Currently I have a Tom Tom, and i like it ok. I use it for law enforcement patrol. The interface is good and simple but the only problem is that each map update is like 60 bucks. I heard that Magellan GPS things have free updates, does anyone know if this is true. Also, which GPS devices have the most detailed maps?

3/24/2008 7:12:13 PM

none of the major companies give you free map updates. one solution to your updates since u're considering buying a new unit is get a protection plan on it. i'll sometimes mention it to my customers . a 2 yr protection plan is ussually cheaper than an update and since the gps unit are in store exchange and come preloaded with the latest maps , it's cheaper to buy protection , walk in and say there's something wrong w. it. not to mention ur covered if something actually does break

3/24/2008 7:40:34 PM

You mean like Google Earth type quality? haha. Magellan maps seem pretty okay. Sometimes the arrows look like they're pointing on grass/water/other terrain other than the road you're on. lol

3/24/2008 9:32:23 PM

Quote :

"a 2 yr protection plan is ussually cheaper than an update and since the gps unit are in store exchange and come preloaded with the latest maps , it's cheaper to buy protection , walk in and say there's something wrong w. it. not to mention ur covered if something actually does break"

that's actually a really good idea. will keep that in mind when i upgrade

3/25/2008 9:00:41 AM

are you suggesting that someone microwave the unit?

3/25/2008 9:17:51 AM

I work at Staples, and there was this lady that comes in with a GPS unit where the power cord "bent" and started to get cut. We give them the value she payed for the unit on a cash card, and she gets a newer model with another service plan each time.

The managers told me this is the third time shes come in with the same problem, obviously just using the service plans to upgrade models and maps, all of which shes doing legally.

3/25/2008 11:36:37 AM

3/25/2008 12:35:53 PM

^^I'm so doing that next time

3/25/2008 1:28:47 PM

just get a costco membership, it's the same thing, except that you can use your membership to get other stuff too, like cheaper gas, etc...

i got my navi from them and it's covered for life automatically.

tv's are 6 mos.

3/25/2008 4:39:27 PM

life..or as long as you have the costco membership?

3/25/2008 4:43:45 PM

both, you can buy stuff from costco without a membership, it just costs more.

so as long as you have the receipt, you are covered.

3/25/2008 9:18:08 PM

awesome, will look into that. i'm looking to upgrade soon.. might as well get an upgrade plan along with it

3/25/2008 9:24:48 PM

BUMP

I heard the latest Garmin maps still don't know that I-540 goes from NC-55 all the way to 64. Does anyone have a TomTom and know if they're updated? How well does TomTom's MapShare thing work, if you've got it? Is it a free service?

5/19/2008 1:22:30 PM

Quote :

"tv's are 6 mos."

i'm pretty sure tv's are covered for 2 years

5/19/2008 1:35:51 PM

Tom Tom does not know that I540 goes to HWY55 yet. I'm not sure about HWY64, but I doubt it. You have to pay for the mapshare feature after 1year, so I have never used it.

5/19/2008 1:52:54 PM

How accurate do you guys think that the spedometer on the GPS units is? On my car, my car's spedometer is about 3mph higher than the GPS. When I put it in my dad's car, it is the exact same as the car shows...

GPS Unit - Garmin Nuvi 200
My Car - Audi A4 Cabriolet
My Dad's car - Lexus GX470

5/29/2008 10:27:37 AM

Very accurate

car speedo's often read high for obvious reasons

[Edited on May 29, 2008 at 10:30 AM. Reason : and my car is 1.5-2mph high]

5/29/2008 10:30:03 AM

Quote :

"I heard the latest Garmin maps still don't know that I-540 goes from NC-55 all the way to 64. "

this is true. i have the 07 version and it doesn't know 540 at all.

Quote :

"i'm pretty sure tv's are covered for 2 years"

nope.

5/29/2008 10:53:21 AM

There is a Garmin 09 Map udate available that has 540 as it is currently. I assume this will be on their new GPSs shortly.

5/29/2008 1:17:36 PM

^^^^That was the first thing I did when I got a handheld GPS years ago ... and I found out my car speedometer is 3-5mph high. A good fact to know

5/29/2008 1:20:47 PM

message_search.aspx?type=topic§ion=3&searchstring=GPS

5/29/2008 1:23:37 PM

I am currently looking at the Nuvi 200, 250, and 350 models.


I can get the Nuvi 200 for 150
the Nuvi 250 for 200
the Nuvi 350 for 200 (walmart)

any suggestions?


I like Garmin's interface the best out of the ones ive tested so far

8/8/2008 4:15:45 PM

I've put 31,000 miles on my nuvi 350. I highly recommend it

8/8/2008 4:41:38 PM

i have a mio moov 300

i love that thing to death

4.3" widescreen for $160 AND it has text-to-speech

the routing was just as good, if not better, than my tomtom and destinator that i had on my carpc

it has POIs that i didn't even know about in the damn city where i live/work...

8/8/2008 7:12:01 PM

Thoughts on a Lowrance XOG?

8/8/2008 7:59:13 PM

every mio i have seen has sucked cock compared to a garmin. i honestly gave them a chance and told my mom to buy my brother one for christmas because he was wanting one--reviews were good and everyone on here was like OMG buy one, everything is over priced. long story short, he said the thing was fucking worthless and took it back and added his own money to return value to buy a garmin nuvi. absolutely loves the garmin.

maybe the one you're talking about is better--but the ones that el nacho' preaches about suck ass

[Edited on August 8, 2008 at 8:08 PM. Reason : after a few mins of searching it looks liek the one you're talking about is much better,f yi]

8/8/2008 8:07:35 PM

ok what are some of the best GPS units that take voice commands?

8/8/2008 8:08:08 PM

^^yeah the ones before the moov series sucked ass

my routing testing criteria:
i ask it to route me to somewhere in cary from the ems station
if it tells me the same route as the one i'd take, it's good.

the tomtom didn't do this reliably
destinator was a bit better
so far, the mio moov has gotten it correct 6 out of 7 times.

[Edited on August 8, 2008 at 9:54 PM. Reason : .]

8/8/2008 9:52:04 PM

yeah, it was great to see mine tell me the actual quickest route from here to spartanburg was the same one i took..


ah well

my suggestions is still the nuvi 350

[Edited on August 8, 2008 at 9:56 PM. Reason : 30K miles and still happy is saying a lot]

8/8/2008 9:56:34 PM

yeah, we have the nuvi 350 in the supervisor vehicle

but they're putting IVN on the laptops in the truck that already do CAD stuff so, soon we'll have the most awesome gps evar

8/8/2008 10:26:47 PM

the tom tom sucks cause they use teleatlas

8/8/2008 11:51:56 PM

Mio DigiWalker™ C320 Portable GPS for $130 at Staples

http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p16__230483_Business_Supplies_10051_true_SEARCH

Reviews seem to be pretty good. Any opinions on this?

8/17/2008 5:54:00 PM

dont get a fucking mio

8/17/2008 6:24:55 PM

don't be stupid, get a garmin with text to speech or you'll be sorry.

[Edited on August 17, 2008 at 7:27 PM. Reason : f]

8/17/2008 7:27:44 PM