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Community Newsletter: Q&A: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get
- 11/2/06 5:41 PM
Simple units
by RenoDavid - 11/3/06 3:28 PM In reply to: What is the best and the smiplest, GPS unit by mike_plusThe Garmin Streetpilot i2, i3 and i5 are probsbly the cheapest and simplest units out there. They work great. While primarily for vehicle use, they do run on batteries and can be used on foot. Unfortunately, their ball-like shape doesn't make for easy pocket use. Better for that would be something like the Garmin 350 or 360. Those are about the size of deck of cards, but are a lot more expensive...
I beg to differ...
by sample3 - 11/3/06 6:01 AM In reply to: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Actually, being an avid backpacker I must disagree about some of the statements about ''a hiker's GPS.'' Depending on what you are looking for, you can get an entry level GPS from Garmin (from their eTrex series) or from Magellan (from their eXplorist series) for a hundred dollars or less. These now are about the size of your average Logitech mouse if not smaller. If you want to have a color screen or more features such as a compass or barometer, expect to pay 250 at the least. Most high end units run between $450 to $550. Since your question addressed the issue of giving directions, almost any of the midrange models can give you driving directions so please do shop around.
Somewhat of a simplification on my part...
by kschang - 11/3/06 9:29 AM In reply to: I beg to differ... by sample3What I meant to say is Hiker's GPS w/o map displays can be had for under $100. They usually just have coord display and path logs, and route headings, but it won't be any graphical displays.
The next step up would be the "hybrid GPSs" that has all of the hiker GPS features, but includes a small B&W graphical display that includes some maps, although not very detailed. Those would go up to $300.
THEN we go into the auto-GPSs that has the color, the voice prompts, etc.
I kinda lumped the first two together in the primer. 
GPS
by bcolon - 11/3/06 6:20 AM In reply to: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Great topic on GPS. But it still leaves me confused. I currenlty own a laptop and would like to get the new T-Mobile Dash. I would like to avoid having to buy another piece of equipment if I can. So can I just buy software to load into to T-Mobile Dash and use that as my GPS or do O lug around my laptop and use a GPS. A bit confused on this peripherals. Can someone asssit with answer or explaination?
Downloadable map updates
by fbseghers - 11/3/06 6:28 AM In reply to: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I owned a TomTom Go but returned it. Found that the maps were at least five years out-of-date. Some roads in my home city that were completed six to seven years ago were not included with the device, and there was no way to update them. I suggest that you purchase a device that can receive downloadable map updates. Otherwise, the GPS may tell you that you are in the middle of a field when you are actually on a paved road with houses, apartments, businesses, and churches. Does anyone know of a GPS that has this capability?
Downloadable maps
by Dalesgal08 - 11/4/06 3:38 PM In reply to: Downloadable map updates by fbseghersWe just go to the Garmin site and download the newest maps every 8 or 9 months or so. Thats all it takes. And they are FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Garmin Free Update on maps?
by ramsuntha - 11/6/06 6:40 AM In reply to: Downloadable maps by Dalesgal08I have a NUVI 350, and it does have a few map mistakes. I notice it all the time because it is on my last turn to my house!. The map shows it correctly, but the voice tells me to turn in the opposite direction where ther is no street. Also, I have some other wrong directions/map mistakes, minor but can be frustrating in a new city.
Where exactly did you find the updates to the Maps on Garmin site? And Free?
Garmin map update site
by tnomm - 11/6/06 8:34 AM In reply to: Garmin Free Update on maps? by ramsunthaGarmin free updates on maps for street pilot 2620
by Dalesgal08 - 11/6/06 12:12 PM In reply to: Garmin Free Update on maps? by ramsunthaWe go to:
http://www.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00357-03
I hope this helps.
We have noticed a few glitches on ours too, some new roads that were not there when we went to Florida the first year were there the next year and it kept telling us to turn where there was NO road!!!
Most times it is a life saver though, like going through Atlanta and Cincinatti.
Free?
by monty425 - 5/24/07 6:04 PM In reply to: Downloadable maps by Dalesgal08Did Garmen stop offering this for free. When I go to their update site they want about $100 to update the map. This is really frustrating since I just got my Nuvi 360 and my homes street isn't even on the map. That and it has me driving in complete opposite directions. I wish I knew Garmin did business this way I really do.
Free maps?
by Boiler1Maker - 12/30/07 1:11 PM In reply to: Downloadable maps by Dalesgal08Hi. I know your post is over a year old, and I remember somewhere that I got the free update for my maps on the STREET PILOT 2720 (discontinued now), but since the GARMIN site is geared toward buying stuff, it's difficult to locate the 'free' maps updates. Would you remember where they are? I know that Garmin didn't want me to buy this (then) $720 machine so I can buy an additional map every year for over $130.
Thank you,
Rick
Obtaining Free Garmin updates
by PrettyRan - 1/6/08 8:16 AM In reply to: Downloadable maps by Dalesgal08I need to know how to obtain all the updates without paying for them. some help will be highly appreciative.
Keep it simple...
by herr_howard - 11/3/06 6:30 AM In reply to: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
So many people have been replying to this thread by giving you a 'techno' view of GPS. In the grand scheme of things, you're a newbie, right? If you want to know about C Lorain you can learn about that later...
So, keep it simple...Some things to note:
1. Every GPS System is only as good as the maps it has avaialable to load. A quiet little secret is that several companies use Navteq maps, so what you're paying for in a device is how a certain company chooses to develop a user interface and the bells and whistles they throw in (ie, do you need a device that can be paired as a Bluetooth interface to your cell phone so your phone conversations can be heard through your GPS device??? Come on now...)
2. Speaking of user interfaces, you can go fancy (large touch screens) or simple (smallish, click-wheel driven). BUT MAKE SURE YOU GET ONE THAT GIVES YOU VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS AND VISUAL CUES ON THE SCREEN! That is quite a nice treat.
3. Decide what kinds of bells and whistles are important to you. Do you need to have the capability of creating routes on your computer that can be uploaded to your GPS? Do you need the capability of creating multiple on-the-fly waypoints for things like errands or stopping at tourist attractions on longer trips as you go along to your final destination?
Once you've decided what you want out of your device, then you can go really, really simple. For example, the Garmin Street Pilot i2 is a device about the size of a baseball, has a monochrome (not color) screenthat measures about 1.8 x 1.8 inches (but is surprisingly readable), and uses a click-wheel for entering destination information. It gives you vocal instructions and point-to-point navigation with no problems. I bought mine for $219 as a gift to my directionally and technologically challenged wife. It took her 10 minutes to get comfy with it, and she uses it all the time. If you like color, the Street Pilot i3 and i5 (the i5 having the entire mapset of North America preloaded onto the device) go for about $245 and $290 respectively.
If you want to go high-tech, there are several devices with plenty of large, touch screens that will make planning trips more fun and more interesting, but they come at a premium of costs (that's where you start to get into the $350 and up price range).
Having said that, keep in mind that most of the maps are updated every 2 years or so, so many new developments may not appear on your device. You will probably want to purchase new maps when they're available for your system, and they'll probably run anywhere from $80 to several hundred dollard based on device and company. As far as trustworthiness goes, from what I hear, you can't really go wrong with Garmin or Magellin. I happened to purchase a Garmin device, but, again, I believe they both use the Navteq maps, so it came to price for me.
Good luck! Once you start using one, you'll wonder why you waited so long
great message
by flyingscot4 - 11/3/06 9:04 AM In reply to: Keep it simple... by herr_howardThanks for your insight into GPS. My question involves international travel. I spend a lot of time in Europe (mostly Germany) and would like a unit that is portable (so that I can take it walking in European cities) as well as in the car. I also want the unit to be just as useful in the US. Recomendations??? Thanks, Don
Microsoft Streets & Trips - OK
by edge_bit - 11/3/06 6:44 AM In reply to: 11/3/06 I'm lost about what GPS unit I should get by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've personally used Microsoft Streets & Trips on an expidition to find gems.
The street tracking was off by a few feet in some areas of central Ontario - but it was generally good.
The reception was flawless, however. The little GPS unit included was a perfect device for the job.
MS usually picks quality hardware to go with it's software - possibly to make up for shortcomings in that software but that's another issue.
All in all Microsoft Streets & Trips was a great deal for my friend and I'll be picking it up for myself sometime soon I'm sure.
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