What GPS model should I buy for my car, why? Which ones should I avoid? What model is yours, do you like it?

Question

What GPS model should I buy for my car, why? Which ones should I avoid? What model is yours, do you like it?

Answer 1

I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 350 after extensive research and I'm totally pleased with my purchase.  All the data I saw indicated the Garmin was more accurate than other models and easier to use.  There is only an on/off button on top of the Garmin.  All other functions are handled by the convenient touch screen.  Storing addresses is easy and finding points of interest like gasoline stations and restaurants is a breeze.

The 350 is a basic GPS.  There is a small amount of extra storage (700 meg for mp3's, audiobooks, photos, etc).  Other models add Bluetooth, more memory and stuff that didn't interest me.  My primary concern was the Navteq software Garmin uses to provide directions.  In independent testing, it beat the TomTom's software consistently.  I used Cnet reviews online for a lot of my data, plus some magazine tests.

Important to consider is how the unit mounts in your car.  I've heard lots of complaints about suction cup  mounts falling off the glass and the Garmin got good points.  I cleaned my windshield and mounted my unit 4 months ago, it hasn't fallen off in over 10 thousand miles of driving ( my wife drives all over the state for work).

I got mine for $350 plus $11 for overnight shipping at www.pcnation.com  I'd recommend them highly.  You won't find them for that price in a walk-in store, they're a good $100 more.

How well does it work?  Although I love my wife dearly, she can't find her way out of a paper bag with clearly marked exit signs (by her own admission).  She was calling me at work constantly and I had to pull up map services to figure out where she was and how to get where she was going (this was after I'd printed up directions for her before she left).  She hasn't called to ask me for directions since I bought her this thing.  If a road is closed or she takes a wrong turn, the unit immediately recalculates the best route from her current position.  It calls out street names (text to speech, don't buy one without it) and gives speed dependent alerts to upcoming turns.  If you're going 70+, it tells you a mile ahead of time, if youre going 30, it's more like a 1/4 mile.  You can also, if you want, scroll the list of upcoming directions or insert detours.  The Nuvi also estimates your arrival time and has been spot on most of the time.  I enter my wife's travel plans and we can figure out when she has to leave to arrive on time for her meetings.

Answer 2

Most of the systems have fairly accurate maps these days.   I like the TomTom for it's ability to utilize free traffic camera databases.  Here is a comparision of the TomTom One ($250) with the Honda Navi ($2000):  http://www.a2dvoices.com/realitycheck/gp...

Answer 3

My brother really likes hi Tom Tom

Answer 4

I can tell you which onw NOT to buy. Don't even consider a Magellan GPS. They have the worst customer servcie I have ever experienced in any industry. I have a $600 device that has been dead for two months now because of a bad power cord. I was told 7 weeks ago I would get a replacement in the mail in 7 days.

I started keeping track of my experience on my blog for all to see.

http://www.itedge.net/blog/2007/10/31/ma...