Gps

[taximomfor4]

What's a good starter portable GPS to get? And where is a good place to get it?

No extra hidden fees, or anything, right?

I know they come with maps already in them, or something, right? SO what happens when roads are built/closed etc? How does the GPS know that?

What are the must-haves?

Any true lemons I should avoid?

Want it because I will be driving all around, to places I have never been before, for work soon (temporary job).

 

[T. Lynn]

I ordered the Garmin 350 from Walmart just last night. Couldn't beat their price - $368 and I used the 90 day bill me later option, which is great since the holidays are coming up.

Reasons:

* 4 1/2 star thru Amazon (rated #1 in affordable units from an email I got)
* 5 star rating thru Walmart
* VERY thin and portable. I can take it while walking somewhere in cities, thus easily removable to another car.
* Lightweight compared to others
* Says street names when turning

I really liked that it was very thin and portable. Others I've seen are thick and bulky. I also loved that it "speaks" the street names. I hate the "turn in 100 feet"...I'm directionally challenged and who knows where I'd end up.

I've researched for a month before deciding. The only thing it doesn't have is bluetooth, which I'm not concerned with anyway. Right now I didn't want to spend the extra $100 to get the next model up which does have it. I have my cell phone and a bluetooth for that so it will do just fine.

 

[rockydek]

I have a Garmin with a preloaded map. I chose not to get the newer model with instant traffic access with the monthly fee. I have no fees.
I love it...... as you can download newer maps and also POI ( points of interest)
I returned my first model as it would speak turn by turn directions only.
Take the next right etc...
The one I have now..... will speak the name of the street to turn on as opposed to just giving turn by turn info.
Its much safer...... as you don't have to look at the GPS to see what street the next turn is. Also, local hotels and places to gas and eat will be on it.
I don't travel without it.

 

[taximomfor4]

OK, in my searching...I keep reading reviews that maps get out of date (of course!!) But that Garmin's charge $70-$80 to downnload updated maps. True? Is this common to all GPS companies?

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I just went to the library to research this very subject. Consumer Reports had the Garmin 350 as their #1. Next was the Magellan RoadMate 3050T.

I put the Garmin on our Christmas list...looks like a winner to me!

 

[T. Lynn]

My Garmin 350 is out for delivery today. I should have it in hand within 2 hours. YEAH.....

 

[binny]

I bought the Tom Tom one on clearance yesterday at Target for $179. They are rated the CR best buy.


I think dh will love it!

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I bought the TomTom One a month ago from Best Buy for $199. It was rated #1 by CR. I love it!!!!! I used it to go to my sister's home in GA, and it brought me to her driveway! It was great! I get lost leaving my house, so this is a great tool for me.I have recommended to others.

 

[taximomfor4]

ok...finally got a GPS...got a Mio. Played around with lots of them, but the deal was pretty good ($224) at a particular store, where the manager also wrote me out a paper that I could bring it back for FULL REFUND within 30 days, even if I just don't like it. So free trial, really.

The only complaint I had gotten about the Mio was that some people consider it hard to use. Well, I played around with so many brands, in so many stores, that I figured it out in no time.

Now just have to figure out how to put MP3's on it. I think they go on an SD card.

I am just so happy to be DONE LOOKING! Thanks everyone!

 

[ckmagical]

Does the tom tom one talk to you

 

[dhuba]

Could you please post the model number of the TomTom. I am also interested in purchasing one for a present for my father this Xmas and if I could get one for $200 that would be great.

If anyone has any other suggestions for other models I would love to hear about them. Thanks

 

[T. Lynn]

Got my 350 today and LOVE it. The size is so nice and comes with a carrying case.

It was so easy to use right out of the box. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

 

[taximomfor4]

I'm still playing with the Mio that I brought home a couple of hours ago. I feel like going somewhere, just to have it tell me how to get there, hehe. I had it bring me home from the store (as if I didn't know the way)

Beth

 

[T. Lynn]

Your luckier than me. Mine came in the mail so I didn't get to use it on the road yet.

I will on Tuesday when I'm heading to work, a wopping 8 miles away!!!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I just ordered the Garmin Nuvi 200W on Amazon for $258, it has a wide screen. It had 5 stars on Amazon, and they had the best price I could find. My friend has a Tom Tom and she likes her mom's Garmin better... The wide screen allows you to see things off the highway, like fast food restaurants and gas stations. Walmart had a Garmin on sale this week for $198. I did a fair amount of research and talking to people before I made my purchase, now I can't wait to get it!

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I don't know the model number of the TomTom One I have, but after looking at today's sale ads, I found a TomTom One XL for $299.00 at Office Max. It's reg.price is $349.00 . It has 4.3" screen, and they do speak to you as well as the reg.TomTom One. It's cool, you can pick the voice-male or female,british accent or not-to speak the directions to you.Oh, english or spanish as well!

 

[D&D's Mom]

OK - I ordered the Garmin Nuvi 350 for DH birthday. It came today, but he is out of town so I thought I should just make sure it works OK. The big draw for this one was that it announces street names according to the data on the Garmin website. Mine is not announcing the street names - anyone know if there is a setting I am supposed to change to make this happen? I have played around with the menus a bit, but can't find a way to make a change having to do with the street names.....Thanks for the help any Nuvi 350 owners !!!

 

[luvtogo12]

I bought the TomTom One a month ago from Best Buy for $199. It was rated #1 by CR. I love it!!!!! I used it to go to my sister's home in GA, and it brought me to her driveway! It was great! I get lost leaving my house, so this is a great tool for me.I have recommended to others.

Pepboys will have the TomTom on sale for Black Friday

"TomTom ONE Portable In-Car GPS w/ Color Touch Screen at PepBoys."
On sale for $239.98 with $100.00 instant rebate, making it $139.98. I will probably get this for DD.

 

[T. Lynn]

OK - I ordered the Garmin Nuvi 350 for DH birthday. It came today, but he is out of town so I thought I should just make sure it works OK. The big draw for this one was that it announces street names according to the data on the Garmin website. Mine is not announcing the street names - anyone know if there is a setting I am supposed to change to make this happen? I have played around with the menus a bit, but can't find a way to make a change having to do with the street names.....Thanks for the help any Nuvi 350 owners !!!

Mine announced street names out of the box. Here are some things for you to check/do.

Go to: Settings, Navigation and then go to Voice Prompts: make sure guidance/status is selected.


You also need to select a voice with TTS after it. They announce street names.

For this, go to: Settings, Locale, then change the voice to one with TTS after it. I prefer Jack or Daniel. Daniel seems to be my favorite now. Louder and clearer when driving. Hubby might prefer a womans voice so just play around.

Let me know if this works.

 

[D&D's Mom]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. I think the voice choice might have been the key. I randomly changed it while waiting to pick up my son & it suddenly began announcing the streets. I did pick a male, don't remember who..... DH had already informed me that I needed to pick a unit which allowed changing the voice because he was not having a woman telling him how to drive - guess he gets enough of that from me !! LOL

I only tried it out while running a few errands tonight & didn't use the mount. I don't think it was getting a consistent signal laying in the passenger seat so I will give it another chance tomorrow.

Thanks again!