I am finally taking the plunge and getting a GPS

[radiantquest]

I am tired of not knowing where I am going. DH insists that I do not need one. I am getting one, but have a few Q''s.

I am not willing to spend tons of $$ on it so I searched amazon.com. I found a Garmin there for a reasonable price. I pay the price and they send to me, then what?
Does it have to be programed by someone?
Is there a monthly charge?
How much are the updates?
Which is better Garmin or TomTom?

Any and all opinions welcome.

 

[Shoopy]

Just out of curiosity, what cell phone do you have? Almost all of the "smart" phones have GPS applications you can download for free. Some are great, some are not. My blackberry has a couple that I''m not too fond of but FI''s droid''s FREE GPS is awesome. It tells you the names of the streets, updates your location as you are driving, and you can even zoom in on your destination to get a street view to make sure you are going to the right place. And the best part is that he can use the GPS without it interrupting phone use.

Anyway, if you have a smartphone I would check with it to see if you get a free gps app.

If not, I have found that they all do the same thing and the price varies depending on the features you feel you need. I have a very simple Magellan GPS that my mom gave me as a gift and I love it. I''ve used Garmins and they work great too. From my experience, the only thing you need to program is your preferred language and the date/time.

 

[radiantquest]

Love your new pic Fiery! So precious. I have a blackberry, but they want $10 a month for the service. I know it is only $10, but a garmin or tomtom would be cost waaay less in the long run. DH has the iphone and he has free gps.

So I do not need someone to program it or activate it or anything like that?

I suppose there really isnt any installation required either right?

Does it have an antenna cord like satellite radio does or does it work wirelessly like a cell phone?

 

[allycat0303]

Hi Radiant!

I have had both Garmin and TomTom, and I liked Garmin A LOT more.

It does not need to be reprogrammed. I assume you live in the US, so it will come with the US map. You plug it into the car, and then it goes on. Instructions appear on the screen (select language, select preferences..etc.) you can always go into other options when you know it better. Then you enter the address, street, where you want to go.

If you go to another country and want the map (i.e we went to europe) you have to buy the map. In our case, it's downloaded onto your computer, and you have to buy an extra memory card and put it in the garmin. But that's if you are in somewhere other then north america and need the GPS.

It's very easy to use (I'm technologically not good either).

ETA: It has a plug to the car for battery, so there is a wire, but not for the *brain* of the GPS.

 

[MsP]

IMO, Garmin is far better than TomTom. Some of the higher end TomToms are competitive, but the lower end models(and even middle range) are really lacking compared to Garmin. As for using cellphones... my experience has only been so-so. I have a smart phone with supposedly very good GPS capabilities. Does it work? Yes. Is it accurate? Yes. Would I use it over my Garmin? Absolutely NOT. The screen is very poor in the sunlight, the speaker doesn''t announce the roads clearly, and if I get a call, I can only do one or the other. I do use my phone when I forget my GPS or when I''m walking.

Just two more things: GPS does not work very well in cities with tall buildings. My parents have relied on their unit to get them around the city(unfamiliar) and they freak out when the signal goes out when they''re trying to find their way.

Also, when you first get your unit, make sure the maps are the most up-to-date. For example, I''m sure many units on the shelf right now have 2010 maps but the 2011 maps are out. Call the company and tell them you just bought the unit and want the newest maps. They''ll likely give you the upgrade for free--typically costs like $50.

 

[radiantquest]

I think that I am going to order it. We have a tech junkie here and he said that they are pretty easy to initiate. He says that you just turn it on and it aquires signal and then you are good to go. I am excited.

Thank you for clearing this up for me. I am ordering the Garmin nuvi 205. Not top notch, but a good starter device.

 

[Shoopy]

Thanks Radiant!

Yeah the BB GPS apps are not that great. There are some free ones in the application store that get the job done but it''s better to just get a gps separately.

 

[Allison D.]

RQ, you may want to look at the Garmin comparision chart before you select a model:

http://gpstracklog.com/compare/garmin-nuvi-comparison-chart

The 205 doesn''t speak street names, so it will just say "in 500 feet, take a right turn." The models that do speak street names will say "turn right onto McLellan Drive." This was a MUST have for me when I purchased my mom''s Garmin because she wasn''t sure WHICH right she was supposed to take! LOL

 

[Allison D.]

Also, a few other things to consider:

I''m familiar iwth both TomTom and Garmin, and I much prefer the Garmin. It''s much more accurate in my experience.

Also, I''d highly recommend going with the widescreen one - much easier to read/see.

There is no programming to be done; out of the box, you simply select the time zone you''re in and the language you want to use.

To find an address, you simply enter the city, the street number, and the street name, and it will take you there. You can save common destinations to your Favorites folder.

Also, you can set preferences if you wish. My aunt hates to drive on highways, so hers is set up to select routes that avoid them.

You''ll love having one - my mom literally cannot navigate around a square block, so it''s frustrating for her. Having the Garmin has given her a newfound freedom.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/2/2010 10:50:35 AM
Author:radiantquest
I am tired of not knowing where I am going. DH insists that I do not need one. I am getting one, but have a few Q's.

I am not willing to spend tons of $$ on it so I searched amazon.com. I found a Garmin there for a reasonable price. I pay the price and they send to me, then what?
Does it have to be programed by someone?
Is there a monthly charge?
How much are the updates?
Which is better Garmin or TomTom?

Any and all opinions welcome.

2 months ago i bought a refurbished (think they're new) Garmin 255w from Amazon for $99

not worth updating just trash the old one and buy another one.

btw; this was my 3rd Garmin.

 

[April20]

I''ve had the TomTom and Garmin and I like the Garmin TONS better. The Garmin interface is better IMO. Much more user friendly.

You literally just put it in your car, turn it on, let it find the satelittes and you are good to go! So easy!

You can get a great Garmin for about $150.

 

[lyra]

We have an older Garmin. I like having it for sure. I''m not a big driver, but it sure has helped finding locations we''ve never been to before--which we seem to constantly be doing! My DH just updated it the other day via USB to his laptop. Takes a couple of hours. Confession: I sort of insist we use it if DH is driving us to an unknown location, it makes the trip go a lot faster and no frustrations!

 

[Arkteia]

My husband invested in a Garmin with pre-loaded maps of USA, Canada and Europe (they did not have Mexico for some reason). Not only it is helpful during traveling overseas - it warns you if police radar is nearby. Very convenient. I think it paid for itself on day one.

 

[radiantquest]

I am mostly going to be in the US. I would be willing to get an Europe map because DH and I are planning to go to Italy in February or March and I am sure it would be very helpful then. WooHoo. Another excuse for me to get one.

I am ok with it not saying the street name. The one I am thinking of getting doesnt say the street names, but it is at the top of the screen. Like I said for my starter one I am not looking to spend a lot. If and when it becomes very useful I will get a bigger, better one.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/2/2010 3:00:34 PM
Author: radiantquest
I am mostly going to be in the US. I would be willing to get an Europe map because DH and I are planning to go to Italy in February or March and I am sure it would be very helpful then. WooHoo. Another excuse for me to get one.

I am ok with it not saying the street name. The one I am thinking of getting doesnt say the street names, but it is at the top of the screen. Like I said for my starter one I am not looking to spend a lot. If and when it becomes very useful I will get a bigger, better one.

i''m pretty sure the Garmin 205 does say the street names.