Auto GPS Units

M

MtGoat

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 9, 2003
764
0
Middleton, Idaho
#1
I have a mobile GPS that I like alot, Garmin 60CSx. We are planning a trip to the Olympic Penninsula the first of June and am looking at the auto units to put in my wife's van. I prefer to stay with Garmin but am not sure which model would work well and what features to look for in a unit.

What features are:
a) Must have
b) Nice to have
c) Not really useful

I used one (on my daughters phone) today and see the value in having one in an unfamilair area. The odd thing was it was wanting to take us the long way around (trying to get us on the freeway which would have ended up 2 miles longer) rather than a straight path. I am not sure if that is systemic with the GPS's or if "there is an app for that"
smile.gif
Any information before I buy or leads as where to do some research would be appreciated.

Thanks
Pat
 
#2
Re: Auto GPS Units

I have never had anything but Garmins and have never had a problem with any of them. They make some great machines but they add crap I'll never use (Bluetooth, MP3 player, picture viewer) I like the "Speaks street name" feature and "Lane Assist/Junction View". My current Garmin (850) has voice recognition which is a nice safety feature (keeps your eyes on the road)but not used all that much. I live in a rural area so the traffic updates are not something I'd use. I'd take a look at the Nuvi 1450
 
#6
Re: Auto GPS Units

I used a friend's the other day and was quite impressed. It was a Magellen. It was a few years old, but the thing I liked about it is that it runs on standard AA batteries. About 12 hours on a set. From your post, it looks like you're wanting a mobile car GPS, but the Magellen can be used in the car or while walking. If in the car, it plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet.
 
#7
Re: Auto GPS Units

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MtGoat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The odd thing was it was wanting to take us the long way around (trying to get us on the freeway which would have ended up 2 miles longer) rather than a straight path. Thanks
Pat </div></div>

I hav an older Garmin Unit that would do that. Part of it is down to the User Configuration, but even with the "correct" configuration, mine would still do it.

Further more, last week I was in an unfamiliar city and the GPS was actually getting its "turn left/right" mixed up alhough oddly the map display was correct. It did it several times on different days so I suspect its developing a software problem.

One feature I would like to be able to do is manual route selection. If I am on making a long trip, I would like to be able to imput a rough route for it to follow rather that it picking one out ofthin air....My Garmin doesn't have that facility as such, but I am sure the new models have.
 
#8
Re: Auto GPS Units

There seem to be a number of Nuvi's avaialble. I don't think I need to be able to use it as a speaker phone but voice commands look useful (turn left, turn right, turn around...dumbass
smile.gif
) and get in the other lane might be nice. Some friends had one that would guide them around construction (not sure how that worked or if one has to sign-up for some annual service). It would be cool if there was a way to if the local PD would broadcast traffic accidents and the GPS would automatically route you around the scene (maybe too Buck Rogers???).

Pat
 
#9
Re: Auto GPS Units

I have the Garmin Nuvi 760. I think the current model is the 765. I like it a lot. In the navigation setup you can choose shortest or fastest, shortest will sometimes take on Mr. Toad's wild ride. I use it in the car but mostly on my motorcycle (headphones) The memory card stores my tunes and the bluetooth lets me know if I've gotten a phone call.

Good luck, go Garmin
 
#10
Re: Auto GPS Units

I use a Garmin Nuvi daily and after some initial skepticism I found myself hooked on it.

I like the search feature. Type in the word "gun" and it searches for all the places with that word in their name. Granted It'll find Gunner's BBQ, but it'll also take me to all the gun shops in the area.
 
#11
Re: Auto GPS Units

MtGoat,

Be careful with some of the NUvi units; to get all those realtime updates/information they use cellular updates. Basically the thing is its own cell phone and in the UK at least, you have to pay for the cellular service after the first year (first year is included in the price)

I'm not sure which of the range this applies to, but certainly to the upper end ones I was looking at here in the UK...

Regards,

Peter
 
#12
Re: Auto GPS Units

Recently got a Gamin Nuvi 265WT from COSTCO at a good price. It has Bluetooth and live traffic feeds to direct you around congestion.

If headding through Washington the Bluetooth is a must as they just passed a no cells phone while driving law making it a primary offence.

If I recall correctly the 265WT was 170.00
 
#13
Re: Auto GPS Units

Pat, usually you can configure the GPS to give you the "shortest" route or the "fastest" route. (for example the interstate, because of it's higher speeds, may be faster than the most direct route through the middle of town)
 
#15
Re: Auto GPS Units

Ive always used Garmins, and when I sold them while working at a sporting goods store, they always seemed to be leaps and bounds ahead. Occasionally they will tell you to take an odd route, but it has always ended up being the most efficient way.
 
#16
Re: Auto GPS Units

Just got the new Nuvi. Huge data base. large screen. Direct routing. Also will route you the "cheapest way" if miles are more important than time. The only problem I have had with it is because the screen is larger (5"), the self adhesive pad to mount it on my dash wont stay attached. After a month, it came off (and yes I prepped the dash prior to mounting), so now I am using the portable dash mount/suction cup. works great.
 
#17
Re: Auto GPS Units

I rode with a guy last week who had the Nuvi 855. I was very impressed with it. It has voice activation, although he mainly used the keypad to punch the data in.

I'm debating between a 855 and a 755. You can get them about $170.
 
#19
Re: Auto GPS Units

I believe I have narrowed the search to a Nuvi 765T. I don't really need bluetooth enabled or a few of the other features but lane designations and the like seem to be worth the extra when traveling through a new area (Seattle). Now to decide it I want a unit that has less than 30 days use and is refurbished with three year warranty or a new unit with one years manufacturers warranty for about $200 delivered??? I have not tried the refurbish route before. Anyone have first hand knowledge, good or bad with refurbished units?

Thanks
Pat
 
#20
Re: Auto GPS Units

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MtGoat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I believe I have narrowed the search to a Nuvi 765T. I don't really need bluetooth enabled or a few of the other features but lane designations and the like seem to be worth the extra when traveling through a new area (Seattle). Now to decide it I want a unit that has less than 30 days use and is refurbished with three year warranty or a new unit with one years manufacturers warranty for about $200 delivered??? I have not tried the refurbish route before. Anyone have first hand knowledge, good or bad with refurbished units?

Thanks
Pat </div></div>

I don't have any experience with the refurbs but I did find my Nuvi 1390T at Target.com for about $100 less than everywhere else. It definitely payed to search around once you pick a couple models that you like.
 
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