I bought a Garmin GPS about 4 or 5 years ago, and while at first it was a neat little gadget, I soon learned that it was not always sending me the fastest or "best" route when I was in familiar territory. I soon after gave it to my dad.

Now I'm back traveling more often, and am considering getting another unit, but the question is which one?

Any input on the differences between the two? Not really looking at specific models yet, just wondering which has the best reputation.

As a side note, I am in the process of getting an iPhone, so if it has the capabilities to effectively guide me via a GPS app, I'd like to hear about it as well.

 

Search the internet and look at the features of each unit. Find the one that has the features you consider important for where you will be traveling. Now I am using a Garmin nuvi 1450 LMT, life time traffic and maps. I also purchased the city Houston map. It works well for me. There are newer models out there now that do more. Screen size is also a consideration.
Most if not all gps units use NAVTEQ for their maps. Go to navteq.com and do some trial trips. See how it works for you. It will have lane assist in metro areas.
Never ever put you life in the hands of a gps. Have a paper map to check the trip if you are going into unknown areas.
Keep us posted on what you select.

Happy trails.

 

when was the last time you updated the maps for the garmin? I have a nuvi250i garmin and its more accurate than the garmin that is built into my new truck.

 

cbrahs - My brother updated the maps for my dad about a year or so ago. Like I stated, it has been 5 plus years since I had it.


DSSIMECEK - your right - I always keep a RandMcNally under the console for that exact reason.


I went out and looked at the features on new units and they are packed full of stuff that I don't even know what half of it is! The main thing I like about a good GPS is being about to estimate arrival times, and showing whats in the area as far as services, etc. It soulds like both brands are similar.

Anyone have insight on the iPhone?

 

Oh suuure! Who cares if poor old dad drives around in circles!



I don't know that much about these 'GPS' thingys, but I just bought my first one from Cobra. It's designed for trucks and will keep track of miles in each state, warn you of tight turns, low clearances, and construction. Apparently it also has some kinda radar thing built in too because today it warned me, "Speed trap ahead, check vehicle speed". It so far seems to be pretty accurate too. It also has a car mode. Cost was $279 from some truckers web site.

 

- he wanted it for the speed more than anything. His speedo was broke and he's too cheap to fix it!

 

that was not a feature to warn you, it was just Cincy tappin ya on the nugget and screamin COPS!

 

I have a garmin nuvi and am not horrible impressed with it. I did the map update and it actually got worse as far as best way or fastest way to get there. In ND it actually turned me onto a dead end road.

Now granted I drive out in the backwoods, but even getting to San Antonio or Minot the directions were not the shortest like I instructed. I think a good ol map book, once the garmin shows you where your destination is, is best.

JMHO

 

I have both the iPhone4 and just got a Garmin nuvi 255W. I haven't spent a huge amount of time studying either so others will be able to tell you more but I'll share several observations.

Audio level goes to the Garmin. I downloaded the Mapquest app but the iPhone speaker volume wasn't high enough to hear easily.

Power consumption goes to Garmin because of it's cigarette lighter connection. GPS use on the iPhone kills the battery so you better be ready to recharge regularly.

Directions to a city goes to the iPhone. Easy to use Maps app to go from Current Point to a city where the Garmin requires a street address (at least I haven't figured out how to go to a city).

Traffic goes to the iPhone. The Maps app shows traffic trouble spots. Some Garmins do too but not the 255W.

Bottom line for me is that the iPhone is a handy tool to glance at when I need quick basic directions but the Garmin is handy when storing a list of destinations/favorites and going to them. I don't trust either exclusively in lieu of my brain and a paper map but they are handy to have.

I bought the 255W from Walmart.com with 2 mounts and 2 car chargers for about $100.

 

I have a garmin nuvi in my truck and garmin XT on my phone.

it does a pretty good job. Like you said, its not always the "best" route, but it does a pretty good job.

 

I have an old Cobra that I like but map updates are $100 and may or may not be up to date. I also have a TomTom One-XL. The TomTom has taken me in circles a couple times but seems decent overall. It has horrible pronunciation of street and city names where as the Cobra has very clear pronunciation. If you can do a demo on what ever unit you are looking at and listen to the voice prompts.

 

I forgot to add that the Garmin has the nice feature of not only showing your current speed but also showing the local speed limit on many roads.

Probably an app for that too but I don't have it yet.

 

The last map update I did was in April, The USA map and Houston city map were dated Jan 19, 2011.
What is interesting is software updates come out about every 2 weeks. Sometimes after a software update it will take a different route to places I go.
The traffic function works well. It will pick the fastest route for the traffic on the main roads. It may be on surface streets or frontage road if the Interstate is jammed up. The garmin will show where the jam is located and the delay. Usuall gives an option to avoid that jam. I also tune the radio to a station that does traffic. If I am home before the trip I also look at the Txdot transtar map, and NAVTEQ map.
Common sense helps when using these tools.

 

I use google maps on my phone, it works well as long as you have service, same as everyone else, not always that shortest directions every time.

 

stay away from the phones is you plan to get out metro areas. As soon as you get out of the high speed data area they are worthless. Look for something that has lifetime maps and traffic. I love my Garmin that has it. Get to upload it 4 times a years and they seem to be on top of things.