GPS Unit - which one to get?

[superfly]

I know there's going to be a lot of opinions but I have no idea when it comes to GPS units.

I want to buy one that comes with free maps and is easy to use. I don't need Bluetooth or MP3 player. I assume they all plug into the cigarette lighter. Looking to buy it from JB hifi. They have Navman, Garmin and TomTom.

Please give me your opinions. Thanks!

[EASYBOSS]

Garmin all the way, IMO and thats what you asked for

[markh]

Im onto my second TOMTOM , Its pretty quick and is regularly on sale at jbhifi and similar outlets. Had my last one for 4 years without fault - so went back for an updated one.

Just got TOMTOM for android and my Samsung Galaxy Note. So i probally wont need to buy anymore tomtom hardware again.

Might be worth trying if you have a GPS enabled Smartphone.

[supershifty]

I'm very happy with TomTom. Mine didn't come with lifetime maps, but I recently sourced one through Repco for my Aunt for $129 that does, I think I pay around $100 annually for my map updates. Forget about the spoken commands/voice recognition - it's a frustrating failure.

Cheers!

[mik]

I have a tom tom, its a few years old, I don't know if it is a model specific thing, but I found it to have some good features, but spoiled by a very sucky frustrating user interface, no I would not have another one, even my old mio was better to use, currently using my smart phone as a gps, alternating between google maps software and waze.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Buy something that advertises free map updates. I have a 3 year old Tom Tom and can't justify paying more for a map update than the price of the actual unit.

Also, look into what features you will want. My TomTom can only search by inputting the suburb first, if I were to buy another GPS I would want one that gives you the option to search via street or suburb as the primary search field.

Bigger screen, probably minimum of 4.7". My TomTom is only 3.5" and it is very frustrating when you do a search for, say an airport where you will have multiple results and the only bit you can see on the screen is the same word, listed 5 times as the rest is off screen (no scrolling function).

Yeah, hover between JBhifi and Dick Smith... they are always trying to price match / beat each other.

[GQ_Smooth]

I'm told Garmin are the best, haven't used one though. Personally I have the latest top of the range Navman which I got free with my Qantas frequent flyer points. Haven't had any issues with it yet, had it for 6 months so far. life time map updates.

[superfly]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Also, look into what features you will want. My TomTom can only search by inputting the suburb first, if I were to buy another GPS I would want one that gives you the option to search via street or suburb as the primary search field.

I like this. I'll add it to my list of needs.

I'm reading that Garmin is the way to go.

This is for the missus, she does have an iPhone but a dedicated GPS unit is the way to go for her.

Thanks for all the tips!

[poppa smurf]

Garmin nuvi 760 for me, lifetime updates for about $100......had it for a fair while now, due for a new one and it will be a Garmin again

tom tom was good, had two of them, but both failed unexpectedly.

[Pepscobra]

Garmin Nuvi. Got one and its great.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

Garmin Nuvi. Got one and its great.

+1

I've had mine in the GT for a couple of years now - great unit
FREE Lifetime MAP Upgrade and TRAFFIC updates
Matches with the FPV silver interior as well.

I have mine fitted with a custom clamp I made.
The unit is is hardwired - I spliced into the power from the AUX socket from behind the centre stack and hid all the wiring. Now it just looks like it was factory optioned.
Now when the car starts - it automatically comes on - even shows up with an FPV logo i loaded into it.........

Its great having it on all the time as it warns on traffic and "safety" cameras..........

When the car switches off - it powers down automatically.

It works great in that position in the centre stack as I think its getting its signal through the sunroof - signal is always on maximum - so it works a treat.

Here's a pic :

[ryeman]

Originally Posted by mik

I have a tom tom, its a few years old, I don't know if it is a model specific thing, but I found it to have some good features, but spoiled by a very sucky frustrating user interface, no I would not have another one, even my old mio was better to use, currently using my smart phone as a gps, alternating between google maps software and waze.

Love my Tomtom 2050 Live just plug into yr computer for software/map updates incl speed cameras, school zones....was $299 at DS.
Any map errors can be sent/received to/from them.

[mike_nofx]

Just be wary of "Lifetime Free Maps" as its a little misleading.

TOMTOMS interpretation of 'lifetime':

Lifetime – this is the useful life of the device, so means the period of time that TomTom continues to support your device with software updates, services, content or accessories. A device will have reached the end of its life when none of these are available any more. The useful life of the smartphone app means the period of time that TomTom continues to support the app with updates.

So if you buy a model that's on special, likely an 'older' model, they may only support it for 1-2 more years.

[Whitey-AMG]

Here is Garmin's :

Point to note here : If you forget to update for a period > 24 months - they assume you no longer have the device - so they cut you from the update program. The other requirements are more to do with your device having adequate memory to deal with the updates - that's about it ......

¹If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime subscription (sold separately or bundled together with certain GPS models), you will receive map updates when and as such updates are made available on Garmin’s website during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilize current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more. Unless otherwise stated, the updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic area included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. Third party content providers may change. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the map data, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD™/SD™ card (if and as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD/SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. If neither of the measures in (a) or (b) can be used to address your product’s lack of sufficient remaining memory, then Garmin may conclude that the “useful life” of your product has expired. Garmin may terminate your nüMaps Lifetime subscription at any time if you violate any of the terms of this agreement or your subscription. Your nüMaps Lifetime subscription may not be transferred to another Garmin product.

[flappist]

Just be careful with TomTom. They use the european way of inputting a destination and if you do not know the exact suburb it will tell you the street does not exist.

This will really bite you on the bum when you are in foreign areas looking for an address that has been given to you using the "trendy" suburb rather than the "untrendy" suburb.

eg. everyone lives on Buderim or in Coolum Beach not in Diddillibah or Marcoola or Sippy Downs etc.

[Pepscobra]

Can't remember which model Garmin Nuvi I've got, but it has voice control. Surprisingly it works great, even with the windows down and a bit of noise.

The only thing I can fault on mine is the touch screen; you really need to press firmly for it to register.

[EASYBOSS]

If you know how, you can have free updates, I have two garmins, one for the USA and a very OLD one that has Australia in it, probally 6-7 years old, was the bees knees then, bluetooth and text to voice etc, cost about 700 way back them.

Anyway a mate of mine visited in NZ a couple of months ago, couple of minutes later I had the latest NZ maps all up to date, so now it works in NZ as well as Aust.

When we all had them in Aust, working for the same company, we could easily load all of our saved locations into each others units, worked out very well.

Google is always your friend.

Now, I need to work out how to do that FPV boot up logo

[peteypete]

I myself am a cheapo and bought a cheap $60 ebay chuck.
Wasn't expecting anything spectacular, but when I got it I was relatively surprised.
The GPS is clear thanks to its 7" screen and easy to read, it updates almost in real time, free map updates, easy to use interface etc.
The reason I bought it is cause I wanted a cheap mp3 player and movie player for my car lol, got a decent GPS out of it

[Resurrection]

Interesting nobody recommends any GPS units by Navman.

[janddbone]

I have a Nokia phone with free maps and proper GPS, it does not require a date connection unlike most phone mapping. Maps are always up to date and the GPS connection is as good as any other dedicated GPS. So I got an all in one phone/GPS//portable computer for $275... It is tops.

[Alan D Segal]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Navman.

do not want!

I second tomtom

[mickcoz]

I personally prefer the Garmin ones but the wife likes the TomTom one.

Both are offering free lifetime maps at different times on different models so just check when you're buying that you'll get free lifetime maps.

Biggest difference between Garmin and TomTom is voice directions during navigation. The Garmin says in 100 metres turn left regardless of whether the road is ending at a T intersection. The TomTom says at the end of the road turn left in those same circumstances.

As to finding streets when you're not sure of the suburb: I know you can enter just the street without a suburb and press enter/done in the Garmin and I thought the TomTom allowed the same thing.

Sent from my MZ604 using Tapatalk 2

[Mr G8]

I have a Garmin Nüvi 1450, best GPS I've ever owned. Had 2 Navmans' previously and found them to be rather crap IMO. Very Unresponsive touchscreen, gave you directions at time you were't allowed to make Whereas the Garmin is much more responsive, better guidance etc

[sico]

I've had a tomtom for 3 years until it was recently stolen from my ute.
Will I be replacing it? No.
I paid over $300 for it back then to get the bigger screen & Bluetooth.

[ohzone]

I have just got a Note2 it replaces my top of the range Tomtom, the navigation on it is excellent, much better than the Tomtom, if you need a phone as well you cant go wrong with a Note2

[mik]

if you already have a smart phone with enough resources , you can use google maps which is pretty good i reckon, my brother showed me waze which is also a freeby, there are other free navi apps, waze i`m using at the moment, has sort of a traffic warning thing were users stuck in traffic can report traffic jams, camera's etc,
also has a comments section if you want to put in average speed , it gives the option of light/heavy or stand still, doesn't seem to give speed in zones, does give your vehicle speed, map is a little out dated but not too bad.
one of the best things i like about the smart phone with navigation is the touch screen , it is very very snappy, you drag the map across the screen , it is instant.

[twr7cx]

Does anyone still use standalone GPS units? I recently got rid of my Garmin GPS as my iPhone 5 and iPad are equally as good. You need to purchase the right Apps, and a decent car holder and charger. For the iPhone I have had a lot of success with MetroView (bearing in mind that it is only $20.00).

If you do go down the smartphone route, avoid the free Apps that require you to use your download data to acquire the maps. Spend the dollars and buy a decent App with the maps included.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by twr7cx

Does anyone still use standalone GPS units? I recently got rid of my Garmin GPS as my iPhone 5 and iPad are equally as good. You need to purchase the right Apps, and a decent car holder and charger. For the iPhone I have had a lot of success with MetroView (bearing in mind that it is only $20.00).

If you do go down the smartphone route, avoid the free Apps that require you to use your download data to acquire the maps. Spend the dollars and buy a decent App with the maps included.

For iphone I use google maps or whereis. Both are great.

[flappist]

You do realise it is illegal to use the GPS in your iPhone while driving don't you.....

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by flappist

You do realise it is illegal to use the GPS in your iPhone while driving don't you.....

Even while in a cradle and plugged in??