GPS units....

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have had a Tom Tom ONE XL for about 4-5 years and I like it. I am in the market for a new unit. Momma seems to have deleted some of my trails... I used to use a hand held magellan unit, but I sold it with part of a package.. (other story) Anyhow, I want my own..

 

First and foremost, I want to stay with Tom Tom. I want to stay under 150$

 

I was looking at a 130, then found that the 130S was better. Started thinking the larger screen of the 140S would be better. but every review I read goes right into recommending the 340... SO, Now I'm up to a 340S...

 

Any one have this or another Tom Tom that you can shed some light on for me?

 

CW

[JeepcoMJ]

I have had a Tom Tom ONE XL for about 4-5 years and I like it. I am in the market for a new unit. Momma seems to have deleted some of my trails... I used to use a hand held magellan unit, but I sold it with part of a package.. (other story) Anyhow, I want my own..

 

First and foremost, I want to stay with Tom Tom. I want to stay under 150$

 

I was looking at a 130, then found that the 130S was better. Started thinking the larger screen of the 140S would be better. but every review I read goes right into recommending the 340... SO, Now I'm up to a 340S...

 

Any one have this or another Tom Tom that you can shed some light on for me?

 

CW

 

I've had nothing but problems with my tomtom.

 

it freezes then takes around 20 min. to be OK. last thursday it froze and now it won't charge.

 

that's with constant software and map updates done religiously.

 

I bought another one halfway through this one's life span...it also began freezing within a day. both were the widescreen ones, whatever model those are.

 

 

I only ever had one problem with my old garmin...and that's that I was careless and tossed it in the van, and it broke the reciever so it wouldn't work.

 

 

my opinion, stay away from tomtom JUNK. not only is it garbage, but the name is redundant

[Sir Sam]

not only is it garbage, but the name is redundant

 

Man, you crack me up. :yes:

[CWLONGSHOT]

We agree on one thing Pat.. I have a problem with people with two first names... LOL :brows: :eek: :cheers:

 

I had some problems with my unit at one time, but I did it myself, I removed the memory chip with the unit running. I didn't know it was using the files on it... I was able to go online and repair it. Worst it does now Is once in a while will go back to the very first screen where you have to agree with the terms of use. then it takes about 5 Min's for it to boot up. But this is only when it has sat for a long period of time with no use and a dead dead dead battery!

 

I like the unit, the different voices and ease of use. i used my friends magellan and hated it, also used another brand ?? I don't remember who but a computer voice was only option and it was VERY slow re directing if you went off coarse... I like the Tom tom.

 

CW

[JeepcoMJ]

I do like having G.W. Bush tell me where to go.... "you have reached your destification".

 

 

mine does that freeze-up and reboot issue.

[CWLONGSHOT]

OZZY is the one that makes me laugh... Outta nowhere you hear, FARGIN' LEFT TURN AHEAD and At the end of the fargin' road, go left!!! Only he ain't sayin fargin'. :yes: :brows:

 

CW

[JeepcoMJ]

yeah.

 

well, just reset mine...no dice, won't charge. this turns me off to them, at least.

 

only reason I'd buy one is that it's used, and it's cheap, and the same model...so that if the screen cracks/breaks, I've got a spare screen for it.

[jimoshel]

I always thought GPS were neat and wanted one. A while back the GF took her truck in for servicing and got a loaner from the dealer. It had gps installed. Not sure what brand but think it was a Garmin. Short story, We're sitting in front of the house and it's telling us we're not there 'cause that street didn't exist. No longer have a desire for a GPS. :no:

[JeepcoMJ]

I always thought GPS were neat and wanted one. A while back the GF took her truck in for servicing and got a loaner from the dealer. It had gps installed. Not sure what brand but think it was a Garmin. Short story, We're sitting in front of the house and it's telling us we're not there 'cause that street didn't exist. No longer have a desire for a GPS. :no:

 

they need to be updated.

[90MJext]

i bought a 340 from amazon for i think 99.00 no problems.

[beepbeepmyredjeep]

My GPS of choice is actually my cell phone.

 

I have a G1 (http://www.androidg1.org/)

 

A recent Google update added turn-by-turn navigation.

 

When I'm riding in my MJ I'll hook up the phone to the stereo, turn on Pandora Radio (ad-supported free streaming music to the G1), then turn on Google Maps. Get directions to where I'm headed, switch to navigate mode, then turn off my phone display and go. Google Maps automatically pauses the music to give me voice directions. Plus I can answer calls and use my stereo as a hands free speakerphone system.

 

I'm working on trying to create a docking cradle of sorts to keep the phone on the dash, so I can look at the map from time to time without taking my eyes off the road.

[Pete M]

I like our tomtom. Especially the fact that she never says the word "recalculating". :clapping:

 

She does freeze up occasionally, but I've tracked it down to what I think is a bad battery. If I plug in the car charger for a couple minutes before pushing the ON button, everything works great. :dunno: Since then I found an old phone charger that fits the plug and now it's recharging continuously in the house. :D no problems since.

[comanche09]

I still have my 5 year old Garmin C320. It has never freezed up on me, but after 2 years of ownership it no longer held a charge (needs constant DCV) and I have to turn the volume off because it will shut down when it gives verbal prompts out loud for some reason. Cost me about 4 times what a new comparable model today cost, but thats technology for ya...

[mythreesons]

......Since then I found an old phone charger that fits the plug and now it's recharging continuously in the house. :D no problems since.

 

Pete, if you need your TomTom in the house, the MJ addiction is the least of your worries. :shake: :D :wavey:

 

Scott

[Pete M]

ha ha :shake: :clapping:

 

there's only one gps, but several vehicles here. It only goes out to a car when needed.

[wyk]

I always thought GPS were neat and wanted one. A while back the GF took her truck in for servicing and got a loaner from the dealer. It had gps installed. Not sure what brand but think it was a Garmin. Short story, We're sitting in front of the house and it's telling us we're not there 'cause that street didn't exist. No longer have a desire for a GPS. :no:

 

GPS doesn't tell you where you AREN'T - it tells you where you ARE(which, I guess, sort of tells you where you aren't...er anyways). Did you mean to say the GPS was saying the STREET wasn't there? If so - update it. You don't use old paper maps - don't use old GPS maps. Even an old GPS is useful if it isn't updated simply because it also gives you the exact coordinates of your location in geographic coordinate system units, and it also takes GCS units as a destination. One of the huge benefits to GPS is the fact, unlike a map, it tells you exactly where you are at any given time. And, if you do own a decent map of the area, you can never get lost.

 

I set my Garmin to only chime when I am near a feature like a turn etc. I preview the journey ahead of time so I have an idea what to expect, and I then use it as a HUD while I drive and keep it at the base of the windshield. No need for voices, and I can tell where I am exactly simply with a glance. So when it comes to GPS, get the newest and biggest and most expensive one you can afford. It has more real estate, a better antenna, and faster processor.

 

As an aside, few people realize that the Theory of Relativity plays a huge role in the GPS system. If the satellites aren't calibrated correctly for the fact that time affects the satellites less since they are traveling at a much faster speed than we are on earth, they would be off by up to 6 miles a day.

 

Back to your normally scheduled program...

[CWLONGSHOT]

Thanks for all the comments guys!!

 

I use mine just like Pete, it stays charged and when in the car stays plugged in. I rarely use battery power.

 

I have been cruising EBay and threw a bid at a couple units... well I got up this AM and found that I had won a 340S.... A little over 100 bucks for a new unit shipped. Hope I like it!!

 

CW

[wyk]

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inch-W ... 906&sr=8-1

 

there's a good deal

[jimoshel]

One of my means of support when I was working was station manager of satellite tracking stations, New Mexico State University and DOD. We could pinpoint a location within 3 meters on the first pass of the satellite and narrow it down with each following pass until the 5th which gave a us a reading of less than a meter. I am familiar with how they work.

[mnkyboy]

my brother has a tom tom 330 and seems to really like it.

 

I have a Magellan roadmate and it works great,ive been temporarily moved from the shop and put in a service truck so the GPS has become my best friend over the last few months :cheers: .

[landlubber]

I got my dad a Garmin Nuvi 205w for his birthday a few years ago, that thing is nice. got it for 180 something i want to say just after it came out, its under $100 nowadays.

 

excellent battery life too - good for me when i use it (no cig lighter in my truck)

 

good luck with whatever you go for.

[JeepcoMJ]

I just put my DeLorme usb gps reciever on my CF-48 p4 panasonic toughbook. touch screen, fairly easy to use when you're used to it, and I have all other computer apps as well.

 

$80 well spent, and it updates every time you connect to the internet.

[CWLONGSHOT]

Well,

I have had the new unit a couple days and have used it for a couple short in state trips. I like the new software, its "cleaner" than the old one on my ONE XL.

My one complaint is one of the vary things i chose this unit... sound quality. I have a TJ and its topless most of the time. (Why have a wrangler with a top???) The sound is not appreciably better than the ONE XL. Its adequate, not better.

 

Overall I like the unit!

 

Thanks for the tips!!

 

CW

[mnkyboy]

thats why i didnt get a tom tom,i had heard of sound quality issues.

 

my brother uses his in a car and likes it but i use mine in a diesel service truck so sound was important to me.

[JeepcoMJ]

at least tomtom doesn't sound like a robot.

 

 

but hey, I'm the guy who mutes it and just pays attention to the screen