GPS recommendations

snake_lady

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see title


I'm looking for a good GPS.....and I know NOTHING about them....

Can you guys please share what you have (make and model) and what you think of it, pros and cons to it, etc.

Thanks.

My use: local mostly, but occassionally US.
 

mismaris777

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My dad has a Garmen, and he swears by it. He got it because his colleagues in Germany have Garmens. He's even named it- Else. I hate the thing because of it lol, and so does my mother. We get jealous of "her"

I don't know the type he has, it's an older model. But I would recommend a Garmen, they're good all over the world so they must be good in Canada
 

darkmavis

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I have a Garmin nuvi 250, and uh, I call him Daniel, since that's the name of the voice I use for it.
I love him!!


My mom bought it for me as a going away gift when I moved (drove) from Pennsylvania across the country to California 2+ years ago. I love the thing. It's especially cool for when you're in some city and you want to see if there's a certain kind of restaurant around, or even a bank for an ATM, it's got 6 million or so 'points of interest' programmed in, and you can then add and save your own locations too. Another cool thing I found is that if (or in my case WHEN
) you take a wrong turn, it will recalculate the directions and get you back on track. Same if you have to take a detour for a closed road or construction, it'll still get you where you want to go.

Granted, maybe the nuvi 250 is 'old' these days, but I'm sure you can get one cheap on ebay, or even the prices of the new nuvis came down a lot too.

Bottom line, highly recommended.
 

yosemite

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Originally Posted by mismaris777

My dad has a Garmen, and he swears by it. He got it because his colleagues in Germany have Garmens. He's even named it- Else. I hate the thing because of it lol, and so does my mother. We get jealous of "her"

I don't know the type he has, it's an older model. But I would recommend a Garmen, they're good all over the world so they must be good in Canada
Originally Posted by DarkMavis

I have a Garmin nuvi 250, and uh, I call him Daniel, since that's the name of the voice I use for it.
I love him!!


My mom bought it for me as a going away gift when I moved (drove) from Pennsylvania across the country to California 2+ years ago. I love the thing. It's especially cool for when you're in some city and you want to see if there's a certain kind of restaurant around, or even a bank for an ATM, it's got 6 million or so 'points of interest' programmed in, and you can then add and save your own locations too. Another cool thing I found is that if (or in my case WHEN
) you take a wrong turn, it will recalculate the directions and get you back on track. Same if you have to take a detour for a closed road or construction, it'll still get you where you want to go.

Granted, maybe the nuvi 250 is 'old' these days, but I'm sure you can get one cheap on ebay, or even the prices of the new nuvis came down a lot too.

Bottom line, highly recommended.
That's what I have as well - our daughter gave it to us when she got a newer one. I have to say I really like it. I've used it when I've been by myself a couple times now and it's great if you make a stop and then want to continue from a different place.

I liked that it was pretty much idiot-proof and when it comes to electronic anything, I have a lot of room for improvement. Don't even get me started on the 5 converters to work the TV, DVD, Blu-Ray, etc., etc.
And every time Panasonic has an employee sale we seem to end up with another converter for some reason.
 
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snake_lady

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Originally Posted by DarkMavis

I have a Garmin nuvi 250, and uh, I call him Daniel, since that's the name of the voice I use for it.
I love him!!
The 255W is on sale this week at a local store......
 
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snake_lady

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n00b question....

It says it comes programmed.....but it also says something about msn direct...

Go wide and get peace of mind with nüvi 255W. This affordable, widescreen navigator leads the way with voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions that speak street names and optional MSN DirectÂ[emoji]174[/emoji] services to get you there on time and keep you informed. It's packed with millions of destinations and maps for North America or Europe. Like the rest of the sleek nüvi 2x5-series, this portable navigator is priced right and ultra-easy to use.
Does one need the msn direct services?

How do the maps get updated?

(I wasn't kidding when I said I know nothing about em)
 

mismaris777

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Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

n00b question....

It says it comes programmed.....but it also says something about msn direct...



Does one need the msn direct services?

How do the maps get updated?

(I wasn't kidding when I said I know nothing about em)
I know my dad plugs his into the computer to get updated. That's all I know lol! It's also how he programs addresses and such into it.
 

lawguy

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I have a Garmin Nuvi 855. Don't get it. It seems great on paper, got decent reviews online, but I find it has massive problems. It has a habit of freezing while I'm driving. Also, the voice recognition feature is terrible.

It was a mistake for me to get it.

My father has a Harmon Kardon which seems much better, but cost about $100 less.
 

capt_jordi

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I have a Garmin Streetpilot that I hate but thats because its older and doesnt read as well in the bigger cities.
My BF has the Garmin Nuvi 250? and I LOVE IT! Its great!
 

monaxlisa

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I have a Garmin Nuvi 260. I really like it and would recommend it.
To update them I think you buy the update (which I havent done, it's like $60 or $100 or something like that) and then plug it in to your computer I guess? But it works even if you don't buy the update.
 

AbbysMom

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Originally Posted by MonaxLisa

To update them I think you buy the update (which I havent done, it's like $60 or $100 or something like that) and then plug it in to your computer I guess? But it works even if you don't buy the update.


My husband has had a Garmin Streetpilot for 2-3 years now. We've updated the maps once. He's been very happy with it and its name is Mona.
 

katkisses

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I have a TomTom One, pleased with it except when I first turn it on, it takes up to a minute for it to figure out where we are. His name is TomTom, hahaha.

My guess is that they all take a little while to connect to the satillites when you first turn them on.
 

trouts mom

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I have a Magellan Maestro - it is very easy to use, and has a variety of different routes to choose from (for example, least use of freeways which I like because I hate freeways)

Cons are it sometimes send you on a wild goose chase, and it doesn't stick to the windshield in the winter time..and its quite annoying.
 
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snake_lady

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Thanks for the suggestions...

I think I'm going to try the Garmin. One store has it on sale this week, and another store price matches and beats it by 10% so I'm going to go check it out
 

pookie-poo

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I also have a Garmin. If it's available, go for the W (because the screen is wider, so the maps are easier to read.) I like mine a lot. I've had it about a year. I only use it on longer trips, not around town.

The only downside is that it doesn't use a QWERTY keyboard to type in names. That would have made it much more user friendly. I love the extras that are programmed into it, like gas stations, shopping centers, restaurants, etc.

I haven't looked into updating the maps yet. I think they can be updated on line, but I'd need to look at the manual. I named mine Claudia (after a childhood friend who used to drive me nuts by talking nonstop!) My parents named their's "Carmen Garmin" and my sister named her's "Sophie" after an 'old know it all' co-worker, lol! We all own Garmins.
 

capt_jordi

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oh and also you can also download things to the garmins. My beau has a different car and he has downloaded different voices. You can also get a Point of Interest or POI finder and you can program different things into that, like red light and speed cameras! And other normal things too as well lol!

One thing I do love about the Nuvi that I hate about my streetpilot is it tells you the speed limit on most roads! That is super handy when you live somewhere that likes to forget to post the speedlimit more than every 20 miles...
 
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snake_lady

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It's the 255W that is on sale this week


Normally I'd research a little bit longer, but every penny saved is good.

Store 1's reg price is $349.99 Canadian, on for 209.99 But store 2 carries the same one, and will price match and beat it by 10% (store 2's price is 249.96) so it'll be about $189 + tax.

Does that sound reasonable? It seems to have all the features I would like.... I'm just needing an entry level one..... We don't travel a whole lot anyways, but, I am directionally challenged.
So I think this would help. (I print out mapquest step by step when I'm going somewhere....)
 
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