GPS system questions

18 years ago

Thinking of buying a GPS system for DD who moved to LA a year ago. What brands are good? which should be avoided? What do you think of the add on kinds?

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Comments (19)

JoanMN
18 years ago
We just got a Garmin Nuvi 750 last week. It is so slick!
Got it at Sam's club for $299, it was $499 at Best Buy.
JoanMN
Nita__AZ
18 years ago
I just got a Nuvi 650 which is so easy to use. I would stick with a Garmin brand GPS.
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You can always check the reviews of electronics at cnet.com. It's free and you don't need to register. I did a search on GPS and it's linked below. Here is a link that might be useful: GPS systems reviewed on cnet.com
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My son has rented a lot of cars and had the opportunity to use many different GPS systems. He said the Garmin is the most user friendly. I have a friend whose husband is even more frugal than mine. He did much checking around and wound up with the Tom Tom. All I know is she never uses it....doesn't like it. Still goes to map quest. Some times saving money is not a savings!
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To be on the safe side, keep it plugged in. I also have found that if you are going on a very long trip, stop the GPS and start it over. Once we were told to get off at an exit and when we did it was clear it was going in the wrong direction. Also, have your directions printed out from google maps just in case something happens with the GPS. Sometimes there are dead zones, sometimes a new road (which is why you need to update your GPS from time to time). For the most part, it works great.
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let me preface this by saying i am an expert in semi logistics, i route & ship more than $10 million worth of landscape plant materials ea yr, from south VA to the TX border, for the last 9 yrs. he CAN NOT use one that is a regular GPS, it MUST be only a model for semi trucks. he needs to check out the truck stops(or their websites), they sell the best ones and for the best prices. be prepared to spend lot more than any regular models, atleast $300-400. truck models have settings that come up w/ routes based on what roads, bridges and overpasses semi's can drive. using a car model GPS will soon get you a tix that will cost more than a weeks pay and add points to your license and make it difficult for the employer to get insurance coverage for you plus you will not be able to easily get jobs w/ points on your record. we do not hire drivers that have points on their record or have ever had any tix other than DOT trailer issues. i once had a lost driver get himself stuck on a steep declining residential road in Birmingham AL because he used a Garmin for cars. that tow cost $850, he was gone the next week. congrats to your son, i hope he really loves driving LOL! i used to have several drivers who had been w/ us for many many yrs but they all left over the last yr to drive for the same cross country hauler making $2000 a week and home on weekends too. there is $$ to make in that industry and it's only growing, gas prices will not affect it alot as people need their goods no matter what the cost. i would like to also suggest he get a very good bluetooth headset, not the cheapie kind everday people use, it needs to be one that wraps around the top of the head and has earphones w/ a boom speaker. my veteran drivers all have that one (all got at pilot truck stops i think) and it makes a tremendous difference in my ability to hear them w/ their windows open (they won't change that LOL) and in them being able to hear my loud mouth LOL. again congrats! if he's ever looking for something based in central fl or wants names of cross country hauling jobs send me an email! ~ liz
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deamn
18 years ago
I saw a show on TV about them and Garmin was rated above all the others.

I don't go to alot of unfamilar places without DH, but when I have, my Garmin has been my best friend!!! Geez, how did we ever survive without modern technology??
grammahony
18 years ago
I have the Garmin Nuvi 350. I got mine a couple of years ago, while in Phoenix for a couple of winter months. I got tired of getting lost everywhere I went. I love mine.
Leslie
lindasc
18 years ago
Garmin for me and hubby. Mine has the larger screen.
gazania_gw
18 years ago
A Garmin here too. Love it. It has taken us through big cities sooo easily, but got us lost in a couple no traffic light towns in PA. Go figure?
patti43
18 years ago
We have the Garmin Nuvi 650, like Nita. On our way to Indiana earlier this month, we decided to get off the interstate and take a different route. It was a little frustrated at first--kept trying to get us back to the interstate--but after a while it adapted to it.

They are far from perfect yet, but sure help. I need to study my manual!
monica_pa Grieves
18 years ago
We have GPS software on our PCs, a Garmin TomTom in both autos, and a large screen integrated GPS system in the street rod (integrated with the rear-view video system).
nikki_nj
18 years ago
Garmin
Magellen
TomTom

All have similar, good ratings.

I have a Tom Tom, no problems.
liz
18 years ago
We have Garmin's...(in hubby and DS's cars) Greta Garmin got me safely to Bumpkins last month...however when I whipped into the McDonalds on the ride over for an egg mcmuffin...as I was pulling out of the drive thru, I fully expected as she said "Recalculating your route"..I thought she was gonna give me grief about eating a McMuffin" and ask me for a bite or sumpin...(I hadn't bothered to ask Hubster how to shut her up)..LOL I quickly figured out that if you veer from how she wants you to go she starts griping at ya!...It was the first time I had ever used one...it still just blows my mind how accurate they are...I arrived at Bumpkins within 3 minutes of the time the garmin said I would...IT DOESNT RECOGNIZE time changes...I got to the church with what I thought was 10 minutes to spare...Alabama is an hour behind Georgia and I had forgot the time change...there wasn't a soul in the church parking lot...I flipped and sat there for about 10 minutes wondering what to do...then I picked up the cell and realized I was an hour early!
Nita__AZ
18 years ago
For trips they are the greatest especially if you don't have a co-pilot to help you reading signs. I am headed to MN/St Paul tomorrow and am sure she will get me to Hayjud's without a problem. It is great not to have to scour over maps before going on a trip. You don't have to worry about making a wrong turn because if you do she will just recalculate and tell you where to go.

If I decided I want to go a different way from what she says I just keep turning in the opposite direction and finally she will get the point and head me the way I want to go.

Hey Liz, at least you weren't an hour late. lol
Linda Wayman
18 years ago
We have a Garmin and used it to get around Orlando a few weeks ago. It's great!!

Linda
maryanntx
18 years ago
I just bought the Garmin eTrex Venture CX and it's so easy to use. I bought it mainly for geocaching, but will use it at any opportunity. I knew nothing about using a GPS system, but this one has been easy to learn.
donna_loomis
18 years ago
I love my Tom Tom.
gazania_gw
18 years ago
Another thing that our Garmin dosen't recognize...I assume all GPS's...is one way streets. And don't curse out the poor thing like my DH did in West Virginia on our way to Florida. He had 'Hal' set to "fastest" route, but did not intend to travel the W.V. turnpike. Poor Hal tried his damndest to direct us back onto the TP. Finally in utter desperation, Hal said..."there is a better route available".

There is a radio commercial running locally for a Ford that is equipped with a GPS. The driver turns away several times from the direction that the female voiced GPS is giving him. She wants him to turn left on Elm Street. Finally she asks'"Just what is it that you don't like about Elm Street?"
sandy_in_ia
18 years ago
We have a Magellen....'Maggie'. I just love her! I am directionally and map reading challenged! I love the turn by turn directions.
redcurls
18 years ago
Even Consumer Reports says Garmin and Tom-Tom have the best maps. I love our Garmin Street Pilot
bigbaby
18 years ago
This post is coming to me at a very good time! I'm a hospice social worker and cover 12 counties in southeast minnesota. I got lost 3 times last week and just about had a coniption fit! I was thinking about getting one of these things. Everyone else at work has something similar. Once you buy it do you have to subscribe to some monthly service? I have never used one or seen it work.
Nita__AZ
18 years ago
Bigbaby, unless you buy one that has bluetooth or XM Radio there is no monthly fee. If you do buy one that has those features there isn't a fee unless you decide to activate those features.

GPS system questions

Comments (19)

JoanMN

Nita__AZ

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