GPS Suggestions, please?

[AkNeoLover]

The hubs and I have big plans about starting to travel a little bit more after I graduate, and after having a GPS in the last rental car I had I want to get one. (I can get lost on a cul-de-sac in broad daylight, and am map illiterate). I haven't needed one here at home because, well, there is only one road heading North, and one road heading South, but I want to get one before I head out to Denver. Anyone have one they like, hate...I need help!! (and hey, no comments from the peanut gallery about me needing help *grin* )
Thanks!!

[leomom]

Sue, I am also seriously geographically challenged. I just bought a new Garmin, a middle of the line model and I love it. I had a Magellan for years, I like my Garmin much better. This model actually tells me the name of the street I should turn on, where the Magellan would just tell me to turn right in .5 miles or whatever. They have all kinds of models in all price ranges and I got mine for a good price, refurbished with a years warranty on line at the Garmin site, they have closeouts and such.

[Myzoocrew7]

I'm no help with suggestions on brands since mine is built into my van......just wanted to say that GPS systems rock!

[AkNeoLover]

Deb, acouple of people I have talked to have also recommended Garmin. Good to know about their site - THANKS!!

[mezmerelda]

I have a 2 year old Garmin Nuvi. It is not bad. It would probably be better if I actually updated the maps. It does not speak the name of the street when I want to turn, though. Dan had a Magellan that got stolen out of our car a year or so ago. It was a larger screen, nicer model. It was my fave. It would speak the name of the street for you. He has an inexpensive (think $60) Tom Tom now. It's not bad, but I think I like my Garmin better.

[AkNeoLover]

I'm thinking the one that says the name of the streets is the type I would like. What does updating the maps entail? Can you hook it up to the 'puter to update?

[Smoochies]

I dont think I'd recommend Tom Tom, because I am sure there are better ones out there, but I do agree that having a GPS, even a Tom Tom, is really helpful!

[Itsapyr]

A map and a compass works for me LOL...hey my Iphone has a compass LMAO

[AkNeoLover]

Pam, maps stress me out - I have to turn the map as we drive so the street on the map is pointing the same way as I'm driving - goofy, I know. It was just so much less stressful when I had the GPS in Philly - I know Joseph gets a little annoyed at my navigational skills (or lack there of) and the GPS would be a small price to pay to keep the peace!!

[ToBScholarly]

I have had a Magellan and a Garmin. My sister has a Tom Tom. Of all of them I prefer the Garmin.

The Magellan takes too long to recalculate when you miss a turn or change routes.

The Tom Tom's screen format is too crammed in.

Garmin is where it is at.

[bren]

I love my Garmin! Actually, his name is Jack and I sometimes pull him out to direct me to the Target 4 miles away. Just because I love him.

I know 3 or 4 people who have Tom Toms and none are happy with them. One calls hers the Dum Dum. Ha!

[AkNeoLover]

I haven't heard anything good about TomTom. I was just checking out my Costco flyer and there is a $50 coupon for the Nuvi 1450 model (brings the price down to about $200) I may go check it out tomorrow. I think Garmin is the way I'll be going. Seems like all the electronics joints here have more of a Garmin variety than Magellen. Oh, and after talking to my dad, he told me he has a Garmin in his airplane, so that pretty much settles it for me. Now to decide which model.... Thanks for all your help!!

[RockyMountainDobies]

we have a Garmin and I must say that I actually dont like it, I prefer the GPS on my Iphone. I have a few stupid reason I dont like it, for one if you are wearing polarized sunglasses, which mine are, you cant see the screen and in my case since they are prescription glasses I cant remove them to see the screen because then I wouldnt be able to see anything. I also dont like someone else telling me what to do, so I yell back at it. Also for some reason you cant get step by step directions ahead of time, which utterly annoys the crap out of me because I like to be prepared. But if you really need the GPS, I would probably go with the Garmin, because Tom Tom maps are not as good for the States and like Jodi said the Magellan re calculates to slow.

[Ang]

I was going to say Garmin, but everyone beat me to it. We got my dad a Tom Tom and when we used their car once I was crying for my Garmin back. (I brought our Garmin to Chicago last year) Updating the Garmin is just downloading the software and hooking the USB to your computer. We're looking at upgrading to the street name ones (Looking forward to the butchered pronunciations)

[Ang]

Also for some reason you cant get step by step directions ahead of time, which utterly annoys the crap out of me because I like to be prepared.

Ours is old and you can. If you press the part on the lower right (I forget what it is, I think it's "next turn in X miles") it'll give you a step by step. I use it all the time.

[leomom]

Bren, I do the same thing! I downloaded other voices and icons, so I switch them around to amuse myself. I am currently following the bouncing beach ball and the voice is some Australian buy who says goofy things in between directions. I know, I have no life!

[krb0471]

I have the Garmin nuvi 770- it has North America and Europe maps with the 4 hour battery life and walking maps option. I love it! I've used the walking maps in Hawaii and Germany and only encountered a few issues with new roads not being on the maps. I too update the voices, currently I have Stewie from family guy and I have Cartman from South Park.

[bren]

Bren, I do the same thing! I downloaded other voices and icons, so I switch them around to amuse myself. I am currently following the bouncing beach ball and the voice is some Australian buy who says goofy things in between directions. I know, I have no life!

Ha! I have the beach ball too

[mezmerelda]

I do like to argue with the Garmin. She gets kind of whiny when I don't listen to her.

[Lora]

Add Cartman or Santa as the voice Mel.... I have it if you want me to send you the file...lol

I have the Garmin Nuvii also. Lower end model but it totally suffices. LOVE IT and like it way better than some of the other brands for the user friendliness of it. Only complaint is that you have to type in the city and state every time you search for an address. I think there should be some way to set a default as your town but what do I know.