Recommend a good GPS?

FredSnerd (Claude) · #1 20-10-2009, 02:53 PM

Got lost in Sydney comming back from Lostock and finally convinced the wife we need a GPS. Just wanted it for the car. A big screen and one that talks to you would be nice.

Appreciate any advice.

Regards

Claude

acropolite (Phil) · #2 20-10-2009, 07:58 PM

I have a Garmin, it's very user friendly, more importantly it turns itself on and off with the car ignition, a major plus IMO.

I'm getting a little deaf as I grow older, I find the Garmin annunciation very easy to hear.

I believe some of the Garminm models have the option of purchasing a once only lifetime map update, it would be worth checking whether such updates are available on any GPS you consider.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #3 21-10-2009, 09:41 PM

Claude - are you after a "GPS" receiver or "Sat Nav" perse? They're pretty different animals normally. A proper GPS system will give you the ability to load commonly-bought and calibrated WGS84 datum topographic maps and then be of use in the bush. Most of the garden variety Sat Nav units don't know where they're going once you leave tarmac - albeit accompanied by a nice voice telling you you're going the wrong way, and that you should do an immediate u-turn...

I have a few of both types (I do a lot of travelling in my 4WD), and use Garmin for GPS in the bush and TomTom on city streets. All modern units are pretty good, and all do much the same thing. Some make more sense in their recommended routes than others, and make sure you get one that can be easily updated with the latest maps as they change.

Baddad (Marty) · #4 22-10-2009, 08:55 AM

Hi Claude,

I use a Garmin every day. Updates are expensive. Not really necessary on a regular basis. It is very good for my purposes. I have new addresses every day.

I would have puchased the Tom Tom with 45 countries listed. Had I known it existed. She who must be obeyed has the travel bug.

It would have been great in NZ recently. I certainly missed having one there as maps are rather poor detail for the whole of NZ. A GPS would have saved several wrong early turns. We managed but not without having to ask directions several times.

Things to look at that would help is when entering street info that is in a neighboring suburb. The Gamin spits it back. The suburb must be correct.

Recent found list. Favorites list. Quickest way, shortest way to destination.

Most systems have the red light cameras, school zones etc. They often are not complete. Use with common sense.

Cheers Marty

FredSnerd (Claude) · #5 22-10-2009, 09:43 AM

Hi Phil, Chris, Marty. Thanks for the help.

Chris. I think for the moment I’m interested in the Sat Nav type but sometime later I wouldn’t mind picking up something that would do me off road. Marty, my wife’s got the travel bug too (big time) so I might look into that Tom Tom you mentioned.

Regards

Moon (James) · #6 22-10-2009, 09:53 AM

I find the TomTom easier to use than the Garmin. Also tried a no name brand a while back and it was very difficult to use.

Now I just use google maps on my phone in the very rare case of getting totally lost. I prefer to keep driving around and around until I find my way again, rather than pull over and waste time looking at a map.

JimmyH155 · #7 22-10-2009, 01:48 PM

I have a Garmin and happy with it.
We are going to test it out in Tassie next week

I love the different voices - some of the pronounciations are incredible. When you turn off the computed track, one of the male voices says "Ricullculletin!" I assume he meant "Recalculating"

When we turned around again, the voice got mad and "ricullcuetined" again. I thought a fist was going to come out of the machine and punch me in the face

Baddad (Marty) · #8 22-10-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyH155

I have a Garmin and happy with it.
We are going to test it out in Tassie next week

I love the different voices - some of the pronounciations are incredible.
"ricullcuetined" again. I thought a fist was going to come out of the machine and punch me in the face

Hi Jimmy,

I know what you mean. Gets funny at times. "Make a U turn".

"When you can, MAKE A U TURN" I feel as though its about to swear at me. Happens on new roads/intersections.

Cheers Marty

gman (Grant) · #9 23-10-2009, 11:17 AM

I've had a Tom Tom Go 720 now for a couple of years and it has never missed a beat.
Tons of features and simple ti use and update.

Dooghan (Dooghan) · #10 24-10-2009, 11:49 AM

I would go with the a Garmin GPS. There is a large amount of free maps you can download now days for the Garmin. Make your own if you want easily. Some maps are fully auto routing and you can get them in topo. You can take a street navigator and put topo maps on it for off road use. I would also look at getting one with lane assist. Lane assist is where the GPS tells you what lanes you need to be in. Really helps when your in a big city your not familiar with.

http://www.satellitenavigation.org.u...-function1.jpg