Auto GPS

Ken Ibold

Ken Ibold

Final Approach
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Feb 21, 2005
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Jacksonville, Florida
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Ken Ibold
My parents (mid-70s) came to visit and in conversation dropped how they were thinking of getting a portable GPS for their car. Knowing I own about 46 GPS receivers (OK, three) they asked my opinion. Ah HAH! Finally, an opportunity to give them a Christmas gift they want.

So if anyone has an opinion about an auto GPS unit I'm all ears. I have a preconceived idea, but I want to hear others. Desireable attributes are:

1) Full road database, down to residential streets.
2) Enter a destination address and get turn by turn.
3) Big(ish) screen for old folks eyes.
4) Easy interface that even Luddites can work.
5) IFR approved. Oops! NOT!
6) Extra points for voice prompts.
7) Extra points for gas station/restaurant data.
 
Garmin Nuvi
http://www.pilotsofamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17482&highlight=nuvi

The 250w(?), 600 and 700 series meets all of your criteria. What you want is the 4.3" HiDef screen.
feature comparison at Garmin: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare...6292&compareProduct=8671&compareProduct=10625
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=82414
The Garmin line: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

One of the reasons I got the 670 was specifically to have the bigger hi-res screen so I could use it sans glasses. It doesn't always work that way, but I can get by with the GPS being at arms length away.
 
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I got a Magellan Maestro (can't recall the exact model number) a few months ago for my wife, and she loves it. It has voice navigation, easy to use big buttons for the interface, is intuitive, and is loaded with streets. It also has an onboard database of gas stations, restaurants, parks, and more, LOTS of points of interest. At the time, I think it reviewed somewhat better than the Nuvi, don't know what the status is now.
 
A coworker has a TomTom, and he loves the thing. It includes voice directions and restaurant/place name lookup. Pretty cool to just type in Pei Wei and have it list the closest one to you, then take you right to its front door. IIRC, he spent about $400 on it.
 
I have a Nuvi and my parents have a StreetPilot 7500. If you want the luxury screen go with the 7000 series StreetPilot. My parents are in their mid sixty's and always call me for technical support on anything electronic. I have received zero calls for tech support on the GPS:goofy:Now the Mac on the other hand.....:hairraise:
 
I gave my Dad a TomTom something or other last Christmas. It has decently sized font for older eyes with all of the features you listed above. Interface was quite easy for my Dad to catch on to (only in his 50's though) and the initial setup was straightforward.
 
An idea, go to youtube and search for the model names (Nuvi, Magellan Maestro, Streetpilot, etc) and see if you can find videos showing the interface in action.
 
Bill Jennings said:
Another vote for the Nuvi series, very nice.
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What Mike and Bill said. Love my Garmin toys! :yes:

FWIW I had a trainee from a 3rd world country who was able to figure out the Nuvi pretty well on his own... He just seemed to have occasional problems at very complex intersections until I told him (after at least 3 weeks using this foreign gadget) to FOLLOW THE PURPLE LINE!!! :eek: :rofl:
 
I spent a few minutes on YouTube searching for GPS units I know. If anyone else has a GPS they recommend, see if you can find a video. Seeing the interface in action might be really helpful in selecting.

Nuvi 660:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N3KRUW56NQ
Nuvi 200:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdU94M9Vzlk
Maestro 3100:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l_1UzUWyXE
Maestro 4050:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbTXwBwaRT4
TomTom Go910:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8cCNu2_Js
TomTom 520:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzxm9pZPIok
 
Chairboy said:
I spent a few minutes on YouTube searching for GPS units I know. If anyone else has a GPS they recommend, see if you can find a video. Seeing the interface in action might be really helpful in selecting.

Nuvi 660:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N3KRUW56NQ
Nuvi 200:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdU94M9Vzlk
...
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The 200 review is interesting. The key difference is the "speak street name" feature on the 6xx. It says "Turn right" but on the 670 it's "Turn right on to Barron Boulevard." That is very useful, among other things, at a three way intersection.

I learned a few things. I didn't know you could find a spot on the map and go there. Heh. I always think of an intersection or something nearby to type in.

The icons and text on the 200 are large enough that it might work for old eyes. The HiRes screen also brings proportionally smaller text but more importantly, the map is larger with more detail.

What you don't want is the tiny ones like the i3. I bought one and had to take it back. The screen is postage stamp, hip-hopper only usable.

I sometimes miss where the Nuvi is trying to send me, and end up doing a U-turn or going around the block. That could be a real problem if I was driving a semi. :rolleyes:

That usually happens when I think know the area and route and I really am slightly lost - thinking I'm closer or farther than I am. You also have to pay attention to the distances shown. The screen will show an immediate turn when it means at the corner 500 feet ahead.

I also frustrate "Karen" fairly often when I decide to stop or go another way. She just keeps nagging, "Recalculating!" :D
 
I use the MS Streets and trips on my laptop, it works pretty well, but I wouldn't recommend it for older persons, especially those who don't already have a laptop :)
 
t0r0nad0 said:
I use the MS Streets and trips on my laptop, it works pretty well, but I wouldn't recommend it for older persons, especially those who don't already have a laptop :)
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Yeah, a computer app is a non starter in this case. Small, good battery life, simple simple is required.

A couple years ago we bought my mother in law a TomTom, and she likes that. But technology marches on, and I've been leaning toward the Nuvi.
 
Don't remember which Garmin we got our son-in-law for his birthday a year or two ago, but our daughter thinks it's the best gift he ever got. Directionally challenged is being nice. Doesn't get lost anymore.
 
Garmin Nuvi

Good sized screen. Very good user interface, much better than the built in in my car. Very clear voice prompts.
 
Ghery said:
Don't remember which Garmin we got our son-in-law for his birthday a year or two ago, but our daughter thinks it's the best gift he ever got. Directionally challenged is being nice. Doesn't get lost anymore.
Click to expand...

Being a city kid... it was a revelation when my horizons first expanded when I started driving when I learned what was out past the major streets just a few miles away but I could still count on most roads going east-west or north-south.

Watch that Nuvi 200 demo. The guy's in London. I can't imagine trying to find your way around on old, old circular roads like that.

I'm glad I had mine in Hartford. I still don't have a good idea how the layout there looked like.

I got mine to help me figure getting around by my new home in the land of lakes. There are few roads that go straight in a any compass direction.

After having my Nuvi guide me for a while it was like having a local friend telling you the lay of land. I would occasionally wander a few miles the wrong way trying to find a store. Now I can recognize the intersections off the major routes and know how find my way from there.

My Nuvi has saved me hours. It's been a good purchase.
 
Walmart has the Garmin street pilot 330 on sale for $199 in stores and on the website.. And for some reason it rang up at $178 at a local walmart about 1 week ago.

It is a great unit, I bought one for my wife when it was selling for almost $400.

The screen is not the biggest and the unit itself is bigger than the Nuvi but according to a Garmin rep it uses the same operating system as the bigger street pilots and possibly the Nuvi..

Jon
 
Ken Ibold said:
Thanks for the intel. Too bad I absolutely REFUSE to patronize WalMart.
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Ken, did you ever purchase a bike back when your son was interested? Why I ask is I use a Zumo 550 on the bike, which is basically a weatherized, ruggedized verzion of the Nuvi, with bluetooth phone sync capabilities. Very cool gizmo, works well in the car, too.
 
Bill Jennings said:
Ken, did you ever purchase a bike back when your son was interested? Why I ask is I use a Zumo 550 on the bike, which is basically a weatherized, ruggedized verzion of the Nuvi, with bluetooth phone sync capabilities. Very cool gizmo, works well in the car, too.
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No bike yet. I put that on hold when Uncle Sam nailed me last April 15. I made a planning boo-boo and it hit hard. But I'll get one in the next couple of months if there's a good end of year sale, by next March for sure. Nothing fancy. Probably just a Honda V-twin cruiser.
 
If you have a Bass-Pro in the area, on Friday the 23rd they are having a big Black Friday sale, Several GPS units are on sale at 40% off. Example Garmin Nuvi 350, Reg $599.99 on sale for $299.88 Several others with savings as much as $200.00.
 
Just a heads up on something I saw on the news recently. Apparently there has been a huge increase in "smash and grabs" due to the popularity of auto GPS's. The common mount for auto GPS's, the suction cup style to the windshield/window, leaves a ring on the glass when it is taken off. Even if the mount and GPS are out of sight, the ring that is left on the glass has been a green light for thieves to smash ones window and check the glove box, etc...:eek: Carry a rag, tissue, or something to wipe off the ring. After having 4K in stuff stolen:mad: in a smash and grab about a year ago, I thought I'd give a heads up.

Purdue
 
Ken Ibold said:
Thanks for the intel. Too bad I absolutely REFUSE to patronize WalMart.
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I have a new Walmart Supercenter just a mile away. They'll be moving the existing Sams Club next to it soon. It's conveniently close and has everything available I could just about need. But, it's faster for me to jump a mile off the interstate at any of several locations along the way home and spend less time than waiting in line at my local Walmart.

Walmart is clearly not worth the savings on items. I go there only if absolutely necessary. I'd rather go to the GPSStore.com or another location and pay a bit more for actual customer service.
 
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