Garmin

[ttpadilla]

I did search, and see that several of you use Garmin for your GPS needs.  I cannot afford a very fancy model, so I was wondering if there are specific recommendations for models that cover the basic needs, and if you can plot lat/long coordinates into them.  Also, are there issues with them not working when you're in remote areas?  Thank you, in advance!

 

[peacetara]

I've never used Garmin GPS, I've always used my iPhone maps application, and it works great!  I think other smartphones have map applications too, I know Android phones do. Don't mean to hijack the thread tho, and am curious how people with the GPs devices like them!

 

[ttpadilla]

I appreciate your input, Tara.  I have an android now, but with Sprint Service, it's not very reliable, even for text messaging. 

 

[Les H]

My wife has a Garmin, it seems to work well. We both have android phones, and I use mine quite a bit ( ours are verizon based), but several times it has dropped me off with my destination nowhere in sight. ( once was 60 miles away!!) Trish's gamin has never lead her ( us, when we travel together) astray, and that is Maine to Florida on the east coast.

 

[josephusminimus]

I appreciate your input, Tara.  I have an android now, but with Sprint Service, it's not very reliable, even for text messaging. 

My only Garmin was in the early 1990s and didn't hold up well backpacking.&nbsp; When it died I went to Magellan and was always happy with them, but my last and current's a Magellan 2000, bought in 1999.&nbsp; For on the road I use Delorme Street Atlas with the GPS head on the dash or window highway [on the laptop or the alternate] and Terrain Navigator boondocking in a vehicle for the topo maps.&nbsp; Full set of USGS topos in the TN software.<br /><br />No complaints, though many consider it archaic.

 

[sl1966]

Any of the 1300 series will work just fine for hwy driving. The only limitations are based on the options each comes with. I've got one of the smaller base models because that's all I really need. The only shortcoming is whether you subscribe to the lifetime (life of the GPS I think) map updates or do it on a yearly basis. $49 for the year, $89 for the lifetime subscription.<br /><br /><br />

 

[Guest]

I have only used a GPS for the last year or so. I much prefer a map. So when I bought one I didn't want to spend a lot....a motorcycle specific Zuma is 7 to 8 hundred. If I was going to own one, I needed it to have Canada and Mexico on it so this Tom Tom seems to work just fine and was only $125 at Sears...bought it while buying a couple of tires in Yuma on my way to Mexico last year....<br /><br />Works fine for me so far....a cell phone is no good for me with tower based GPS...not the same as satellite and I am way too often out of any cell phone coverage in the west....<br />Bri

 

[ttpadilla]

Great!!!&nbsp; Thank you very much, everyone!

 

[caseyc]

Hi Tammi,<br /><br />I've been using Garmin GPS units for the past several years. &nbsp;The latest units have features I really like such as Lane Assistance, Traffic Conditions, and free lifetime updates. Garmin GPS units, and other "standalone" GPS units in general have all fallen in prices lately due to cell phone GPS putting a hurt in their business. &nbsp;During holiday season, you can usually buy a new standalone GPS unit for $100 or less, granted these lesser priced units may not have all the extra bells and whistles. &nbsp;Better models usually cost around $200 and higher.<br /><br />Here's the one big, BIG, and I mean HUGE difference between "standalone" GPS units and cell phones with GPS. &nbsp;By standalone, I mean units such as a Garmin, Tom-Tom, Magellan, etc. &nbsp;By cell phones, I mean Android and iPhones, etc. &nbsp;The monster big difference I'm referring to is that standalone GPS units will keep working in remote locations such as mountains and out of the way places, whereas cell phone GPS that rely on cell phone towers will quit working. &nbsp;Some cell phone GPS will work better than others because of varying coverage quality of cell phone carriers. &nbsp;For example, I've noticed that Verizon and AT&amp;T will "usually" work better than say MetroPCS and T-Mobile. &nbsp;I know this to be true because I friends who have cell phones from various providers.<br /><br />I personally have 3 different GPS units running simultaneously while driving in my van. &nbsp;I have a cell phone GPS which is my Verizon Motorola Razr Maxx Android phone. &nbsp;I typically use the free Google Navigation GPS app. &nbsp;Sometimes I use other GPS apps such as "Navigator", "CoPilot Live", and other paid GPS apps from the Google Android "Play" store.&nbsp;&nbsp;You might ask why I chose to pay $30 (one time fee) for these additional GPS apps from the Google app store, whereas the Google Navigation app is free.&nbsp; That's because these other apps offer lane assistance feature, which Google Navigation doesn't.&nbsp; Plus one or more of these other apps also offer a&nbsp;choice of 3 different color coded routes to travel, whereas Google Navigation doesn't. &nbsp;My other GPS unit is a standalone Garmin GPS unit which is small and portable. &nbsp;The Garmin unit will keep working in remote locations even after my Verizon Android phone has already quit due to out of range cell phone signal. &nbsp;Lastly, my third GPS unit is&nbsp;my Rydeen brand windshield mirror that has a GPS navigation screen, plus doubles as a reverse camera for showing me what's behind the van when going in reverse. &nbsp;This Rydeen GPS/Backup Camera mirror will also keep working even after my Verizon cell phone GPS quits.<br /><br />Bottom line is this: &nbsp;If you will be using a GPS in remote locations, you can pretty much forget about any cell phone GPS. Instead, get a standalone GPS unit such as from Garmin, Tom-Tom, Magellan, etc. &nbsp;Go check out floor model GPS units at Best Buy and Frys Electronics stores, then maybe buy one cheaper online somewhere.<br /><br />As you can tell, I like GPS technology!&nbsp; Haha!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Casey<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

 

[ttpadilla]

Thanks, Casey!&nbsp; I've found a few on Amazon for around $100.&nbsp; Still looking. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I've used Garmin, im guessing its a pretty cheap model (didnt purchase, it was given).&nbsp; Oddly enough the places we've had the hardest time getting satellite hookup are not in rural/remote areas, but in cities with tall buildings that block the gps from seeing the sky.&nbsp; Though i will say that the garmin gets pretty confused sometimes, leading you in strange circles to get on a road that you could have just made one turn to get onto in the first place.&nbsp; Or if a road sharply curves sometimes it will count it as a turn, but thats not a biggy.&nbsp; It only happens occasionally though.&nbsp; We recently used one to go to a campground in the middle of no where where my nephews had a boyscout thing and it took us almost to their tent <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />I love it personally, I used to use maps all the time in DC and baltimore, and I never want to relive those archaic times <img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[ttpadilla]

I can read a map, but find it difficult to drive, and read a map at the same time, and Bella is not good at either driving OR map reading, so she's not going to be much help.&nbsp; Yep, the Garmin is definitely getting purchased.&nbsp; Thought I'd found "the one" but it had some terrible reviews, so I'm still looking. I do want one with Lifetime Maps.&nbsp; Looking back on those roundabout directions is funny, but may not have been at the time.&nbsp; I was using printed directions by Map Quest once, and using the odometer, carefully tracked, according to directions, where I was supposed to turn next.&nbsp; There were no roads in site, just enormous fields on either side!&nbsp; It was in the middle of high desert Oregon, I had the kids with me, and I was not amused!&nbsp; Pretty funny now though! lol

 

[caseyc]

Hi Tammi,<br /><br />You're welcome.&nbsp; If I were to buy another Garmin unit, it would probably be something similar to this:<a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+.../3054083.p?id=1218374935561&amp;skuId=3054083"><br /><br />http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+.../3054083.p?id=1218374935561&amp;skuId=3054083</a><br /><br />Casey

 

[caseyc]

DaizarGaiden - Yes, I have the same problem whereby my Garmin unit might have trouble locking onto a signal when there are tall buildings nearby, and especially if parked in an enclosed garage. Conversely though, my Android cell phone GPS might actually be able to lock onto a signal even under these same circumstances! Weird, but true! &nbsp;That's why I use different GPS devices, both cell phone, and standalone, because the technology in each is different and you will get different results under different circumstances. Better to have both types so you're not stuck! Another example is that my Verizon Motorola Razr Maxx cell phone has such a darn good radio built into it that I can actually get good GPS reception while inside my home building! Amazing! The Garmin would choke trying to do the same. <br /><br />Another weird thing I've found to be true is that different GPS devices will occasionally give you slightly different directions. For example, my Android phone might say to get off on a particular highway junction, whereby my Garmin unit may tell me to get off at a different route. When confronted with contradictory information, even though I know that both directions will probably get me to the same location, I will usually go with my Android Google Navigation directions from my cell phone. However, if travelling in remote locations such as a campsite, I will instead choose the Garmin directions (if different than my cell phone) because I know that at some point in time soon, I will lose cell phone signal thereby causing a disruption in my cell phone GPS directions. The other major difference of course is that a standalone GPS unit such as a Garmin is..........well, free!! Whereas a cell phone GPS costs a monthly fee to your cell phone provider. <br /><br />Here's a little bit of interesting trivia that I read somewhere: &nbsp;Did you know we have Bill Clinton to thank for our current GPS cell phone consumer technology? I read somewhere that when Billy was president, he declassified GPS technology so that everyone can use it, whereas previously it was only used by the military. However, the first generation GPS units were terrible as they were not accurate, because the accuracy radius was too wide and you would thereby miss turn signals because it was too late. When GPS technology was declassified, it was intentionally not very accurate for general consumer use, hence first generation GPS devices sucked big time. However, all this has changed, and now GPS technology is very accurate. Hence all newer GPS models are waaaaaaay better than GPS models from several years ago in terms of accuracy, and being able to lock onto a satellite signal faster. Plus the new models nowadays have really nice lane assistance feature which is extremely helpful when driving on unknown freeways. If you've never experienced lane assistance before, you should! It's worth it. <br /><br />I found these interesting articles about GPS technology:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.milestonedocuments.com/n...-history-the-u.s.-government-declassifies-gps">http://www.milestonedocuments.com/n...-history-the-u.s.-government-declassifies-gps</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...rvices/gnss/gps/policy/presidential/index.cfm">http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...rvices/gnss/gps/policy/presidential/index.cfm</a><br /><br />Cheers, Casey

 

[blars]

GPS does not work well where the signal is blocked by cliffs, buildings, etc.&nbsp; (they don't work in caves)&nbsp;&nbsp; They also don't work near the north or south pole.&nbsp; Things like traffic reports won't work in the middle of nowhere.&nbsp; Some assume you are on a street in their maps and can be very confused when their map is in error.<br /><br />Many Garmin GPSs can use maps from OpenStreetMap (free), most other brands can't.&nbsp; Some features may not work with the OpenStreetMap maps.&nbsp; Quality of maps varies, most are poor in areas not traveled frequnetly.<br /><br />While the deliberate inacuracy of the GPS satilites was removed, the US military may turn it back on anytime.&nbsp; (military GPS units can use the encrypted signals for more accuracy.)&nbsp; The newer GPSs are better than the older ones mainly because they tend to track more satelites at once and have more sensitive receivers.<br /><br />

 

[caseyc]

quote: "The newer GPSs are better than the older ones mainly because they tend to track more satelites at once and have more sensitive receivers."<br /><br />That's for sure!!&nbsp; My older Garmin GPS unit from 6 or 7 years ago is virtually useless because it takes minutes and minutes and minutes&nbsp;to lock onto satellite signal(s), and worse, the traffic condition feature was never accurate.&nbsp; Another newer&nbsp;Garmin unit from a couple/few years ago usually takes less than 30 seconds to find a signal, although traffic conditions feature&nbsp;is a little sketchy. &nbsp; I'm considering getting a new Garmin unit for lane assistance feature which I find handy, unfortunately both my older Garmin units don't have lane assistance. &nbsp;For now, I'm using either Navigon or CoPilot Live on my Android cell phone which has lane assistance feature (can't remember whether one or both apps has lane assistance).&nbsp; Unfortunately, the free cell phone Google Navigation app doesn't have lane assistance, however, traffic conditions feature is usually accurate.<br /><br />If the military and/or Congress ever makes GPS technology less accurate as before, I will be peeved! Haha!&nbsp; In past years before GPS units existed, I used to print out reams and reams and reams of Mapquest paper directions!&nbsp; Seriously, reams!&nbsp; Worse, because I was paranoid about direction accuracy, I would print out directions from 3 different website sources, and sometimes each source would give different alternate routes.&nbsp; I was always fearful of missing an important turnoff juncture while following paper directions.&nbsp; If I ever did miss a turn, I would literally do a U-Turn on the next overpass just to get back on track with the printed directions!&nbsp; Those were the dark, dinasaur days that I hope we never have to revert back to! Obviously, today's GPS units now have automatic re-routing which is a god-send!!&nbsp; <br /><br />By the way, for those of you that use Garmin GPS units, have you ever noticed that the default female voice always seems to have an uptight, almost pissed-off, tone of voice whenever re-rerouting occurs?&nbsp; It's as if she's peeved that you've inconvenienced her by not following her directions correctly!&nbsp; It got to the point that I would change the voice to some British sounding woman that had a better attitude!&nbsp; But the British accent was a bit too much and snooty sounding, so I went back to the American accent, albeit rather b!tchy when re-routing, haha!&nbsp; I even went so far as to try to find a Marilyn Monroe voice for my GPS unit!&nbsp; Never did find Marilyn unfortunately.&nbsp; Anyone has the Marilyn voice?&nbsp; If so, let me know how to get it!&nbsp; <br /><br /><br />Casey

 

[ttpadilla]

lol... yes, I've also noticed the snooty tone when "rerouting".&nbsp; I'd prefer a man's voice; the higher pitched female voices on these devices, tend to grate on me.

 

[twokniveskatie]

I bought a navigation app on my iPhone for $10. Don't know if its a one time fee or annual and I loved it until they updated it recently, and seems to have a few glitches. The new update includes a male voice, who does not give turn-by -turn directions, just announces the street you are currently on. Which makes him pretty useless, directionally. But maybe that was the point?

 

[ttpadilla]

LOL!&nbsp; That may very well have been the point! That's hilarious!&nbsp; Thanks, Katie.

 

[peacetara]

twokniveskatie, try Waze, it's a free app. I have no idea what the voice sounds like, but people in the car with me has never complained.&nbsp; It does turn-by-turn directions and seems to do a good job,and it warns you about camera's and cops and stuff too.&nbsp; (assuming someone drove by and marked it within waze).<br /><br />It's sort of like a game tho, they give you 'candy' to drive over it's kinda fun!<br /><br />