You definitely want one that talks so you don't have to keep glancing at it.
#5
Ooh forgot about the lane change feature of the Garmin. Yeah, that's why wifey has it instead of me. Doubt it would help coming out of the Holland Tunnel, however (for those who have ventured there).
#6
I have a Tomtom and like it. Sometimes it takes me some odd ways but it will always get me to where I need to go. The map updated are pretty crazy expensive. Bought it on black Friday for about $90. New map is $40?!?!
They do take a little time to figure out what they are telling you to do. Like mine says "Stay in the left lane" but what it is really telling you is "do not be in the right lane because it is going to end" not "cross 3 lanes of traffic to get to the far left lane".
I find the spoken street names pretty handy but the lane navigation is rather generic. It doesn't really know which lane you are in it just flashes a picture up on the screen with flashing arrows that looks like the road you are on.
Lastly, I have a wide screen. Wider/bigger is better.
They do take a little time to figure out what they are telling you to do. Like mine says "Stay in the left lane" but what it is really telling you is "do not be in the right lane because it is going to end" not "cross 3 lanes of traffic to get to the far left lane".
I find the spoken street names pretty handy but the lane navigation is rather generic. It doesn't really know which lane you are in it just flashes a picture up on the screen with flashing arrows that looks like the road you are on.
Lastly, I have a wide screen. Wider/bigger is better.
#7
Yeah, some of us need large print Reader's Digest, too
The Garmin actually gives you a picture of all the lanes with the preferred one highlighted, so it is pretty straight forward.
The Garmin actually gives you a picture of all the lanes with the preferred one highlighted, so it is pretty straight forward.
#8
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I have a Garmin NUVI 1490. It's my 3rd GPS and by far my favorite. Some features to look for are a large screen and the ability to change from a day to a night screen. I also like the fact that I can get map coordinates, speed including current speed limits, display options such as distance to destination, time to destination etc. The NUVI also has a good library of destinations like restaurants, hotels etc. It also has the traffic congestion option that I think is near worthless.
#10
Mine is very easy. Turn it on, hit "go to", type in an address or select from a saved favorite, hit go...and I'm off. At any time you can select nearby attractions, gas station, food, hospitals, shopping, etc w/o interrupting the route.
#12
OK,Scott, I apologize for the readers digest comment......I just bought a Garmin 1450 (wifey's must be another model), but this thing is like a big screen TV
It is neato! Hers, in comparison, is a portable TV. I like the lane indicators on the Garmin. Really helps when traveling interstates where it turns to spaghetti.
We went to Charleston, SC over the weekend. Set the Garmin, told wifey to take a sleeping pill, and had a GREAT trip, just me and the Garmin lady.
It is neato! Hers, in comparison, is a portable TV. I like the lane indicators on the Garmin. Really helps when traveling interstates where it turns to spaghetti.
We went to Charleston, SC over the weekend. Set the Garmin, told wifey to take a sleeping pill, and had a GREAT trip, just me and the Garmin lady.
#13
If you have a Garmin and get sick of Samantha's grumbling about re calculating,
you can switch to Jack. He seems a little calmer and understands that going off the chosen route is a guy thing.
you can switch to Jack. He seems a little calmer and understands that going off the chosen route is a guy thing.