GPS Reccomendations

[DPancoast]

Starting to look into GPS units for a trip I'm taking in August. I don't really know much about what brands are better or if there are any other major differences. So I figured i'd ask you guys.

Not really looking to spend a ton of money since I won't use it much probably. But def need something that isn't going to get me lost or freeze up/fail.

I'm really good with regular road maps so it's not like I couldn't find my way around. But we are driving to basically the NC/TN border and I'd rather not get lost down there lol.

[Sublime1304]

I have a Garmin GPS and I hate it. While it takes me where I want to go, sometimes it will take me out of my way and make me go different directions even if my house is right up the street.

[JERRYM1997]

I have a garmin nuvi 1350t which has a free lifetime traffic subscription and lifetime updates and it has always worked perfect.

[renn]

the nc/tn border is really easy to get to...i95 to i81.

[lownslow95]

I've got the Garmin Nuvi series also, its alright for what it does. The only thing I hate about it is how many goddamn times it tells me to take a turn before I actually get to where I need to turn.

[TNTramair]

i have a Garmin Nuvi for about 4 years now and it performs flawlessly...my wife uses it most of the time now b/c i have nav on my Evo-4 and use that but for the money you cant go wrong with a Nuvi.

[OutToWinPAHC]

I had a Garmin Nuvi and loved it, but it got stolen a little over a year ago. I have had tomtom since and the garmin is a million times better.

[Zdrummer15]

I had a Sony GPS until it got stolen. It was not the best I've ever used so I would stay away from them. Since then I've used Magellan, Tom Tom, and Garmin and I'd have to say the Garmin was by far the best. I think that any people that complain about Garmin GPS's must either have worse luck then me or just haven't used other GPS units. Although the couple Garmins that I used weren't perfect, other brands were far worse. If you're going to rely solely on a cheap GPS to get you somewhere, you have to expect it to occasionally have trouble close to your destination (especially if it's a house). Ultimately any GPS you buy will likely do the job, just make sure you have a map as a back up in case you can't find the exact location you're looking for.

[SovXietday]

I sold GPS units for years, and I've used pretty much everything. Garmin is the answer, don't bother with anything else.

I have a Garmin GPS and I hate it. While it takes me where I want to go, sometimes it will take me out of my way and make me go different directions even if my house is right up the street.

Have you tried using different settings, like shortest distance instead of fastest time. GPS units are usually programmed with main road speed limits and not side road, so they will stick to roads that they can calculate the time taken to travel. Also, if you think that's bad, don't ever use a Sony unit. They will take you MILES out of the way, and I don't mean 1 or 2, I mean 10+.

[Elliott18t]

android phone navigation = win

[nhanxsolo]

Garmin is awesome. TomTom sucks.

[AutobahnRacer]

Garmin with Traffic Alerts and reality view. While the traffic alerts aren't always 100% accurate they are normally pretty accurate.

[Chris B.]

After having several different brands of GPS nav units, I'd say stick with Garmin. Also, you can get some models that allow you to plan routes on your computer wih the Garmin software ahead of time and upload it to your Garmin GPS. I forget what Garmin calls thsi feature. Mine has it and I use it often when I want to do weekend trips on my favorite back roads.

[05Accent]

I have a garmin nuvi 1350t which has a free lifetime traffic subscription and lifetime updates and it has always worked perfect.

i got my girlfriend that same one. i belive its the WT. (wide,traffic) she loves it. i needed it a few times and works perfectly.

[AutobahnRacer]

i got my girlfriend that same one. i belive its the WT. (wide,traffic) she loves it. i needed it a few times and works perfectly.

That is a great point I forgot to mention. MAKE SURE it is widescreen. you don't want a 4:3 screen trust me. you see so little of the map otherwise.

[sean3]

Google maps FTW. My Garmin has been collecting dust since I got a smartphone.

[05Accent]

That is a great point I forgot to mention. MAKE SURE it is widescreen. you don't want a 4:3 screen trust me. you see so little of the map otherwise.

yea widescreen is a must!

[WolfsFang]

I have a Garmin widescreen (forgot the model) and it wonderful.

[AutobahnRacer]

My model is discontinued but I love it. Garmin nüvi 755T

[Chris B.]

Google maps FTW. My Garmin has been collecting dust since I got a smartphone.

Google maps on smart phones doesn't have the features my Garmin has. I tried Google's navigation and its good, but my Garmin is still better. Havign your GPS show you what lanes you need to be in ahead of time is a nice feature. So is voice guidance that pronounces street names.

[jpalamar]

We have a TomTom because it was a Black Friday special. It gets me where I need to be but I like the Garmens menu system better. I personally think its just easier and more convenient to use.

I used my Andriod GPS and it worked good too, but I wouldn't relay on having cell service.

[BlkWhtTSI]

Garmins are crap if you ask me. I have used two different garmins and both constantly lost signal, took forever to get signal and had so-so graphics. I have a Magellan GPS (see link below) and it is fantastic. Sometimes it does take a little bit to find itself but i've found that if you give it 5 mins before you leave it will be ready to go. It's never lost signal even on back roads. I use it to find restaurants in the area and gas stations aswell.
Go with one (whichever brand you choose) that has spoken roads, and points of interest location (finds popular spots like restaurants, parks etc. etc

http://www.myworldphone.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GPS-MAG-1430-D <-- this is the model i own and love it.

[jpalamar]

Garmins are crap if you ask me. I have used two different garmins and both constantly lost signal, took forever to get signal and had so-so graphics. I have a Magellan GPS (see link below) and it is fantastic. Sometimes it does take a little bit to find itself but i've found that if you give it 5 mins before you leave it will be ready to go. It's never lost signal even on back roads. I use it to find restaurants in the area and gas stations aswell.
Go with one (whichever brand you choose) that has spoken roads, and points of interest location (finds popular spots like restaurants, parks etc. etc

http://www.myworldphone.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GPS-MAG-1430-D <-- this is the model i own and love it.

Our TomTom takes a few minute after you turn it on to get signal... even longer if you turn it on while your already driving. Really haven't had any signal losses that I can remember though.

[Sublime1304]

My garmin takes 15 minutes to find a signal. Literally. Sometimes I can get to my destination before it finds a signal

[AutobahnRacer]

My garmin takes 15 minutes to find a signal. Literally. Sometimes I can get to my destination before it finds a signal

Something wrong with your device than. Mine finds signal within 5-10 seconds after turning on if I am in the same general area where I turned it off last.

However if I turn it off in PA and back on in NJ again, yes it takes a little, but no more than a minute or two.

[TNTramair]

also...if you turn it on while you are driving than it will take longer to find a signal b/c its trying to find a moving object. if im sitting still it take a few seconds after i put in the address....if im moving than it will take longer.

[Chris B.]

My garmin takes 15 minutes to find a signal. Literally. Sometimes I can get to my destination before it finds a signal

Mine usually finds a signal within 15-30 seconds of turning it on if its been off for a while. The only times I've had it take longer were when I was in the middle of a city around a bunch of tall buildings.

[Meeshell]

I have a Garmin Nuvi and I love it. you've used it before, too! it tells you a good distance before your next turn where you need to go, doesn't give too many directions (imo) and has a clear and comprehensive map on screen. I'd look into map upgrade options for different systems... i think Garmin tells me i have to pay money to upgrade my maps right now. I've put it off forever because I'm lazy though. as for locating a signal, yeah it can take a few minutes, but if you physically go back to the directions screen and "Stop" the route, I've found mine finds it's signal faster the next time because it's not trying to recalculate to the previous destination.

The one thing I'd suggest is to check with Schepis to see what model he has/had... I dont know if you remember or not but he had one that told the speed limit for each road. that seems pretty legit. Wish my Garmin did that.

[AutobahnRacer]

I have a Garmin Nuvi and I love it. you've used it before, too! it tells you a good distance before your next turn where you need to go, doesn't give too many directions (imo) and has a clear and comprehensive map on screen. I'd look into map upgrade options for different systems... i think Garmin tells me i have to pay money to upgrade my maps right now. I've put it off forever because I'm lazy though.

The one thing I'd suggest is to check with Schepis to see what model he has/had... I dont know if you remember or not but he had one that told the speed limit for each road. that seems pretty legit. Wish my Garmin did that.

Mine does this as well, though not always 100% accurate it is handy because I often miss or forget what the speed limit is lol

[KustomZ03]

I have an older Garmin and have never had any issues with it. I've been looking into getting a new one though because well its old and I've never updated the maps so alot of newer areas aren't on there.

[DPancoast]

Thanks for all of the responses so far guys. I am most likely going to be getting a Garmin unit, but I just wanted to see what fellow TST members had/have used. Haven't really had time to actually start looking but I guess we'll see what happens within the next couple weeks

[BlkWhtTSI]

My mom was using her garmin on several occasions and it just cut out and said signal lost, therefore rendering her lost. My friend also has had a similar issue with his garmin. Could be a coincidence.

[bugeye1257]

you guys do know you can update the garmins? i have one but never use it. iphone gps all day! haha i always use/only it on trips

[JSpecV03]

definetly garmin. i have an older 255 and it works fine. although, the google navi on my andriod phone is alot more updated and updates for free, its alot more accurate. but when driving looking at the phone is a pita. having a dash mounted navi is the way to go. plus the smart phone gps's are assisted gps from the network carrier, so if your out in the boonies and have no cell phone signal your screwed while the garmin wil work fine.
my only complaint is that when i took mine to las vegas last year, i turned it off and i turned it back on in the rental car in nevada it took like 20 minutes to figure out where it was. did the same thing when i came home.
but def garmin all the way.

edit: one thing i love about the garmin in my car, is it shows you a pic of the speed limit sigh on the screen. def comes in handy. i dont know if the new ones do that or not.

[jesse096]

I've got the Garmin Nuvi series also, its alright for what it does. The only thing I hate about it is how many goddamn times it tells me to take a turn before I actually get to where I need to turn.

Thats why I turned the voice off lmao, I just make sur eI look at the thing a few times during my trip lol.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 205 and it's great! Usually gets me to where I'm going quickly, and it was only like 90 bucks.

-Jesse