GPS advice please...

[RodKirby]

Hi Guys - trying you first...

Thinking of getting a GPS for LOML's car (10 year old Suzki) for Xmas.

I did a bit of browsing and came out screaming Makes x models !

I've never even looked in a store for these so I'm hoping someone who's been there done that, can help me out...

• Is there a "don't buy anything else but" brand?
• Are there any "don't go anywhere near" brands?
• Is installation a hassle? Can I do it myself?
• Can I get something reasonable for around US$500?
• Are there any "gotcha's"?

Thanks in advance...

[LCHIEN]

Hi Guys - trying you first...

Thinking of getting a GPS for LOML's car (10 year old Suzki) for Xmas.

I did a bit of browsing and came out screaming Makes x models !

I've never even looked in a store for these so I'm hoping someone who's been there done that, can help me out...

• Is there a "don't buy anything else but" brand?
• Are there any "don't go anywhere near" brands?
• Is installation a hassle? Can I do it myself?
• Can I get something reasonable for around US$500?
• Are there any "gotcha's"?

Thanks in advance...

I think in the US the one's to look at are Garmin and Tom Tom.
Not sure if that's the case for Australia, though. The possible issue being the map bases available, the SW and HW would work the same.

[gsmittle]

I've had a Garmin GPS V for a couple of years now... I like it very much, even though now it's old technology--no 3D, no voice, monochrome screen, etc.

Personally, my next GPS will probably be a Garmin. Most of the models I've looked at are pretty easy to set up in a car; plug into the 12v outlet and make sure the antenna has a view of the sky through the front windshield.

My only beef so far is I have to run Virtual PC on my Mac so I can use the map software. Garmin evidently doesn't make a Mac version.

g.

[Jim Boyd]

I have been using my Garmin for just over a month, intensely for the last 2 weeks. So far I'm tickled pink There have only been a couple of addresses it couldn't find in the data base because the sub-divisions were new. I have been in the sticks alot, in parts of Texas I've never been in before and haven't got lost! It was only $108 from Amazon but requires a laptop. Here is the thread where we discussed here on the forum.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...&highlight=gps

[JSCOOK]

I use the TOMTOM exculsively now ....

[DUD]

I was in the local Alltel store, the clerk next to me was telling the customer praising the Blackberry Telephone. It has GPS on Your cell phone. Bill

[whitecobra]

Rod
I to use Tom Tom exclusively
They make a stand alone model(s) or you can strap one to a Palm Type device

I use a TREO cell phone and use TomTom with it ALLOT and love it

Stand alone units are slick with lots of new add ons.

NOT sure if they work down under I know they are for EU and North America. IN the UK they even know where the video surveilance cameras are and warn you to slow down


Dr Dave

[mac_daddy]

From my initial research back two years ago, I decided between the Magellan and the Garmin models. I decided on the Garmin based on the fact that I could increase storage by purchasing a generic CF memory card whereas the Magellan required a specially formatted card. I don't know the situation now days, but my Streetpilot works great here in the Southwest US.