Where to get info/reviews/discussion on GPS Units?

[Kelemvor]

Howdy,

I'm looking into GPS units for my wife for CHristmas. And some places have really good sales on them right now but I don't know anything about them.

I have one in my company van but it's really somewhat dumb in finding routes and such. So I'm looking for a site that reviews them and such.

I did stumble upon www.GPSLodge.com which looks nice but what others are out there.

And since we're on the topic, what do people here have and how do you like them? I'm looking for a budget one and have seen things like the Mio C220 for about $100 after coupons and rebates and such.

Thanks.

 

[intogamer]

i would suggest reading the posts. For more in-depth user opinions.

 

[RossMAN]

1) http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/articles.asp

2) PM TimeKeeper

 

[blipblop]

check around www.gpspassion.com

you beat me

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor

RossMAN ordered me to be at your assistance.

Anyway, I have tested many "entry level" GPS. Before I can recommend you one, I'd like to know more about your requirement.

1. who will be using it most of time? Wife? Age? tech savvy?
2. This person's hearing? Eye sight?
3. do you need Canadian maps?
4. Will this person use it as a portable unit? Or mainly in-car use?
5. How often do you think he/she will be using this gps? Daily basis?

Since you mentioned about Mio C220, here I go...

Con:
1. Screen tends to wash out in sunny day, NOT even direct sun light.
2. UI is quite confusing. And you might got lost in all these little icon.
3. Battery life (per single charge) will not last more than 2 hours.
4. no final designation prompt. (arrived your designation at 500 yard w/out telling you LEFT OR RIGHT)
5. Slow re-routing. ( say, if you missed a turn, it wouldn't completed new route calculation before your next block )

 

[Kelemvor]

I'm just investigating now and am assuming BF will have a good deal or two on these things.

My wife is a Pampered Chef consultant and goes to people's houses all the time. It'd be primarily used for her just to see where she's going and things like that. SHe's techy enough to figure most things out or I'll just show her once I play with it for a while. However she doesn't want anything that's more than $200 (even less preferably) since it's just a "gimmick" type item and something for fun to use and play with.

TO specifically answer your questions:
1) See above
2) Just fine
3) US Only
4) pretty much only in the car although we have 2 so taking it from one to the other would be nice. Don't know about taking it anywhere else.
5) Couple times per week at the most.

The only thing we have to compare them to is my 2005 Grand Caravan that has the GPS built into it. It works fine, it's somewhat outdated, isn't very smart at finding fast directions, etc... But I still use it for fun because it came with the van (work van).

Thanks.

 

[TimeKeeper]

It does seems like any GPS will work just fine for your wife.
At this point if you can get a C220 for $100, then it is hard to beat!

For GPS can be had under $200 are.. (name brand from ebay or online shopping)
I will list each's Con...

TeleAtlas map equipped:
TomTom One, (short battery life, no final designation prompt, terrible screen)
Mio C220 (complicate, no final designation prompt, terrible screen)
Mio C230 w/ TTS and new non-reflective screen, (complicated, no final designation prompt)

Navteq map equipped:
Garmin Nuvi 200 (slowwwwww re-routing)
Garmin C300 (long cold start, bad screen, signal strength in the City)
Magellan 3100 (poor POI, position accuracy, weird routing - take longer time.)

 

[amdhunter]

I just bought a Tom Tom One XL, and I hate it. It just seems sluggish, doesn't remember common settings and the battery life sucks ass. I haven't been able to get more than an hour's use out of it.

Also, everything is "yards" for some reason. For example, instead of saying 20 feet, it'll say 20 yards. It's a frikken aggravating POS.

 

[Kelemvor]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll at least wait until BF and see what deals present themselves and hopefully score something nice then.

Thanks.

 

[RossMAN]

I've seen brand new TomTom One for as little as $159.

Check FW/SD at least once a day to snag a future deal like it.