Cheapest way to get set up on assisted GPS

[ganchan]

Currently I only have a Macbook Air and a "dumb phone" -- not because I'm a Luddite, but because I'm financially tight enough to be worried about the long-term costs of maintaining a smart device and data plan. For my extended road trips in my ancient low-tech car, I've been taking screen shots of different legs of the journey for later viewing on my Macbook as needed, but that's an awkward situation that requires me to pull over, open the laptop, and check my position.

I'd like to have something like a tablet on a dashboard mount running GPS, and I'm wondering what the most cost-effective means of getting there might be. Right now i'm thinking about a small-ish (and possibly refurb) LTE-ready tablet running Google Maps, which wouldn't require an ongoing data plan or special software purchase. Any other suggestions?

 

[DLTooley]

I bought a Iphone 5 refurbished just before the 7 was announced. It is holding up and performing well. I use the tracfone smart phone prepaid, a good deal, but with only a gig of data. You can purchase more at a reasonable cost. This is perfect for me as my usage is highly variable - a good bit of the time I have wi-fi data available which is no cost.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Why not look at a dash mount GPS?

It will not need a data plan to work, smaller so it wont block as much of the windshield, suction cup and power cord will be included, and the screen will be easily readable in daylight.

Around $100 can get you a good one.

 

[Firtree]

Not certain exactly what you are wanting. I love all sorts of techie stuff but when driving keep it very simple.

I like the Walmart paper map of all the states. It has listing of all Walmarts with exits etc.
An inexpensive dash Garmin or Magellan GPS is good for plugging in your next destination or close to it. I find them helpful when forced to go through a city or one of the congested beltways. Do NOT recommend using it to travel backwoods, forest service roads, etc. Too often they will take you on a long forgotten deer path or a washed out logging road. Onetime near Mt Rushmore it told me to go down a dirt path, two narrow tire tracks with the middle grass two foot high. I don’t think so.

iPads cost $150-180 more to get the true GPS/data function. I now use a MIFI for $5 a month and connect tablet/phone by WiFi to check email, maps etc.

I stop every 1 1/2-2 hours so looking at a map is not a difficult thing.

Others will have better solutions for you

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Why not look at a dash mount GPS? It will not need a data plan to work, smaller so it wont block as much of the windshield, suction cup and power cord will be included, and the screen will be easily readable in daylight. Around $100 can get you a good one.

I'll second that and add that, Garmin and some others offer lifetime updates to the maps and some of them if you pair them with your phone can provide real-time traffic updates using your existing phone data.

 

[bonvanroulez]

I'll second that and ...

I'll third that!

I started with a lightly used Garmin Nuvi from ebay for under $30, that worked great for 7 years; now I just bought a new Garmin Drive with lifetime map updates, on sale at Best Buy for $100. I am amazed at the additional features the new one has compared to the old Nuvi.

A friend swears by his iPhone for navigation but he has to plan to download and cache maps for off cell areas, and he has to set it up for driving, set it not to sleep, etc.

The Garmin is always there ready to go, with a big easy to read screen and clear audible voice instructions. And with vast areas of the west having no cell coverage, the Garmin works without needing a cellular signal.

Plus, the Garmin has easy to search POIs for finding gas, food, rest areas, post office, on and on... and again without using cell data or needing any cell signal.

 

[tx2sturgis]

There are a few issues with using a smartphone as a full time GPS. Not referring to a tablet here, just your smartphones:

If a call comes in, at a critical point in your driving/navigating maneuvers, it can override the GPS app. Smartphones are also known to lock-up at the most in-opportune moment.

With no network available, out in the boonies, updates to the basemap are not possible, and must be pre-loaded.

GPS functionality (screen on, GPS radio on) will deplete the battery rapidly, so you will need a constant power source. Some smartphones can overheat running this load full time if they are in a case, or bathed in sunlight up on the dash or windshield. 

Google in particular gets a bit invasive, with location access turned on, and some users don't want this exact tracking by third parties to happen. 

I've used both, and the dedicated, stand-alone GPS wins everytime. 

And you can STILL use the phone with no problems while the Garmin, or whatever brand you choose, is getting you where you need to go.

 

[JenBa]

I have a small garmin and I believe I only paid like 70 or $80 for it and it’s pretty nice I can save locations I can search for locations and it seems to be pretty accurate I’m happy with it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Riverman]

ATTENTION:

I have about three Garmin GPS and don't need that many anymore.

If you will pm me your address, I'll send you one free.

 

[skyl4rk]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tracfone-Samsung-Galaxy-J3-Luna-Pro-4G-LTE-Prepaid-Smartphone/924699759

You can buy a Tracfone android smartphone on sale and you don't have to buy the Tracfone card to activate it. The phone can be used as a wifi connected device without Tracfone activation. You will want to add an SD card, the bigger the better.

There are two offline mapping and navigation apps, both are very good: Maps.Me and Osmand. You will need good WiFi to download maps, but once the maps are downloaded the app will be fully functional when there is no WiFi service.

I use the Galaxy J3 Luna with Maps.Me as my main navigation device. Combined with a Verizon $5 a month plan and a Google Voice phone number account, one could have all the services needed at a very low cost.

 

[RVTravel]

"here wego" is another offline map.

 

[wagoneer]

I bought one of those huge Rand Mcnally 18 wheeler GPS for 50 bucks it's a fricken entertainment center I use the HUGE map of the entire country to really see where I am in perspective. Plus all the Diesel stops and the current prices. The only drawback so far is it tells me to stop
because my driving limit has been reached LOL.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Currently I only have a Macbook Air and a "dumb phone" -- not because I'm a Luddite, but because I'm financially tight enough to be worried about the long-term costs of maintaining a smart device and data plan . . .
I'd like to have something like a tablet on a dashboard mount running GPS, and I'm wondering what the most cost-effective means of getting there might be . . . 

For your listed requirements I agree with others that a dedicated GPS mapping device is the most cost effective way to go: one time cost, no additional fees.  Buy a used one if you are strapped for cash or not interested in the latest updates.

I use my iPhone Maps for in-city directions and paper maps for everything else.  Off pavement I want to know where I am, not depend on some electronic device to tell me.  Forest Service MVUM, Delorme/Benchmark, USGS maps.  I'm not in such a hurry that I cannot stop and reorient.  City driving is different with the heavy traffic, multiple lanes, and confusing signage.

 

[tx2sturgis]

The only drawback so far is it tells me to stop because my driving limit has been reached LOL.

Let me see your logbook, sir.

 

[frater secessus]

"assisted GPS" means something specific, and it's not what OP means. GPS-A is "assisted" by data to get a faster lock than by sat reception alone.

GPS: receiver that picks up sat signals and converts them to lat/long/altitude (geolocation).
Navigation: software that uses GPS geolocation in order to figure out where you are on a map or other interface.

Bluetooth GPS receivers are relatively cheap (like $20), and could talk to the laptop. I don't know if that would be useful or not.

 

[[email protected]]

I'll second that and add that, Garmin and some others offer lifetime updates to the maps and some of them if you pair them with your phone can provide real-time traffic updates using your existing phone data.

Uh, my three-year-old Nuvi from Garmin came with 'lifetime updates'. At three years could not update it any more. It's in the $100 range. This one has no Bluetooth, so no pairing with a smartphone or computer. It still works [maybe it's four years old now, stopped updating last year or maybe year before that]. With one that won't update, it will still get you there, but you have to watch for things like what used to be a Y intersection and now there's a stop sign [I almost wrecked!]. All GPS and smartphone apps have errors, too, but Y'all know about that already. Most of the major map suppliers get theirs from a service. My address shows in the wrong place. If I want it to be right there's a way to notify the supplier that Google Maps uses. 

 For a cheapie, it's good, but mostly when out on the road, my care aide just whips out her iPhone If I have to move, I'll need the GPS 'cause my SafeLink free phone only has 1 GB of data included.  As you can tell, I'm planning but not out there yet

 

[WanderingBiker]

I'll second that and add that, Garmin and some others offer lifetime updates to the maps and some of them if you pair them with your phone can provide real-time traffic updates using your existing phone data.

YUP... got a garmin, with lifetime map updates.. been updated abut 5 times so far.... its great for going from A to B, when I get to B, I use my laptop to plan the next stop C... then use the GPS... no data required...

 

[becida]

I'm a fan of a dedicated Garmin GPS and a Straighttalk smart phone running on the Verizon towers ($45/month for 10gb & $55/month for unlimited data). I also have a Walmart Rand-Mcnally road atlas just to check on the gps and do some bigger scale planning.

Having a computer in my pocket (the android smart phone) helps a huge amount in my planning... freecampsites, gasbuddy & google maps can usually answer most of my questions..

The Gamin GPS has lifetime maps & traffic (LMT) which is a really good thing, it was reconditioned, not too spendy and works great.

Good luck!

 

[Zil]

With the garmin lifetime maps. You must update at least once per year or garmin will not recognize your unit.