darin3 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I know there's probably a few threads hanging around on this topic, but my question is kind of specific given the fact that my budget is ultra-low for this. I am about to start a little side job which requires me to have a GPS in my vehicle. I did a little research before Christmas, as I thought my parents were going to get me one. I thought TomTom and Garmin probably had the best units for around $100. Is this the case? Do they all need yearly updates? My S-FIL had to spend like $90 on this year's updates. What the heck? I don't want to have to do that. Are there any that have free updates? Your thoughts/comments are most appreciated. TIA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Not sure on the updates - paid 2 bills for my Garmin Nuvi - but they come in several models. I'm sure you can get one for less, as I bought middle of the road w/a larger screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Not sure on the updates - paid 2 bills for my Garmin Nuvi - but they come in several models. I'm sure you can get one for less, as I bought middle of the road w/a larger screen. The Nuvi I'm looking at is $119 at Best Buy. The TomTom with comparable screen is only $99, and says it has traffic updates. Does the Nuvi have this? Both have 3.5" screens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 The Nuvi I'm looking at is $119 at Best Buy. The TomTom with comparable screen is only $99, and says it has traffic updates. Does the Nuvi have this? Both have 3.5" screens. I have the Nuvi and my wife paid about that. It's great. We bought it for the sole reason that Garmin is based here in Kansas City. And I drive around the city so much that I don't really need traffic updates. ( I can pretty much work around any problems.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 The Nuvi I'm looking at is $119 at Best Buy. The TomTom with comparable screen is only $99, and says it has traffic updates. Does the Nuvi have this? Both have 3.5" screens. Traffic updates are an option on the Nuvi - I'm betting the one you're looking at does not have them, but that's just my guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark5 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I only have used the Garmin NUVI and while my wife was on a trip it even showed a kinda side road the state built while there was construction going on. I bought a middle of the road model only because a friend of mine who travels alot was there at the same time and he likes Garmin over TomTom.. our company also uses Garmin and we need accurate directions. I havent did any D/L.. upgrades.. on mine. Kinda figure they are all about the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have the Tom Tom you are talking about and the traffic update is an optional module. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have a Garmin and it works like a charm. You can get real time traffic updates but those are part of a subscription service. Screw that.Firmware and map updates are available from the Garmin web site for free. I was able to update the firmware super easy as the unit has a USB interface. Just plug it into the computer, run the software, reboot the device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have a Garmin and it works like a charm. You can get real time traffic updates but those are part of a subscription service. Screw that.Firmware and map updates are available from the Garmin web site for free. I was able to update the firmware super easy as the unit has a USB interface. Just plug it into the computer, run the software, reboot the device. This is exactly how the Tom Tom works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Garmin Nuvi ...i think they are the best ...i have friends with Tom Tom and Magellan's and they had some issues with them Go Garmin Darin imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have the Garmin Nuvi 260. I love it. I've used it up and down the east coast of the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Lowrance H20 with the Freedoms map. Has every dirt road in the west and Canada. Use it in the truck, on the water, on the wheeler etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 bought the nuvi 200 at wal-mart on sale for 100 bucks, but it didn't speak the street names. just says turn in 0.2 miles. This sucks! took it back, ordered the nuvi 260 on amazon for 147 bucks - gives you name of street, i.e. turn on elm in 0.2 miles. it was the best 47 bucks i ever spent. well, other than time in tijuana but that's a story for another day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Hey D, the traffic updates for the nuvi require a specific transmitter that's built into the adapter. You may be able to buy it separately down the road but make sure the adapter is compatible with your Nuvi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Thanks for all the info, fellas. I'm gonna go take a look at my local Best Buy tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Better late than never... I bought my first GPS about 6 years ago. A Garmin, worked well, but very limited by today's standards. It died a month ago. We bought the Honda w/ their GPS built in./ It works well, but the update is like $250! Recently I have used Verizon's GPS service for the cell phone (I think other carriers have similar). $2.99/ 24 hour use or $9.99/month for unlimited. It works great! It includes traffic info, gives several views, stores locations, always up-to-date w/ no extra fees, but obviously the screen size is small. The minutes used only count when updating (on a 2 hour trip it used 3 minutes). I'd recommend it highly as an alternative. If not, Garmin is the best IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazinib1 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Better late than never...I bought my first GPS about 6 years ago. A Garmin, worked well, but very limited by today's standards. It died a month ago. We bought the Honda w/ their GPS built in./ It works well, but the update is like $250! Recently I have used Verizon's GPS service for the cell phone (I think other carriers have similar). $2.99/ 24 hour use or $9.99/month for unlimited. It works great! It includes traffic info, gives several views, stores locations, always up-to-date w/ no extra fees, but obviously the screen size is small. The minutes used only count when updating (on a 2 hour trip it used 3 minutes). I'd recommend it highly as an alternative. If not, Garmin is the best IMHO. +1 If you have an IPhone, I'd look into the Maps with GPS feature. You can't beat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 +1 If you have an IPhone, I'd look into the Maps with GPS feature. You can't beat it. no, that is bad tech. Buy the Garmin and don't get a Tom Tom unless u are buying it for a chick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 no, that is bad tech. Buy the Garmin and don't get a Tom Tom unless u are buying it for a chick. Sorry Polky, the Verizon version does a fine job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Sorry Polky, the Verizon version does a fine job. How exactly does it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackshi17 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 How exactly does it work? First you point it at the North star.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 (edited) How exactly does it work? You D/L the s/w to your phone. Then your phone is the interface/HW. Search addy's, plan a route, etc. The screen is small and the zoom isn't as good as a Garmin, but it talks clearly, gives plenty of advanced notice, and the traffic feature is Great! Supposedly if you have the monthly package you can go on line, plan trips, and upload to the phone. I never tried that but then a monthly subscription is over kill for me. We usually use the wife's car. Did I mention I have a watch w/ a compass and other toys on it? Casio.... First you point it at the North star.... Edited January 15, 2009 by rocknrobn26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 You D/L the s/w to your phone. Then your phone is the interface/HW. Search addy's, plan a route, etc. The screen is small and the zoom isn't as good as a Garmin, but it talks clearly, gives plenty of advanced notice, and the traffic feature is Great! Supposedly if you have the monthly package you can go on line, plan trips, and upload to the phone. I never tried that but then a monthly subscription is over kill for me. We usually use the wife's car. Did I mention I have a watch w/ a compass and other toys on it? Casio.... does it work off of satellites or transliterating between cell towers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 does it work off of satellites or transliterating between cell towers? It only works off of GPS phones, so I'm guessing Sats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 It only works off of GPS phones, so I'm guessing Sats. I got to use a 3g last week. We were getting errors of 30-90 feet in the wide open off of a known position. Not only that the solutions shifted wildly. These things are based off of cell towers and they are not something you want to trust with any degree of accuracy. The one we used couldnt tell if we were on access roads or the interstate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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