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Which is right for me?
Papadapaopolis
0 Points
I went to Best Buy to see some GPSs.
I looked at Magellen, TomTom, Garmin
One thing I've noticed is that large screen Magellans and TomToms were a lot less expensive than large screen Garmins. Why?
I currently have an old Nuvi unit and I remember having to pay for map updates. At Best Buy 100% of the units say "lifetime map updates". Are they serious? Free map updates for life?
What is the Bluetooth connectivity for?
For <$250, which GPS do you recommend? I dont need traffic updates or any super snazzy features. But a fast and accurate GPS lock is important, as well as intuitive menus.
One thing that pisses me off about my current Garmin is that when I select a POI or location, but before I hit "Go!", it shows an estimate trip travel time and distance. But when I click "Go!", it does it's little calculation and the distances and time are different. As if it just chooses a straight line to find out distance.
I looked at Magellen, TomTom, Garmin
One thing I've noticed is that large screen Magellans and TomToms were a lot less expensive than large screen Garmins. Why?
I currently have an old Nuvi unit and I remember having to pay for map updates. At Best Buy 100% of the units say "lifetime map updates". Are they serious? Free map updates for life?
What is the Bluetooth connectivity for?
For <$250, which GPS do you recommend? I dont need traffic updates or any super snazzy features. But a fast and accurate GPS lock is important, as well as intuitive menus.
One thing that pisses me off about my current Garmin is that when I select a POI or location, but before I hit "Go!", it shows an estimate trip travel time and distance. But when I click "Go!", it does it's little calculation and the distances and time are different. As if it just chooses a straight line to find out distance.
Comments
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/products/car-navigation/via-series/via-1605-tm/index.jsp
Comes with lifetime maps and a combo rds-tmc antenna/car charger which allows for lifetime traffic on highways and main roads.
I am only familiar with Garmin, but they have a number of large screen choices that meet your requirements well within your budget. Maybe Best Buy just didn't have them in stock? Just looking at Garmin list prices, how about the 2557LMT for $200? Or Nuvi 52LM for $150? Or the 2757LM for $220 which has a big 7" screen. You could also shop around for last year's models like the 2555LM if you can find one.
The more expensive devices have glass multi-touch screens, which is a premium feature that you will pay more for.
Bluetooth on Garmin is primarily for hands-free calling. Some of the Bluetooth Nuvi's allow you to pair your smartphone with the GPS for connected services (most of which require subscription). Some of the models only support Android, others support iOS. But none of the Nuvi's support bluetooth audio, so they cannot be paired with a car stereo.
The straight line route preview is standard and the Nuvi has always been that way. If the Nuvi calculated the entire route initially, there would be a big delay that most people would probably not like.
If I get a new Garmin, can I use that Europe map too? And will that Europe map get lifetime updates too? I hope it's been updated because last time I was in Europe it had me going offroad to a highway that no longer existed.
If you purchased the map on DVD and loaded it onto your own card, it can only be used on the original GPS for which it was bought. You could, however purchase lifetime updates for that map. But those updates would only work on the original GPS that you purchased it for and not your new one.
If you purchased the map by download and put it on your own card, then that will only work on the original GPS for which it was purchased. There are no update options for this kind of map either.
Is there a Garmin I can order that has preloaded Europe maps, and therefore get lifetime updates for the Europe map?
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/automotive/previous models/nuvi-2475lt/prod97148.html
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/automotive/new-2013/nuvi-2577lt/prod122520.html
As mentioned above, you can buy the DVD version either the US or EU map and also purchase an update for it.
Garmin has Europe and Russia as separate maps. TomTom has them combined as one map. Not sure about Magallan. Even though I live in the US currently, I will be living with my cousin in Europe next year.
I think the best option will to get a GPS with preloaded Europe maps on it so I can do the lifetime update on it. If I do the Garmin option, I can do lifetime updates on Europe (minus Russia). I wouldnt be able to do lifetime updates on Russia with Garmin (because it will be an add-on, stupid rule if you ask me... if i pay for a downloaded map i want the updates too.)
But if I go the TomTom option, I since Europe and Russia are on one map, I can get lifetime updates for that. But I do not know which company has the better maps and better hardware/software.
Is it possible to buy a GPS with preloaded Europe maps on it while in America? I already have an old Garmin with America on it that I'm using now.
http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/products/car-navigation/go-live-series/go-2535-tm-wte/index.jsp
BUT........................
Only the USA_Canada map is eligible for lifetime maps, not the Europe map.
So Garmin it is!
Say I have a downloaded map on my device. And I want to update that downloaded map. Do I have to buy the whole map all over again for the full price? Or is there any cheaper priced 'update' option? This question is for both TomTom and Garmin.