Community Newsletter: Q&A: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get

Other advice from our members

by Lee Koo (ADMIN)  - 11/2/06 5:21 PM

In reply to: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

Answer:

Here's three words for you-Nuvi 350. Actually, only two words. well, ok technically a word and a number. But the point is, it's terrific.In my usage gave us d oor to door directions in several new cities and states ( my wife just used it to drive around NYC and raves); top rated by Consumer Reports as well as a nice review by Cnet; lightweight (literally fits in your pocket and can be taken with you in different cars); intuitive operation ; the whole nine yards.

As for your questions, here's a few things to consider:

-size and weight-- it may be "portable" but do you really want to try to lug that 12 ounces in a coat pocket?

-voice commands- most, but not all, will give you directions ("turn right in 400 yards"); Nuvi tells you "turn right in 400 yards onto Elm Street") as a double check in a strange city. That way you don't have to take your eyes off the road to confirm you're turning at right street.

-traffic reports-- some models ( including higher end models of the Nuvi) can reportedly, and with a monthly charge and add on attachments, give you "real time" updates on traffic conditions in certain cities. Not sure if it's worth it-- limited number of cities and speed of alerting you to a problem would seem to be issues.

-input- touch screen a must. The Nuvi is intuitive , requiring you to only tap the screen a couple of times to get to many common types of destinations, like hotels and restaurants. For new addresses, you have to type them in; afterwards, they appear in a retained list of your destinations.

-add ons- there's additional features on most of them, like memory ,so you can download books, or the ability to use it as an MP3 player. The Nuvi has some travel features, like currency converter and language translator. Who cares, right? You're trying not to get lost in Cleveland, not convert your yen to dollars with a guy who speaks French.. Nice touches, but not worth paying more for, in my view. One that may be worth it, on the Nuvi 360 and higher, is a Bluetooth connection that lets the unit act as a speakerphone with Bluetooth cellphones if you have one.

-sensitivity. The technology is pretty good in most cases. The Nuvi usually acquires satellites within a minute or two. It can lag a bit when you change cities, as its brain adjusts to the fact that it is now seeking different satellites. My wife reports that the tall buildings in NY interfered with reception very infrequently. It also is important how quickly the unit recalculates the route if, for example, you miss a turn, there's a detour, etc. Again, the Nuvi works great. When my wife missed the exit for the Triboro Bridge in NY, the Nuvi quickly adjusted and got her back into the city.

There. Simple, right? Oh, and I don't work for Nuvi

Submitted by: Michael W.

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I made the unfortunate decision to purchase a GPS from Palm One that is supposed to work with my Treo 650 (Verizon). After purchasing it from The Palm Store and experiencing problems with the GPS freezing up while I was using it, I was told that Palm doesn’t support the products they package and I would have to contact the software vender (tom-tom) or the hardware vender (Holux).

After numerous calls to tom-tom I was told that their was an update due out in the first quarter of 2006 which might fix the problem. That never happened. Then the GPS receiver had to be replaced and I had to contact Holux who did replace the GPS. Tom-tom still hadn’t released any software fixes and the GPS still had freeze ups which always happened when it was being used on an interstate at 60mph. Tom-tom promised to update the software and maps by the end of summer2006. Now they say there will be no fix of the operating software. They are making available a new operating version for $150 or if I want to update the maps only $49, but I have to continue to put up with the system problems.

Thru out this period I have contacted Palm to try and have them take the package back under the 1 year warranty without any satisfaction. Palm customer service people don’t give a damm about their customers. If I asked to speak to a supervisor I was put on hold for an interminable time and eventually hung up. I attempted to contact Palm’s corporate office in California. There the answering machine invites you to either look up an extension by entering a name or hold for help. After holding for 30 minutes I gave that attempt. I then went online at Palm’s website, looked up the name of their President and the called back to the Corporate Office, entered the Presidents name and was told there was nobody by that name at that office.

The moral to this story is find don’t buy Palm Products or Tom-tom GPS. Both of these companies have no real support for their customers.

Submitted by: Bernie Z.

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Answer:

I suggest Garmin as it has more sales of GPS units than any other brand in the USA, Tom Tom is the biggest in Great Briton & Europe.

There are several GPS units and you would need to check out the specifications of each to fit your needs http://www.garmin.com. I purchased a Garmin StreetPilot 7200 last March and it has saved my marriage (no more arguments in the car).

This unit talks you to your destination and has over 90 million points of interest built into the maps. No monthly payment for the GPS (antenna's require additional payments). Garmin also offers two antennas, one for XM radio, and one for "traffic & hazard" use in areas where they have the sensors."

Submitted by: George B.

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The best overall GPS is the Garmin 60cx. I use it to create maps and participate in Geocaching, the national sport. (http://www.geocaching.com) I love the 'treasure chest' icon that appears at all the caches I download into it and how they OPEN when you find the cache.

I use to use Magellen Platinum and it was easy to use but would lose signal in thick tree canopy. That hasn't happened with the Garmin 60cx. However, if Garmin could make an easier keypad to use like Magellen, then the Garmin would be perfect. I make LOTS of notes while mapping and the Garmin takes awhile to accomplish that task and doesn't offer the space Magellen did.

A friend purchased the 60cx from Ebay and had it at the door for $371.00. There are no service fees but you do need to purchase 'their' MapSource mapping program extra. Look for it on Ebay too.

Submitted by: oldhide

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In the olden days when people used to travel on horsebacks - it was easy to pack a sack of flour with a hole punched in it. This way the rider could check out his trail and could not lose his bearing.

These days - with all cities with similar Down-Towns (Glass Boxes) and residential areas with identical neighbourhoodscapes : One sure gets lost.

"Etrek" by Garmin is cheap and easy if you do not forget to click at each turning. No, I don’t think there is service charge. The Handheld gadget is basically for scouts on their Treasure Hunt missions but I guess this would solve your problem. Similar products are available by Trimble and Megallen (names not sure). Look for "Handheld GPS" on Google.

Submitted by: Anand U.

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I have a poor sense of direction in the nonvirtual world. Buying a GPS unit that gives directions makes sense, but I need help figuring out the different features and how much to spend on one. What kinds of features are there to consider? Are certain brands more trustworthy? Who has the best coverage area? Are there service fees, and if so, what's an average amount? Any information would be helpful.

I recently bought a Magellan 300 Roadmate for about $200 on e-Bay. The 300 model allows you to easily download 2 or 3 states (depending on size) from its included software into its internal memory with the option of using an SD card for adding additional areas. Although the 300 is the low tech model, it is every bit as adequate for almost all users as are the high cost models. The voice (male or female) is loud and clear and leaves no questions as to when and where to turn to reach the specific address you are driving to. The only thing that I have found not to be accurate is that it may tell you "You have arrived at your destination on the left," when it may actually be on the right, or vice versa. You might want to compare the prices and features of the higher priced units on the Magellan site to be sure which model suits your purposes most. There are no service fees and there is online help available if you need it.

Submitted by: Beryl F.

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I would avoid Magellan Roadmate 760. The maps are outdated, and it gives incorrect directions, turning instructions, at times. Magellan says the maps are updated every 12 to 18 months. Current maps are at least 24 months old.

It often will take you on routes that, according to a paper map, are out of the way..... but eventually arrive at your destination.

Magellan customer support is absolutely TERRIBLE! They have yet to respond to any of my emails to them through their web site.

You do want the touch screen and voice guidance options on whatever you buy.

Submitted by: Richard M.

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I've watched with interest the hoopla about GPS units. They are very pricey units. All the rage now is about one called "Tom Tom?" Several years ago I bought a laptop computer for business and when I retired I looked into GPS systems. Talk about sticker shock. Then I saw Delorme Street Atlas, which came with a GPS unit. I think I paid $159 for the software and the receiver. With the price of laptops as low as $500, and even lower, why would anyone want a handheld unless they were going to use it for hiking. If you're in the car, a laptop with GPS software is great, even giving you the amenities at the next exit. One bit of advice though, let your co-pilot run the computer.

Submitted by: GerryS8

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Hi John L.,

One GPS is as good as another. I'm a sea captain and have use most GPS's on the market and all of then have served me well. They all have basically the same features. If your interested in a hand held they run from $200.00 to $500.00 the more costly ones come with maps in them for cities in USA. I have a Garmin 72 hand held that I use on my sail boat that I can plot routes for sailing around from place to place and they all have this feature. You can use GPS world wide and there is no service charges.

Best regards.

Submitted by: Capt. Orval

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Let me enhance the question.

Unlike the Adventure Car Hop patrons of the 60's ("Adventure where the service is great and you never gets outta your car.") and the car-bound GPS cache yuppies of the 00's, there are a few(maybe a lot more than you think ) of us less out-spoken users of GPS who wander on foot miles away from paved roads with topo sheets in our back pack who would like to discover where we are on the map from reading the GPS. Road pilots have the luxury of a 5 inch screen. Us off-roaders are stuck with something the size of a small cell phone which is worthless for maps or anything bigger than a numeric readout, ie, lat-long. Anyone got a solution?

Submitted by: Robert M.

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John,

If your sense of direction in the real world is that bad you feel you need a navigation system, then may I suggest the following: CALL A TAXI.

Driving is hazardous enough without having directionally challenged drivers dividing their attention between the road and a low resolution video screen or straining to listen to some computer generated voice for directions.

The best one should do before setting out on an unfamiliar road it to map the route BEFORE you get behind the wheel.

Submitted by: Ben O. of Hazlet, New Jersey