GPS Recommendations? [MRG] - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Tyler · 09-04-2008, 10:09 AM

Looking at picking up a GPS unit for my car now that Im playing the role of chauffeur for some family while they stay in town for a few weeks.

Typically Im quite good at finding my way around the city, but they'll need to be going out to some of the outlying communities around town (Chestemere, Langdon, Red Deer, etc)

I've been browsing Futureshop and BB, and everyone seems to think the Garmin's are overpriced, and that the best bang for your buck is this little TomTom unit:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...gon=&langid=EN

Apparently TomTom lets you update your maps for free while Garmin doesnt?

Anyone have any recommendations on a good unit to buy, or things to watch out for?

Russic · 09-04-2008, 10:32 AM

I've only ever used the tomtom (my dads) and I was very impressed.

@theCBE · 09-04-2008, 10:33 AM

I just picked up the Garmin 250w from futureshop for $179 down from $269 last week. It came updated with 2008 maps, so I didn't need to update. Its a pretty sweet device.. I really like the widescreen.

I bought it for my parents as because they were taking a trip out of town. I never saw the appeal of an expensive GPS unit when you can just use a map, but after playing around with it I really like it.

I looked at that tomtom you linked and some of the reviews said that the speaker on it was terrible and barely audible.

Tyler · 09-04-2008, 10:56 AM

Did you notice the satellite lag that a lot of people seem to be complaining about with your Garmin?

@theCBE · 09-04-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

Did you notice the satellite lag that a lot of people seem to be complaining about with your Garmin?

It took about 10 minutes the first time I calibrated it... and the next morning i had to stand in the middle of the road outside my house away from the trees before it would acquire the satellite signal. Since then I haven't had any problems at all and no noticeable lag. But then again I've only had it for a week so I haven't had a chance to put it through any really crazy tests..

My parents used it on their trip to Vancouver over the weekend and they said it worked great. They had previously used a friends Magellan GPS on a trip to Quebec and they liked the garmin better.

fredr123 · 09-04-2008, 11:03 AM

I've only recently started using the GPS built in to my Blackberry with Google Maps and have been blown away by how useful these functions are. These Garmin and TomTom and the like have come down so much in price that you're almost a fool for not having one on road trips.

chid · 09-04-2008, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredr123

I've only recently started using the GPS built in to my Blackberry with Google Maps and have been blown away by how useful these functions are. These Garmin and TomTom and the like have come down so much in price that you're almost a fool for not having one on road trips.

My mom just bought the TomTom and she's basically handicapped in terms of technology, I taught her how to use it and she's in love. I think its pretty cool, but I have the GoogleMaps on my BlackBerry, and its all I need. Its amazing!

Jayems · 09-04-2008, 11:34 PM

I used a TomTom, but was frustrated that you could only temporarily zoom out. I wanted a really high view of where i was in alberta (going to Sask) but it only stick for about 20 seconds before zooming way back in again

HOOT · 02-04-2009, 11:46 AM

I tried doing a search but nothing under "GPS" came up, I'm guessing it's to small of a word.

So I was wondering what kind of luck people have had with different Automobile GPS companies; Garmin? TomTom? Magellan? Any others?

Are there any GPS systems where I can load up my route via the computer (maybe SD card) and then can just plug it into my GPS for it to grab the info?

I am looking to spend $250-300 and hoping it will have bluetooth but not a big deal if it didn't.

Thanks for the advice....I tried looking around at different reviews but figured I would see what CP had to say.

Boblobla · 02-04-2009, 01:06 PM

I got the Mrs. a Garmin a few years ago. It is awesome. Super user friendly, the voice could be sexier though.

BlackArcher101 · 02-04-2009, 01:15 PM

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/search.php?searchid=975490

Boblobla · 02-04-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/search.php?searchid=975490

pffft, who searches by brand name?

you need to use the wildcard to search for gps or anything else shorter than 4 letters FYI (directed at the OP not you Archer).

GPS*

ken0042 · 02-04-2009, 01:28 PM

Merged!

We used a Garmin for our trip to California. I haven't bought one for myself as I have my friend's to borrow when I need, but when I was shopping I came across the following things to watch for:

- US maps. Look to see if they are included, downloadable, or if they only contain "Northern American States"; meaning Montana but not California.
- Street name reading. Our Garmin was the entry level and often on a freeway it would have strange comments like this for exiting NB Deerfoot onto WB McNight: "Keep left then exit right." Almost sounds like you should stay in the left lane of Deerfoot; right? Nope. So with names it would say "Keep left (meaning don't take the EB exit) then exit right onto westbound McNight."

I found once you figured out how the machine was giving directions the street names weren't that nessecary. However it did cause us to get lost in San Diego once.

GreenTeaFrapp · 02-05-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by @theCBE

I never saw the appeal of an expensive GPS unit when you can just use a map, but after playing around with it I really like it.

It's hard to read a map while you're driving in busy traffic. Maps are fine when you're familiar with the city but when you're out of town GPS's are awesome. A map doesn't do much when you have no idea where you are.

Boblobla · 02-05-2009, 07:59 AM

The one I got for the Mrs. has text to speech which is a pretty awesome feature. It means instead of saying 'turn left in 100m' it will say 'in 100m turn left on baka laka daka street'

HOOT · 02-05-2009, 11:59 AM

So it sounds like if I stick with TomTom or Garmin I should be fine...I guess I could always exchange it if it's not what I want.

Thanks for the merge, I never even thought of searching by brand name

Top Shelf · 02-05-2009, 10:14 PM

Do you guys have the feature where it will warn you if you are speeding?

Winsor_Pilates · 02-08-2009, 06:50 PM

I used to be one of those people who didn't see the need for GPS, but it has saved my life in the last few weeks driving around greater Van for real estate purposes.

I've only been using my iphone, but now that I've seen the value of GPS (especially in my profession), I'm thinking of getting something better in my car as well.

Anyone know of any good car steareos with GPS, DVD, ipod connect etc? I'm thinking of getting an all in 1 set up.

Cheese · 02-08-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

So it sounds like if I stick with TomTom or Garmin I should be fine...I guess I could always exchange it if it's not what I want.

Thanks for the merge, I never even thought of searching by brand name

I have a TomTom and its great. I downloaded maps of Portugal when I went last year and it was almost perfect.

HOOT · 02-09-2009, 05:51 PM

I ended up going with the TomTom as I played around with the Garmin and TomTom side by side and I found the TomTom to be a bit quicker in the menu's, etc.