46 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

I'm looking at buying a GPS system to have in the car.

When I google the subject, I find them ranging from $99 to $900.

I just need a readable screen and accurate directions. If it has voice prompts, that's a nice bonus.

Any recommendations?

Nextar has one for $99 at Costco.

Also, do they get updated? Does it cost to do so? Are there subscription fees?

I'm lost.

[Dave Burrell]

I'm looking at buying a GPS system to have in the car.

When I google the subject, I find them ranging from $99 to $900.

I just need a readable screen and accurate directions. If it has voice prompts, that's a nice bonus.

Any recommendations?

Nextar has one for $99 at Costco.

Also, do they get updated? Does it cost to do so? Are there subscription fees?

I'm lost.

I've tried several GPS's over the years, tomtom, garmin, magellan and the best one around - with best technology, best screen view and layout - and best price can be found at Costco
Magellan Maestro

dont get one that is too cheap, those are usually hard to view because of cheaper screens and they don't have info such as gas stations, restaurants, hotels, etc built in. Another important note is the GPS capability to sync quickly with satellites, some GPS's take a long time to connect, others it's very fast... for example my tomtom gps took a long time to connect and it also lost connections often (very annoying), where as my magellan gps connects nearly instantly and hasn't ever lost sync - unless I'm in a tunnel or the like

GPS' do get updated but not very often and its usually a free update done via the manufacturers website when the gps is connected to your pc via a usb cable

[chris v]

I love my Garmin 60CSX... I wouldn't want any other one. Very easy to use once you figure out all the functions. It goes in my truck, on my motorcycle or in my pocket.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I recently rendezvoused with my sister and bil in Tampa to see my nephew get his first commission as a Naval officer. She brought her Garmin to get us around town. I can find out what model it was, but they said it was a mid-range product (roughly $150) and it worked great. If I did a lot of traveling I'd probably get one.

[john]

As long as you get a Garmin, Magellan, or TomTom, they all have the best GPS units. If you are using it for your car, look for one that has voice features (turn left in 200 feet) - it will be a huge benefit and you won't be distracted.

[M.E.G.]

I would second what John says, you need voice features. The voice can tell you how far to your turn etc.I have had gps on my pocket pc for years. I love it. I pass on the ones that are installed in cars. I like the option to move it to different vehicles.

Oh and I also like it when my husband is driving and I have it set up and I can see how fast he is going without making it obvious what I am doing. He does complain about that feature

[Dave Burrell]

I would second what John says, you need voice features. The voice can tell you how far to your turn etc.I have had gps on my pocket pc for years. I love it. I pass on the ones that are installed in cars. I like the option to move it to different vehicles.

the voice features are great, I really like having that in mine.

In my last GPS I could change the voices and had Dennis Hopper - here's what its sounded like http://www.youtube.c...;watch_response

[john]

the voice features are great, I really like having that in mine.

In my last GPS I could change the voices and had Dennis Hopper - here's what its sounded like http://www.youtube.c...;watch_response

Not nearly as funny as Mr. T!

[supermom]

I bought a cobra Nav 1.

Bought it on amazon for around $130. But it goes for more. a sale or something.

It has voice--to tell you to turn ---or in my case take the secondary exit since you missed the first one ( I hate driving in the bay area ).

It had tons and tons of restaurants--family places/ parks, etc.

we used it to come home from a trip once. No membership--just need to plug it into the lighter socket. And ----it's portable.

You wanna borrow it--to see if you like it--you can.

[Dave Burrell]

Not nearly as funny as Mr. T!

I pity the fool who makes a wrong turn

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I pity the fool who makes a wrong turn

You mean "foo," don't you?

[stangage70]

I don't know the intended usage, but this one seems like a good option...
http://www.costco.co...Prodid=11277587

Consumer Reports had a recent article on these.
Some are easier to use than others.

I have a Garmin Streetpilot. It works well most of the time.
Some only say "turn left," where as others will tell you which street to turn on ("turn left on Riley").
Some have blue-tooth to tie into your cell phone for hands-free operation (good for hands-free law coming in July).
Some are upgradable if streets change.

[tessieca]

Whatever you get make sure you disguise it as a plastic toy or one of those gross house centipedes. Otherwise, you'll be a prime target for break-ins. We had a break in just because we had a compass device in the front. It was only a few dollars, but looked like something fancier.

[tessieca]

Costco has an online exclusive offer until June 1 for a Garmin Streetpilot C550 GPS with portable friction mount. It's $199 after $100 rebate.

[folsombound]

Costco has an online exclusive offer until June 1 for a Garmin Streetpilot C550 GPS with portable friction mount. It's $199 after $100 rebate.

I saw that too and it looks like a pretty good deal. I want one but don't really need it yet so I'm waiting another year when I expect that the $500 ones today will be about $200.