Do you have a GPS? Any Recommendations?
polycounter lvl 14
Yeah so I was thinking of getting a GPS but I really don't know the first thing about their features? Anything I should avoid?
Any specific Garmin models you are a personal fan of?
Any specific Garmin models you are a personal fan of?
Replies
Whatever you get, make sure it has FULL text to speech. That's the difference between "Turn right in 35 feet" and "Turn right on Elm Street in 35 feet".
What made me buy besides the full text to speech was the fact that it tells me what lane I should be in on the freeway which is nice if you do a lot of freeway driving.
Bad things.. they charge for any map updates and they charge 70 bucks or more.. that's suckage right there.
I just got the overall impression you pay more but get betetr quality with Garmin, and i think that matters on something as expensive as a GPS.
If you don't feel like going that route, I second (third?) the Nuvi. It even comes with 1 free update.
I found that those suction mounts always fall off and they leave a tell-tale suction mark on your window that cries "smash my window in because there's a GPS in the glovebox!"
LOL why don't you pay 28 dollars for it, wait... NO! You can pay 23 dollars and get the 'frustration - free packaging' SCORE!
I think i would look into a Droid with GPS as i assume it uses google maps, and thus a lot more useful than 99% of GPS software, before i would upgrade the expensive maps on this piece of shit. However, you'll have to pay out the ass for monthly data fees this way if you're switching from a regular phone, which would be *much much much* more expensive than paying to update your maps, but if you already have one of these phones or were planing on switching, then it makes sense. For me i think i live it too small of a town to really justify needing a GPS on a daily basis, so i will likely hold off on that for a while.
[edit] Yeah a new Nuvi 255 costs the same as "lifetime" maps: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16858108323
It does use google maps and with the 2.1 update it just got, it allows you to use google earth. Hopefully someday we can use that for navigation!
Google Nav is probably the best navigation app out there now. The movement is spot on and the satellite view gives you a better look at whats around. Plus, it's coupled with google search so you know it's good :P
1. Shortest Route means Shortest Route. If you have a route with 20 turns and it happens to be .01 mile shorter than the route with 1, you'll get the route with 20 turns.
2. Avoid Freeways means Freeways, not highways, parkways, etc. Just Freeways.
3. TomTom has user collaborated map updates. This has lead me to discover a new form of trolling or inconvenient error when requesting the GPS direct me to the Bronx Zoo doesn't mean the actual Bronx Zoo but a strip of unused road behind some warehouses in a bad part of the Bronx five miles from the Bronx Zoo. Apparently there is a similar problem with the Aquarium.
4. Overlapping parallel roads. If it recalculates directions while you happen to be on a road that is above, or below one or more roads, and it can't figure out your altitude, its going to do a best guess. You may not realize there is a problem until it gives a patently impossible direction...for instance, being on an overpass 100 feet off the ground with cement barricades on both sides and being asked to make a right...
So, in summary: Before setting off, check the text based version of the directions. Do edits here and make sure it makes sense and you like it. If at any point it recalculates the route later on, if you can, check it again.
Also, I like the 'Lane Assist' that Garmin now offers. I have had many times I've been confused which lane they want me to be in during freeway interchanges.
The negatives though: They charge for map updates, and the system will nag you after the first year, to update the maps. It doesn't nag me every day, but every week or so, I have to clear off the nag screen. (I really hope they've changed this)
Go play with one at BestBuy, or somewhere where there are live units, so you can see if you like the way the menus navigate. My wife hated the TomTom.
Also, only stick with major brands like TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan. I don't trust the cheapy no name shit.
Yeah and smart search where you can just type "hats" or something and get hat stores around you or whatever, instead of needing to know the name and address of every destination you plan on going to. My nuvi has this to an extent, you can search food or gas stations, but for more abstract stuff its useless.
I agree, sometimes it will take a while...I have a Garmin Nuvi 255w
Wait, without all the extra bullshit you dont need, except *a fucking laptop* right?
=D
win !
Are there any GPS units out there that don't charge for map downloads?
Much cheaper than what Garmin has listed on their site...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OMGVII
Has lane assist and voice recognition...press a little wireless button strapped to the steering wheel when I want to talk to it. Really sweet. Also grabbed the friction mount and it stays put a lot better than I thought it would.
The woman and I were finding new places to eat at over the weekend. So now I'm all set for the long haul down to Dallas. :thumbup: Thanks again.