Opinions on the Nextar GPS system?

Question

I have been seeing them in the ads for a good price. i was wondering if they are too chepa to be good o should I just get on of the more popular ones: Garmin, Magellan, or Tom Tom

Answer 1

I see nasty remarks about the Nextars all over the Internet.  But the negative reviews seem to come from people who want to HACK the Nextar (a Windows CE device) to run illegal versions of other navigation software.  I have no sympathy or respect for those people.  And the other negatives come from people who want all kinds of additional features like different voices, immediate road hazard alerts, etc.  Stuff you are not going to get at $80.

I have an inexpensive $80 Nextar M3-04 from Radio Shack.  It's worked fine for me for a long time, has sat out in a frozen car, has been dropped a dozen or so more times, got wet on more than occasion.  Still works.  The maps were dated to 2007, but unless I was looking for an address in a brand new development that just broke ground in 2008, it gets me around fine.

The updated 2009-2010 maps were a little pricey, but then so were the updated street maps for other GPS units.  No surprise there.  It's just like a cheap printer - the cheaper the printer, the more expensive the ink.  That's HP stays in business.  :^)

I've had TomTom, Magellan, Garmin before (and others) - not overly impressed with them other than their inflated price tags.  I don't use half the goofy features like MP3 music or Video/Camera features.  And since I'm driving, I'm usually not looking at the screen - just listening to voice directions.  The models with construction or traffic alerts - most of the time they're incorrect or out of date since they rely upon users to report such things to be shared with other users in real time.  Many times there's a traffic advisory and the road is clear 10 miles either way ...

Depends how much you want to pay for these devices.  They all use the same satellites and all contract out the same map data from a handful of third party mapping companies. The Nextar GPS does fine for me.  Then again, I don't judge my existence by the kind of GPS stuck to my windshield either.  :^)

Answer 2

I have the Nextar 14BCT  Camera stopped working due to moisture . They accused me of using their UPS acct # to ship it to them Then the replacement GPS part didn't work.. They offered me a 43NT which costs 59% less, has NO backup camera
and only has U.S.A. maps...Great if you live there, but they knew I live in Canada.. If you don't need the backup feature TOMTOM is the way to go.. Besides you can't update online with Nextar..They want like $60 to upgrade.Ed D

Answer 3

Nextar sucks!!! Get a TomTom!!!!

Answer 4

Have a Nextar M3-04. Died after 6 months and Nextar will not replace unit unless you have the original store receipt. Have a Magellan and after my experience with customer service will not buy another Magellan, EVER. I have heard good things about Garmin and Tom Tom. I will be replacing my worthless Nextar with a Garmin or a Tom Tom on payday. Just my two cents worth.