GPS for Christmas

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Modern technology is always nipping at my heels (I love it).

This Christmas will include a new GPS unit for my son and one for me.
I chose to go with theMagellan 1412 partly due to the price ($149) and partly due to the ease of operation.

What brands, models, etc have you had experience with? These things are really amazing in many ways and a little frustrating in other ways.

Any experiences I should be ready for as I use the GPS in the future???

[Nitetimes]

Modern technology is always nipping at my heels (I love it).

This Christmas will include a new GPS unit for my son and one for me.
I chose to go with theMagellan 1412 partly due to the price ($149) and partly due to the ease of operation.

What brands, models, etc have you had experience with? These things are really amazing in many ways and a little frustrating in other ways.

Any experiences I should be ready for as I use the GPS in the future???

Gettin' lost!!!! Or at least bein' where you would rather not be.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Gettin' lost!!!! Or at least bein' where you would rather not be.

Thanks Rich, I'm becoming more and more aware of that problem.

I noticed already that the construction changes (local) are not picked up by the GPS maps. These changes go back about 10 years.

Luckily, this happened in my home town , but if it happened in a foreign town I'd be really confused.

I did find that it picks up the route quickly and calculates a new route within a few seconds.

I haven't really tried this in an area where I have no idea how to find a location. I do know that the "On Star" system is a little "sketchy" as well.

[toypusher]

Gettin' lost!!!! Or at least bein' where you would rather not be.

Thanks Rich, I'm becoming more and more aware of that problem.

I noticed already that the construction changes (local) are not picked up by the GPS maps. These changes go back about 10 years.

Luckily, this happened in my home town , but if it happened in a foreign town I'd be really confused.

I did find that it picks up the route quickly and calculates a new route within a few seconds.

I haven't really tried this in an area where I have no idea how to find a location. I do know that the "On Star" system is a little "sketchy" as well.

I used a couple of different Garmin GPS units when I drove truck for PODS and they seemed to be really dead on or not even close. Part of the problem I had though was misspelling of street names that were provided to us.

[packerz4]

i have the old Garmin c330 and need to update the maps... but i wouldn't be without it. it's a priceless tool when you travel as much as i do for work. i often joke that if it broke or got stolen i'd stop everything and go straight to the store and get another.

tam

[Kurt (Indiana)]

it's a priceless tool when you travel as much as i do for work.

I got one for my son who is constatntly on the road in Il, WI, IA. He was using his "VZ Navigator" on the phone but that has it's draw backs too. He's on the phone a lot and you can't do both. The seperate GPS will help him a lot and make life easier.

[Lesbest]

Using a GPS is like having your wife, (girlfriend, mom, dad, good buddy, nobody, and a knowitall) telling you where to go.

Look at a map to get the general direction to where you are going. If it quits--you are lost.

Most of the time it is right on, maps on mine are not updateable. Database is 2 years old-plus their cutoff for their software.
New road names are a killer-no help, keep the female voice turned on- men respond better.

Fastest time, shortest route--check both options, sometimes shortest route is 30 miles shorter and 2 min. longer.

Some days it is lightning fast with instructions, other days not so--Sun spots? Tall buildings can confuse it, farm country is great.

Magellan 3100

Don't leave home without it.

Les

[sledge]

Santa brought me a Magellan 3250 , and I LOVE IT ! ! ! I spent a few hours the first day trying to learn how to use it..... I HATE to read Directions No Problems so far ......it's All Good.

[prohandyman]

Kurt
I have a TomTom and it works very well. Users can update the map, and upload the updates via a connect cord to a computer and the internet, and the whole world (of TomTom users) can see the updates. I also use a Garmin Maps 76C for my offroad excursions as it is a handheld and waterproof, great for the kayak!

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I also use a Garmin Maps 76C for my offroad excursions as it is a handheld and waterproof, great for the kayak!

Dan, keep it handy . At one of our upcoming gatherings we will do some "geo-caching".

A hand held unit will be great for that.

[Arne]

most people I know who never thought about getting a gps, but were given them, now think they are great...

we use 2 vehicles. one came with it built in, the other is a tom tom.... we use them any time we are out of our knowledge base.... mine is built into my odyssey.. and I use it about 300% move than I thought I would have when I bought it...

set it and forget it.

[dakotamouse]

We have a Garmin nuvi 200. I've uprgraded the maps once. I love it! I can follow a map just fine but a GPS does so much more. We were coming back from IRG II and wanted some breakfast. So we typed in IHOP, we don't have one at home, and found there was one 5 blocks from us! Great for finding the nearest gas station or Walmart!

[Nitetimes]

We have a Garmin nuvi 200. I've uprgraded the maps once. I love it! I can follow a map just fine but a GPS does so much more. We were coming back from IRG II and wanted some breakfast. So we typed in IHOP, we don't have one at home, and found there was one 5 blocks from us! Great for finding the nearest gas station or Walmart!

We've got the Garmin Nuvi 250W and I don't think there's a Walmart that's not listed on them.
We stayed in one somewhere on the way to the IRG2 that I would have never found without it....even if I'd have known where it was in the first place!!! I've never seen a WM so well hidden!!

[Rickxr2]

I love my GPS. Most of the time! It's not uncommon to take a route ten miles in the wrong direction just to keep us on a major highway! I still love it. Keep a little common sense handy when using it.

Rick
iWay 250c

[dakotamouse]

I love my GPS. Most of the time! It's not uncommon to take a route ten miles in the wrong direction just to keep us on a major highway! I still love it. Keep a little common sense handy when using it.

Rick
iWay 250c

We call our GPS Christine, after the Stephen King book about the car. Most of the time she is right but once in a while she makes a mistake..........or does she??? Could be just a hint of naughty in her!