Auto GPSs - What Works For You?

[Bigfoot62]

I use a TomTom XXL 550M (5" screen). You can get a brand new one on fleaBay for about $100-120. Our first GPS was a TomTom, (we now have 4 of them) we liked it, it still works, and I don't like a learning curve. So, I have a tendency to stick with what I know.

Regardless of brand, I suggest the larger screen and lifetime maps. You will appreciate both. Also, the better resolution will help when reading the small print, like the name of a cross street.

Also, regardless of brand, your GPS will not always match the actual road. For one thing, road construction changes things and updates lag behind, often by years. That's just reality.

A $3.00 screen protector will prevent scratches. I buy the generic ones for cell phones, etc., at the department store.

That said, driving with a GPS is better than not having one. I am a owner/operator of a tractor/trailer dump truck. I don't leave home without my TomTom.

 

[Travelover]

Boy my head is spinning. Hardware updates from the manufacturers seem to happening at blinding speed. Last year's models aren't this year's models which seemed to get launched after CES Las Vegas which happened a couple of weeks ago. A few followup questions:

Don't get blinded by the hype. The basic function and pricing has been locked in. You don't need the bells and whistles.

- Many are saying the newer glass screens eliminate scratches which seem to accumulate over time. Is this an issue with the non-glass screens?

Hasn't been an issue for me. I've come to realize that electronics are not a lifetime investment. If they last 2 -3 years, I'm happy and they are obsolete.

- For screen size the bigger the better? I'm guessing >4 inches diagonal is best but is 5 inch desired?

I'd definitely go with the 4+ screen. Unless your eyes are really bad, 5 seems like overkill.

- Some screens offer double the resolution at ~ 800 x 400 pix over ~480 x 280 pix...is the lower resolution an issue?

Not a problem for me.

- Many state laws(e.g. California) do not allow windshield mount. How well do the dash bean bag friction mounts work on rounded dashed trucks & cars?

My friction bag was super sticky the first year and became less and less sticky over time. I live on a gravel road and I think the dust became imbedded into the friction surface. I rejuvenated it with some silicone caulk smeared over the surface. Perhaps there is a more elegant fix.

Thanks again, Gary

 

[JB4310]

Everyone makes a big deal of the map updates, 99.9% is unchanged with update.

My older Garmin tells me to update but I just ignore it, my Tom Tom has maps and traffic for life, I didn't even know the traffic feature was active till it gave me a warning of a delay ahead. I don't really need it but that could be a very handy feature for those on the road more than me.

JB

 

[CurlyDave]

I have Garmins for all our vehicles.

If you buy, get one that has free map updates. While the roads change seldom, the points of interest also change with map updates. A point of interest can be anything from the Grand Canyon to a gas station, or a fast food joint. Being able to find gas and food while traveling is a very good feature.

Scratches are not an issue for me.

I strongly prefer the bean bag mounts. Mine almost never slide.

While extra resolution is nice, it doesn't really make the unit more useful.

One of the newer features worth considering is advance warning of what lane to be in. This will save you a lot of wrong turns in heavy traffic in a strange city.

 

[Haoleguy]

Thanks again for the followup. If I had thought about this a little earlier I probably would have ordered online to get best deal as opposed to my local Walmart & Best Buy. I will be heading out to pick one up this morning as this coming week I will be heading out to meetings in the Sacramento, Sonoma, Napa, & Sierra Foothills areas and could use the navigational help to supplement my large maps. Thanks CurlyDave for commenting on the bean bag holder. ....Gary

 

[JB4310]

Thanks again for the followup. If I had thought about this a little earlier I probably would have ordered online to get best deal as opposed to my local Walmart & Best Buy. I will be heading out to pick one up this morning as this coming week I will be heading out to meetings in the Sacramento, Sonoma, Napa, & Sierra Foothills areas and could use the navigational help to supplement my large maps. Thanks CurlyDave for commenting on the bean bag holder. ....Gary

I still like paper maps, and wouldn't be without them on such a long road trip, but there is no question GPS is an awesome navigation tool.

We had to find a hotel in an unfamiliar city, at night, in the rain, an old city not on a grid system, several miles and turns off the highway. The gps got us right to the door, that convinced me how valuable gps is. With a paper map that would of been a very stressful situation.

Most of these retailers have very liberal return policies, so if you're not happy with the one you pick out, try another.

JB

 

[crazyal]

I wouldn't spend too much money on one if you plan on getting a new car or truck a few years from now. It's not set in stone what date it will happen but there's talk that as soon as 2014 back up cameras in cars will be required by the government. You know if they are putting a display in a car then they will include a GPS. After all how many people just pay the money to update their maps each year?

 

[Haoleguy]

I've always found paper maps to be great at choosing routes over longer distances. GPSs are great tools for close quarters navigating, setting destinations, and picking nearby services.

Well I came home with a 5" Garmin Nuvi 2555LMT(mid range GPS) that has the lifetime maps and traffic updates. Very intuitive to use and on the ride back from Best Buy it followed the road with no issues and I could easily check a few things without a problem. Chose the 5" as my spouse's Acura GPS, which I like, is a 7" diagonal and I was concerned about going too small. Also the bean bag friction holder works extremely well. When I got home I hooked up the Garmin to my Macbook to update the software and maps. This process took 1hr 45min for both updates. Will spend time over the next couple of days to become familiar with it before I head out to the west coast with it. Good thing I have a couple of days with it as in looking ahead to the forecast to where I'm going rain is in the cards and I don't want to educate myself on the Garmin in the rain. Thanks for all you help.......Cheers, Gary

 

[Rod in Forfar]

I like my Tom Tom. It had a learning curve, but now it does the job well. Its trip computer tends to be dead on for driving times, unlike the Google software on my laptop which overestimates distances and grossly inflates the driving time for some trips.

 

[JESSE1]

I recently made a trip and used my navigation system in my '12 Ford F-450 for the first time. I also set up my TomTom for the same address to compare. Both units mapped out the same route and announced the upcoming turns. I've had the TomTom 1XL for about four years now and it's been very useful. It won't always map out the most logical route but it's been a real help and worth having.