Buying a used GPS

[kiki02]

I want to buy a good, used gps on ebay (maybe). Please recommend, trying to keep it under $50. (yikes). thanks all.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I wouldn't buy a used GPS. You can get a new GPS for under $100.00; for example, a Garmin nüvi 1300LM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map Updates, which is available on Amazon for under $90.00. There's a newer model, but this one is fine.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I wouldn't buy a used one either. I bought my DH one at Best Buy a couple of years ago, it was their brand (can't remember the name) and it had to be replaced a couple of times, they finally replaced it with a Garmin and it has been really good, but this is one item I would never purchase used.

 

[sissy_ib]

Another reason not to buy used, the maps will be outdated. It costs I think $80+ to update ours.

 

[girli565]

You can get a new one from several stores for under $100. If you have a smart phone you can probably buy an app (anywhere from $0.99-$10) that acts just like a regular GPS and you only pay the fee once and it'll update free. They usually have the latest maps too.

 

[englishteacha]

I wouldn't get a used one either. They're under $100 new.

 

[MineMail]

If you have an iPhone, download the MapQuest app - it's great.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

You can get a new one from several stores for under $100. If you have a smart phone you can probably buy an app (anywhere from $0.99-$10) that acts just like a regular GPS and you only pay the fee once and it'll update free. They usually have the latest maps too.

I don't know why I didn't think about mentioning that, I have Sprint and we have built in GPS for free. The voice aggrivates DH, so I have to turn it down so only I can hear it.

He got a GPS with free map updates, there are some out there like that and they are less than $100

 

[pixiewings71]

So do you recommend getting a new unit compared to updating the maps? DBF has one (I have navigation on my phone) and the maps are outdated but it's almost $100 to update them.......is it better to give DD15 that one when she turns 16 and buy DBF a new one?

 

[a1tinkfans]

I have a feeling you'll see good prices, like sales nearer to late summer (all the kids off to college) tho they prob all download the apps anyway...And then sale again by the holidays.
I actually have navi in my honda pilot, just went cross country and the map was outdated some places, as in there were some brand new roads that were not even listed (but AAA had given us Trip*tik, which was awesome by the way) and we did well. The map update for mine runs 150, but they have a promo sale at 99. to update...I am on the fence...prob will hold off....not sure I would buy used one...likely out of date...but okay for local roads etc..

 

[sissy_ib]

So do you recommend getting a new unit compared to updating the maps? DBF has one (I have navigation on my phone) and the maps are outdated but it's almost $100 to update them.......is it better to give DD15 that one when she turns 16 and buy DBF a new one?

I would not give a 16 y/o new driver a GPS that is not updated. If she is relying on it, it may get her lost. Depending on where you live that may not be too big a deal. Here in San Antonio road work is always being done, new roads build, new subdivisions. If she had no idea where she was going and being so inexperienced it would be a nightmare.

 

[rock_doctor]

I was going to say it is a good idea to buy one of ebay used but then i realized a new set of maps is something like $50 and include the cost of the unit you are at the price of a new one. Just bite the bullet and buy it new...although i would spend sometime checking on ebay. Sometimes you can get a brand new one for a good price and if you get a Magellan (my fav brand) they will do a free map update in the first 90 days of ownership. I bought a very nice new radar detector off ebay for close to 40% the store price and ended up the seller was the manufacturer itself getting rid of excess stock....

If you have a data connection to your cell phone download and install google maps. It will use the gps chip on the phone and the internet connection to work just like a normal gps unit plus it will also show you live time traffic. No updates necessary and is free. Just be aware it does not talk to you so you will need to look at it. But it is super accurate. Once walked around Pop Century using it just to see how accurate it was. Made it around the entire place w/o looking up once.

 

[pixiewings71]

I would not give a 16 y/o new driver a GPS that is not updated. If she is relying on it, it may get her lost. Depending on where you live that may not be too big a deal. Here in San Antonio road work is always being done, new roads build, new subdivisions. If she had no idea where she was going and being so inexperienced it would be a nightmare.

Oh she won't be going anywhere long distance with it, she's going to drive to and from school and that's pretty much it. After time passes and she's more comfortable driving longer distances then she will be able to use the new Garmin or we would update hers. She won't be relying on it, rather using it for just in case. She will know where she's going, we've lived here her whole life. lol

 

[sissy_ib]

Oh she won't be going anywhere long distance with it, she's going to drive to and from school and that's pretty much it. After time passes and she's more comfortable driving longer distances then she will be able to use the new Garmin or we would update hers. She won't be relying on it, rather using it for just in case. She will know where she's going, we've lived here her whole life. lol

Oh, we only use the GPS when we are going somewhere we have never been or are not sure how to get there. We don't even turn it on for everyday driving. It can be distracting as well. No need to have it shouting out directions to a place you know how to get to.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh, we only use the GPS when we are going somewhere we have never been or are not sure how to get there. We don't even turn it on for everyday driving. It can be distracting as well. No need to have it shouting out directions to a place you know how to get to.

Ours is always on but we don't have it give directions unless we are going somewhere we are unfamiliar with the area. Ours is in an enclosed console so we don't even see the screen unless we want to.