My parents are thinking of getting a GPS for their car travels, never having had one myself I have a few questions. They do not need top of the line or they do not travel extensively, just something nice. So what are the features that are good to have in one, and what are the good brands and models?
GPS features/brands/models
- Thread starter Lee1959
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gromit
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2004
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I have a Garmin Nuvi 760 that I used when I was a rep.
What I liked:
Bluetooth
Voice pleasing
maps good, very good at night
long battery
many options to charge
size of screen
easy set-up
What I didn't use:
MP3 and ebook reader/player
msn link
What I have liked to see the finding satellites faster. Sometimes it would take a longer route.
I would buy a Nuvi again, very happy customer. Worth the extra price to buy a name brand. Can update the maps from the company website for a fee.
What I liked:
Bluetooth
Voice pleasing
maps good, very good at night
long battery
many options to charge
size of screen
easy set-up
What I didn't use:
MP3 and ebook reader/player
msn link
What I have liked to see the finding satellites faster. Sometimes it would take a longer route.
I would buy a Nuvi again, very happy customer. Worth the extra price to buy a name brand. Can update the maps from the company website for a fee.
Last edited:
Coop
Flashlight Enthusiast
if they don't need all those fancy features, just go with an entry-level device from a known manufacturer. Garmin (nuvi), Tomtom, Magellan all make nice devices.
What you might want to look into is what maps a certain brand uses. There are a few companies that supply maps to virtually all manufacturers. Some are more european oriented, some more american oriented. Another thing to look for is the possibility to connect an external antenna. Especially when the car it will be used in has a heat repelling windshield. Usually there is a little cutout to let GPS signals pass through, but its often at a very impractical place like behind a rearview mirror or very low above the dash, which would make it virtually impossible to mount the gps there. An external antenna will give you a bit more freedom in the placement of the gps device.
What you might want to look into is what maps a certain brand uses. There are a few companies that supply maps to virtually all manufacturers. Some are more european oriented, some more american oriented. Another thing to look for is the possibility to connect an external antenna. Especially when the car it will be used in has a heat repelling windshield. Usually there is a little cutout to let GPS signals pass through, but its often at a very impractical place like behind a rearview mirror or very low above the dash, which would make it virtually impossible to mount the gps there. An external antenna will give you a bit more freedom in the placement of the gps device.
I read a review recently comparing Tom Tom, Garmin (Nuvi 360), and Magellan. The Garmin consistently picked a better route with the Magellan second and the Tom Tom third. I had a Tom Tom in Europe on a trip and have a Garmin at home. The Tom Tom seems better at first, but the Garmin once you are a bit used to it is better. Most of the best ones use SirfStarIII so performance will be similar. Garmin seems to have a bigger POI database. I don't think you can go too wrong with Garmin. Bluetooth is a nice option if you don't have a handsfree in the car.
Semiman
Semiman
