GPS Brand Recommendation

I was just on a spring break road trip and my Garmin Nuvi was with me all the way. The best thing about it is the quick "re-calculating" time, which is one of the most important things about a GPS.

 

I've had Garmin nuvis and no complaints on any that I've had, they have models out now that have voice recognition capabilities, so you can say addresses or Point of Interests while driving.

One difference, Garmin is a USA based company and use Navteq (USA based also) to provide the maps while Tom Tom is based in Amsterdam and use Tele Atlas (which is based in the Netherlands), so I would think Garmin has the North America area mapped out better, and Tom Tom has the european areas mapped better.

 

Look for lifetime maps. My first unit cost me $45, but to update the maps was going to cost $60.

 

I have a Garmin 6xx series and it was expensive. Plus you have to buy maps each year (although they now sell a lifetime map feature attached to a specific device for something like $70).

The Garmin, more or less, works. I don't use any of the "features" like the MSN integration (which they cancelled) or the audio or anything like that. My take is that all of the devices are only as good as the maps they have. For example, my Garmin constantly tells me I'm off the freeway when going West on I-10 because they've enlarged it so much.

My take would be to get a good phone that has GPS and turn by turn built in. I think both iPhone and Android phones will do this (might have to install an app) and, from what I understand, they will use Google maps which is free and updated regularly (again for free). You have to have a cell signal for most of these maps to load, though.

 

I have a Sony, which I've abandoned in favor of my iphone.

But I was able to update the Sony maps by searching around online on PB. It's BS that they charge for updates.

 

Do you use the standard app that is on the phone? I don't like that it does not have good turn by turn directions and no voice. Do you use something else?

 

I have an G2 android which comes with a Navigation app installed on it. You do have to have an active data service to use it. I used it this past week when i was on vacation in NYC. It helped tremendously and it has turn by turn and voice. The only thing is that it is a battery-hog. Just have a car charger when using it.

Google maps works awesome as well from driving directions to walking directions to public transportation route options when travelling from point A to point B.

The phone also has a traffic layer feature that will avoid any big slow downs in traffic that will reroute your Navi around it.

All apps are free. Hope this helps.

 

I stopped using my GPS unit since getting an Android because its Navigation app is awesome but I was wondering - will it still work if you are in an area where there is no cell service? Or does it just use GPS only so cell signal is not needed?

 

There were a couple of times where cell service dropped and from what I noticed, when I started in an area where there is data service and the service dropped, the navigation kept on chuggin. I think there is some sort of cache programming in the application that finds the route and cache's it onto your phone so that when service does drop it will not affect the route. But if you change your course in a non-service zone, it has a hard time recalculating the new route. It would eventually re-route but took longer than usual to do it.

On the other hand, I never started the Navi in a no service area so I am not too sure how it works if you start your route with no service.

What I typically do before heading out is check my route on google maps and email it to myself then save it on my phone, just in case I do get lost i can reference it. Just dont wanna get lost somewhere in the woods with my wife and kids lol.

 

I just saw a commercial for the GPS unit Escort Passport iQ. It seems to be a combination of a radar detector and navigation system.

I use my phone so I can't really recommend anything from experience.

 

Standard app. I'm not fond of turn-by-turn directions.

However, I'm going to give some GPS apps a shot- I'll post feedback here.