GPS

[caroln]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good portable GPS unit? I've been renting one each time I go to FL, but at 10 bucks a day, I could almost have bought a cheap unit by now, so I'm looking into doing exactly that. Any recommendations on brands, models, what to look for, etc?

[ian]

Take a look at the Garmin eTrex Legend CX. It was just discontinued but is still wdiely available.

I'm a land surveyor who uses GPS regularly in my practice (Survey grade RTK, Static, L1 & l2 and L1 onlu units as well as a couple of handhelds). A friend of mine recently asked me to help him pick out a good unit for him to use that would be ok in the car and ok on the trail. Although I'm normally a Magellan fan, this Garmin unit really stood out.

[Jack Hammer]

It really depends on how you'll use it, what features you want, and your budget. I'm using an older Garmin Emap that I bought over 10 years ago. It doesn't give you turn by turn directions and has a small black and white screen. I can download street level info into it to keep up with new street additions and use it for hiking, off-roading, boating, general navigation by co-ordinates, sun & moon info, use topographical & marine navigation charts, etc. You can find stuff like that for under $100 used.

Or for ~$200 at Costco there is a nice color gps. But a lot of the newer lower priced units I've seen don't have most the features my older one does. They are designed and tailored more for driving on streets and less for other uses. The models with more features generally cost a little more.

Jack

[Defman]

I've been thinking about getting one too, so I'm interesting this thread as well. My use would probably be for driving only, doubt I'd ever tote it around.

Question: I know they come loaded with maps but how do the maps get updated? If they can be updated, is it a pay service or included with the device?

[torrey]

I've got a Garmin Nuvi 200 and I love it...got it for Christmas.

As far as map updating, you can plug the unit into your computer with a USB cable and go to Garmin's website and download maps and other various tools. Be aware, some things cost money to download. I'm not sure if a standard map update costs, as I haven't tried it yet.

edit: just noticed I have hit post #500. Go team!

[caroln]

I am looking for one for driving--street by street directions. I already have one that we use for geocaching but it doesn't do the whole 'turn left 100 feet ahead' thing.

[mike_s]

I've got the Magellan Roadmate 2100.

I like a lot of the features on it but I would highly reccomend AGAINST buying another Magellan product. I should have bought a Garmin.

Some of the things I don't like about the Magellan.
1.) You can't "route" the GPS to go to X town by going a certain point, through "waypoints", like a certain way you like to go. on the Magellan you have to create several independent routes for each leg of the trip and group them together in a "trip planner". The problem with this is first it's very time consuming. second is that when you reach the end of the 'leg', you have to acknowledge that "you have arrived". If this is at an intersection that you should have made a turn at, it will miss the turn waiting on you to click OK. Then will tell you that you have to "make a legal u-turn".

2.) it's maps are missing many streets that have been there for 5 or more years, but the map software is only 1-2 years old.

3.) You can't enter GPS coordinates. You can only find a spot by street addrss.

4.) GPS often gets lost, telling you to "proceed to route".

5.) Volume is set and doesn't automatically change with speed of vehicle. So when you're going highway speeds you have to turn it up to hear it, but when you're stopped or at a redlight, the high volume will "blast you".

6.) Customer support for Magellen is clueless.

7.) It will route you in circles sometimes to take "primary roads" instead of the best route. Even if you click "shortest distance".

8.) contrast/brightness not adjustable, which is needed in night operation on dark highways. (kills your night vision).

9.) Map updates cost almost as much as I paid for the GPS. Map updates won't work unless you have their SD card that comes with the Map CD installed in the GPS.

10.) using the screen to "look ahead" on the map is hard to do. You still need a paper map for trip planning, turning this only into a "direction speaking machine"

11.) Everyone I talked too that I know that has a GPS said "you should have gotten a Garmin".

[caroln]

Thank you all for the info. Mike, thanks for the specifics. It seems that Garmin has a good rep, and that's what our hand held is too, and it's ben quite reliable, so I'm leaning that way.

[matt151617]

Keep an eye on slickdeals.net. There's usually one popping up there every few days for around $100. They've gone done dramatically in price in the last few days. They're all pretty much the same, with a few having some extra fancy features (like bluetooth).

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by caroln

I am looking for one for driving--street by street directions. I already have one that we use for geocaching but it doesn't do the whole 'turn left 100 feet ahead' thing.

It's hard to beat TomTom.

You can pick up a nice TomTom One XL for something like $160. It's easy enough my mother uses it, happily. (complete luddite, that one) Sometimes you can score a refurb for even less. (check Amazon and Buy.com)

Maps are updateable by hooking up to your computer and buying a new set. I think upgrades are generally around $50. But it really depends where you are going how much you need updates. I'm still on the original map from my original TomTomGo, which I bought about 6 or 7 years ago. Updating is tempting... but... it seems to get me everywhere I need to go, locally, so I'd kinda rather put that money towards a brand new unit with cool new features instead.

The one area I think TomTom (at least the cheap ones I use) falls short is the Point of Interest features that some of the higher end units have (Garmin, Magellan, and even the newer, higher end TomToms). Things like: "Find me Chinese Food" and "Find me Starbucks". Not as well integrated, with TomTom. BUT way more important to me is a simple, easy to use and clear interface. And TomTom is really good for that.

Small, simple, self contained unit. Self powered for many hours gets you to most destinations, and just plug in the cigarette lighter adapter if you're going on a long road trip or need a recharge. Suction cup mount, and other options available. Makes it easy to toss in a bag for a rental car after a flight, or when you're going on a road trip with mom and her crappy car doesn't have GPS. Well lit, easy to read 3" screen (or better). 3D drivers view makes it look like the road is curving while you're driving, WAY better than the stupid rotating map overhead view that the earlier GPS units used. (many others have this feature now, but TomTom did it first)

Oh, and just for fun, you can download different voices into TomTom. John Cleese tells me when to turn, when I'm navigating with my TomTom. LOL

Avoid the super-cheap no-name units. Stick to the good, known brands like Magellan and Garmin, if you decide against the TomTom.

Happy shopping.