Posted by Anonymous on 3/5/06 9:22pm
Msg #102184

gps navigation systems

any good recommendations?

Reply by Shane_OH on 3/5/06 9:27pm
Msg #102187

Garmin is the best.....

While I don't personally own one, about 4 other closers I know use the Garmin Street Pilot priced around $799... and it seems to be the most accurate, without having to always download new maps and such.

Reply by Anonymous on 3/5/06 9:29pm
Msg #102188

Re: Garmin is the best.....

so how do get your directions

Reply by Shane_OH on 3/5/06 9:33pm
Msg #102189

Re: Garmin is the best.....

Mapquest, the old fashioned way
Everytime I see a Garmin, I feel the urge to buy it.... I know in my soul that I need it.
My wallet cries out to it...May car, begs me for it..

But, Mapquest seems to do me just fine, and its free..... so, until I break down... I'm
mapquesting it lol

Reply by Lisa Morin on 3/5/06 9:35pm
Msg #102190

Re: Garmin is the best.....

wow I guess I dont feel so stupid after all. It killing me getting these directions off maps.com and I really am trying to buy one but I ahave no idea which one would be the best...thanks

Reply by Charles_Ca on 3/5/06 9:41pm
Msg #102193

The best being an absolute it would have to be Trimble Nav

but Trimble is out of the price range of most casual users. I use a Garmin system but it is a true GPS and a navigation system and is not real easy to use. Friends I have shopped for nav systems with seem to break down into three categories, the Garmin Street Pilot nad Tom Tom and Magellan also has a system but I am nto at all familiar with it. From my experience Tom Tom os probably the easiest to set up and can be used right out of the box. Tom Tom is probaly less expensive and I believe that Costco now carries it. I have found that gpsnow.com has a selection of various models and very good prices. It all boils down to your useage. Trees obscure the signal, WAAPS is an add on that I like but again I am not your regular user. With the WAAPS system you can get accuracies down to three meters all the time and sometimes a lot better. Some of the systems talk you through the traffic which a lot of people like, mine doesn't so I can't really comment on that feature. The best thing to do is to shop around a little then make a list of the features you want, decide on the model and shop price and you'll find your sy!stem. Good luck

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 3/6/06 1:14am
Msg #102228

the Best System is VCOMMAND (if you can afford it)

My family decided last year that I couldn't talk on my cell phone, hit the odometer button, eat, etc without finally killing myself and I had to get a GPS System.

I finally got a decent car (2002 Lexus) and had a VCOMMAND system installed! It cost $1400 installed!!
It has a small microphone and a small tracking button. You say Navigator and it asks you where you want to go and I say: address. I spell the name of the street and next it asks the street number and takes me within 300 feet of the address.

If I want to get off a freeway I say: change directions and it will take me off to the side streets. If I want to go to a Costco/restaurant/etc it will direct me.

I realize many notaries cannot afford this system but if you can; it is fabulous!!

The company is VCOMMAND
2300 E. Katella Ave # 300
Anaheim, Ca 92806

and no I don't own any part of this company but I wish I did!
Cheers

Reply by Genkichan on 3/6/06 10:14am
Msg #102397

Re: Garmin = totally idiot proof

You can't go wrong. Get the Garmin. User instructions are only a few pages long, and it's VERY easy to figure out how to work the gadget.

Reply by Tina_MA on 3/6/06 11:59am
Msg #102430

Re: Garmin is the best.....

I have used and owned the Garmin iQue 3600 for about three years now (it's a Palm Pilot and GPS all in one). I also I purchased one for my fiancé a little over a year ago.

I LOVE IT!!! (and Brian loves his too!)

I will never go back to using printed maps again!!!

By the way, when I first purchased my unit, the total cost was $662 and change. They can now be found for $200 to $300 from various online vendors, and even cheaper on ebay.

Garmin puts out updated maps once a year. Last year was $75, this year the maps cost $50.

Garmin also has the absolute best customer service. If you should ever have to call them, you might have to wait on hold for a little bit, but you speak immediately with a level 3 tech, who knows exactly what they're doing vs. other customer service call centers that have you speak with their lower level techs first -- I wish HP's customer service worked this way.

Garmin has also been great about replacing my unit when I drop it (yes, I am very clumsy and drop everything). Even though my unit has been out of warranty for almost 2 years, they replaced my unit for $50 after I dropped it the last time.

By the way, I should explain that when I drop my Garmin, it is never a simple drop. I always try to catch it, and make it worse by somehow making it a double drop (kind of like dribbling) or managing to kick it (God only knows how that happens). So, after I "drop" my Garmin, its really beat up.

So for the customer service alone, I would pick Garmin over any other brand.

Reply by Raimond on 3/5/06 9:51pm
Msg #102195

They are great.... My buddy has a TomTom.... I used it once and loved it...
All the new ones talk to you.... Good thing it does not expect an answer!
You enter the address and it figures the time to get there and tells you how far and how long you are away as you drive......
If you want to take a differant route it figures it out (after telling you to turn around once or twice) and re figures a new way, your way.

I have 2 of the older hand held models. Cool for going back to a place you have already been but not great for what we do....

The next $400 signing I get I will give in and get one.....

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 3/5/06 11:02pm
Msg #102204

Garmin 2620

I love it!! Had it for just over 1 year. It just "talks" to me and I don't have to read street signs - great at night.

Reply by DellaCa on 3/5/06 11:41pm
Msg #102211

Re: Garmin 2620 for me also Love it also! n/m

Reply by DB/ME on 3/6/06 6:49am
Msg #102254

I ordered a MIO gps last week, hoping it arrives today. I used a friend's MIO and it did really well, here in Maine where it is so rural and many of the streets are private...it didnt miss one. Lets hope it proves worthy of its 449. price.,

good luck in your search.