Buying a new GPS. Your picks and pans?

[Warks]

I've never owned a GPS but with interstate travel lately I've been hiring one through Avis for $10 a day. These are outdated Garmin units - not sure of the model as it doesn't seem to be printed on it anywhere. While I get this expense paid for by the company that I contract to I am not happy with the GPS and am looking to buy one. As I'm self-employed I can use it as a deductible expense.

I've never used one in Sydney as it's my home city but have used the Garmin El Cheapo in BNE, TSV, ADL, MEL and PER. The Whereis maps are sadly out of date - it has no idea where you are in PER (airport) and didn't have the Geelong bypass or some new roads in Adelaide either. I even found it couldn't find a street in Frankston from the 60s (maybe it was warning me!)

Anyway I've priced the general range (Garmin, Navman, Tom Tom) in OfficeWorks and will look in DSE etc. I've looked up some reviews online and Tom Tom (which most people seem to favour that I've spoken to) gets terrible reviews on the site I looked at. I didn't go any further as I'd reckon the brains of AFF will have the best advice here. Regular map updates are obviously important.

I don't have an iPhone or similar and no plans to get one.

Appreciate your help.

 

[docjames]

Owner of a TomTom GO730 here. Overall, it's fantastic. We paid about $475 a bit over a year ago.

Easy to update maps, easy to program/use (takes a few goes but once you get used to it, very easy). Good graphics (esp vs Navman and Mio). Online mapshare so you and others can send in mapping errors and corrections. Seems to navigate appropriate routes 99% of the time (occasionally local knowledge will beat it!)

Would add not a huge range of free voices, but some good free extras (eg. one I use that is free download via TomTom home is a listing of BP service stations as we have a fuel card). There's also a heap of accessories (online or ebay) and download apps. The 730 bluetooths to mobile as well.

You need to go the the 930 (i think) to get live traffic updates etc.

International maps are readily available, you can also get data cards to store more info such as extra maps if you travel o/s with it.

Cons?
- Slightly better battery life would be good
- Better range of voices
- Occasionally it has what i consider a "Windows moment" and needs a reboot (there's a button that is pressed and held with a pen underneath to reset) but that's not a biggie although I thought i'd killed it the first time

The major advantage of the online update is the satellite positions as it will "pick up" the satellites quicker when you first turn it on. If it's been a while (they recommend weekly but i do it more like monthly) it gets a bit slow picking up sufficient satellites.

 

[Travel Guru]

I've got the same model as DocJames, love it, never had an issue with it.

I'd recommend also looking at the GO920, it comes with maps for Aus/NZ/USA and Europe preloaded which is quite a saving.

When this one finally gets either outdated or dies i'll definately be going for another TomTom.

TG

 

[docjames]

When this one finally gets either outdated or dies i'll definately be going for another TomTom.

TG

+1 to that I thought I might add

 

[markis10]

Traffic is great but very limited coverage, not a problem if your main travel is SYD/MEL/BNE. The mapping they are based on is one of two solutions available so there tends to be little differences, however they are by no means accurate, and that is the biggest issue, all GPS units are EASILY updated but not INEXPENSIVELY updated.

Most of the installed user base and some units yet to be sold would not have the latest Brisbane Airport road on it for intance, so the key is to look at the cost of doing mapping updates over the 3 to 5 year period you own it.

For my money the recent Navman promo that included 3 years of maps and traffic for $250 odd including a MY50T unit is a bargain, but it does end 31st Jan!

 

[futaris]

I have a Windows Mobile that I run Tomtom on... You may want to consider getting an iPhone or iPad to run Tomtom on.

Alternatively, if you have a Nokia mobile, GPS routing software (Ovi Maps) is now free (as of few days ago).

 

[markis10]

I have a Windows Mobile that I run Tomtom on... You may want to consider getting an iPhone or iPad to run Tomtom on.

Alternatively, if you have a Nokia mobile, GPS routing software (Ovi Maps) is now free (as of few days ago).

Keep in mind most mobiles use assisted GPS which has considerable data traffic associated with it which costs money, as they are polling the towers for a trangulation fix either at startup, or more commonly , on an ongoing basis.

 

[futaris]

You can generally turn off Assisted GPS on most mobiles.

e.g. CNET Australia - For A World Gone Digital

It will probably mean that you won't be able to use it indoors, and downloading the ephemeris will take longer, so a satellite lock will be longer. Ephemeris data is the satellite position data, called QuickGPSfix in Tomtom's case.

NB, I use an external bluetooth receiver and the APN (for data) isn't set up on that phone, so the point is moot for me.

 

[samh004]

I have a slightly older TomTom and love it dearly. It did take me down a new road the other day that hadn’t actually been opened yet, but that just shows something when the last map update I had was a year or so ago.

99% of the time it does a super job.

If you have an iPhone you could look at a few other offerings on that platform that you can download. I was going to get the TomTom iPhone app, but am waiting for a sale.

 

[cosi]

Choice Magazine recommendations dated 26 Nov 2009.

02.What to buy - car

Car GPS devices are no longer a premium item reserved for those willing to spend several hundred dollars on the latest gizmo. With good units now available for less than $200, a car GPS device can be handy even if only used occasionally for the holiday trip or when driving to a destination in an unfamiliar area. Our top performers provide clear directions in both the town and the country and all except one model will cost you less than $400.

These models scored the best results in our test:

• Tom Tom ONE 140 — $249
• Tom Tom XL 340 — $299
• Garmin nüvi 1350 — $399
• Kogan Ezinav — $199
• Garmin nüvi 1250 — $299
• Garmin nüvi 1390 — $449

Cannot include the full report or web link, as its a paid report requiring a subscription

 

[markis10]

You can generally turn off Assisted GPS on most mobiles.

e.g. CNET Australia - For A World Gone Digital

It will probably mean that you won't be able to use it indoors, and downloading the ephemeris will take longer, so a satellite lock will be longer. Ephemeris data is the satellite position data, called QuickGPSfix in Tomtom's case.

NB, I use an external bluetooth receiver and the APN (for data) isn't set up on that phone, so the point is moot for me.

Sure you can turn it off but your suggestions require it to be turned on if using an inbuilt GPS, for instance OviMaps requires a mobile data connection as does tom tom if it is using the inbuilt GPS in the phone, for a bluetooth connection with a GPS receiver thats not an issue, however Ovi does not support that config:

Do I need a mobile internet connection to synchronise between my mobile device and Ovi Maps? Yes. You must have a mobile internet connection to synchronise your favourites from Ovi Maps to your compatible mobile device. Ovi Maps is hosted on a server and therefore synchronising is not possible using a USB data cable or Bluetooth connectivity.

Not a big fan for using phones in the car when a dedicated device does a much better job for the money IMHO, been using GPS units for many years now and they have come a long way.

BTW the tom tom app was very cheap when Big W were selling half price itunes cards at XMas

 

[drewbles]

I've got the same model as DocJames, love it, never had an issue with it.

I'd recommend also looking at the GO920, it comes with maps for Aus/NZ/USA and Europe preloaded which is quite a saving.

When this one finally gets either outdated or dies i'll definately be going for another TomTom.

TG

+1

I have the 930 pre-traffic (requires an additional 'antennae' to receive the live updates). Works as a bluetooth handsfree with my mobile (iPhone) and has, as mentioned, pretty much global maps.

Used it in the US and NZ last year. Brilliant unit. Comes with a Bluetooth remote and a docking station (Otherwise it's just a standard mini-USB plug).

Was a bit pricey, but if you add up the cost of buying all the maps separately, it was not over-priced.

I've always been a fan of TomTom. Used many other sat-nav appliances, and the interfaces always seemed a little more clunky.

 

[futaris]

Ovi Maps Website = Google Maps

Free Navigation on your Nokia. Forever - Ovi Maps is for your phone

Synchronising just means transferring POIs, etc...

e.g. http://europe.nokia.com/support/sea...t&page=2&qt=data+costs&cnt=1&fullcontent=true

Tomtom also supports Google Maps

 

[drewbles]

Keep in mind most mobiles use assisted GPS which has considerable data traffic associated with it which costs money, as they are polling the towers for a trangulation fix either at startup, or more commonly , on an ongoing basis.

aGPS is not necessarily requiring a data connection to work. aGPS is quite nifty and simply gives you a quicker lock (data connection helps make the lock quicker, but it is not required).

Also, don't skimp and get a bigger screen model. It makes life much easier around places with complex roads, and the advanced lane navigation that usually comes on the upper end/larger screen models is brilliant.

 

[futaris]

Advanced Lane Navigation is very useful. And Text-To-Speech can make things a bit easier (even if the pronunciation is sometimes wrong).

 

[markis10]

aGPS is not necessarily requiring a data connection to work. aGPS is quite nifty and simply gives you a quicker lock (data connection helps make the lock quicker, but it is not required).
.

I just wanted to point out that a lot of the phone GPS units use the aGPS facility to act as a fully fledged GPS by augmenting the GPS with base station triangulation, as well as using it to provide a quick start up, you can turn it off however the processor on the phone will not update the mapping as quick which can be an issue on the freeway "take the exit....200m behind you".

The other issue is battery life, the less a phone does the longer it has to do what its primary purpose is, provide talk time! I have a phone GPS and a notebook with GPS as part of its built in 3G, I still prefer the navman for the $200 I paid, the traffic is a big bonus feature.

 

[drewbles]

Advanced Lane Navigation is very useful. And Text-To-Speech can make things a bit easier (even if the pronunciation is sometimes wrong).

I've noticed it loves to spell out things in caps. "STATE 5" spells out State in letters, and things like that. It also can't pronounce 'Mandurah" or other strange Perth suburbs (Warwick is war-wick, not warr-ick, not that that's that strange).

Still, it's useful if you have no idea where you are as you say

 

[Oneworldplus2]

My oldies use a Tomtom. Works fine and is easy to use. I'm happy using it, just needs updating of the maps. Driving on the freeway up to Joondalup, it doesn't exist on the Tomtom.

 

[AV8]

I have the TomTom GO930 (O/S maps included) and recently bought the ONE140 for daughterAV8. Excellent units and get free updates via web.
Can claim GST refund if travelling O/S (purchase within 30 days of travel for refund).

 

[serfty]

JB hifi are flogging a Garmin nuvi 255W for $195 (Full Oz Maps).

I note that on Amazon I can get the same (except for US, not Oz, maps) for USD133 with free shipping to anywhere in the USA. (All I need is someone from the USA to accept delivery for me )

I'm considering as I have around 10 days USA car hire coming up and such it would pay for itself on that alone. (Not to mention the additional $185 to purchase USA maps)