Community Newsletter: Q&A: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences?
- 12/14/07 1:05 AM
Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences?
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 12/14/07 1:05 AM
Question:
I went out shopping the day after Thanksgiving and saw that many stores had advertised portable GPS devices on sale for cheap (I really had no idea they were so inexpensive). Since they were so cheap, I thought about buying one for myself and my sister, who has no sense of direction. The couple that I saw advertised were by Magellan and TomTom (strange name if you ask me) and they cost a little over $100. Well, when I went to check them out they were all sold out, of course, so I looked at other models, and to my surprise most of the other models cost over $250 dollars and some up to $400. So what is the difference between the less expensive one and more expensive ones? Don't GPS essentially do the same? I would really like to buy a couple of these as a present to myself and my sister for Christmas, but I really want to get the whole picture before buying one. Would I be in a world of regret if I went with a cheaper model? Do name brands make a difference? I've heard of Magellan and Garmin, but TomTom sounds more like a toy. Some pointers would help me greatly! Happy holidays to you!
Submitted by: Mary Jane H.
Answer voted most helpful by the CNET Community newsletter readers
GPS device differences
Mary, here are the differences that I've found in GPS devices:
• Text-to-speech: the ability of the device to announce street names. Surprisingly, many GPS devices still only have the ability to announce turns, e.g.: “turn right”, “bear left”, but not to speak the street name on which you’ll be turning. Some people view all voice announcements as just a marketing gimmick, but I find it very useful, especially since my state doesn’t permit windshield mounts. CA & MN expressly forbid them, my state and many others have more generic laws, e.g.: my state only permits a rear-view mirror, EZ-Pass toll-collection device, and state inspection sticker to be placed on the windshield. Even those small oil-change stickers are technically illegal, and the much larger GPS suction cup mount is likely to get you a second ticket if you’re stopped for anything else. Some devices go one step further in text-to-speech and offer additional cost voices, sometimes including celebrities.
• 3D view: I thought this was a marketing gimmick until I bought a GPS that had it. Having that “birds-eye” view really does make it easier to follow the route. Some devices go one step further and show rough models of actual buildings/landmarks in 3D mode.
• Upgradeable maps/POI lists from the manufacturer: many lower-cost devices have a built-in map that can’t be upgraded. If you live in an area where new sub-divisions are going in or where new ramps are being added to freeways, this could be a problem. And Points-of-Interest (POI) are always changing. This feature could also be important if you think you might like to take your GPS device on vacation to a foreign country. Does the manufacturer or mapping provider offer add-on maps for additional regions? If you can’t update the maps in your device, are you willing to buy a new device in a few years?
• Ability to modify maps and add POI on your own: Maybe you want to really organize your common travels (saving gas & cutting back on CO2 emissions) and so adding the schools your children go to, the supermarket, your dry cleaners, etc. to the POI would make mapping an optimized route a lot easier. Or maybe that street a few blocks away just changed to one-way and you don’t want the device to continue to try to route you through it the wrong way. Having the ability to update the map data on your own can be helpful & can put off the time when you need to purchase a new device or go back to the manufacturer to buy a map update.
• Headphone jack/FM output: the built-in speaker on most GPS devices is very small, and often leads to distortion of the voices. Does the device you’re considering have a headphone jack (that you could feed into your car radio) or direct output to the radio via FM output?
• Night mode: Does the device have a lower light output mode for evening driving? You don’t want your view of the road or dashboard to be impaired by a light bright enough to read a newspaper.
• Pedestrian mode: If you plan to use your GPS device outside of the car (e.g., walking on foot) does the device support that type of routing (e.g., people can walk either way on one-way streets and cut through parks, vehicles can’t).
• Scale: Paper maps always include a scale showing inches to miles (or cm to km), but many GPS devices only show a “zoom level.” I’m shopping for a new home, so knowing how close the house I’m looking at is to major highways, the supermarket, etc. is important. So having a little bar on the screen showing a fixed distance is very helpful. Otherwise, you have to guess if the width of the map being displayed on screen is 300 feet, or 5 miles. Keep in mind that this feature is only available on the 2D visualization mode (for those devices that have it at all).
• Bluetooth integration: This feature allows the GPS device to be used as a speakerphone for your cell phone. I don’t see the point of a speakerphone in a noisy driving environment, but some might. Some devices also can use your cell phone to connect to various online services, e.g.: the ability to reroute when accidents have been reported on your route, gas prices for stations along your route, even automatically updating POI lists, etc.
• Ability to store destinations/routes: You don’t want to constantly re-enter your home or work address as the “start” or “end.” If you’re visiting Uncle John for a few days, you don’t want to enter his address every time you’ve driven somewhere and realize that you’re not sure what the quickest way back is.
• Voice recognition: Some devices will allow you to add a “voice tag” for those custom destinations you’ve saved, e.g. “go home.” Some go one step further and allow you to enter arbitrary destinations and routing changes with voice commands, e.g., “avoid Route 95”, “go to 12 Market Street, Reston, Virginia”, etc.
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=273834&messageID=2644587#2644587
Submitted by CNET member Brad Hansen
If you have additional advice or recommendations for Mary, please click on the reply link and post away. Please be detail in your answers. Thank you!
Best GPS for the buck?
by scupper - 11/30/07 6:57 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I recently purchased for my nagivationally challenged daughter a Magellan Maestro 3200. It has a slightly larger viewing screen than the Garmin models I've compared.
I honestly don't know why some models would be more expensive than others. Must be options. Some come with MP3 capacity. There are some other things to consider such as downloading maps, etc. The Magellan and some others (I spent about $250.) come with preloaded and it was very easy to setup.
As far as I'm concerned as long as it gets you from point A to point B that's all that matters. Compare the prices with the list of features. I would guess, bet on spending a minimum of $200 for a good quality GPS.
Magellan DON'T BUY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by mstover1 - 12/8/07 9:04 AM In reply to: Best GPS for the buck? by scupperThey have no support and no map updating along with no one who speaks English. Also forget Ubid they also do not stand behind what they auction !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I learned the hard way.
AGREED!!!!!!!!!!
by tjcher - 12/15/07 6:52 AM In reply to: Magellan DON'T BUY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by mstover1Kind of a coincidence but, I just experienced this exact thing yesterday. I purchased a 2200T and it stopped working in a very short time. The hassle of finding out where to send it for repair along with speaking to people that had such heavy accents that it was almost impossible for me to communicate, etc.,etc. After over one month any attempt to follow-up on the repair status was just another fiasco similar to the first contact. Finally, after spending a total time of at least one hour on the phone, with many options, sub-options and sub-sub options, I was told that they would send me an upgrade GPS (brand new) to replace the one I submitted for repair. I never really understood the reason for this or what happened to my 2200T that I sent in for repair? Though I did end up with a superior model GPS, it doesn't take away from the overall hassle and lousy service. I realize that it isn't the individual rep's fault but, when you can't communicate due to a language barrier (extreme accents,etc.) it makes the whole process much, much more frustrating!
You get what you pay for, to an extent....
by twyrick - 11/30/07 6:58 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've owned several in-car portable GPS units over the years, and just purchased a new one over the Thanksgiving holiday myself. Right now, there are quite a few new "players" trying to enter the GPS market with lower prices than the name-brand units traditionally cost.
For example, the unit I just purchased is made by a company called Navigon. Apparently, they've been around for a while in Europe, but they're pretty new to the USA.
The most respected brands that have been out the longest also tend to have the highest price tags. That would include Magellan and Garmin.
TomTom really started pushing their navigation units in the USA about a year ago, and they've made several revisions to their "core" product offering since then. Of all the "newer" brands on the market, they're the ones who seem to be doing the most aggressive advertising right now.
There are currently so many different units out there, it would be impossible to review and compare them all unless I was doing it as a full-time job. I can, however, give you some general advice:
1. No matter who makes the GPS, the road map information itself tends to come from only one of a few sources. The one consistently rated as most accurate and reliable is the mapping data put out by Navteq. (This is one downside to the TomTom units. They don't use Navteq maps.)
2. As a rule, the more expensive GPS units have faster processors in them. Most of the $250 and under units I've used have noticeable "lag" between the time you press something on the touch-screen and its response to your selection. They're also likely to speak in a less clear or more robotic-sounding voice.
3. The latest trend in some units is offering real-time traffic and accident information. In theory, this sounds really useful - but beware. In my city, I've found it to be only marginally useful. It tends to alert you to "heavy traffic" on highways and harasses you to "plot a new route" or "ignore this message" when it's just the normal heavier traffic you always experience at that time of day. Sometimes an accident happens up ahead and the system isn't even aware of it until 10 minutes AFTER you're stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic from it. I know Navigon's higher-end model GPS's are including lifetime traffic warning functionality for free.... but I'd be cautious about paying much in monthly or yearly fees for this.
4. You'll usually pay more for a larger screen. This can be VERY worthwhile. The smaller screens usually look crisp and bright in the store, but once you affix the unit to your windshield or dash, it's probably sitting a lot further from you than it was in the store! Small screens also make it harder to enter letters and numbers on the virtual keyboards they draw.
5. Some GPS units offer MP3 music player capabilities. If you're thinking about making use of this feature, remember that you ALSO need to be sure the GPS has a way to tie directly in to your car's stereo speakers. Some units do this with an FM transmitter, but this will never sound that good. Others, like the Lowrance iWay 500c, include a 1/8" audio output jack so you can plug them straight into an AUX Input jack, if your car stereo has one. This will sound MUCH better.
Great tips!
by KTate70 - 11/30/07 7:25 PM In reply to: You get what you pay for, to an extent.... by twyrickThanks twyrick for the advice. I'm starting to like the idea of getting one of these things as well.
GPS
by madsville - 12/10/07 3:20 AM In reply to: You get what you pay for, to an extent.... by twyrickFor my job I needed one QUIK and after reading some reviews I got a Mio digiwalker. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Have taken it with me on many trips. My reality........ aren't we all bouncing off the same satellite??? So...... are you paying for real estate rather than what the unit does????
GPS
by drlair - 11/30/07 7:04 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The primary differences in the lower cost units and the higher cost ones are, of course, date of manufacture and features. The low end units will work very well as a GPS. Be sure to get one that provides audible directions and that you can download routes to from your computer. Some units also provide for XM Radio which with Nav traffic will provide weather reports and maps of where the weather warnings are. Some also have a blue tooth interface for a cell phone. This works extremely well on the Zumo 550. It gives you a hands free phone for driving that boots up when the GPS is turned on and the cell phone is within 30 feet. Most of the newer and higher dollar units also have an MP3 player built in. Garmin is highly thought of as a brand name and has great customer service as well as good reliability. Tom Tom has been around a few years but hasn't really caught on. It does have some nice features and is a good unit for use in a car. The Tom Tom One is the older version. The new one is TomTom Three. Magellan puts out several models and is a well established company. Garmin is the leader but either of the other companies also make a good product. Lowrance probably has the best GPS system out there but is experiencing some major problems with reliability and customer service.
GPS - It's Prime Time!
by ladderless - 11/30/07 7:36 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The bottom line is that there are a few key features, and most are related to the age of the technology.
All of them do the same, basic, core function... They listen to a set of satellites, and based on the pattern of "beeps" heard, will tell you where you are, and using maps in memory, will route you to where you want to go. It's not a new technology, and the basic hardware is not very expensive to make.
The earliest GPS units would only hold part of the country in memory at any time (you load what you need), and would display the routes and turns as they come up.
The next round had verbal commands, and were limited to "Turn right in 100 feet" and generic things like that. The sizes started to get more reasonable, and the displays better. I'm not sure, but you might be able to find a few of these units still on the market.
A few years ago, things started to get pretty good, in that the GPS units started to come with the entire country loaded into memory right out of the box. The sizes got really small, and the displays were larger and had touch screen capabilities (made entering addresses simple). I believe that here might be your "sweet spot" for a GPS unit... They're VERY functional, and because they don't have the latest and greatest features, they're pretty affordable.
The newest features (which add the bucks) are nice, but you have to decide if they're important:
-Upgradeability... For when newer versions of the sotware become available. Updated maps are usually availiable, but the core software might not be.
-TTS, or "Text-to-Speech"... The GPS will vocalize street names, so intead of "Turn right in 100 feet" it will say, "Turn right in 100 feet onto Maple Street" -- That makes it easier to keep an eye on the road. My old GPS unit would say the highway numbers only. My new one pronounces the street names, and I wouldn't want to go back!
-Large screen size... Some are getting pretty large. It makes reading the streets much easier, but really sends the price into orbit.
-Traffic awareness... It will connect to a traffic service, and give you warnings about where the jams are, and how to avoid them. This usually requires a subscription (more money to spend).
There are also systems that will work with your blackberry (as long as it has a built-in GPS), and PDA's with built-in - or external GPS antennas (I use a PDA with a built-in GPS unit). Those aren't as user friendly, so they probably won't be your best choice.
One thing about names... Many of the GPS companies are from Europe; Their names might not sound as "American" as others. Tom-Tom is a good example of a well-established European name more recently introduced to the US.
I wouldn't expect to easily find a unit priced at "Black Friday" lowr-than-cost pricing again, but if you start to carefully check prices and features, you will quickly get a sense of what's a good value and what's overpriced.
There are a lot of decent GPS web sites out there, but one in particular I've been following is www.gpspassion.com. They have comprehensive reviews and a very helpful forum section. Those folks know their GPS!
Whats the differencences with Gps?
by partydesigner - 11/30/07 7:49 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I actually work at Radio Shack and we carry all the brands you mentioned. And the only real differences Are in the cheaper devices you will find shorter battery life and less points of interest. Also with the cheaper brands you will not have the option to interface with blue-tooth devices. Also with the cheaper devices touch screen options are not included. Also more sophisticated options like specific street name announcement are not included. Please note I am not knocking the cheaper devices they are more than sufficient in helping you find directions. It is basically you will pay more for all the extra "bells and whistles." I hope this helps you and you understand what I have offered.
There ARE some noticeable differences in GPS devices...
by ackmondual - 11/30/07 7:55 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a Mio c310x. Not the best, but most of the time, it does get me to where I want to go. Can be picked up for $140 to $300. MSRP is $400 to $500, so I was surprised to see some places sell it for $150 over that.
The thing is, before I got my Mio c310x, the only GPS manufacturers I've heard of were TomTom, Magellon, and Garmin. It turns out Mio was relatively new to the GPS scene, but it's reported that they've established themselves. Note that while c310x is not the most low end model, it is kinda down there which may explain why it's not the best. The fact that it's considerably cheaper than the $400 to $1000 GPS devices says it as well.
If I were to get another GPS device, I would NOT get the c310x. I would look for a better feature set, but keeping 'em to a limit to keep the device from getting too expesnive. Here are some key features u should pay attn to (definately NOT limited to this list)
>>text to voice
says street names out loud (e.g. "in 50 yards, turn left at west Johnna st", instead of just "in 50 yards, turn left").... tho there are some negative reviews about certain cases of this feature where the voice doesn't pronunciate street names correctly that it was essentially worthless. You had to look at the device anyways to find out what streeet was being referred to
>>routing options
I know someone who's disguisted with his Garmin device and wants to switch to Mio b/c while the Garmin was acurate and worked, it offered no options like to find a different route instead of the originally proposed 5 mile stretch of road. Others are flexible enough to allow you to plot specific parameters like avoid highways, dirt roads, toll roads, etc.
>>mapping technology
There's TeleAtlas which is what Mio uses and there's NavTeq which is what some of the other manufacturers use. From what I read all around, TeleAtlas was trailing, but they seem to be caught up now that they finally released map updates. Map updates are optionally, one time fee thing whenever updates become available, depending on model and device it's for
>>number of POIs (Points Of Interest)
These include everything from where your local eateries are (Burger King, AppleBees), to hotels, to transportation hubs (airports, metros, bus stops), to landmarks (e.g. Lincoln Memorial, World's largest <blank> in some western/mountain state). The Mio c310x has 3.5 million of them. Some of the more high tech GPS devices have 6.5mil POIs or perhaps even 10 million POIs. Granted, all the POIs aren't worth **** if the thing can't get u from point A to point B in a reasonable manner (which IS the whole point of a GPS device), but I would start with about 6mil POIs just b/c it's nice to know they're there. Some ppl don't touch 'em, but they may come in handy for others. If you're the type of person who wonders what's in a given area, familiar or unknown, then make this a larger number for your search criteria.
>>Side note, most if not all GPS devices should let u add your own POIs, (e.g. John's friend's house, school parking lot space, etc.) which is nice. Take note if a GPS device does NOT have this feature
>>interface
touch screen seems natural, but some ppl could make due with soft buttons, scroll wheels, and other buttons. Others
>>battery life
Battery life can vary noticeably from model to model, and that's without all the external factors. However, most GPS devices used for vehicles oughtta come with a car charger, so if something is on the lower side of battery life, you should be fine charging it on the road as needed. FYI, GPS devices for vehicles may NOT come with an AC (home) charger, just the car one.
>>screen size + resolution
larger screens = more clarity, but also make for bigger, bulkier GPS devices.
More resolution = more detail, but also eats batteires faster, but the stated batt life oughtta take these into account. With my 320x240 screen at IIRC 4.5" to 5".... it's sufficient. I need to really zoom in sometimes to see the more minor street names, but since directiosn are being dictated by audio, it's not that big a deal for me.
If the screen is too small with too much resolution, things will appear too small. Surely manufacturers would've gotten preliminary feedback if such was the case.
>>physical size
If it's too big, you won't be too convenient for pedestrian use (if it's even intended for that use as well)
>>voices available
my GPS only comes with a American (aka American English) in male gender. More American voices, especially female ones would've been nice. Not a deal breaker, but still on my features list
>>lattitude + longitude coordinate system
Dunno what's the deal with his. Perhaps those in the military, or doing "atypical" and/or outdoor activities like hiking in some secluded mountain range may find this feature helpful. For naval navigation, it's useful, but AFAIK, naval GPS devices are a whole different market segment
>>premium services
relevant to GPS and your travels.... For example, IIRC, the Mio 610 has a subscription for just this service. It charts your route based on real time, current events. E.g. it routes you around DC since there's a riot going on in the NW sector that's bogging down traffic, or that since it's getting info since it's a minor holiday, a major highway is smooth sailing since most of the commuters are taking off work and not congesting traffic.
Other GPS devices may offer premium services like AAA support.
>>miscellanoues stuff features Not related to GPS travel....
it just tells u the weather, sports, stock quotes, and news.... maybe email.... something u could also do with cellphone, PDA, laptop + some internet access
>>multimedia capabilities
My GPS doesn't do video or pics. Just music, and even then it's terrible at that. Doesn't matter as I ahve an ipod for music and the GPS still navigates me well enough. These features are nice to have, but by no means be your primary criteria, since seperate/standalone devices will do multimedia MUCH better
>>ease of use
this one takes hands on work, and even then, it's subjective. Ppl can get used to many tyupes of consumer electronics with time. Windows vs Linux vs Mac, Nokia vs Motorola vs Samsung, etc. Since most ppl can work with many types of interfaces, best bet is to see if retailers have demo models for you to try
>>time to get signal
Similar deal with cellphones. While some may be superior here, other times, too many factors makes this a skewed figure
>>other maps it comes with or are available
most US GPS devices come with US maps preinstalled. Others u gotta install 'em yourself. Others may also include other maps like of Canada or perhaps Mexico, to install yourself if needed or not to save space. If going to Europe, GPS manuf may have maps of thsoe regions for sale to get the most of your unit
Advice
by mrobinsonjr - 11/30/07 8:44 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Well it depends what features come with it. some have built in voice, some give you Directions, others just tell you where you are going and they give you your current location. If you watch TV you may have seen ADs dor TomTom GPS System i am fairly new to the GPS Game
GPS choices--from a layperson's point of view
by rsberstein - 12/7/07 9:04 AM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mary Jane,
My quick answer from a novice and lay person's view point, is that GPS choices are a lot like cell phone choices. For a basic model that tells you where you are and helps you get to your destination, you can get a very satisfactory inexpensive unit, probably sticking with one of the big companies. (Magellan, Garmin, TomTom. Tom Tom is a Dutch company, and very well regarded, so do not be concerned about the unusual name.) Once you get past the basic functions there is a lot of variety.
Do you need or want an MP3 player built-in?
Do you want to pay extra for live traffic monitoring? I don't mind listening to the radio for my traffic information, but others may differ.
Do you want integrated Bluetooth capacity so that you can make phone calls from the GPS?
All the units will show you Points of Interest, such as schools, hospitals, airports, coffee shops, ATMs, supermarkets, restaurants. Some units have a million POIs; some have many millions. Some models incorporate AAA guidebook information and will facilitate getting roadside service for AAA members. Some models include restaurants highly rated in the Zagat guides.
Basically, all the portable GPS units plug into the car's lighter outlet, then use the Global Positioning Satellite receiver to indicate your location and guide you to your destination. You can usually choose the "bird's-eye view" of the road or the "direct-overhead" view.
Prices have come down a lot lately. Even if the loss leader big specials are sold out, if you look around, you will still find really good models for (not much)less than $200. I suggest reading a bit on line about the different features and companies. You'll see that people have had good and bad customer service with all the brands and you will see lots of opinions about the different screens and sounds and voices.
I highly recommend buying this item in person rather than sight unseen. How you relate to the screen is very important. Evaluate the different features that might entice you to want to spend more or be satisfied with the basics. The basic screen is about 3" diagonal, which is surprisingly adequate, easy to read, (I am middle aged, in the reading glasses age group and it works for me!) and can hold a lot of information. However, there are also many models with the 4.3" screen, which holds even more info. and you may have seen the built-in models that are even bigger, but remember that your smaller model will be closer to you, hence easier to see despite the smaller size. Check to see how you can adjust the screen brightness, for a sunny or a foggy day.
Other features to look for include an internal battery--this means you could take the unit out for a walk--and how long the unit will hold a charge. Some units have USB connections so that you can connect the unit to your computer and upload your own address book or favorite points of interest, or update/upgrade, sometimes for a fee. Make sure your chosen unit uses the latest Satellite, which is called SIRFIII, or Sirf3. Some units use memory chips, like those in digital cameras, to add maps of other areas, which could be useful if you were going on a driving trip in a different country, for example. Some basic units rely on print only. I find the spoken directions VERY helpful--this feature is usually called TTS--text to speech. Some units respond to YOUR voice; others just talk to you.
Some units run only on the power cord attached to the car; some can be charged indoors at home at an AC outlet. Some units have external volume controls; some have only a power button and other adjustments are made on screen. Another difference is announcing turns. Some systems tell you to "turn left in 300 feet." Others tell you to "turn left at Oak Street in 300 feet." Some tell you when to switch lanes. Some ping or chime when you are supposed to be at the turn. I am guessing you want an English speaking unit, but you will see that some units "speak" many languages and even the basic on sale models have at least Spanish and French in addition to English, in case you are looking for language versions. I am very happy with my sub-$200 Magellan brand purchase.
Some final advice: I would get a pouch to protect the device if it does not come with one, as the screens are sensitive, and you will want to remove it from plain view to avoid theft and potential theft related vandalism to your car. A stylus such as one uses on a PDA (like a Palm Pilot) makes it easier to tap in your destination, but is not absolutely necessary. The main issues should be, can you understand the interface, both written and spoken? I greatly enjoy my GPS unit and find it almost magical that it can tell me where I am and how to get somewhere else with uncanny precision. Good luck in your quest.
GPS
by Greg Morgan - 11/30/07 9:16 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Mary Jane, my wife & I purchased a TomTom One early this year. We traveled form Chicago to Portland, OR and back, and later to Vermont & back through Canada. We find navigating with the GPS to be joyfully easier than by any folded map--especially trying to find those off-ramp exits in rush hour traffic in a strange land.
I expect that most GPS units will guide about the same, though there are differences in the way you set up routes, the way the screen displays the information, and the type and quantity of information displayed (local gas stations, compass, miles and time to next direction change or exit point).
I'll say that the TomTom One learning curve is somewhat steep, due mainly to a minimalist instruction sheet. The TomTom One has features we have not yet explored, so , though it was meant to be an entry model, there seems to be little reason for us to upgrade.
Points to consider: a model with a larger screen would be useful for more clearly displaying the data;
A model with outboard (off touch-screen) controls for adjusting screen brightness and sound loudness would be very much preferred. In our situation the passenger can do these adjustments, which can require attentive selecting of three or four choices on the touch screen, but a lone driver would have to divert attention for, maybe, five seconds for each touch selection--bad at any time, hair raising in city expressway traffic;
The dashboard mounting device for the TomTom will not stick to out textured dashboard;
Sunlight falling on the LCD screen makes it all but unreadable--not a problem if you have a sun-sheltered spot in which to place the unit;
Determine the details for updating the street map set before you buy to be certain updates are free and timely.
We don't use the GPS for music playback, so memory size is not a factor. I can't say authoratively, but the more expensive models appear to have mp3 players on board and larger memories to accomodate them. Also, there are extra-cost services that give weather and live traffic alerts--spoken alerts require higher grade options on the TomTom.
Only buy the features that you need
by camerams - 11/30/07 9:35 PM In reply to: Aren't all GPS devices essentially the same? Why the price differences? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
After a lot of research, I finally took the plunge and bought the Garmin Nuvi 200. First, I decided that I wanted my GPS device to be multi-functional; I needed to be able to take it on bike rides and walks, not just use it in my car. This particular model is small and light, but the screen is not too small to be seen easily while driving. I didn't care whether I could change the voice from male to female, which is an option on some devices. I needed the display to be appealing and easy to read. The unit fits in my pocket and can be removed easily from my car. If your GPS device is visible, you are inviting thieves to break into your car. So...decide which features are important to you. Are you only going to use the device in your car, or do you do a lot of traveling to locations where you will want to remove the device and use it for biking or walking? Which maps will you need - will you be traveling out of the country and taking the device with you? If so, check out the cost of adding information to your device. Do you want the voice prompt to use street names in its directions? Some models (like mine) don't use street names; rather they say "in 500 feet, turn left". That feature is found on more expensive devices. Do you want an MP3 player? Photo viewer? Bluetooth? Traffic updates? Read review on sites like CNET.com, then go to a store and take a look at the devices that have the features you require. Check out prices on the internet, and find the best deal. Believe it or not, I found the best deal on my unit at Circuit City onine. Good luck.
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