GPS Recommendation

[jimoshel]

After getting lost a couple times while getting up in the middle of the night to go to the john, I've decided to splurge and get me a GPS. We've all heard the stories where some idiot blindly followed his GPS directions and drove off a cliff or something equally asinine. What I would like is recommendations on which ones are good and which ones to avoid. Thanks in advance, Jim

[mkbruin]

Google Maps on Droid hasn't let me down yet. Neither did the Sprint suppleid GPS on my old blackberry.

[87Warrior]

It is hard to go wrong with Garmin. Not only are their maps and routing the best I have used, their customer service ranks right up there.

 

Selecting a model boils down to figuring out what you want out of it. Car only? Only roads? What about topo maps? Will you want to carry it with you when hiking or biking? Do you want it to avoid the traffic jambs while in the city? What about being waterproof?

 

I have an old basic handheld GPS. After 7 years of abuse one of the battery spring clips broke. I sent it in for repair and they sent me a brand new unit, still in the box. My now 3 year old replacement still comes along with me on Jeepin adventures.

 

My wife has a very basis car Garmin she got from a bank rewards program. The battery is only good for an hour or two, but that has not been a problem as it comes with the 12v adapter and windshield mount.

[mvusse]

I own a Garmin and a Tomtom. Since I've had the Tomtom the Garmin has been sitting in a drawer.

[mnkyboy]

My magellan is great. I think you would be ok with magellan,garmin or tom tom.

 

IMO best bang for the buck is in the $150 ish range

[mule13]

i love my tom tom i don't know how i found anything the first 40 years of my life i swear.

[1990 Pioneer 4x4]

depends on what you're planning to use it for... Street driving going place-to-place = Tom Tom type would work well. If ya plan on using it for finding your way in the back country, i'd go with the magellan/garmin type.

[Oizarod115]

i loved my garmin until i played with my buddys tomtom. thats what i'd go with next go round.

[jimoshel]

I own a Garmin and a Tomtom. Since I've had the Tomtom the Garmin has been sitting in a drawer.

What feature made you select the TomTom over the Garmin?

depends on what you're planning to use it for... Street driving going place-to-place = Tom Tom type would work well. If ya plan on using it for finding your way in the back country, i'd go with the magellan/garmin type.

Probably the primary use will be to pull the Jeep, Or the horse over, take a reading and locate it, me, on a topographic map.

Secondary use will be to confirm a location when on a search and rescue.

And I do appreciate the replies and comments. Jim

[comanche12]

I love Garmin for general but TOM TOM for driving.

[mvusse]

I own a Garmin and a Tomtom. Since I've had the Tomtom the Garmin has been sitting in a drawer.

What feature made you select the TomTom over the Garmin?

depends on what you're planning to use it for... Street driving going place-to-place = Tom Tom type would work well. If ya plan on using it for finding your way in the back country, i'd go with the magellan/garmin type.

Probably the primary use will be to pull the Jeep, Or the horse over, take a reading and locate it, me, on a topographic map.

Secondary use will be to confirm a location when on a search and rescue.

And I do appreciate the replies and comments. Jim

 

My Tomtom has a larger screen, more up to date maps, and is faster calculating a better route with driving time estimates that were off only 4 minutes over a 7 hour trip. Even the latest maps for my Garmin are still missing some back roads in Canada and show streets that have never existed except in the planning stage of a housing development that was never built. Oddly enough, Google shows those same streets as well.

[Blue XJ]

depends on what you're planning to use it for... Street driving going place-to-place = Tom Tom type would work well. If ya plan on using it for finding your way in the back country, i'd go with the magellan/garmin type.

 

 

x2

 

I have a Nuvi that I can use for driving directions, and for hiking/backpacking I have a Garmin GPSMap60CSx, I would recommend both. The GPSMap also does turn by turn if you get the software for it. I took both to Hawaii with me a few months ago and we only used the GPSMap the entire time. 70% driving / 30% trail hiking.

[jimoshel]

It's a moot point, now. My little bro was down other day. He gave me his old one, a Garmin GPS Map. Seems to be a nice unit. Going to wait until I try it out in the woods and check battery life. We'll see, but hey,,,it's free.

[87Warrior]

Jim,

My GPSmap 60c is what Garmin replaced when it broke after 7 years. A good solid unit.

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Depending on your model, you may be able to install the navigation program so it would work like those road style units.

[jimoshel]

It's a Garmin GPS MAP 62st. He had it a whole 2 months and got another one. Supposed to send me the instruction manual when he gets back to Denver. We'll see. It seems like areally nice unit.