Best GPS system??
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Garmin. 
Lots of mountings solutions at semsons.com, like this:
Travel Buddy double cupholder is a bit pricey, but fits perfectly.
Lots of mountings solutions at semsons.com, like this:
Travel Buddy double cupholder is a bit pricey, but fits perfectly.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
I have used Garmin two different models, Tom Tom, and Magellan.
The Magellan I like the best so I bought two of these as they are very user friendly and less cost. I use the Magellan's over the Garmins as I find Garmins have too many bells & whistles that I don't need like I don't need to know how long I have been idling or the Eco status of my car. Also the Garmin program that came with first unit I bought from them I had to return twice because directions were inaccurate.
Tom Tom was not user friendly. So now I ended up with 4 GPS units.
The Magellan I like the best so I bought two of these as they are very user friendly and less cost. I use the Magellan's over the Garmins as I find Garmins have too many bells & whistles that I don't need like I don't need to know how long I have been idling or the Eco status of my car. Also the Garmin program that came with first unit I bought from them I had to return twice because directions were inaccurate.
Tom Tom was not user friendly. So now I ended up with 4 GPS units.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I tried my daughters Garman.. it was nice, but then I had a chance to try a Magellan... That sealed the Deal I now own 3 Magellan's one in each of my cars...the least expensive was about $109 and the best one I got cost about $149 its 4.7" and I have lifetime map updates, and audible traffic alerts, and auto detours around an accident or for any reason, its GREAT.. and (Personally) I'll never switch to another brand of GPS .. !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 416
From: hardyston new jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'25
Garmin makes a good unit, they have many different models with various features. Price wise anywheres from $99.00 to $300.00.
You should go to Best Buy, or Radio Shack where they have them all on display so you can try them out in the store and see for yourself which one meets your needs in both features and price.
You should go to Best Buy, or Radio Shack where they have them all on display so you can try them out in the store and see for yourself which one meets your needs in both features and price.
I have a Nuvi which I got several years ago. Only draw back is that it needs to be updated every year. The new models may not need that done.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,759
Likes: 539
From: AZ
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
My old Garmin I believe a model 760? I was able to get a free update even though it didn't have the feature when I bought it new. The 1490 model I have does have this feature.
The Magellan's I have updated also for free.
The Magellan's I have updated also for free.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,717
From: Springfield MO
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 475
Likes: 158
I have a Tom Tom, and it works pretty well. However, in my experience, their customer service is horrible. I'm on my 3rd one, because the first 2 were defective (failed during an update, leaving me with a totally dead unit). It took me numerous calls and several hours on the phone to get them to replace the defective units. The first replacement was one model lower than the one that I returned, and I had a hard time getting them to admit it. Also, Virginia's rural Interstates have been 70 mph for about 2 years, and Tom Tom still hasn't updated their maps to reflect that change.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
I like the Garmin 5 inch GPS. I like the colors in the graphics. They're a little easier to see at a glance. When I'm not in need of directions, I have it show the speed in large numbers, and use it as a heads-up display in my truck. I often reset the mileage and timer...moving and stopped. When I arrive at my destination, I can easily see how far I drove, and how long it took to drive, and to wait at red lights. Many people mentioned free updates, which are nice, and give you a good feeling...but they don't really change much from year to year. After 3 or more years, you may notice a NEED. My newest Garmin couldn't find a couple of small rural roads that have been there for years. My Android phone found these roads, but for normal navigating, I like the bigger screen, and lane assist, and voice street names.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I like the Garmin 5 inch GPS. I like the colors in the graphics. They're a little easier to see at a glance. When I'm not in need of directions, I have it show the speed in large numbers, and use it as a heads-up display in my truck. I often reset the mileage and timer...moving and stopped. When I arrive at my destination, I can easily see how far I drove, and how long it took to drive, and to wait at red lights. Many people mentioned free updates, which are nice, and give you a good feeling...but they don't really change much from year to year. After 3 or more years, you may notice a NEED. My newest Garmin couldn't find a couple of small rural roads that have been there for years. My Android phone found these roads, but for normal navigating, I like the bigger screen, and lane assist, and voice street names.
It is programmed to quickest time to get to destination and that is not the quickest way.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Gotta agree, the smart phone app, is really making all the other jobs obsolete. Don't actually have a smart phone myself, as not currently needing one, or wanting to pay for the extra features. Probably be doing the transition soon though.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 40
From: Smallingerland Friesland, Netherlands
I just mentioned this in another thread. I highly recommend the MotionX-GPS navigation app for the iPhone. MotionX-GPS navigation does it all and it's inexpensive....live voice guidance, current traffic information, updated information, etc. You can port it through an existing in-car (Nav) display and/or through the car's speakers. MotionX-GPS was rated higher than the Garmin offering. In several instances I got more accurate information with this app than my friend did using his expensive, dedicated Nav system. I was impressed. If you have an iPhone check it out. I think you can use the basic system for free but the live voice guidance is something like $10 a year.
For Android phones I've heard Google (the evil empire) has a good, navigation app.
For Android phones I've heard Google (the evil empire) has a good, navigation app.