Looking for a gps for my car?

Question

I was looking at the garmin 680, is that one any good? or is a different brand better?

Answer 1

i personally think garmins are the best gps systems followed by magellan. garmin just seems to have better calculations when it comes to routing. anyways the nuvi 680 is a lil pricey but you are getting a lot out of it. most people go with the lower model like a nuvi 200 when it comes to simple navigations just getting you where you need to go

the nuvi 680 comes equipped with an mp3 player, bluetooth hands free calling, turn by turn voice directions, and msn direct. the msn direct is a cool feature because the lower models nuvi use a different traffic update system. msn direct tells you if there is an accident and you can choose to reroute, it has weather updates, it also gives you local gas stations and the prices so you can choose the cheapest, even tells you local movie theaters and what time the movies are playing

pretty good model in my opinion

for other customers reviews you can check here

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MF4...

good luck

Answer 2

I've had a TomTom for a couple of years, works well great sattelite reception, easy to use, easy to download updates, lots of unique voices to download, (you have to pay for the voices though), no technical problems no malfunctions, easy to see in bright sunlight, lots of battery life if you want to carry it on you or on a bicycle.

Answer 3

When you are looking for a GPS, there are some non-obvious things to consider.

I've owned 3 GPS (only one is nav system). I've compared few and here what I found:

(1) the map database is MORE important than the GPS machine. If the map is NOT accurate the GPS is useless. Get a GPS with well know database(ex:navtec).

(2) if your car interior is light colored, then make sure the GPS is bright enough to over come the glare

(3) if your eyes are not all that good (old people) then get a large screen - at least 4 inches big

(4) if your hearing is not so good, make sure the volume is loud enough.

Also ANY gps left turned off lose sat tracking. The long it is left off the longer it takes to resync sat. Sometimes as long as 1/2 hours. So before a long trip, leave you GPS on by a window with good sky view.

Test your GPS for few week to months locally when you know your roads BEFORE using it on long trips. Get to know your GPS quirks before you really need it.

Also whenever possible double check your GPS findings with either PAPER map or Google map. They can all be wrong at times. Or at least carry a paper map. Electronics have a nasty habit of dying at the worst time.

GPS maps go out of date so it is best to make sure the database company are around to sell you updates.

GPS maps are ALWAYS out of dates in cities with lots of new developments. I found that in old cities (Boston, NYC, Los Angeles) it is fairly accurate as they haven't created new towns / roads in ages. In cities like NJ I found most GPS will NOT be very useful.

Test the GPS to find your favorite retail stores. You may ONLY like Pizza HUT and HATE Domino but the database may have it what you want.

Also test it to find Radio Shack because when you are traveling, Radio Shack can just about sell you any electronic device you are missing (adapter, wires, extension, plugs, batteries, etc.). I found at least one major GPS brand does not have RS in the database.

Good Luck...