GPS questions

[Enkidude]

Hello,
I'm interested in getting a GPS unit for my car, but I have no idea what to look for in a unit. What brands are good? Should I buy new or used? What should I look out for?
Any help would be appreciated.

[Azwaiian]

I've had two Garmin GPS unit's and I think that is the brand that rules! I had an older one, I mean old and bulky and I bought a second one that was slimmer and had up to date maps. The slimmer one broke, long story, my fault, so I went back to the older unit. No complaints at all. They're user friendly, fast to figure out, and will get you where you need to go.

Good luck.

[Evil D]

I'm also a Garmin fan. Simple, easy to use, which is exactly what you want when you're lost. I don't use mine as often anymore because i have GPS on my phone, but i keep it for times when i go places where i won't have a signal.

[Blerv]

I just use my lame phone but a family member has used Tom Tom and Garmin. He likes Garmin as most have mentioned.

They are awesome and quite affordable. Nice thing is they don't have a delay (like 3/4G wireless) and it's easy to stay on track. I wouldn't want to have someone drop me in LA with an iPhone if I could get a real GPS.

Some have international maps if it matters to you.

[The Deacon]

I have a Garmin, and love it. Got it when I decided I was going to get out of NY. Used it a good bit when I was house hunting, and even more after I moved down to SC about 10 months ago. Don't know what I'd have done without it for the first four or five months, and even now it makes going new places a lot less stressful. It has always gotten me where I wanted to go and, perhaps more importantly, has always gotten me home again. My neighbor, who also moved here from another state, has a TomTom and hates it. At least partly because our street isn't on the maps it uses. I'd strongly suggest you get one with lifetime map updates, it will cost a lot less in the long run that way. Mine is a Nuvi 1300, which has a relatively small screen. I find that doesn't really matter, since the only time I really use the screen is when I'm keying in an address. When I'm driving, I listen to the directions it's giving me rather than looking at the on-screen map. Most times they come with only a suction cup mount, which really doesn't work all that well. You'll probably want to get either the air vent mount, or the large dash mount. Both of those work very well.

[Blerv]

I have a Garmin, and love it. Got it when I decided I was going to get out of NY. Used it a good bit when I was house hunting, and even more after I moved down to SC about 10 months ago. Don't know what I'd have done without it for the first four or five months, and even now it makes going new places a lot less stressful. It has always gotten me where I wanted to go and, perhaps more importantly, has always gotten me home again. My neighbor, who also moved here from another state, has a TomTom and hates it. At least partly because our street isn't on the maps it uses. I'd strongly suggest you get one with lifetime map updates, it will cost a lot less in the long run that way. Mine is a Nuvi 1300, which has a relatively small screen. I find that doesn't really matter, since the only time I really use the screen is when I'm keying in an address. When I'm driving, I listen to the directions it's giving me rather than looking at the on-screen map. Most times they come with only a suction cup mount, which really doesn't work all that well. You'll probably want to get either the air vent mount, or the large dash mount. Both of those work very well.

To bounce off that, be SURE to hide your GPS and mounting hardware. Some thieves even look for suction cup rings on the glass.

Nothing sucks worse than having a couple hundred dollar GPS break. Well, except finding broken glass on your seat after a day of shopping.

[Sequimite]

I bought one for the first time last year and love it. I got a Magellan because it was $80. The others might be better but mine works great: remarkably easy to use, AAA database, other great features which are probably shared by the others. Mine does have map errors in some rural areas.

[SpydieFan]

We've got a Garmin. I hated it for the longest time... then i figured out how to shut off the "turn right here" voice :P

In all seriousness, they're a really great unit, updates road closures and stuff, and I live out in the sticks.

[RanCoWeAla]

I just use my Droid X phone for everything computer, digital camera, GPS and pretty much anything else you can imagine.

[Enkidude]

I don't have a smart phone....

Is "Lifetime Map Updates" like a subscription or something. If I buy a used Garmin, will that come with it? Do I need to purchase that extra? Would it depend if the previous owner added it? Sorry for all the questions, I'm truly clueless about these things.....

Would ya'll (ha, Texas) shy away from buying a used GPS unit? Is there anything I should look out for when buying used?

Thanks everyone for the input so far. Much appreciated.

[xceptnl]

I love my Garmin. Its about 7 years old now and the maps need to be updated, but it just keeps on working so I haven't replaced it yet. You really can't go wrong for $100-$150. It is a great investment.

[rosconey]

i got a new tom tom last summer-under 100$ with the large screen size and live traffic for life-also lane guidance(my last one didnt and made getting out of nyc way hard)

no issues

[The Deacon]

No idea whether free map updates are transferable to a new owner. You can buy the subscription separately, but it's much more expensive that way. Probably cost you more than a brand new one with the updates included. Right now you can get a brand new Garmin Nuvi 1300LM (LM means it has the lifetime map updates) for $90 at WalMart. Personally, I wouldn't bother with a used one, but that's just me.

[Evil D]

A small bit of advice for you GPS users. Don't ever put your real address as "home". If a thief was determined enough and broke into your car, he would also have your home address to follow and then go and rob your house. If a person were to steal your GPS while you're away somewhere, then obviously you're not home so it's easy picking. Make the address some other address that's close enough to your home that you easily know how to get home from that spot, like the local Walmart or something. Or, if you wanna play head games with thieves, make your home address the local police station

[bartvdb]

tom tom ease of use plug and go . i like them .

[The Deacon]

A small bit of advice for you GPS users. Don't ever put your real address as "home". If a thief was determined enough and broke into your car, he would also have your home address to follow and then go and rob your house. If a person were to steal your GPS while you're away somewhere, then obviously you're not home so it's easy picking. Make the address some other address that's close enough to your home that you easily know how to get home from that spot, like the local Walmart or something. Or, if you wanna play head games with thieves, make your home address the local police station

Good advice David. Not sure about Tom Tom, but my Garmin also has a password protection feature that can disable it completely until a 4 digit PIN that you select has been entered.

[Enkidude]

BUMP^

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input on this topic. I got a Garmin with Lifetime Maps. Its great. Thanks again!