Current GPS options for a car (not factory/OEM)?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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I had a Garmin 205W which served me well for 2 years but, the map cost more then the GPS unit so it has moved on to a new owner. I'm in the market for a new unit. I have a preference for the Garmin software but, I can be swayed to another brand for good reason. My target price range is $200-300 but, that's flexible. I don't need an MP-3 player or blue tooth functionality. I do want free map updates and free traffic alerts. I think I want a 5" display but, a 4.3" would work.

What do you recommend and whY? THANKS!
 
As you have learned, when considering a GPS unit, one needs to think not only about the initial price, but also the cost of map updates which can be rather high. Garmin, for example, often has the lowest prices on the units, bu their map updates are outrageous.
 
Garmin map updates are cheaper then those for OEM car GPS systems but, I find it hard to pay almost twice the original cost of the GPS unit for a map update which is why I gave away my 2 year old Garmin unit.

Now I'm willing to spend more for a better unit but, I also want to avoid highway robbery for map updates. With all the road construction going on, a two year old map is only useful in old unimproved areas. My current unit was giving me weird routes because it didn't know about the new roads where I travel now. Rural TN was no problem but, several major cities along the way gave me pretty bad routing.
 
I have a Garmin 750 Nuvi that I love. I bought a lifetime update from them for 120.00. I can update quaterly for as long as I have the unit. That seems cost efective to me.
The oem unit in my 07 Fusion is 250.00 for a one time update, and the software rots compared to the Garmin.
 
I have see some of the higher priced models (over $200 is higher to me) come with lifetime free updates for maps. I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 255W about a year ago for a trip to Arizona last fall and it served me well. I am not going to do a map update as I can purchase another unit for about the same price.
 
Garmin for me..you can talk to real people when you need to do so.

Like most low end automotive users I buy a new unit and give the old to kids/grandkids as opposed to buying an update. One note I updated one unit on-line..took forever, if I were to do so again would update from a CD.

I started with and still use Garmin handhelds..always bring me home..you'll appreciate on dark, windy nights on big water.
 
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