I would like to hear input on Voice Activated GPS Systems. My GPS is obsolete. I rely on my cell phone for directions but have discovered that it doesn't work in dead zones. I am also interested in the voice activation feature to free up my hands while driving. I would also like the usb feature for charging. I am hoping for some advice on which brands and models work the best. Am I being overly hopeful that this will be a solution to my problem?
Voice activated gps
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Wirecutter is owned by the New York Times and is advertising based, IE for profit marketing. Not known as a unbiased review source so take what they offer as a sample rather than gospel.
That said, on the Garmin, Magellan and Tom Tom, all require updates, that can be included "free" with purchase. You will need a laptop or desktop to download all the updates then connect the GPS and update your maps, etc every few months. I would recommend having cable connection rather than WiFi for the updates as the files are huge. All three models have a voice activated version.
I have a Magellan and a Garmin, don't care for either due to the update issues. With 6 month old maps in your GPS in most areas isn't a problem but, once you get into and are driving through or even around larger cities where constant road construction is always happening it can be irritating.
So I just use my smart phone and either the Mapquest app or Waze (now owned by Google, user-submitted travel times and route details via towers and give you instant real-time updates on the fly). Both are free apps and worth a look.
And without a gps signal nothing will give you directions save for a paper atlas and a co-pilot.
That said, on the Garmin, Magellan and Tom Tom, all require updates, that can be included "free" with purchase. You will need a laptop or desktop to download all the updates then connect the GPS and update your maps, etc every few months. I would recommend having cable connection rather than WiFi for the updates as the files are huge. All three models have a voice activated version.
I have a Magellan and a Garmin, don't care for either due to the update issues. With 6 month old maps in your GPS in most areas isn't a problem but, once you get into and are driving through or even around larger cities where constant road construction is always happening it can be irritating.
So I just use my smart phone and either the Mapquest app or Waze (now owned by Google, user-submitted travel times and route details via towers and give you instant real-time updates on the fly). Both are free apps and worth a look.
And without a gps signal nothing will give you directions save for a paper atlas and a co-pilot.
The GPS part of Google maps will work even if you are offline. The problem is that Google maps doesn't keep the entire map of the United States (or whatever country you are in) in your phone, and relies on Wi-Fi to download parts of the map as you travel.
That being said, Google maps does allow you to download the map for your entire route before you start off. So if you are going in and out of an area, you can download the map while you still have Wi-Fi, and use it when you don't have service.
I have not made 10 posts yet, so I can't post the link. But if you Google "Google maps download route" the instructions will come right up for you.
Of course, this does not help if you get lost and need to find your way out, nor does it help if you are exploring. But you should be able to download a large enough part of the map to help you in some of those cases. You just need to think ahead and download a section of the map before you head out, if that makes any sense.
That being said, Google maps does allow you to download the map for your entire route before you start off. So if you are going in and out of an area, you can download the map while you still have Wi-Fi, and use it when you don't have service.
I have not made 10 posts yet, so I can't post the link. But if you Google "Google maps download route" the instructions will come right up for you.
Of course, this does not help if you get lost and need to find your way out, nor does it help if you are exploring. But you should be able to download a large enough part of the map to help you in some of those cases. You just need to think ahead and download a section of the map before you head out, if that makes any sense.
highdesertranger
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what I have noticed with cell phone GPS if you are out of cell range is that the location can be way off. for me I wouldn't rely on it at all. highdesertranger
B and C
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^^^ This depends on if your phone uses cell towers or satellite for location. I had a cheap phone that used cell towers and yes, the location could be way off.
lenny flank
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I wish my GPS was connected to my Cruise Control, so it automatically matched the speed limit wherever I happened to be at the time.
lenny flank
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I talk to Lady Garmin all the time. She doesn't listen, though.
I like it when I catch her incorrectly pronouncing names of places and my Garmin and Google maps shows me driving in Lake Powell under 130' of water which is what it is from full pool. If it could just show me where the soft spots were that would really help!
bigsallysmom
Well-known member
I'm working from memory right now... so my comment need confirmation from someone else...
Google map offline downloads expire and must be re-downloaded. It's either 15 days or 28 days.
Google map offline downloads expire and must be re-downloaded. It's either 15 days or 28 days.
