Recommended GPS units

I own both and I prefer the TomTom. I also have a TomTom APP for my iPhone. The TomTom units have more functionality, better maps/graphics than Garmin, end user map correction sharing, more voices, different icons for your vehicles, iQ routes which are pretty accurate and much much more. You'll also hear people who swear by Garmin which I find is a nice unit too. I suggest going to Best Buy or any other big box store and play with the units and see which one's interface you prefer.

 

I have to second this. Tomtom are by far the best. The thing that makes them stand out is the algorithms for recalculating and positioning.

I think I have probably owned more GPSs than the US military starting way back with Trimble boards that cost 6 months salary but as far as an application to go with them for "normal" use you cannot beat a Tomtom.

 

Agree, mounted my TomTom unit to the little side window and ran the Traffic Info wire antenna along the bottom of the windscreen.

TomTom also on my HC TyTn II phone/pda with local maps plus UK and Europe maps ready for trip in September.

Only advantage of the inbuilt unit is the directions on the HUD.

David

 

don't buy TomTom or other TeleAtlas map data users if you live in the US

Since the OP is in the US, I would suggest NOT getting TomToms because of their inferior US map data from Tele Atlas. Go with something that uses Navteq maps such as those from Garmin.

I posted an example of why Tele Atlas' US map data isn't good at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...min-nuvi-350-any-other-good-alternatives.html. I've seen a lot more complaints elsewhere about TeleAtlas' map data than I have about Navteq.

On the other hand, I've heard that Tele Atlas' European map data is better than Navteq's, which wouldn't be surprising since Tele Atlas is based in the Netherlands.

FWIW, I have an old Garmin Nuvi 350.

 

I certainly wouldn't say that Navteq are better per se. But both providers have strengths and weaknesses in different areas.

Our testing by our US Editors and European Editors concluded that neither could be claimed to be better than the other as a whole.

I would therefore choose a GPS baed on features, funtionality etc and not the map provider.

Personally I use a TomTom 940 as my daily driver (Tele Atlas) but I also use Navigon on my iPhone (Navteq).

 

Firstly, in the US garmins mapping and route selection are almost always much faster than either Tom, Tom or magellan. Don't trust me or anyone else, go to GPSmagazine.com for impartial reviews. That being said I have two really great options for you. Of course you should have included your budget as that is the determining factor in all purchases. If you live in the sticks and traffic is not that important I would get the discontinued Nuvi 780 (about $199 if you can find it). If traffic is important, I would go for the Nuvi 765 (lifetime free traffic for about 229)

The 780 is older, but Garmin has recently significantly reduced the map detail shown. I have both and prefer the 780 by far, but traffic is very important in NY and even with the reduced (significantly) map detail, I must us the 765. Either one is slim, with lots of user functionality at a reasonable price.

Good luck.

 

Despite being a longtime TomTom fan (in the U.S.), if I was buying a GPS unit today I would seriously consider a Garmin Nuvi 1xxx with Bluetooth, just for its supposed compatibility with the upcoming EcoRoute ESP module:

Garmin EcoRoutes ESP module turns your GPS into car sentinel -- Engadget

 

I actually had to return the 1490 because it has NO and I mean NO detail on the map. The 765 has slightly more detail and has ecoroute as well as bluetooth. Much better GPS than the 1xxx series.

 

Yes, when the Garmin and ESP become available one of the kids will get a 1 year old TomTom I think.

Just hope the OBD connector is not to intrusive.

I have an OBDKEY Bluetooth unit but it hangs down to far to leave it in permanently. Have the software loaded on my HTC TyTn II ( and also my netbook) so with the phone connected via BT plus the OBD it can get a bit busy. Phone calls clear the guages of the screen, want to experiment with logging to see if that is also suspended.

As the TyTn II also has built in GPS all I need now is an OBD logging app that can add the GPS data to the log.

Cannot undestand why Paula thinks I love gadgets. Mind you she is buying me an Amazon Kindle for Christmas.

David

 

I had a TomTom for several years and decided to upgrade and purchased a Garmin nivi 760, I would have to agree that the tomtom is a better unit. I have had some trouble with directions that were not correct and not difficult routes. I was going from Sarasota to Arcadia which was really only a couple of turns and it directed me down a dead end road in Sarasota. I like the MSN direct but that is going to be discontinued in 2012 so its not worth pay the extra money for that option. The blue tooth in garmin is really great and works well. If I had it to do over again I would go back to TomTom.

 

Which TomTom do you recommend?

 

What's your budget? Do you want a full featured system or just basic navigation? Widescreen or not?

 

I like the go740 live all-in-one, Its somewhere around $340 but has all the features.

 

Lots of commentary re Garmin and Tom Tom units. I have a Magellan 4040 purchased 2+ years ago at Costco. It certainly has ben helpful, but then as a retiree I am not a heavy user. Magellan's customer Support is a joke.
Any opinions on Magellan GPS'?

 

IMO, they are garbage. I own a handheld that I was given and I havent looked at it in a year or two but it is horrible.

I have Microsoft Streets and Maps for my laptop and it has a GPS that I dont use. I have a Garmin Legend that I use for kayaking. I am still thinking about one for the car. My problem is I am so organized I rarely(I cant remember the last time) get lost or need directions, since I got divorced. So I dont really see much need for one. Honetly I just like gadgets. And I am willing to buy one but I am not buying one that sucks.

The Garmin 1350T looks like a good one. But so does the 265WT. I havent seen a TomTom that has reviews good enough to outweigh the bad reviews.

 

I have had Magellan and Garmin. I have a little experience with TomTom. I prefer Garmin over Magellan with TomTom in last place. I currently have a Garmin NUVI 775 and found it to be excellent. However, the best unit to date for me is the Toyota NAVI. Yeah, updating it is a PIA (DVD). However, the logic in finding the fastest (and most logical) route is superior in the Toyota NAVI over the handheld units. In addition, the satellite aquisition is superior over the handhelds.

Anyway, i prefer the Garmin.

 

Who makes the nav unit for the Toyota?