GPS system

[Icuby]

What is the best portable GPS system for the money. I now have on-star in my p.up but is very expensive per month.

 

[thurlow]

I think you'd be pleased with any of the major brands; Amazon often has great prices.......

 

[Waltmo]

Check Verizon cell phones they have one that has Verizon navigator. I find them handy, they are where I am and not in anoter vehicle. You can get navigator on the phone for 24hrs. for $2.99 or one month for $9.99. I have one and used it on several trips and it saved our marriage.[ WaltMo

 

[bc]

Sprint is cheaper with their data plans and gps than Verizon. I just did the comparison and stayed with sprint and bought the Instinct phones. It also has a live search where you can say a business name or a name such as pizza and give you all the pizza places in 30 miles. Then you can get a map or directions or let the gps guide you. It also gives you the phone number so you never need to call for directory assistance. I use it more for phone number searches. Just change it to the city you want and ask. Voice system picks my voice up fine.

For a standalone system, I would look for something comparable to what we have in the Prius we just bought. One of the newer Garmin Nuvi systems that let you also sync your cell phone phone book through bluetooth. Bring up the phone book or speed dial on the screen and tap the number. Easy while driving. Has a builtin mic and some have a speaker or go through your radio. They are coming down in price. Were about $600 at christmas. More and more states won't let you drive with one hand holding a phone, your other hand brushing your hair, and steering with your knees.

 

[Jerry Castleberry]

I've used a Garmin c330, (I think it's obselte now) for the last 1 1/2 yrs and been VERY pleased with it. I drove about 70000 miles last yr Canadian border to gulf cast to east coast, big cities and middle of no where job sites in between Jerry C

 

[NawlensGator]

Got a Garmin nuvi (250?)for xmas and liked it so much I got a nuvi 750 for someone else.

 

[T_Bone]

Hi Icuby,

My son bought a TomTom Go920

What impressed me:

GPS "live" map learning for road construction. You click the button if you run into road construction. That also updates other users units.

Cell phone hands free interface via the FM radio that's fully automatic with a address book.

MP3 player for FM or audio data files.

Easy install.

T_Bone

 

[Mike M]

I still use maps. Anyone else still know how to read one ? I can even fold them too. I can't afford all this high tech.

 

[thurlow]

Do they still teach map reading in the Army? How do you read a map??? (hint.....2 words)

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 13:11:14 03/30/09) Do they still teach map reading in the Army? How do you read a map??? (hint.....2 words)

right/up

 

[big fred]

I can appreciate that, Mike, but when you're a farm boy like me, and business takes you to the middle of Queens, NY, it's a heck of a lot more convenient to listen to a magic box tell me "turn right in 200 yards" than to be fumbling with a map, especially on a narrow street with a delivery truck driver on yer butt that's trying to make schedule.

 

[oliver power]

Any of the Garmin Nuvi models. The newer models have batteries YOU can replace. This feature lets you carry extra batteries with you. The ones with the built in batteries are ok if you're plugged into the auto accessories outlet.

 

[bc]

There are two primary map making companies. 1 American and 1 European. Garmin uses the American and tom/tom uses the foreign one. Google them to compare the difference.

 

[bc]

They still teach it. However the Army has supplied gps's for years and about all officers have had bought their own personal one for years so that they didn't have to worry about checking it out and could program it the way they want. At today's price, I suspect about everyone has them in the combat arms above the rank of peon.

 

[MarkB_MI]

For many years, Garmin has pretty much owned the GPS market.

I bought my wife a Garmin Nuvi 255W for Christmas. We took it out to Las Vegas and I was impressed with how complete the database is and how accurate the directions are. I'm not familiar with the area, yet had no problem getting around. I used it a bit locally here in Motown, and found that the routing isn't particularly efficient. But I think that's par for the course with any of the navigation systems.

 

[Waltmo]

The Verizon cell phone with navigator is hard to beat. It is always with you no other peice of hardware to keep up with. Shows up on the screen and with voice to tell you where to turn and how far before you get to the turn. WaltMo

 

[Waltmo]

The Verizon cell phone with navigator is hard to beat. It is always with you no other peice of hardware to keep up with. Shows up on the screen and with voice to tell you where to turn and how far before you get to the turn. WaltMo

 

[Waltmo]

The Verizon cell phone with navigator is hard to beat. It is always with you no other peice of hardware to keep up with. Shows up on the screen and with voice to tell you where to turn and how far before you get to the turn. WaltMo

 

[Doug in Illinois]

I know what you are asking about is the Tom-Tom type that gives you turn by turn directions.

Just throwing in my 2 cents worth on hand held GPS. My Garmin Etrex Legend does what I need it to regarding acre calculations and the like, and will map where you have been so you can get back home. I am mentioning that because my wife got lost horseback riding a couple years ago after the rest of the group decided to split off and ride into a nearby town. Her horse had enough sense to find it's way back to camp with her, but can't always count on that. The handheld would have brought her right back.

RE: The car GPS. Mine is Tom-Tom. No big gripes with it, except if roads have been renumbered as is common on 911 conversion. DOUG

 

[Bill in IN]

I"ve got a TomTom One XL. Large screen is nice. Free maps are nice (something to check with the others- I hear about $80. Good updating. Easy to use.

 

[Waltmo]

Sorry for the repeat, repeat.
WaltMo

 

[caterpillar guy]

Well I just use a map. Now do they have one to tell me about the bridge clearances for overpasses in towns otherwise they would be useless. Since there are a lot of low bridges in the older cities like Chicago and on east coast. I mean like less than 13"6" or even for the high loads like over 13" 6".

 

[GeneMO]

Folks are saying "use a map", well if you fly into a strange city in the dark and it is full of overpasses, toll roads, cloverleafs, etc and you are in a convuluted airport, then trust me, a GPS is invaluable.

I have used both the Garmin street pilot and the older version of Tom Tom. Both are great, it just helps to have practice with one before using it.

Either system can be had for less than $150 and work great. They can find gas stations, city buildings, points of interest, etc. plus any address you can plug into it.

You can put it in your carry on luggage, stick it to the windshield of a rental car, leave a strange airport and arrive within 100 yard of a hotel 15 miles away. All in the dark, in a strange city. With a map you would spend two hours lost on overpasses trying to turn around cause you missed a turn.

A good GPS is worth a thousand bucks in decreased aggravation.

Gene

 

[big fred]

Amen! Mine has gotten me in and around Long Island, Miami, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, St Louis, Detroit and Oakland. I don't know if they even make maps for some of those places.

 

[Mark Benware]

I own and have purchased 4 Garmin Nuvis a 660 through a 780 one for me and all the relatives at Christmas. They are great. Plan on updating the maps about every 2-3 years depending on how and where you use it. I have found a few addresses that it did not know, and a few that were off by .5 miles or so but really a great tool. The addresses it did not know were normally a mailing address that did not agree with the "country" physical address, ie I live in Petersburg MI but my mailing address is Blissfield. Get a big screen and one that speaks street names its worth the humor to listen to the pronunciation.......... It will get you there or at least close enough to see it.