GPS!!! Lets discuss GPS!!!

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I have 2 Garmin Nuvis. I like both of them enough. We're looking at getting another for another of our cars, and I thought a little discussion could help. Anyone is free to chip in any advise or opinions.
I'm not into bluetooth, pictures, SD cards, etc. None of that makes a spec of difference to me. I just want a GPS that will get me there ACCURATELY 99% of the time. I don't expect 100% because thats unrealistic.

My question is are the cheap TomTom One and Cheaper model Garmin (or even the Magellan) as accurate FOR JUST COMMUTING as their expensive big brothers??? Are you paying for all those gimmicks? Dont get me wrong, I know all those options really work, and some people have reasons for needing them, but if you are ONLY concerned with point A to point B, is there REALLY need to pay more than $50 on ebay for a tomtom one???

Also, on upper end models... I am reading a lot about the "lifetime travel updates". Are they a gimmick? Are they actually free? Will the map update itself if a new street is built in my local subdivision? Is there really such thing as a "free update"?

Whats this about hacking them that I keep reading? (Not asking to do anything illegal, I just want to know what it is and how it works. Not saying I have ANY interest in doing it!)

What features do YOU like? Do you JUST want point A to point B, or is that extra stuff important? Which brand do you like best? Anyone ever test them side by side?*

* We actually did this once... Comparable priced TomTom from Sams to a Garmin from Costco. The Tomtom showed too many roads as "state road 6574" whereas the Garmin showed the same road as the actual street name. But its possible that could have been fixed with some tweaks. These tests were right out of box tests.

Feel free to throw any and all questions out there.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

Have a Garmin 765T, Love it!

Can't imagine not having text to speech, that is basic now.
FM lifetime traffic alerts has saved us a LOT of time on several occasions. It is included in this model.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I just realized what text to speech was. I though it had to do with a cellphone!
Yeah, thats nice to have. Both of mine have that.
For anyone else out there who doesnt understand the term text to speech its the difference in the GPS saying "Turn right in 500 feet" and "Turn right onto Spring Garden Street in 500 feet"

Thanks for helping me catch that one.

 

[MAKmom]

I just realized what text to speech was. I though it had to do with a cellphone!
Yeah, thats nice to have. Both of mine have that.
For anyone else out there who doesnt understand the term text to speech its the difference in the GPS saying "Turn right in 500 feet" and "Turn right onto Spring Garden Street in 500 feet"

Thanks for helping me catch that one.

We just got 2 new TOM TOMs at best buys that does that for under $200.00

We had 2 Tom Toms for the past few years & they always got us where we were going. My DH is going to 2 new locations everyday in the tri state area.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

FM lifetime traffic alerts has saved us a LOT of time on several occasions. It is included in this model.

How exactly does that work?

 

[manning]

Usually it is the features that drive up the price.

I know someone who has a Tom Tom and he maintains that his Wife Wife does a better job.

 

[manning]

I rented a Hertz car with a Magellan unit in it. I took my garmin with and had them both running. I decided to take a different route. Both units were directing me back to the interstate.

I was driving down the main street of the town and one unit was telling me to make a right turn and go around the block to get back and the other was telling me to make a left turn and go around the block.

Another time the garmin routed me to a town 90 miles away. I inputed the fastest route. It routed me there using local roads. Coming back it routed me via the interstate. Never could figure that one out.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I have a Garmin Nuvi that is discontinued now and has lots of features. My husband picked it out for me as a gift to soften the blow of moving to D.C.

My garmin has the bluetooth, which is great because I don't like to use a regular blue tooth in my ear. I have text to speech and lifetime map updates, which was for a subscription price and I have the traffic updates. You do get one free map update a year I thought if register the GPS with the website.

The traffic updates was $60 for a lifetime subscription and will reroute you around traffic issues, tell you how long the traffic delay is and where it is and what kind of delay it is. Living here it has been great to have! It only really works in some parts of the country so it might not be worth it depending on where you live.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

I got a unit that included lifetime traffic for no charge. I got the unit on sale on Amazon before Christmas for around $205.

http://www8.garmin.com/traffic/fm/navteq.html
This explains it and has a link with the areas that are covered. GREAT if you even just travel in these areas.

 

[shellybaxter]

We live in a very rural area and have for my whole life - so a GPS isn't of much used for me on an everyday basis - however I love having it when we travel to places we haven't been or don't know really well. Just the ability to find restaurants or motels near by is great. I just use the ATT navigator on my phone. Its perfect for my needs - and the subscribtion can be turned off and on so I only pay when I need it.

 

[ndelaware]

We have built in GPSs in our cars and a Garmin Nuvi. The best GPS though is the Verizon Navigator program on my Verizon cell phone. Constant map updates, real time traffic, voice recognition, and web synchronization all included in my monthly data package.

 

[sbell111]

... My question is are the cheap TomTom One and Cheaper model Garmin (or even the Magellan) as accurate FOR JUST COMMUTING as their expensive big brothers??? ...

There are basically two things that make one GPSr more or less accurate than another GPSr: Type of antenna and whether the unit has a 'high-sensitivity' chipset. All of the Nuvis have the same type of antenna and use a high sensitivity chipset. Therefore, they are all pretty much the same as far as accuracy. I cannot speak for other manufacturers' units as they don't really compete in the same weight class as Garmin.

 

[casajump]

Huge fan of the Navigon series. Better graphics, free lifetime traffic.