# Simple GPS: recommendation **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712 "2011-12-10T07:36:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/1 "2011-12-10T07:36:10Z")
My son is directions/map challenged. He has a car and drives, though. I’ve seen dashboard GPS for sale at Costco… various Garmin types, etc. and need a recommendation. Is there one you can, like, just plug in your address and the address you’re going and a nice voice comes on and tells you “turn right at this intersection”? Sorry to sound clueless, but I haven’t used one of these deals and it sounds like a really good idea. Which one is the easiest to use? ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/2 "2011-12-10T07:39:45Z")
I think they all do that, but stick with Garmin. They tend to have the best satellite reception and without that, those things are . . . well, maybe not useless, but it can be distracting if they cut out unexpectedly. Of the major brands, the others being TomTom and Magellan, I’d rank them Garmin, TT and Magellan only if I had no other choice. ---
**Author:** ![raindog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/3 "2011-12-10T12:42:25Z")
I have a Garmin 1300 (iirc) which used to be the 255W. It has a wide screen so it is easy to see. Helpful in 70 MPH rush hour traffic. It’s great. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/4 "2011-12-10T13:22:28Z")
Just want to chime in to vote for Garmin. In the U.S they are by FAR the best. Outside the U.S I’m not so sure. I know that in the UK TomTom’s are generally considered better units. From what I understand, this just has to do with how detailed the maps are that the GPS company has bought for that region. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/5 "2011-12-10T15:07:28Z")
I have had both and I tend to favor the Tom Tom over the Garmin. Easier interface to use IMHO. Both work very well, so you really can’t go wrong with either. If I had to replace one the replacement would be decided on price. FWIW the new Tom Tom suction cup mount is better than my Garmin Nuvi’s. Also if your son has a smart phone, the Google GPS is IMHO superior to either in terms of maps and finding gas stations etc… Apple iTunes store has a Tom Tom app for $40. You can by car mounts for the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/6 "2011-12-10T17:18:19Z")
I disagree with obbn regarding cell phone GPS. Maps are absolutely fantastic on smart phones. In my opinion however, turn by turn GPS is not. The resolution, speed and ability to maintain GPS lock is not good enough in smart phones. This means that in larger cities with tall buildings or areas with poor cell tower coverage the phone won’t always know EXACTLY where you are and therefore can not always provide accurate turn by turn directions like a good GPS unit (mostly) can. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/7 "2011-12-10T19:03:04Z")
He doesn’t have a smart phone. We’re looking for a car unit. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/8 "2011-12-10T19:21:09Z")
I vote Garmin. I have a Garmin Nuvi. Also I’d avoid using the suction mount and pay extra for the sandbag dash mount. Thieves look for those tell-tale circles on the windshield of cars when deciding what cars to break into that may have a GPS to steal. I put my whole GPS/sandbag thing on the passenger floor and cover it with the trash bag. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/9 "2011-12-11T03:55:16Z")
I strongly prefer TomTom over Garmin. A much better user interface. Here are some current deals: > **[Slickdeals: The Best Deals, Coupons, Promo Codes & Discounts](https://slickdeals.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?&tagid=3102&f=9)** > > The best deals and bargains belong here. All the money-saving discounts, coupons or promo codes you need to get the lowest price on the hottest stuff. See today's hot deals, before they're gone! ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/10 "2011-12-11T04:32:55Z")
Garmin models are good, and the older models are being replaced so they are going on sale now. There was recently a sale on the 1300 model where it was $50. I recently bought a 1450LMT for $109. I currently use the (now discontinued I believe) base model, the Nuvi 200 which I got in 2008. It does what you are asking except it doesn’t have any voice features so it doesn’t tell you to ‘turn right on XYZ street’ or ‘turn left’ like most other models do, I have to look at the screen to know when to turn. But even w/o the voice feature it has been an extremely useful tool. I tell it where to go and it gets me there, and if I need to look for anything else (a thrift shop, a place to get food, a library, etc) it does that extremely well too. GPS devices are awesome and I wouldn’t want to go driving w/o one again. What features do you want? Do you want lifetime updated maps? Do you want traffic data? Public transit/foot directions as well as driving directions? Do you want lane assist (this is important in city traffic so you know which lane to be in to avoid taking the wrong exit)? A big problem with GPS devices is they do not always work in large cities, in part because of all the tall buildings obstructing the GPS. It may take several minutes or longer to get a signal. I don’t think cell phone GPS devices have that problem. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/11 "2011-12-11T15:07:35Z")
Another vote for Garmin. Get one with lifetime map updates. Mine is a few years old, and to update the maps costs almost as much as buying a new one. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/12 "2011-12-11T16:48:16Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Another vote for Garmin. Get one with lifetime map updates. Mine is a few years old, and to update the maps costs almost as much as buying a new one. I agree. My Garmin is maybe 4 years old and works perfectly fine, and adequate for all my needs (and the needs the OP described). But I’m considering upgrading just because the map data is old, and mine does not have lifetime map updates. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/13 "2011-12-11T17:33:53Z")
GPS’ are only as good as their maps and Garmin tends to have the best maps. Re units this Nuvi 40 is what I got for my daughter on Black Friday. It has more than enough capability for finding your way. I’ve found Amazon tends to have the best prices on GPS units. > **[Amazon.com: Garmin nüvi 40 4.3-inch Portable GPS Navigator(US Only)...](https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-inch-Navigator-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0057ODOCA)** > > 0100099001 Features: -4.3" touchscreen.-Preloaded maps with millions of POIs.-Lane assist with junction view.-Speaks street names.-Speed limit indicator. Dimensions: -2.75'' H x 4.75'' W x 5.95'' D, 0.74 lbs. Best Buy also has it on sale this week for the same price. > **[Best Buy: Garmin nüvi 40 GPS 010-00990-01](https://www.bestbuy.com/site/garmin-nuvi-40-gps/2884094.p?id=1218361288962&skuId=2884094)** > > Shop Garmin nüvi 40 GPS at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/14 "2011-12-11T18:06:28Z")
Yes definitely get the lifetime maps with the Garmin as the $50/pop map updates add up over time. My Garmin Nuvi speaks out street names to me and gives me virtual “pictures” of what my exit will look like (i.e. a two lane exit on the right with three lanes continuing forward) before I get there, so that I know what I’m looking for. It also has cute features like getting to pick different cars to represent yourself (and downloading more off the internet) and downloading silly extra voices (though most of the novelty voices won’t pronounce street names). ETA: My Garmin also shows major buildings in some cities. It shows them as sort of ghostly see-through shapes so you can still see the streets. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/15 "2011-12-11T18:15:47Z")
My experience with Garmin is contrary to the others’ here. I have found their maps to be less than I was used to and it takes a long time for it find the satellites. I liked my old Magellan. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/16 "2011-12-11T18:39:22Z")
My mom had a Magellan and I couldn’t stand it. It was so non-intuitive to use (though this was years ago, they may have improved) and it didn’t have various streets on it that we were surprised by. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/17 "2011-12-11T18:43:29Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Yes definitely get the lifetime maps with the Garmin as the $50/pop map updates add up over time. My 2460 and the other nuvi they had at Costco both had lifetime traffic and map updates included in the sale price. I paid $190 for the 2460 with, I think, a 5" screen. I think they realize that with competition from smart phones, they have to make certain concessions. edit: the only catch I could see was something about only being able to get 4 updates per year. But when I got home, I installed the update software on my computer and it seems to download the updates as they become available, so I’m not sure if I misread or if there is more to the update aspect. I managed to load the current updates with no problem. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-gps-recommendation/605712/18 "2011-12-11T21:26:12Z")
Yeah the new ones come with lifetime maps, but you can also buy it for the older ones for like $79 I think it is.