Your Suggestion For a New GPS?

Minor Axis

Minor Axis

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I've had a Tom Tom One with expandable memory for about 5 years. The price has dropped so much that I'm thinking about purchasing a new Tom Tom or Garmin and I'm looking for the following:

1. Inexpensive (if possible $200 or less)
2. Unlimited free map updates.
3. Traffic
4. Expandable/Interchangible Memory Slot. - it's real convenient if you want to switch maps. Not convenient if you have to erase and then download a map everytime you want to switch it.

I was all ready to buy a new TomTom XXL 540TM for about $150 although it does not include an expandable/interchangeable camera-style memory card. But then I started reading reviews and a whole bunch of people have had problems with updates and faulty units. So now I'm looking closer at Garmin. What do you like?
Thanks!
-Dave
 
From what I can tell online for Garmin you can pay 69.99 to get unlimited updates for a year or 119.99 for lifetime unlimited updates.

I love my Garmin. I got it cheap enough that I just figured when the maps got real old I could just buy another.
 
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But a $50.00 unit get what you pay for, get a $300.00 unit and often times you also get what you pay for..

Do a bit of investigative work online and it will help..

Visit the GPS POI sites for advice.. ( Google GPS POI Sites )

Personally I have two Garmin units I use and find very friendly.. I upload the info on SD Cards and can transfer them from one unit to the other. Maps have to be purchased for each unit after the first year as an option for $119.00 ea.
 
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Boomerang said:
From what I can tell online for Garmin you can pay 69.99 to get unlimited updates for a year or 119.99 for lifetime unlimited updates.

I love my Garmin. I got it cheap enough that I just figured when the maps got real old I could just buy another.
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I found several models at Amazon that offer free map updates and free traffic. This may have developed because TomTom is doing it.

Thanks all for the info! I think I've settled on a Garmin. Although I have an older TomTom that works great, I'm reading too many negative reviews online about the new models.
 
Minor Axis said:
Thanks all for the info! I think I've settled on a Garmin. Although I have an older TomTom that works great, I'm reading too many negative reviews online about the new models.
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The newer Tom Toms suck and like Francis said you get what you pay for. If you pay $50 youre going to get $50 worth. If you pay $200 you're going to get a much better GPS.The 1300 has the lifetime map and traffic updates and the micro SD Media card slot. It runs about $200. That's the one I would get. The preloaded base maps are US except Alaska and Puerto Rico.
 
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HottyToddyChick said:
Looks like you've decided, but figured I could still throw in my 2 cents. My Garmin covers requirements 1-3. I'm not sure about #4.
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Thanks all for the advice including HTC and DA. :)

I have decided on a Garmin nuvi 1490LMT with lifetime map updates, free traffic, and a SD memory slot. I could have purchased a TomTom for all most half the price, but it did not include the SD slot and as I said there are tons of negative comments about new Tomtoms online.

Garmin issues- Free Garmin traffic updates, if you don't pay $60 per year, advertisements appear, however, they only appear when the car is at rest. They don't appear while driving. Free lifetime maps are lifetime, not just a year as someone told me.
 
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I have the Magellan Roadmate 4250 and you have to buy a subscription for the traffic updates, but it gives you options on when you want to be told about directions and really does change pretty well on the fly (if you missed a turn, took a right instead of a left,etc) I bought my wife a Magellan six years ago and it is a keeper (mind you it was a first generation and can't be upgraded) she has a Garmin and I do not like it. One thing that I have to say that I do not like is in the cold weather the mounter on the dash falls off more than it should, but other than that I would have to say I like mine!
 
Because if you miss a turn with the newer Tom Toms it takes too long for it to figure out where the fuck you are and what route to take to get back on track. Mine led me down dead end streets, told me to go the wrong way down one way streets and wasn't clear on your turn offs. I hated it. They are cheap pieces of shit. I trashed mine and got a Gamin which was amazingly accurate when driving in a city and on the highway. Plus they have lifetime map and traffic updates. And the SD card slot. If you're driving in congested areas Tom Tom's suck! Gamin are awesome.
 
darkangel said:
Because if you miss a turn with the newer Tom Toms it takes too long for it to figure out where the fuck you are and what route to take to get back on track. Mine led me down dead end streets, told me to go the wrong way down one way streets and wasn't clear on your turn offs. I hated it. They are cheap pieces of shit. I trashed mine and got a Gamin which was amazingly accurate when driving in a city and on the highway. Plus they have lifetime map and traffic updates. And the SD card slot. If you're driving in congested areas Tom Tom's suck! Gamin are awesome.
Click to expand...

Well as I said I've owned them both and never experienced what you say happens. I find my Tom Tom much quicker on updating the route including turns than my Garmin ever did. As far as deadend streets and such if the map isn't up to date when you download it that's the problem right there. Did you send the info to Tom Tom via MapShare? It's a handy and helpful thing to do. They will verify your info and correct the map.

btw... you paid for the lifetime map and traffic updates when you bought the unit. They weren't free. Both companies do the same thing.

With reference to the expandable memory. It's not needed. You can do the same thing from your computer and save money while doing it.
 
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