lost again-GPS

helpingothershelpthemselves_2

In my opinion , the Garmin StreetPilot 2720 is by far the best yet .

Dave Palmer_3

anyone

use or know of a GPS unit that won't break the bank? Going into new areas of service and thought it would be better than map book. thanks Dave

Geo_5

GPS

Dave,I just bought the tomtom 700,it has touch screen and blue tooth (my cell phone works thru it).I have always hated the map book and this unit was worth every penny.They have a new unit out called the (tomtom one) for about $400,the 700 was a bit over $700.



http://www.tomtom.com/

where I bought mine

http://www.tigergps.com/noname1.html

they have some good prices on all there GPS units

Maine Doug_21

I have used

Delorme Street Atlas for several years. About 99 bucks with GPS. Also MS Streets and Trips with GPS is about the same. I have both and like the features in SA but the maps are a bit more accurate in the microsoft product. In Delorme you can add roads and mark roads to keep them out of the routing engine. I travel from Maine to Baltimore, in between and out to some parts of PA. So in the cities the moving map greatly facilitates getting around.

Dave Palmer_3

thanks

rather get advice from guys that have them than guess at it.thanks much,Dave

Al Corelli

We use an old laptop and run the Street Atlas software on it. We also use the SA earthmate GPS. About 99 bucks for the software and GPS device.

This has proven to be a good use of "old technology" laptops and the cheapest way to not get lost.

jerry scharf_3

It's quite a full field

Dave,

There used to be only a couple vendors in this market. Now it's loaded. I have not played with the tom-tom. It is certainly being pushed on TV.

My biggest concern with these units is (like cell phones) how do they assist and harm the ability to concentrate on driving. On a dark night they are a huge win and make things much safer. Giving you lead time to get off a highway is also a safety plus. Chattering at you when you're driving in fast rush hour traffic, sticking into the driving field of view or making you look away from the road to see what the GPS is telling you are all negatives.

I have used various flavors of GPS for a long time. A year ago I got a auto GPS for my wife. I went with the Magellan travelmate. It still IMO is the easiest to use for someone who has trouble with maps. It certainly has it's quirks, and I wish they would let me have some more options about how it interacts with me. My wife loves it and says it's one of the best gifts I ever gave her. Renting a car in a new town and not getting lost is a huge thing for her.

As for comparing units, there are the dedicated units, PDA add-ons and the laptop software as the three major options.

I have used the laptop option in the past. I find it the most awkward in terms of impact to driving concentration because it's sitting on the seat next to me. The other down side is the cables and set up time are not as nice as the other options. The plus side is that it is much easier to add addresses and control the system. It's cheaper, but laptops are not a rugged device, I have seen enough units with dead LCD screens broken at the hinge connections to know.

The PDA versions were mostly a time window thing. They are as expensive as the standalone units, have smaller screens and are just as hard to deal with. If you carry a high end PDA hor other reasons, this can be an option. Otherwise it's time has past.

The complete unit type have taken over the market. You throw them in the glove compartment and lock it when it's not in use. You clip them up in a few seconds and are ready to go.

as of a year ago:

Magellan: Best user interface IMO. not the strongest GPS receiver. sometimes picks up engine noise.

Garmin: best GPS engine in class. Models were old and had a more complex interface (missed target for ease of use IMO)

Lowrance: A garmin chaser. Nice price point, some interesting approaches to things, still not as easy to use as Magellan.

Navman: New kids on the block. Squarer screen seemed to be more intrusive into the driving view. User interface better than Garmin.

jerry

Geo_5

jerry

No need to look at the screen with tomtom700,she talks to you letting you know "right turn in 200 yards" ect.I have had many GPS units an this is by far the finest.The blue tooth(only avalible on the 700) is great,I married(thats what they call it) it to my cell phone,all the phone numbers and internet access is now available on the tomtom,if my cell is within 32 feet tomtom will ring too and ask if you want to anwser the phone,a simple touch of the screen and I'm talking wireless threw tomtom and still get voice driving info.I plan on downloading all the supply houses and starbucks coffee shops into the unit.Now when I'm working in a strange town a touch of the screen and not only will it show me the way but ask if I want to call them and dial the number for me.This is not a toy but a tool,atleast thats what I'm telling the IRS this year:)

Dave Palmer_3

what

would be the best bang for the buck in your opinion? I don't have a laptop.thanks Dave

Bob Harper

Lowrance iWay

About $645 on the Internet. Nice big screen for us visually impaired. Won some awards as Best Buy. I don't see where you need all that interface crap. Just plug & go. Wouldn't leave home without it. I referred a buddy to it and he has called me 3 times now to thank me.

Matt_21

i just got

the garmin i330. very easy to use and set up. also has added features which show gas stations, restaurants, points of interest in the area you are in then will show you how to get there. it was about 560.00 on the internet and 700.00 at best buy. i love it. you still should keep a street atlas in the car. i was trying to find fourth st in one town. the gps couldnt find it when i entered it. i looked at the atlas found a close street and got directions to that. when i got close to fourth st, it has spelled it on the gps map as 4th st. just a little heads up.

jerry scharf_3

There you have it

Dave,

A bunch of different people, a bunch of different systems. One common thread, people who own them love them. The business case for them is solid. Make it to a proposal presentation on time rather than getting lost on the way. A service truck saving 15 minutes a week by finding their way better and not having to stop to look at maps repeatedly.

Look at the features and price, then make a choice. You can't go too far wrong. The competition is so strong that units that were good a year ago are now being replaced. They all have maps that can accept addresses, they all talk to you and give you directions.

Too bad someone won't give me one of each for a month to review.

jerry