GPS Recomendations

[poohbear22]

We are looking for a quality GPS unit for under $200. I was looking at the Garmin nüvi 1450LMT on Amazon; anybody have this model? Anybody have any other recommendations?

Edit: We want to keep our phones free for personal use, so we want a stand-alone GPS unit. I agree though, the Google Navigation app on Andriod can't be beat.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We prefer using the Google Maps App on my Droid smartphone. Turn by turn directions, traffic & satellite overlays and the bonus is that I can use voice search too!

We have a Tom Tom that is great, but it is just easier to use the phone instead.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Looks like a good model and lifetime free map updates will save you a lot of money. I've never had any problems with my 2 Garmin units.

 

[chartle]

We prefer using the Google Maps App on my Droid smartphone. Turn by turn directions, traffic & satellite overlays and the bonus is that I can use voice search too!

We have a Tom Tom that is great, but it is just easier to use the phone instead.

I second this. My droid's gps and mapping is better than anything I have seen on a stand along GPS.

Just make sure you keep it plugged in and out of the sun(it over heats the battery).

 

[Lisa0620]

We have an older version Garmin and we love it, it worked great for WDW. Make sure you load the Mousesavers POI before you go, we found it really helpful.

 

[Polydweller]

I have the 1490 model which is the equivalent of the 1450, except adds Bluetooth. Great GPS and Garmin's routing technology has consistently tested as the best in the industry, beats Tomtom, Magellan etc by a long shot for fastest and shortest routes. The lane assist and exit displays are a great help when you are in unfamiliar areas highly recommended.

Don't believe the Google maps talk. I've used both side by side. No comparison. The stand alone Gps always out performs the Googoe maps. Usually far better estimates on time of travel (the Garmin is very close on those) and Google's estimates tend to be off by 10% or more. And the extra features on the 1450/1490 models really come in useful when needed.

 

[chartle]

I have the 1490 model which is the equivalent of the 1450, except adds Bluetooth. Great GPS and Garmin's routing technology has consistently tested as the best in the industry, beats Tomtom, Magellan etc by a long shot for fastest and shortest routes. The lane assist and exit displays are a great help when you are in unfamiliar areas highly recommended.

Don't believe the Google maps talk. I've used both side by side. No comparison. The stand alone Gps always out performs the Googoe maps. Usually far better estimates on time of travel (the Garmin is very close on those) and Google's estimates tend to be off by 10% or more. And the extra features on the 1450/1490 models really come in useful when needed.

But can you use it to make a phone call.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Don't believe the Google maps talk. I've used both side by side. No comparison. The stand alone Gps always out performs the Googoe maps. Usually far better estimates on time of travel (the Garmin is very close on those) and Google's estimates tend to be off by 10% or more. And the extra features on the 1450/1490 models really come in useful when needed.

Interesting because we've always played "beat the GPS" with our TomTom and our arrivals are consistently 1 to 2hrs earlier on long (10+hrs) trips but I can't do that w/ Google Maps on my phone because it is almost always correct!

For shorter trips (less than 1hr) the time difference is about 5-10min or so with the TomTom predicting the longer travel time than the actual and Google Maps being accurate within a minute or so.