Automobile GPS Navigation Systems

[Vegas Vic]

I’m going to be trading in my 4-Runner for a new vehicle soon, and I am interested in the GPS navigation systems that are now becoming commonplace. It looks like most of them are upgrades in the $2,000 price range.

For those of you who have vehicles with GPS, what are the pros and cons of the system that you are using? At first glance, I would think that living in areas with a lot of new development and freeway renovations would be somewhat of a problem, as the data is stored on DVD. I’m not sure how often the DVD’s are updated or how accurately they’re updated.

[cartman]

I'd steer away from getting the built-in nav systems. You can get a portable one for 1/3rd to 1/10th the price. With the portable one, you can move it from car to car, such as when you rent a car on a trip.

The updates are another thing as well. The built in systems usually release updates once or twice a year, and the subscriptions can be pretty pricey. My buddy's Acura subscription runs $400/yr for six month releases, or $250 for single-purchase updates.

[terpkristin]

The Garmin Nuvi (http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi/ ) is similar to the Tom-Tom in-car navigation system and isn't built in. My dad got one for Christmas and I must say, it's pretty freaking sweet.

As far as the cons, I don't know of any yet (he's had it less than a week), but based on his and my playing around with it on Monday, it's one hawt little device (I want one now, and I rarely find a need for that kind of thing).

And it's significantly cheaper than the built-into-the car version (Garmin part number: 010-00455-00, nuvi 350 Suggested Retail Price:$642.84 U.S.D. (for domestic US market only)), and can be taken out of the car if, for example, you fly somewhere and want to use in-car navigation in a rental car....

/tk

[Dutch]

Wow, that does get expensive. I have to agree with Cartman. I just purchased a bare-bones no frills portable one for getting around Germany. It was $349. It works fine. I was kind of stunned to see you can get one for $2000.

[Toddzilla]

Agreed - you can get a high-quality portable for a fraction of your in-car price, and it will be easier to update.

[Vegas Vic]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

The Garmin Nuvi (http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi/ ) is similar to the Tom-Tom in-car navigation system and isn't built in.

This looks like a really good deal for the price, and it has an audio system that will call out when to make the turns. I think that's a crucial feature, as I want my eyes focused on the road instead of having to look down at the screen while driving. Does the system give you a bit of warning before the turns come up?

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by Vegas Vic

This looks like a really good deal for the price, and it has an audio system that will call out when to make the turns. I think that's a crucial feature, as I want my eyes focused on the road instead of having to look down at the screen while driving. Does the system give you a bit of warning before the turns come up?

Yep. It tells you when you start, and then again when you get close.

My favorite part of it is that you can choose which voice talks to you. My dad set it up with the standard American female voice, but when I saw that there was an Aussie male voice...well, one can guess what I switched it to. It was kind of like having Crocodile Dundee telling me where to go (we selected a random restaurant in its database we'd never heard of to go to, so we'd be able to be truly blind).

/tk

[cartman]

I also believe there is an add-on you can get for the Nuvi that receives traffic information via satellite or FM and will update/re-route your trip to avoid traffic jams.

[cartman]

Dola,

The setup I use is the Destinator (hxxp://www.destinatortechnologies.net/us/) software package installed on my iPaq. I have a bluetooth GPS receiver, and a windshield mount for the iPaq. I picked Destinator because at the time it was the only package that had US and European maps available. It was a godsend to have when I was driving around Europe.

[Ryan S]

I can recommend the Tom Tom One at around $400. You can buy more expensive versions with extra features if you need them.

I have used several different units and I prefer the Tom Tom. The Garmin Nuvi also seems to have a good reputation, but I have not used one yet.

The Tom Tom is better than any built in navigation I have used, so save your money and buy a portable one.

[stevew]

I'd go with the portable, for 400ish you can get a solid one, for 600, a pretty sweet one. I sell them at work, people seem to really like the one that tk has.

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by cartman

Dola,

The setup I use is the Destinator (hxxp://www.destinatortechnologies.net/us/) software package installed on my iPaq. I have a bluetooth GPS receiver, and a windshield mount for the iPaq. I picked Destinator because at the time it was the only package that had US and European maps available. It was a godsend to have when I was driving around Europe.

So you like the GPS through your PDA? That is the other option for me, as I have a Dell Axim x51v so if I don't want to get a whole new unit as a GPS, I can get the slot-expansion thing GPS receiver for the PPC.

/tk

[cartman]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

So you like the GPS through your PDA? That is the other option for me, as I have a Dell Axim x51v so if I don't want to get a whole new unit as a GPS, I can get the slot-expansion thing GPS receiver for the PPC.

/tk

Yep, it has worked really well for me. I also have a topographic map software package that allows me to download map sections to my iPaq, so I have GPS capabilities when I go hiking, camping, or hunting.

If you do go this route, I'd recommend getting a separate bluetooth GPS receiver, so that the battery life on the Axim would be extended. Some of those GPS cards can be huge drains on the battery.

[Vegas Vic]

I checked out the various models that were mentioned here, and after doing some further research I purchased the Garmin StreetPilot c340. The Garmin Nuvi that Kristen mentioned is a topnotch unit, but I was looking for just the GPS capability, and I wasn’t really interested in paying extra for the bluetooth, mp3 player, jpeg viewer, etc.

Two features that were very important to me were the text to speech and the calling out of the actual street names (instead of “turn right at 500 feet”). Unfortunately, the TomTom didn’t have this, but otherwise it looked like a quality unit as well.

I took it for a spin today in various parts of the Las Vegas valley, including Red Rock Canyon, Summerlin and Southern Highlands, and it performed flawlessly. The data looks like it’s fairly up to date, as I tested it out on some fairly new subdivisions. On freeway interchanges that have multiple lanes splitting off into various overpasses and exits, the unit would direct me in advance to stay to the right or left so that I wouldn’t end up in the wrong lane. The unit itself is very unobtrusive, and I have it mounted in the lower left corner of the windshield. I rarely even have to glance at it, as the voice commands are usually sufficient.

The only problem that I foresee is taking trips into California, where it is apparently against the law to have windshield mounted devices. I’ll probably have to purchase a dashboard mount attachment for that.

Originally Posted by terpkristin

My favorite part of it is that you can choose which voice talks to you. My dad set it up with the standard American female voice, but when I saw that there was an Aussie male voice...well, one can guess what I switched it to. It was kind of like having Crocodile Dundee telling me where to go

I chose the female Aussie voice (after trying the American English and British English female voices).

[Dutch]

The only problem that I foresee is taking trips into California, where it is apparently against the law to have windshield mounted devices.

Effin' California.