Anyone Have A GPS System They Love?

[petek]

Phil

Looking at it again now I think it may be the mini power connection but on the unit itself not the cord end because I've tried a couple of others I have and none of them fit snug in, there's a couple mm gap visible. I think I'll just keep my eyes peeled for a good sale. I don't have a cell or smartphone.

The other thing with Garmins at least I found out about their lifetime maps.. When you go to update them there's not enough internal memory to load the full N.America map and you're stuck either having to by a sim card or selecting just a portion of the map..

 

[foraloysius]

I bought a Tomtom One years ago, have used it with only one update of the maps. I needed to update again, but noticed Tomtom overhere in the Netherlands came with lifetime updates too. I bought the cheapest Tomtom Start version. The newer Tomtoms give better directions and the graphics are better too, much clearer which lane and which turn you have to take.

I have a Garmin app on my smartphone, haven't used it much though. I got it for free from my provider. There is definitely a difference in the graphics, I prefer the Tomtom ones.

 

[volsboy1]

My new L.G. G.2 cell phone/G.P.S. is killer compared my cars G.P.S. system.It uses G.P.S. and Glonass at the same time which is Russia's G.P.S. and

the difference is night and day compared to just having G.P.S. My old phone and car would be spotty or say need to have clear

view of the sky.My cars G.P.S was aftermarket and well T-Mobile just sucks period but my new Verizon G.2 is worlds better.It's a big

phone not Samsung G3 Note big but, 5.3 in screen which is perfect cause I don't have to buy another G.P.S. because I can see this one.

 

[alr2903]

Is the info that "Siri" gives you constantly updated as far as maps? This might be the thing that inspires Garmin to give you a free update. By the time you buy the correct cord and pay for the Garmin update you can almost buy a new one. My partner has a smartphone that he uses with his job. I try to get by with the Garmin, but it has taken me on some interesting rides.

 

[sudsmaster]

I'm using Google Maps with my Virgin Awe and Motorola Finiti bluetooth headset, and it works just fine. The navigation prompts come through loud and clear through the bluetooth.

Perhaps one needs to update their Google maps app?

I've also tried using Navfree, which has the benefit of not requiring a stable data connection (it uses maps stored on Android device). But traffic info capability is an added not free app. Don't know how much as yet.

 

[kb0nes]

Petek,

Take a look in the loose electronic cable bins at thrift stores. Its pretty common to see Lighter plug to USB Mini-B connectors from various GPS's for 50 cents or so. The USB connector is a standard so physical fit and voltages will be the same for all similar cables.

My Nuvi 660 has only 1Gb internal storage. I think I have updated the maps about 10 times now. I have them installed on a 2Gb SD card now as the map size increased over the available internal memory a few years back.

I have played with the mapping function on smart phones, both Android and iOS. Yes they work, but side by side against my Nuvi the GPS is the clear winner. The antenna is better in the GPS so satellite acquisition is better and hence accuracy is better. And when I drive out into the boonies where cellular reception gets marginal, I like the comfort of having my maps with me instead of relying on a data connection.

 

[cleanteamofny]

Rich, I've done the update and it never worked. It maybe an east coast thing, lol
Google is a spin off of AOL. Too intrusive of software and data. One of my email account is Amerisuconlne @aol.com

 

[spookiness]

Nexus 4 and Google Maps

Using a LG/Google Nexus 4 with Google maps for the past year. Have a good mount on my dash that allows me to safely use/see it. Works great.

 

[mattl]

My LG Optimus G works great coupled with my Jabra Bluetooth to FM stereo adapter. I can pump up my Pandora and the GPS turns the music down a bit makes its announcement then turns the music back up. I never miss a beat. Generally gives me about a quarter mile warning about turns and exits, so no issues. Also plenty of options, no toll road routing plus the option to detour to a restaurant , bank or such.

Now I'm curious about Glonast, have to check it out, found out my phone supports it!

 

[nurdlinger]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 255W that someone gave me years back.  Since I almost never go anywhere new, I use it to keep track of where I am on trips rather than having it route me.  In 2013 I bought a newer Garmin to get the bigger screen. It's the "LMT" variant which has lifetime maps and traffic. However, the maps have these stinking blue blobs indicating "points of interest" for every gas station, fast-food place, and Starbucks in the country.  They are so large that street details are obscured, and the "feature" cannot be de-activated. Last time I checked Garmin did not offer for-cost updates without these things. So my new, larger GPS sits in its box most of the time.

 

[kb0nes]

It is indeed a pity that Garmin is now subsidizing the map data with advertising. They are doing this to cover the "free" maps and declining revenues due to phone nav systems.

I have used at least three of the later model Nuvi's then my Garmin. I appreciate my old Nuvi 660 more and more with each experience of the new models. Still I find the latest Garmin units to be far more usable then the Android and iOS devices I have tried side by side.

I may have to pop onto eBay and pick up another one as a backup, they can be had for a song. Then the only issue is perhaps doing a little software hacking to insure my lifetime maps work on both units.

 

[nurdlinger]

Here's an update to my post of 1/21/2014

I posted earlier about the Garmin Nuvi 2597 LMT which had free lifetime map updates, but also had big blue blobs indicating various retail establishments which I could not get rid of. Well, yesterday that Garmin told me that it had become a year old and it was time to update the maps. I took it inside and connected to the computer. New maps and some program updates got installed. Today I decided to walk through all the configuration options to see whether anything new was present. Well, in the settings Map & Vehicle --> Map Layers there is a checkbox for "Places along the road". Uncheck that and the blue blobs vanish! Maybe some other thing I could be interested in goes away as well, but only use will discover it. I have no idea whether this setting was present in the older firmware. I probably never did such a complete examination of options the first time. In any case I think I will enjoy this unit a lot more now.

 

[fester]

Vintage GPS

Call me old school. My friend gave me a Garmin that never gets plugged in. I still rely on a road map and a strong sense of direction. That POS talking to me got on my nerves and caused a few missed turns before being forever banished to the glove box.

 

[launderess]

Am that well pleased! *Update*

Determined not to be tardy for another Thanksgiving in South New Jersey went out last weekend and purchased a Garmin 42LM from Best Buy. Was going to get the thing cheaper on fleaPay but was worried about arrival by Wednesday.

Long story short this thing rocks!

Charged it up and loaded several addresses on Wednesday and then we set out. Device totally got one where one wanted to go even pointing out where our destination was as our vehicle drove up (Aunt X's house is on the right, *LOL*)

Directions were clear and concise. Quick recalibrated when one deviated from the assigned routes (as when in Manhattan and took a different way to the Lincoln Tunnel from the UES), but the best was yet to come.

Coming home we went for petrol and got a bit lost finding the Garden State. No worry the Garmin patiently *understood* our mistakes (as when we missed a turn) and recalculated to get us onto the Turnpike and on into Manhattan. Again once in the City we deviated from the planned route but the device quickly recalculated.

Reading over the documentation for warranty am glad we purchased from Best Buy. Apparently Garmin voids the thing if one purchases at an auction or similar.

 

[sudsmaster]

Good to hear you got what you wanted and needed.

 

My Android phone came with Google Maps (and it's also available free from the Google Play Store) and it works pretty good as a GPS. Admittedly the screen is a bit small, similar to older GPS units, but I can read it OK. It also will know when I've decided to take a different route and will recalculate the route, time, etc. fairly quickly.

 

Where it's not strong is in giving the option of alternate routes in advance, and in giving one the ability to view congested roads/highways ahead. It's possible, but fiddly and something I try to do only when stopped at a red light. But for the price of a cell phone ($80) and monthly cell phone charges ($35, Virgin Mobile) it ain't bad. And of course I can use the phone to make calls and surf the web  as well.

 

I use the Maps function when coming home from work. It's not a long drive (about nine miles) but it's useful to know if there is unusual congestion ahead, since I generally take a freeway for part of the commute but could do it all on surface streets. I also use it when traveling to some destination I've never been to before. So far it hasn't led me astray.

 

 

 

[DADoES]

 
I do not (thus far) care for the Ford Sync navigation in my new Fusion.  The map was immediately outdated compared to my Garmin.  The Garmin has a better interface and graphics, but maybe I'm just accustomed to it.

I paid $99 for a lifetime maps update package on the Garmin (whose lifetime remains to be seen, although I've gotten 4 updates thus far).

I didn't find map updates anywhere on Ford's web sites.  Received an offer via e-mail, cost of $149 + taxes for (presumably) a one-time update, but free shipping on the little memory card.  Pass.

 

[launderess]

Well I remain that well pleased

Getting "lost" in deep South New Jersey on a cold winter night is not up our street so was happy and thankful of the Garmin's ability to get us home. Now if it could have warned us of the terrible traffic on Route 9 (aka Killer 9) would have been happy! *LOL*. However as the thing is known for horrible traffic even without a holiday it wasn't too large of a surprise. We probably could have doubled back, allowed the Garmin to recalculate and gotten straight to the GSP but the roads are narrow, it was dark, cold and so.... Oh and all that good food and bevvies didn't help either.

One good thing about driving on cold NYC/NJ nights is one can always crack the window a bit for a blast of cold air. That normally wakes you up!

 

[twintubdexter]

one step up from folding gas station maps...

Some years ago friends who constantly upgrade their luxury automobiles (blah!) gave me their Magellan GPS. There's a whole box of stuff including what looks to be a hand-held device too. This must be the model 1. You cannot update the maps so if it doesn't recognize the address you are out of luck. I've only found this to be a problem once. Since I don't drive long distances all that much it works just fine for me. I did drive to Santa Clarita, about 150 miles away, last weekend to pick up my new wall oven. That for me was a very long trip. My 2001 Lariat pickup was a gift from my late partner which he gave to me in November of 2000. It just turned 58K 4 days ago and it's pretty much the only thing I drive. "Madge" always gets us to our destination. I often wonder what my dad would say about today's GPS systems were he alive today. I'm still facinated with them.

 

[launderess]

Paper maps, printed out directions (Google), etc....

IMHO are all fine if one is perhaps driving in low traffic/rural areas. There one can pull over easily and or otherwise stop to sort oneself out. However on very busy highways such as the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or some such having a more dedicated electronic device is certainly a godsend.

Case in point is New Jersey where most everyone or thing is off this or that route, exit, turn left at this route or exit.. and so forth. If you miss said exit unless very familiar with the area you either will have to seek assistance, travel far enough to find a way to double back, etc... One just doesn't have that kind of time. Not to mention don't like being lost in the woods as it were. I've seen Deliverance and host of other films to know nothing good comes from innocents getting lost in the wilderness. *LOL*

 

[tolivac]

Paper maps can be studied BEFORE your trip so you can plan it.The electronic maps in these other devices don't allow that.I have a built in GPS in my Highlander Hybrid car-have used it a few times.They are asking me for the $300 update-a DVD disc that goes into the machine.And also have to pay for installation.What it has is good enough for now.I can always use my I-Phone,but if I or you do you may have to pay roaming charges.So paper maps,GPS systems all have their advantages and disadvantages.To sort it out completely-you might have to use both.