What features to look for in an in-car GPS?

[alizee]

My wife wants to get her parents a GPS unit for their car and thought I'd think it was fun to do the research. Although I like electronics, I've never even looked at GPS units besides the in-dash unit we have in our Prius. I don't even know what I'm looking for!

What are the main features worth looking for? Any recommendations? We can spend anywhere fro $50 to $500, though I don't really want to go over $200.

Thanks!

 

[ImDonly1]

My wife wants to get her parents a GPS unit for their car and thought I'd think it was fun to do the research. Although I like electronics, I've never even looked at GPS units besides the in-dash unit we have in our Prius. I don't even know what I'm looking for!

What are the main features worth looking for? Any recommendations? We can spend anywhere fro $50 to $500, though I don't really want to go over $200.

Thanks!

I don't have one since I use my phone for GPS but...

Map updates
Voice street names (does it say turn turn in 100 feet or the actual street name)
Traffic (is it by subscription and $?)
Brand
Screen size
Is there any lag/accuracy?

Saying the actual street name is the most important I would say.

 

[jhansman]

I have a 4.3" TomTom that I like for its size. Personally, I wouldn't go any smaller. Mine also has bluetooth connectivity for hands free calling, FM transmitter for iPod connectivity, voice input, and and SD card slot, so I can keep my maps, voices, color schemes, etc. there if all that gets too big for the internal 2GB of RAM. Truth is, I don't use any of those features except the external storage; I wanted that size and got it on Black Friday for a killer price (at least it was two years ago). One feature I would look for today is map updates; some makers offer free updates for life now. Another nice feature is "lane assist" which helps you get in the correct lane in those interchanges that can be confusing. It works, but not at every such interchange I've encountered. One last note: go to Best Buy or some such place that stocks these devices and play with them; the interfaces on Garmin and TomTom units are quite different, and you may find one more intuitive than the other. Good luck!

EDIT: The previous poster noted voice street names; I live in an area with a lot of Spanish names, and the text-to-speech engine chokes on them frequently. Kind of amusing, sometimes. They may have gotten better since I bought mine.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Since it's for older folk, get a Garmin (best routing of the bunch) and get a 5" screen.

 

[Imp]

I think a Garmin 50 LM (LM is for "Lifetime Map" updates I think, LMT is Traffic too - no idea how Traffic works and "lifetime" means 4 times a year) would be cheap and effective.

I recently settled on a Garmin 40 and have been very happy with it. It is one of, if not THE, cheapest model they have, and acquires a signal quickly, maps are detailed, interface works, you get junction views and lane guides (which lane to be in).

In researching my cheap piece of shit I found that the more expensive models have some features like customizable road speed limits, screen orientation selector (portrait/landscape), more aesthetically pleasing bezel/case, 3D terrain maps, etc. Nice to have, but at least a $50-ish and up premium. The Garmin 3450 is sweet and looks like an iPhone and is 9mm (?) thin, but is over $250 versus ~$90 for the 40.

 

[notposting]

I bought the Garmin 1390LMT....going to take it back tomorrow. Rerouting is near impossible and routing in general seemed quite dumb (I live in the Metro Detroit area). For example, would recommend a stair step surface street path versus the slightly father but faster freeways. Was also very slow at rerouting and had a horrible time finding satellites in downtown Detroit. I've been spoiled by Google Nav and phone aGPS and processor speeds. The touch interface is a resistive (think pressure sensitive) versus the slick capacitive screens of smartphones.

Bleh.

 

[ImDonly1]

I think a Garmin 50 LM (LM is for "Lifetime Map" updates I think, LMT is Traffic too - no idea how Traffic works and "lifetime" means 4 times a year) would be cheap and effective.

I recently settled on a Garmin 40 and have been very happy with it. It is one of, if not THE, cheapest model they have, and acquires a signal quickly, maps are detailed, interface works, you get junction views and lane guides (which lane to be in).

In researching my cheap piece of shit I found that the more expensive models have some features like customizable road speed limits, screen orientation selector (portrait/landscape), more aesthetically pleasing bezel/case, 3D terrain maps, etc. Nice to have, but at least a $50-ish and up premium. The Garmin 3450 is sweet and looks like an iPhone and is 9mm (?) thin, but is over $250 versus ~$90 for the 40.

Speaking of http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3605054
Garmin nuvi 40LM $70 + FS at Staples with coupon
or
50LM with a $25 off $100 coupon = $92

 

[Imp]

I bought the Garmin 1390LMT....going to take it back tomorrow. Rerouting is near impossible and routing in general seemed quite dumb (I live in the Metro Detroit area). For example, would recommend a stair step surface street path versus the slightly father but faster freeways. Was also very slow at rerouting and had a horrible time finding satellites in downtown Detroit. I've been spoiled by Google Nav and phone aGPS and processor speeds. The touch interface is a resistive (think pressure sensitive) versus the slick capacitive screens of smartphones.

Bleh.

Forgot about the routing feature...

I love my Garmin 40, but rarely, if ever use the routing because I just use the device as a portable mapping/position unit... Blame all those video game maps that didn't come with walkthroughs - looking at you Operation Flashpoint, Rainbow 6, and Doom. I doubt Garmin's routing would be much worse than the others (i.e. TomTom and Magelan). The more expensive models should also have routing options based on fuel, traffic, pattern tracking, etc.

 

[alizee]

This is exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks so much, everybody!!
I'll be doing a lot of research tonight hoping for an awesome deal tomorrow...

 

[Munky]

I got my parents a Garmin few years ago, and they love it. Be sure to get one that can say street names.

 

[Oyeve]

Hot British female voice.

 

[lothar]

My wife wants to get her parents a GPS unit for their car and thought I'd think it was fun to do the research. Although I like electronics, I've never even looked at GPS units besides the in-dash unit we have in our Prius. I don't even know what I'm looking for!

What are the main features worth looking for? Any recommendations? We can spend anywhere fro $50 to $500, though I don't really want to go over $200.

Thanks!

1.) Lifetime traffic. For Garmin units, you're looking for the "LT" designation. Buying "LMT" if you want lifetime maps is worth it for only $30 more.
2.) Lifetime maps. For Garmin units, you're looking for the "LMT" designation. If the unit you want to buy doesn't have an LMT designation, do NOT subscribe to lifetime map updates...It's just not worth it. Save that money and use it towards a future GPS upgade.
3.) Screen size 4.3" or greater. (I myself prefer 4.3" over both the smaller and larger sizes. 4.3" is just the perfect size IMO)
4.) Speaks street names.
5.) Multi-routing.
6.) Speed limit displays.
7.) Powered mount.

Things like Voice commands, Bluetooth, FM transmitter, 3D views/buildings, etc... are scams IMO. Those things are not required...I wouldn't pay extra just to have them. Oh, and did I already mention that if the unit you're buying doesn't come with lifetime map updates included, purchasing one for $89.99 is a scam? http://www8.garmin.com/updatemaps/

Garmin nuvi feature descriptions

• Speaks street names – Formally known as text-to-speech, this function allows the device to call out the name of the street for upcoming turns, so you’ll get “in one-half mile, turn left on Oak Street,” rather than just “in one-half mile, turn left.” The only current nuvi without this is the 1100 series.
• Live traffic – A nice feature that isn’t quite ready for prime time. Expect lots of inaccurate reports as well as incidents that aren’t reported. Delivered via FM, this service is provided by the Traffic Message Channel, hence you will sometimes see it referred to as FM-TMC. Here is a link to a coverage map. Most Garmin nuvis with a T following the model number have ad-supported traffic (see reviews for screenshots). One exception to all this is the 3490LMT, which features ad-free HD traffic.
• Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use – Generally speaking, the sound quality has gotten much better on recent models, but check the reviews (the first column links to these) as it does vary.
• Powered mount – The power cord plugs into the mount, rather than the GPS. That’s one less connection to fuss with when you want to use your navigator. I’m a big fan of these, especially when combined with a friction mount.
• MSN Direct – UPDATE: MSN Direct services are being permanently discontinued as of January 1, 2012.
• Multi-point (multi-destination) routing – A very nice feature, but not a critical one. If the chart says “no,” you can only enter one destination and one via point. This isn’t problematic since you can easily find locations under Favorites or Recently Found. The one exception here is the nuvi 2×5 series, which allows multiple via points, even though it doesn’t have the other true multi-destination features such as sorting.
• Lifetime map updates – Garmin has started selling units bundled with lifetime map updates, which you can typically download quarterly. Newer models with these have an LM or LMT (the latter includes lifetime traffic) tacked onto the end of the model number.
• Track display – See where you’ve been. This shows up as a thin blue line as shown below. It can be helpful in finding your way in unfamiliar areas. Found on all current nuvis, but only some discontinued models.
• Speed limit display – 100% of roads aren’t covered, but I typically find that most are.
• Lane assist – Shows which lane you need to be in for Interstate exits and some surface streets in larger metros.
• Voice commands – A killer feature and it actually works pretty well on most models.

• http://gpstracklog.com/compare/garmin-nuvi-comparison-chart

Oh and one more thing...
By FAR the most important feature to have in a GPS that's never mentioned is one that supports this. Most Garmin units support this, as do some Tomtom models. I can't say the same about Navigon, Magellan, or other off brand GPS models.
http://www.poi-factory.com/poifiles/us/red-light-cameras
"Caution: You are now approaching a red light camera." (Red light cameras)
"Mobile police radar ahead." (Speed cameras)
My GPS warns me about those when I get close to them. Love that feature. If you live or are driving through any major metropolitan area, that feature is a must.

 

[Imp]

Things like Voice commands, Bluetooth, FM transmitter, 3D views/buildings, etc... are scams IMO. Those things are not required...I wouldn't pay extra just to have them. Oh, and did I already mention that if the unit you're buying doesn't come with lifetime map updates included, purchasing one for $89.99 is a scam? http://www8.garmin.com/updatemaps/

Totally... It's probably more of an "incentive" for a buyer of a new unit to fork over the extra $30 for the LM model - either pay $90 later, or pay the $30 now and see if you use it or not.

Also, "lifetime" is apparently only 4 updates per year, which is reasonable, but not as unlimited as it may lead you to think.

 

[lothar]

Totally... It's probably more of an "incentive" for a buyer of a new unit to fork over the extra $30 for the LM model - either pay $90 later, or pay the $30 now and see if you use it or not.

Also, "lifetime" is apparently only 4 updates per year, which is reasonable, but not as unlimited as it may lead you to think.

"Lifetime" means for the life of that particular GPS unit and as long as it's supported in the latest map updates.

nüMaps Lifetime
If you purchase a nüMaps Lifetime™ subscription (sold separately), you will receive up to 4 map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on Garmin’s website, for 1 compatible Garmin product until your product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map data from its third party supplier, whichever is shorter. The updates you receive under the subscription will be updates to the same geographic map data originally included with your Garmin product when originally purchased. In some instances, your Garmin product might not have sufficient memory remaining for you to load an update to the same map data originally included with your Garmin product, in which case you will need to either (a) select reduced map data coverage for your updates, or (b) purchase separately a microSD card or a SD card (as applicable to your Garmin product) and load all or a portion of the map data coverage for your updates to the card and insert the card into the microSD card or SD card slot contained in your Garmin product. Garmin may terminate your nüMaps Lifetime subscription at any time if you violate any of the terms of this Agreement. Your nüMaps Lifetime subscription may not be transferred to another person or another Garmin product.

I update my own maps much faster than Garmin does theirs, and for free too.
http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/
http://www.nwcaching.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=2513
http://freegeographytools.com/2007/converting-openstreetmap-data-into-gpx-or-garmin-img-format
http://freegeographytools.com/2009/free-routable-street-maps-for-compatible-garmin-gps-units

But for $30, I still think buying a new LMT model is worth it for the convenience. It wasn't until recently a few weeks and months ago that Garmin started releasing LMT and MT models. Previously you only had the choice of paying that $90 scammish lifetime map update fee. I also see the scammish $50 one-time map update fee is still advertised on their site as well. For a long time, the better decision has been to save that $90 for when you update to a new GPS. You get new maps, new features, new technology, and a free one-time update.

The difference between the map updates are usually not that big a deal, but again it depends on the area where you live and drive to.

 

[alizee]

Hopefully I purchased something good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...BF2011_listing

Looked like a pretty sweet deal at $130, along with most (or all) of the features mentioned here. We'll see how they like it, and we'll see if they'll be able to figure it out

As for the red-light/speed camera thing, I don't know if they would make much use out of it... Her dad is consistently 5-10 under, although her mom is anywhere between 20 under and 20 over.

 

[Imp]

Hopefully I purchased something good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...BF2011_listing

That's a last gen low-mid (I think) model, but it still has lane assist, so you're good to go.

If you want to make it even a better gift, get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Portabl...2274922&sr=8-1

Just got one a month back. It works on sloped and irregular shaped dashes unlike the craptastic round Best Buy cheap label one I had. Also, no suction cup to deal with - I don't have to see a $500 GPS (when my old one was new) fly off the windshield and under the seat.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I like free, which is why I use my phone with a universal mount : p

 

[lothar]

Hopefully I purchased something good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...BF2011_listing

Looked like a pretty sweet deal at $130, along with most (or all) of the features mentioned here. We'll see how they like it, and we'll see if they'll be able to figure it out

As for the red-light/speed camera thing, I don't know if they would make much use out of it... Her dad is consistently 5-10 under, although her mom is anywhere between 20 under and 20 over.

Garmin Locate™ (marks position when removed from windshield mount):
It's missing that important feature. That feature has saved me countless times when I go to shopping malls, airports, and park at those places with multi-floor big garages. I don't bother trying to memorize parking spots, letter/number combinations. It automatically remembers the exact position of where the unit was discharged from the mount and when you're done shopping or returning back to the garage car park, simply just find directions to the last position it was and walk to it. I don't ever have to remember I parked at the rear section of spot 39B on 4th floor or whatever.

But you did mention that it's for your parents and not for you, so no big deal.
Chances are if your parents are like my mom, they won't use that feature.
My mom certainly doesn't.

My mom only knows how to go from point A to point B. She's not into putting red light cameras, speed cameras, and such. She likes them, but she's not a computer person so I have to be the one to do that for her once in a while and update the files.

 

[lothar]

I like free, which is why I use my phone with a universal mount : p

There are still a few advantages of using a standalone GPS over Google maps.
Besides, it wasn't until a few months ago that Google added traffic re-routing capability to their maps.

Google maps has caught up to Garmin very fast, I'll give you that. If I was to buy a new stand alone GPS today, I'd have to think twice about it.
However my Garmin nuvi 760 still works and I have lifetime traffic and maps. It's the same unit I've been using for 3 years, well before Google maps was ever any good. Well worth my investment.

A few disadvantages of using Google maps I can think off the top of my head at 2am:
1.) Data charges(for those that don't have unlimited plans). Yes you can cache some before you leave, but not much...only up to a certain distance.
2.) Battery life/charge rate in car(slowly discharges while plugged in due to low charge acceptance because of heat with display usage and sitting in direct sunlight...If you're the person who uses your phone as a multi-media device, this is a big disadvantage. If all you do is make phone calls and you never run apps, browse internet, or play games, then this isn't really a big deal.)
3.) Small screen(unless you have the 4.3" Android phones, you might be squinting your eyes. I can't imagine using a 3.5" iPhone or any other phone of that size regardless of what OS is on it.
4.) Google maps still requires cell signal?

 

[notposting]

Honestly, if Googorola built a premium GPS/maps only model, maps preloaded, and coupled with an Amazon Whispernet sort of thing for stealth map and program updates in the background along with assisting in location locks, it would be the best one out there I think.

One other thing I realized I didn't like about the way the Garmin presented trips was the distance to exit...it will give you distance to stray junctions on the way even if you are staying on the highway. Ie...instead of getting on I-696 and it telling me 21 miles to exit, I get distances first to Telegraph, then the Lodge, then 75 etc etc even though they would all require exiting the highway. Harder to judge the time you have that way...

Anywhoo they should like it....

 

[shortylickens]

Free and easy to update map data.

My moms older Garmin gets pointless software updates all the time, but the map data is old and Northern Virginia has lots of road work done every year. She has been told to drive past plenty of known shortcuts because the map data wasnt there for new or modified roads.
Been trying to get her into the Blackberry's GPS but she doesnt wanna use it. For me its either Android with offline maps, (cuz my Droid no longer has service) or WP7 now that Mango has voice navigation.

 

[JEDI]

Speaking of http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3605054
Garmin nuvi 40LM $70 + FS at Staples with coupon
or
50LM with a $25 off $100 coupon = $92

whats the difference between the 40Lm and 50Lm besides the 4.3" and 5" screens?

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

There are still a few advantages of using a standalone GPS over Google maps.
Besides, it wasn't until a few months ago that Google added traffic re-routing capability to their maps.

Google maps has caught up to Garmin very fast, I'll give you that. If I was to buy a new stand alone GPS today, I'd have to think twice about it.
However my Garmin nuvi 760 still works and I have lifetime traffic and maps. It's the same unit I've been using for 3 years, well before Google maps was ever any good. Well worth my investment.

A few disadvantages of using Google maps I can think off the top of my head at 2am:
1.) Data charges(for those that don't have unlimited plans). Yes you can cache some before you leave, but not much...only up to a certain distance.
2.) Battery life/charge rate in car(slowly discharges while plugged in due to low charge acceptance because of heat with display usage and sitting in direct sunlight...If you're the person who uses your phone as a multi-media device, this is a big disadvantage. If all you do is make phone calls and you never run apps, browse internet, or play games, then this isn't really a big deal.)
3.) Small screen(unless you have the 4.3" Android phones, you might be squinting your eyes. I can't imagine using a 3.5" iPhone or any other phone of that size regardless of what OS is on it.
4.) Google maps still requires cell signal?

Yea, I was aware there's advantages to GPS; it's just not important enough to me to warrant getting a standalone device. I also didn't have a car until a short time ago so I didn't know it was much worse a while ago. With my thunderbolt + extended batter + juice defender (don't know how much this helps) I was able to go from tampa to montgomery (about 8 hours) with one charge. I'm not sure if it requires a cell signal (probably), but I have Verizon and I've never had it actually cut out. Regardless, not saying it's the best; just that I use it because it works for me and it's free.

 

[Imp]

whats the difference between the 40Lm and 50Lm besides the 4.3" and 5" screens?

According to my research, the 30, 50, and 50 are only differentiated by the size of the screens.

 

[queequeg99]

EDIT: The previous poster noted voice street names; I live in an area with a lot of Spanish names, and the text-to-speech engine chokes on them frequently. Kind of amusing, sometimes. They may have gotten better since I bought mine.

Good point! I grew up in a neighborhood just outside of Washington DC where all of the streets were named after native American tribes (Dahlonega, Tuscarawas, Wapakeneta, Scioto, Walhonding, Madawaska). No one understood what I was talking about when I gave directions to our house.