GPS Help

[weekendwarrior]

I know there is at least 1 other thread about GPS units, but I need help selecting a unit for my in-laws. Here is what I am looking for, and keep in mind I know little about GPS units. I am looking for a portable unit, that is simple to use (a few buttons as possible). I would like for them to be able to input an address before they leave, and then it give voice instructions as they drive. In terms of cost, I would like to spend @ $250. Any suggestions (Brands/Model#s would be appreciated)?

[TigerMike]

For ease of use and accuracy, #1 choice would be Garmin, and #2 TomTom...this is almost universally accepted among the GPS communities. I have a TomTom One and love it...very easy to use, even if you are a non techie. For $250, you could easily score a TomTom XL (widescreen version of the TTOne), but I'd have a look at Garmin also, specifically the Nuvi 200 or 250. I think they are coming in at around $250ish, and it has all the basic features needed for navigation, but lacks TTS (text to speech), which pronounces the names of streets. My TTOne lacks TTS also, but I have found it isn't absolutely necessary, but more of just a nice thing to have. I have made 1000+ mile trips with the TT (and without TTS) and it never missed a beat and I was very able to navigate with it.

Hope that helps you! Happy shopping!

Edit: Just noticed that Costco is offering the TomTom One XL-S for $250, which is a great deal! The XLS is similar to the XL, but also offers TTS.

Regards,

Mike

[azenthusiast]

I saw that the new TomTom features realtime traffic updates and re-routing now. I almost want to get one simply for that.

[stiffdogg06]

Get the Garmin. There are deals where you can get them for like $120. Retail is like $250-$300

[weekendwarrior]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Regarding the TomTom units (and remember I know very little about GPS), are downloads available for these as more roads are built in the future? Can you plug the unit into a computer and download updates?

[TigerMike]

Yep, both TomTom and Garmin are able to download map updates (not necessarily free however) and connect to the computer.

[SilvaBimma]

Having no idea about GPS, doing a little research this site really helps:

GPS Lodge - GPS reviews, GPS, GPS Receiver, Global Positioning System, Garmin, Etrex, Etrex Legend, Etrex Vista, Etrexm, Summit, GPSMap, Geko, Foretrex, Streetpilot, Magellan, eXplorist, Meridian, Mapsend, GPS Auto, GPS Automobile, Car GPS, Lowrance

I'd recommend the Garmin Nuvi 250, it's a good deal for a low/mid level and great for a starter GPS since it could be hands down one of the easiest to use.

Woo

[BlackElantraGT]

I was browsing Costco.com today and came across this TomTom here for $250 after $100 instant off:
Costco - $100 Off TomTom ONE XL-S 4.3" Touch Screen Display

Without researching, I'm sure you can find it slightly cheaper elsewhere but for $250, you get Text-To-Speech, a 4.3" screen, and it's a TomTom. My wife and I just purchased a Garmin C330 from Sam's Club as a gift for $130+tax, but it's a very basic GPS and nowhere near as nice as my Nuvi 660 or the TomTom One XL-S for that matter. So compared to what we just bought as a gift, the TomTom seems like a pretty decent deal for what you're getting.

As far as map updates, they aren't usually free. Garmin wants $80 for the upgrade to the NT City Navigator 2008. I was able to get Garmin to send me the new map because by my procrastination, I never registered my Nuvi when I first got it last Xmas. I didn't register it until this past September, and in the process, I was able to lie on my registration the date I purchased it. And since I inputted a very recent date, I automatically qualified for the free map update.

I highly suggest buying a GPS from Costco or Sam's, especially Costco as you cannot beat their return policy. Costco has an unconditional return policy on most items, excluding some electronics like TVs, Cameras, Ipods, and computers. Sam's Club return policy on the other hand is a bit more up in the air, as I've talked to their CS and they say they will take a return at any time, but then they also offer extended warranties at an extra cost, which makes me believe their return policy is not like Costco's. In any case, you can easily return it to both places without having to pay a restocking fee.

Other stores will charge a 10 or 15% restocking fee if you return it and the unit is not defective. In other words, no buyer's remorse unless you want to lose money. That's to prevent people from buying a GPS, using it for their weekend trip, and returning it the following week.

If you have a sibling(s) or relative(s) that wants to get in on this gift and don't mind splitting the costs for a more expensive unit, another thing I would HIGHLY recommend is getting a unit with Bluetooth. I'm not a traveler so I really have no need for my GPS for most places I go, but I find myself bringing the GPS just for the bluetooth feature alone on my Nuvi. I could care less about FM transmitter, MP3 player, JPEG viewers, videos, traffic updates, Text-To-Speech, etc. They could take away all those features and I wouldn't miss them, but I would not want to be without Bluetooth. This is from someone who barely uses his cell phone, so for someone that is constantly on the phone they will love this feature even more.

The POI databases aren't completely accurate so sometimes before I go out for drive to a place, I will look them up in the GPS. With the BT feature, once I find the POI, I can hit the call button and it dials the store. I can find out if they're actually still in business, what their store hours are, etc. There's a company called "Parrot" I believe that sells standalone BT units that's comparable to the BT you'll find in your navigation, and they want more than $250 for something that ONLY does BT, so when you consider that the prices of GPS w/ bluetooth isn't so bad.

Another recommendation is to get a friction mount for your car ($30-$40). If you get a Nuvi, it's a necessity as their suction mount is JUNK. That thing WILL fail on you in a couple of months. With the friction mount (think of a non-slip bean bag), you can easily hide your GPS from view when you're not in the car. Even if you detach your GPS, anyone looking to break into your car can see that you own a GPS if they see a suction mount on your windshield. If you have your GPS on you, they'll have broken into your car and stolen whatever they want. Or if you don't, they will find your GPS in your glove compartment and stolen whatever else they want.

[Ruttrow]

As a Garmin owner I would say Garmin. My first purchase of a GPS was a Tomtom. The tomtom had me driving past my destination on the right, do a uturn and then make a left. Same model 2 units same problem. Bluetooth is a +, IMO text to speech is a +, and traffic is a plus. That being said I have been looking at Magellan recently and they also look to be very nice, although I have no hands on with one.

[jshillin]

Go with a Garmin. I have a garmin and love it!!

[atticdog]

get a refurbished garmin 2610 off ebay for around $200
its still the gps most reviews compare to

[Joshua312]

I seen a Garmin 650 Nuvi on sale for like $300, definitely go with Garmin.