Stand alone auto GPS

[ken0042]

Hard to tell if we have an existing thread on this, with 3 character searches.

I am looking to buy a stand alone GPS. I know there are some great options for apps on a smartphone, but I'd rather have something I can permanently mount in the vehicle and always have it there.

I would love to have something as robust as Google Maps; especially for the live traffic. More often than not I wouldn't be using the GPS for directions, I would be using it for an active map that shows me any trouble spots ahead.

I've been looking at these two:
http://www.gpscity.ca/garmin-nuvi-2595lmt.html
http://www.gpscity.ca/garmin-nuvi-2597lmt.html

I don't really see any difference between the two models. I am also concerned as one online review said the live traffic only shows highways and not side streets. If it will only show me Deerfoot and not Barlow, it isn't much use.

I'd appreciate any advice or personal experiences.
Thanks!

[BlackArcher101]

I have both a standalone on my dash along with my cell phone.

If you are looking for live traffic similar to google maps, you won't find it in a garmin standalone (not sure if any standalone has something similar). The traffic (at least in Canada) is limited to major routes and on mine I've only seen it on Deerfoot and Glenmore. It's also very delayed and not as accurate.

I basically just leave it in map mode now as I like the display. I use my phone for navigation and real time traffic using the Waze app. Very cool too as others notify you of traffic issues ahead and you can notify others as well. There has been times I've been on deerfoot, then 2 minutes after an accident occurs, another waze user comes across it, notifies others, and meanwhile the app has detected a slowdown and already directed me to a quicker alternate route.

[cKy]

Why not purchase a cheap/used phone and use it just as a GPS device? Easier to get mounts for it on the cheap.

[The_Penguin]

Can't go wrong with Garmin. I've had 2 Nuvi units and both have been great.
Really good for travelling and driving in strange cities.
Traffic is OK, not great, I find Waze good, but not really good to mess with when driving.

[ken0042]

Part of the reason is I don't want to have something that looks valuable sitting there; for theft deterrent reasons. A GPS seems less likely to be a subject of a break in.

BA- I also have Waze, but find I use Google more often. If either was available as a stand alone GPS, I'd be happy.

[DoubleK]

+1 for Waze.

We have a similar Garmin and it does detect traffic, but doesn't do as good of a job as predicting new alternates as Waze does.

You can't go wrong with either unit you have linked in the OP.

[BlackArcher101]

On the other hand, my standalone becomes the primary once I'm out of town. Phone + Waze within the city, standalone for any highway driving. Mainly due to signal loss on the phone.

[Wormius]

We've got the 3597 and it works amazingly. The traffic functionality is pretty useless, but otherwise the unit is great for trips. The other nice thing is the lane guidance, so if you're on a 5 lane freeway in the states, it's nice to know which lanes you should be in. I haven't seen anything on any phone apps that are detailed like that.

I am okay with the phone for driving around locally, or if I am just getting a route to a location stored in a calendar event.

I think the important thing is that the standalone units are dedicated to only providing navigation, so the responsiveness to all things related to that function is what sets it apart most from smartphone apps.

Mine was indispensible when we travelled around the states last summer and were camping.

I have only encountered two issues - both pretty minor, one was that new communities are slow to be updated, eg) some new roads around Cochrane, and one was just a mispelled street name in BC which didn't realy affect me, I just noticed it as I was driving by it.

[Temporary_User]

Something to consider may be getting a new in-dash stereo put in that has a screen and navigation built-in. Will look much cleaner than an external GPS unit on the dash.

[DoubleF]

What about using a cheapo tablet or old phone and use your current phone as the personal hot spot that gives it the internet necessary to work?

ie: old ass samsung note or s2 or something like that or a $99 tablet. A completely fugly boxy case might help additionally in the theft deterrent?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

Something to consider may be getting a new in-dash stereo put in that has a screen and navigation built-in. Will look much cleaner than an external GPS unit on the dash.

Yeah, I had thought of that. A few cons pointing me away from that:

- I have a fairly high end factory stereo right now. So I'd be looking at spending at least $1000 just to add navigation once I make sure that everything else like OnStar, Bluetooth, etc work.
- I have a lifetime subscription with XM in the car. I'm not sure if you are allowed to transfer it to a completely different stereo; and if you are- I don't trust XM's customer service to get it right.