So many makes/models to choose from, I have no idea what to get. To anyone who uses GPS in their car, which type do you have, and would you recommend it?
Thanks!
- Ricky
Thanks!
- Ricky
Looking for GPS recommendations
- Thread starter RickyRicardo
- Start date
The only choice is TomTom or Garmin. Garmin is easily the most popular GPS in Canada, but its at least twice as expensive as the TomTom for a comparible unit.
Well I went cheap and got a TomTom One, paying only $150 on sale. After about 6 months with it I am extremely happy. TomTom is a European sensation, far and away the most popular GPS over there, so the North American maps aren't as precise as the Garmin one's are. But, with the TomTom, users can add their own map updates and they can be downloaded for free. At my first login I downloaded overf 39 000 map updates and have yet to encounter a problem. Never gotten lost yet, and its easy to use.
I do not subscribe to the traffic updates, but they are available on both.
If all you want is an electronic map, the advantages of the Garmin are that the mid and higher end models speak the street names for you, wheras the TomTom merely says "Turn right ahead. Turn right, then stay in the right lane", but you "have" to look at the screen to see that you are turning right on Bloor St. The Garmin will say "turn right on Bloor street". Since looking at the screen to see "Bloor Street" takes about 1/4 of a second, it doesn't bother me at all. Secondly, the Garmin has a longer batterly life (8 hours). The TomTom battery dies after 2 hours. This is a problem ONLY if you plan on using the unit outside your car (ie. while walking in a strange city). If you are not, then both units plug into your car cigarette lighter and its irrelevant.
Price them out and decide. Garmin is about 2x the price. I have used both the TomTom One and the Garmin Nuvi (I can't remember the number, not the 260, the one just one level higher than that - 3 hundred something Nuvi) and I am glad I saved $200+ dollars by buying the TomTom. Garmin is the most popular unit though. If you make 6 figures and price is not a factor, may as well go with the flow and buy a Garmin Nuvi. If you want value for money though, the TomTom has not yet gotten me lost!
Well I went cheap and got a TomTom One, paying only $150 on sale. After about 6 months with it I am extremely happy. TomTom is a European sensation, far and away the most popular GPS over there, so the North American maps aren't as precise as the Garmin one's are. But, with the TomTom, users can add their own map updates and they can be downloaded for free. At my first login I downloaded overf 39 000 map updates and have yet to encounter a problem. Never gotten lost yet, and its easy to use.
I do not subscribe to the traffic updates, but they are available on both.
If all you want is an electronic map, the advantages of the Garmin are that the mid and higher end models speak the street names for you, wheras the TomTom merely says "Turn right ahead. Turn right, then stay in the right lane", but you "have" to look at the screen to see that you are turning right on Bloor St. The Garmin will say "turn right on Bloor street". Since looking at the screen to see "Bloor Street" takes about 1/4 of a second, it doesn't bother me at all. Secondly, the Garmin has a longer batterly life (8 hours). The TomTom battery dies after 2 hours. This is a problem ONLY if you plan on using the unit outside your car (ie. while walking in a strange city). If you are not, then both units plug into your car cigarette lighter and its irrelevant.
Price them out and decide. Garmin is about 2x the price. I have used both the TomTom One and the Garmin Nuvi (I can't remember the number, not the 260, the one just one level higher than that - 3 hundred something Nuvi) and I am glad I saved $200+ dollars by buying the TomTom. Garmin is the most popular unit though. If you make 6 figures and price is not a factor, may as well go with the flow and buy a Garmin Nuvi. If you want value for money though, the TomTom has not yet gotten me lost!
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check out radioworld
http://www.radioworld.ca/
I bought my Garmin there
these guys seem to know what they are talking about
http://www.radioworld.ca/
I bought my Garmin there
these guys seem to know what they are talking about
Tom Tom One all the way...its easy to use, reliable and very affordable.
Although the only knock that I have on the Tom Tom 1 is that recently its
been taking 2 minutes to find the signal ( i think its my fault though as i don't
have a case and i throw it in the glove box where it moves around alot ) other than that you can't go wrong with the tom tom.
Although the only knock that I have on the Tom Tom 1 is that recently its
been taking 2 minutes to find the signal ( i think its my fault though as i don't
have a case and i throw it in the glove box where it moves around alot ) other than that you can't go wrong with the tom tom.
I use the Tom Tom that also speaks the name of the treets and has bluetooth hands free for my phone.
I am having a bit of problems but the support has been absolutely fantastic.
I would recommend Tom Tom with no hesitation at all!
I am having a bit of problems but the support has been absolutely fantastic.
I would recommend Tom Tom with no hesitation at all!
Tiger Direct currently has a special on refurbed Megallan Maestro 4040 4.3" GPS for $99!RickyRicardo said:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...ffiliateID=CAqD7bLWUPI-3KBkDv9bszjtI6r1Mbl.pQ
Thanks guys! I'm going to look into Garmin. I know a few people who had problems with TomToms breaking (battery issues) after a few months of use.
I've had no trouble with my TomTom but if you're keen on Garmin, check out The Source (Radio Shack). They have Garmins on sale right now.RickyRicardo said:
Garmin and Radioworld, best devices, best service...not cheap, but you do get what you pay for. I bought a Garmin 670, and it has been flawless in both Europe and North America. Ya gotta pay if ya don't wanna get lost.
read this about the built in errors that can occur in GPS's
http://www.bvipirate.com/ChartNav.html
GPS' use different source maps at different levels of zoom. The original source maps are paper (British, US or Russian) and the inaccuracy of those paper maps get transferred to the GPS.
The guy who developed the above site took his dinghy, GPS and a sounding line and "re-mapped" a harbour on Anegada and you can download a file from his website to correct your Garmin maps. The British Admiralty is now using his data to update their maps/
http://www.bvipirate.com/ChartNav.html
GPS' use different source maps at different levels of zoom. The original source maps are paper (British, US or Russian) and the inaccuracy of those paper maps get transferred to the GPS.
The guy who developed the above site took his dinghy, GPS and a sounding line and "re-mapped" a harbour on Anegada and you can download a file from his website to correct your Garmin maps. The British Admiralty is now using his data to update their maps/
AS a person doing 200 - 300 km driving per day, the GPS is a valuable time saver for me. I did research before I bought between Tom Tom and Garmin and chose to go with Garmin. I am very happy with the choice. Garmin does not have to be 2x more expensive then Tom Tom .. I bought a Garmin Nuvi 350 for $175 and I tend to see the garmin on sale more than the Tom Tom.RickyRicardo said:
Keeferz lucked out finding a knowledgable rep as in my experience, the terbite knowledge was far superior to any sales rep I came across. Most were trying to sell me a fancy device and not catering to what my individual needs were with the GPS.
I found the Garmin map display to be much better than the Tom Tom and as opposed to what rubmeister experienced, it was easier for me to use and had more features for about the same price.
When I bought the Nuvi 350, it was easy to connect to my PC without loading software and I got a free update to the latest North American maps.
I also find in the downtown core, where I use the GPS 90% of the time, The Nuvi 350 model very rarely has trouble picking up satellites over the tall buildings. Some of the cab drivers I have seen who bought a cheaper Garmin or Tom Tom do not use the GPS as it can not decipher street location well due to the signal constantly bouncing off the buildings.
