Differences between GPSs? Latest and greatest features?

In My Humble Opinion
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We’ve used a Garmin for several years and are thinking of upgrading. We’re inclined towards the Garmin for very minor reasons. We know it’s menus and have grown accustomed to her face (okay, so her voice, but still). But before we let momentum fully guide our purchase, we thought to ask what else is out there.

Ours has lane assist, speaks street names, and has lifetime map/traffic updates. It has junction view too, but we don’t really use it. Travel is only in the US. I think there are a couple other things in there (hands free? MP3?), but we don’t really use them.

Any new wiz-bang features out there? The only thing that’s mildly weak is the lack of description of POIs. It’s useless for choosing a restaurant in a new city–you can’t tell if Chateau de Dope is a greasy spoon or an classy joint.

Thoughts?

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Maybe get something with Wi-FI so you can get on the Dope and ask about restaurants ---- NEED ANSWER FAST:).

Seriously, a smartphone with useable GPS and web access would seem ideal. My niece, a techie, uses her iphone for both and loves it. Goes to Yelp or other for recommendations, then punches up the address.

Just don’t use Apple maps especially in Australia
Apple Fixes Maps Snafu Dubbed ‘Potentially Life-Threatening’ by Police:eek:

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[Hijack]What is lane assist?[/Hijack]

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A surprisingly useful feature. From Garmin’s site:

If you follow the link you’ll see what it looks like. This is different than ‘junction view’, which puts up a picture(ish) of an intersection before you arrive.
We don’t have data plans on our phones (well we do, but we use them so seldomly that it’s pay-by-the-day; more expensive per unit but very inexpensive over a year). We’ve used the phone’s GPS before, but the areas with no signal, etc. make GPSs fairly imperative.

But then again, I posted a question about offline maps a while ago. Maybe someone has made inroads on that and I’ll be able to store all the necessary data on my phone.

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Red-light-camera alerts are very handy - I have a Tomtom that has this.

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I have a low end Garmin nuvi, and a iPhone 4 (non-s). The Garmin is far superior for navigating while driving in almost all circumstances. Requires far less fussing with to present data needed, has night display mode, data base of eateries works well enough, gas station database shows where diesel fuel is available, which is something most of the web based apps miss. I consider the iPhone dangerous to try to drive with, especially in a strange city. Lack of windshield mount (I suppose you can buy one, but all the GPS come with such standard) and the fact that it wants to keep shutting off if you don’t touch it for a minute are just the first two of a long list of things that keep demanding too much attention that is better used to focus on traffic. Default scale factor is never right, etc. etc.

In weak signal areas the phone can be seriously slow to load map data, and of course no map at all if there is no phone coverage. Note that in areas with no phone coverage, you may really want the GPS to function, because these are remote areas, and asking the next person you see which way to go may involve several days before seeing that next person. My iPhone is on Verizon so I lose the map if a phone call comes in.

When on foot in an urban area, the iPhone is great. Best is that it is just one thing to carry for lots of functionality. Options for Public transport/bus travel provide superior directions, though I have found the bus schedule information to be seriously wrong every time I have used it.

Yelp is OK if you like noisy places with hawt wait staff favored by 20 somethings, otherwise the reviews are most usefully read backward.

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My niece has a full data plan, etc… from the company. She mounts in on the dash and plugs it in. Stays on all the time for navigation. Maybe there’s an ap for that? I only been with her in the cities, works fine. Can’'t comment on the rural stuff - how many roads are there if it’s rural?

Agree on Yelp, some “awkward” places! Always read all the other reviews. Had good luck so far in finding non-chain restaurants.

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I just bought my Dad a new Garmin nuvi for Christmas and got one for myself while was at it! =) This will be his third Garmin and he has been very pleased with them. He currently has a nuvi 255W that I gave him when his first one was stolen out of his car several years ago. His first one was a very basic model, but someone still felt compelled to smash his driver’s side window to steal it anyway. Insurance replaced the window but not anything inside the car.

Anyway, the 255W has served him well and has some nice features, but it lacks one feature- Lifetime Map Updates! So the maps have never been updated.

I tend to spend WAY too much time researching and over-analyzing information before I make a decision on anything. Deciding on which Garmin nuvi model to get was no different, so I know most of the details on the 2012 model lineup.

Garmin has divided the nuvi line into three different sub-models/series- Essential, Advanced and Prestige. Each series adds features/functions and some design differences along with prices that reflect those updates and improvements.

Essential series- will be familiar to current Garmin owners. Available in 3.5”, 4.3” and 5.0” display sizes with two digit model numbers (30/40/50). The only optional feature is Lifetime Map Updates on the two larger models (40 & 50) followed by the letters ‘LM’.

Advanced series- Available in 4.3” and 5.0” display sizes. Features Garmin Guidance 2.0, which has faster routing and map displays, faster search functions, enhanced POI information and a more responsive, intuitive interface. It also has a cool feature called Exit Services that will list the businesses and POIs on any upcoming highway exit. The other neat feature is the split screen, photoReal junction view for the enhanced lane guidance.

There are three 4.3” and three 5.0” models currently available- 2455LT/LMT, 2555LT/LMT and 2495/2595LMT. The 24x5 models are 4.3” and 25x5 models are 5.0”. The 2455/2555 are available with Lifetime Traffic only (LT) or with Lifetime Maps AND Lifetime Traffic (LMT). The 2495/2595 have Lifetime Maps and Traffic standard along with Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice-activated navigation for hands-free operation and compatibility with Garmin’s Smartphone Link app.

I chose the 5.0” 2595LMT for my Dad and the 4.3” 2495LMT for myself. I paid $193 for his on Amazon and got mine for $179 from Crutchfield.

Prestige series- too expensive with a lot of features that I’d never use! It has 3D map views, higher resolution screens, thinner and lighter designs (the 4.3” is only .35” thick) and they have longer battery life (up to 4hrs vs. 2.5hrs for the Advanced series). Retail prices start at $299 and they have 34x0 and 35x0 model numbers.

My recommendation is to go for one of the Advanced models. If you don’t need Bluetooth calling and voice-activated navigation, go with the 2455/2555LMT. If you want those two extras, get the 2495/2595LMT.

I just got my 2495LMT a few days ago and I love it so far! I have used my dad’s 255W quite a few times and my 2495LMT feels much more responsive and easy to use. The voice command feature also works great, even with my ‘slight’ Georgia accent!

It is definitely a huge improvement over my car’s built-in navigation system, which was no more useful than a Rand McNally map taped to the dash! This should serve as a cautionary tale to anyone considering a factory navigation system in a new car that they plan to keep for more than a few years- DON’T DO IT! I have a 2006 Mazda3 Hatchback and the Navigation option cost a hefty $1750! Actually, it required the $1335 Moonroof/Bose Package and I wouldn’t have added it other than to get the Nav, so the factory navigation system really cost $3085!!! It is a joke in comparison to my new Garmin- kind of like comparing a new ThinkPad to a Commodore 64!

At least the nav display is the pop up/down type on the top of the dash, not built-in staring me in face all time. I hate those even more because they usually integrate most/all of the audio and climate control functions into the touchscreen….give me buttons and knobs any day, please…not menus and touchscreens! =)

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Wow, that was awesome, thanks!!! Leave it to a Doper to (over)analyse. But then, why do you think I’ve posted here too? :slight_smile:

The exit services sound great. How has the updated mapping been? We’ve never really noticed a problem or slowness calculating a route–once she’s found the satellites (any change in that, by the way?).

What is “enhanced” about the POI info?

Right now we have a Nuvi 1390. The Big Deal about the expensive model (to us) is the thinness. Mrs. Devil is the one who typically carries it out of the car in her purse, so if it makes things easier on her for the next few years so be it (hey, I can amortize $100 over three years, right?)

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good decision making is not a bad thing. many products in today’s world are complex and need careful analysis. what tools and methods do you use in making such decisions?

hopefully those driving hazard screen controlled everything will cease to exist. eyes shouldn’t have to leave the road for anything but a seconds glance.

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I feel like a Luddite sometimes, but I don’t even mount the GPS to the dash–her voice commands get me to turn at the right time, Mrs. Devil is often there to look at the junction views and tell me which lane to get in, and if I miss a turn because I didn’t look I’ll just go around. I’d love it if they came up with a HUD-like semi-transparent, simple display.

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I’ve been toying with getting a GPS for my RV for a couple of years, but the research just doesn’t pan out. For example, the models you recommend get a LOT of one/two-star reviews on Amazon; for the 2495, a full 28% are negative. Garmin isn’t alone in this. These things are churned out with little quality control, it seems, and I’m having a hard time justifying buying something with a 30% chance of it failing in some fashion. Granted, some reviews are just a result of stupidity and false expectations on the part of the reviewers, but most seem legitimate.

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True story: When I bought my 2004 Prius, I could have gotten the model with built in GPS. At the time, built in GPS systems were even more overpriced than they are now. Granted the option came with other niceties (better stero, maybe heated seats), but it was ~$3000 more. Ifigured for that price if I got lost it would be cheaper to call a tow truck and have them tow me to my destination.

Brian

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You are welcome, my friend. Glad to have some (semi)useful knowledge to share with you! :cool:

I have noticed that my 2495LMT acquires the satellite signals faster than my dad’s older 255W. Sometimes, it will still be trying to acquire the signals to determine his exact location and/or calculating the route to his destination up to five minutes after he powers it on. My new one does it well under 30 seconds…so far.

As for POI enhancements, all I know is that they allegedly have more detailed info and there are more of them. The Advanced series has more POIs than the Essential and the Prestige has more than the Advanced…but I can’t recall exact numbers.

Comparing the 4.3” Prestige models to my 4.3” 2495LMT (Advanced series)-

Thickness- 0.35" vs. 0.6"
Weigh 4.2 vs. 5.0 ounces
Battery last up to 4hrs vs. 2.5hrs
800x480 vs. 480x272 display resolution
Multi-touch glass with pinch-zoom functionality
3D terrain view maps
Garmin Guidance 3.0- includes all features of 2.0 plus predictive routing and the world’s best traffic avoidance system. (that’s their from their marketing material, if you couldn’t tell…)

The thin profile and weight reduction only applies to the Prestige models with the 4.3” display. With the 5”, they are actually heavier and the same thickness as lesser 5” models.

There are two 4.3” models to choose from- the 3450LM and 3490LMT.

The 3450LM has Lifetime Maps but does not have Lifetime Traffic or a Traffic Receiver. Retail on it is $319 but I found it, IN STOCK and on a site I trust for $197.99 – 3450LM

The 3490LMT has Lifetime Maps and Lifetime Traffic, Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice-recognition for hands-free navigation and it is compatible with Garmin’s Smartphone Link app. It retails for $349, but I found it at Walmart.com for $239.98 – 3490LMT

I know, I know…as my nephew says, “I rock!” =) At those prices, you might want to just go ahead and grab one!

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Even though I frustrate myself sometimes because I feel like I’m being overly cautious and too hyper-vigilant, I never have buyer’s remorse! Once I make a decision, I am always happy (or content, at least) with my choice.

The tools I use depend on the subject of my research. For most consumer products, I start with the Consumer Reports website. They use a very methodical, consistent testing process for every product they review. In addition to providing detailed information to make direct comparisons quick and easy, they also assign a final overall number rating on a scale from 1-100 to items such as cars, GPS nav systems and computers.

Until very recently, CR was also the only source of auto reliability information based on data provided by actual vehicle owners. Now I also use TrueDelta.com which came online about five years ago and is based solely on owner/user reported information.

Other than CR, I honestly didn’t know where else I could find objective, consistent reviews of GPS nav systems. So I started searching on a few of the model numbers that interested me until I found two GPS review sites that I really like- gpstracklog.com and gpsreviewshub.com. The guy who runs GPS Tracklog makes direct comparisons with other, previously reviewed models and lists the pros and cons of each specific one.

I am also a moderator in the forums on the site- NotebookReview.com, which is a site for the research, review and discussion of laptop (aka- ‘notebook’) computers. I’ve been a regular there since 2007 and I always solicit opinions form other users before making any tech purchases!

I am also a moderator in the forums on a website for Insurance Industry Professionals. A few times in the past, I have asked for the input of other site members on a few purchasing decisions. But there is so much underlying hatred and animosity between most insurance ‘professionals’ that a consensus on anything is impossible! I actually reduced my role to more of a ‘fill-in’ moderator when needed rather than having a regular schedule. I got tired of playing referee in one bloodbath after another, which is all I seemed to be doing most of the time. It’s so funny because no one outside the industry would ever believe how nasty some of these “professionals” can be!!! Adjusters hate agents, agents hate underwriters, captive agents (represent only one insurance company, such as State Farm or Allstate) hate independent agents (who represent multiple insurance companies). Independent agents are the only good guys in the industry, to be totally honest…by sheer coincidence, I happen to be an Independent Agent…but my statements are completely unbiased and accurate!!! :D:dubious:

They are only getting worse, the MyFord Touch system is the perfect example. CR and all the major auto magazines and websites have complained about this system from day one. But Ford continues to make it standard in more and more models and issue ‘rebuttals’ to some of the numerous published articles criticizes the hellish labyrinth of a control system!?

I took my mom new car shopping several times during the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. She finally decided on the Mazda CX-9 SUV/Crossover and she wanted the top-of-the-line “Grand Touring” model. There are only two options available- the Moonroof/Bose/Power Liftgate Package and Navigation System. She wanted the first one, but definitely did NOT want the Navigation! The dealer couldn’t understand why both of us were so opposed to it…then we took a test drive and the Nav screen froze for over 60 seconds, then crashed and didn’t reboot for at least two minutes!!! All audio controls and some climate system controls were completely inaccessible during that time…not what you expect or will tolerate from a vehicle with a $41k sticker! :smack: We finally found the exact one she wanted and managed to buy it (without Navigation) for just over $9000 off sticker price!