1: Lifetime updates are truely lifetime updates as long as the device is sold. This means that any small updated roads will be updated. You cant expect a new highway that is going to take 3-5 years to build to be updated on your 3-5 year old device. We know that GPS makers are like this?
Smartphones don't carry the map information on the device. They download it on the fly from continuously updated central servers (like Google maps). So yes, an old smartphone will have updated maps even if it's 3-5 years old.
"Lifetime" map updates for GPS units are not truly perpetual. They are updated for as long as the maker supports the device. This can be a long time, but it will not be forever. At some point, support for old GPS units will be dropped by a manufacturer, even for units with "lifetime" map updates. As a practical matter though, the length of time updates are available is usually long enough. My Nuvi 265WT from 2008 is still able to receive the lifetime updates, for example. In another 5 years that probably won't be true but I don't really expect support for an 11-year-old device.
Additionally, even with "lifetime" map updates you are limited to updates on whatever schedule the GPS manufacturer provides. Garmin lists their updates as "up to" 4 times a year. This means that it's possible to be up to 3 months out of date with a dedicated GPS, while a smartphone will only be delayed by a matter of days, at most.
When it comes to up-to-the-minute map accuracy, it's pretty much impossible to do better than a smartphone.
2: Besides the fact I clearly stated in both the title and the message to exclude smartphones, do you know that you just suggested a $579.00 Galaxy S5 or a $649.00 iPhone 5S over a $130 GPS device? What kind of a fucking idiot are you? On top of that, do you know that once you leave whatever country you are in, you automatically get caught in roaming charges for your 3G connection? These arent the reasons I dont wanna get a smartphone (besides I already have one) but you just made yourself look horrible and ignorant.
This is correct, and a much bigger issue for people in Europe than the US since travel outside of one's own country is much more common in Europe. The price difference is also hugely in favor of a standalone GPS unit as you correctly point out.
True as well. Smartphones have problems getting a quick GPS signal sometimes.
My smartphone gets a GPS lock
much faster than my Garmin. This is because the smartphone can use cell tower location information to assist it in acquiring the initial GPS signal. This ability to use assisted GPS (A-GPS) tends to make cell phones much faster at finding initial lock. At least this is true in the US. It's possible that European cell service providers don't enable A-GPS on their phones. In which case the better GPS antennae in a dedicated unit will give it an advantage.
All that said, with your requirements a Garmin is probably the way to go. They simply have some of the best dedicated GPS units out there.
ZV
