Best GPS for Parents

Chongy288 on 07/01/2014 - 14:25

Hey All,

So my parents have asked me to find them a GPS for them to use when traveling to unfamiliar places. Would anyone have experienced this? and could suggest a model that would work well?

A little profile of my parents, they are ok/asian drivers that haven't really bothered to pick up with general technology.. they like their ipad though. They generally drive about familiar places and rarely at night.
So, I suspect it would need to be simple, easy to use with a large screen and voiced directions.

Thanks!

General Discussion

Comments

endotherm on 07/01/2014 - 15:27

There are free GPS apps for the iPad, if it also has a mobile data/internet connection.
- Chongy288 on 07/01/2014 - 16:39
  
  +1
  
  it makes me sad when i see ppl use the ipad to take photos when they are on holidays.. i dont want my parents to be the first to use the ipad as their gps system. No doubt it would be dangerous too..
  - endotherm on 08/01/2014 - 00:58
    
    To each their own on the camera front. However using it as a GPS is actually quite good. I'm over the age when your eyesight starts to go, and I find it much easier to see a 10" screen rather than a 5" screen. In fact, I'd say it is likely to be safer too, it is easier and quicker to identify things by glancing on the big screen than trying to adjust focus and make out fine details on a smaller screen a quarter of the size and likely worse resolution (even before considering a Retina display pixel density). Plus trying to hit buttons when the car is bouncing all over the place. You can attach it to the windscreen just as easily as an iPhone holder. e.g. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Mount-Bracket-Holder-Stand-Wi… or http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Car-Floor-Seat-Bolt-Mount-Goo…
    
    I only made the suggestion because
    
    they already had one (not going to cost $$$, appealing to an OzBargainer)
    
    they like their iPad (being "technophobic", they would be comfortable with this device and would not have to learn a new one)
    
    some apps are free (and probably have speech in other languages)
    
    it's got the largest screen of any GPS I've seen
    
    I assume their eyesight is not as good as it used to be
    
    I get the impression they won't be relying on it a lot (not a lot of demand on mobile internet data)
    
    I see further down the thread you are liking the TomTom. It is also available on iOS (for ~$50). https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tomtom-australia/id326072238…
    
    But you should certainly buy the device you (and your parents) are happy with.
wbeer on 07/01/2014 - 16:09

Simpleness and usability goes — Garmin > TomTom > Navman (of the big 3)

All will come with 'spoken street names' - even the cheap ones.

Something like: http://www.dicksmith.com.au/in-car-navigation/garmin-nuvi-52…
would be suitable/ shop around for best price though.

The more you pay you'll be getting things like / Bluetooth, Voice command(speaking to it), Traffic updates, stuff you probably dont need.
- Chongy288 on 07/01/2014 - 16:40
  
  Thank you, that seems to tick all the boxes. let the hunt begin for the best price!
  - fryandlaurie on 07/01/2014 - 19:15
    
    +2
    
    I'd like to recommend Tom Tom for user friendliness. They use very good maps and usually are better designed and supported.
    
    Navman might be cheaper and offer a lifetime map service but they're usually cheaply made devices with some big flaws.
    
    Also keep in mind that GPS have a pretty big markup so try and haggle as much as possible. Don't fall for them including things like cases and mounts as they can be had quite cheaply on ebay for the same quality (unless they offer genuine accessories).
    
    As always, all GPS units are on display at the big stores so go and play around with them with your parents if possible to see if they can navigate it etc (they're usually on demo mode).
    - Chongy288 on 07/01/2014 - 19:30
      
      thanks for the advise, any specific Tom Tom you can suggest? seems like all of them have flaws and great ones, I just need to find the right one for the parents.
    - wbeer on 08/01/2014 - 21:36
      
      +1
      
      If you decide to go TomTom - this is probably the one you're after.
      
      http://www.dicksmith.com.au/in-car-navigation/tomtom-via225-…
      
      Big screen/low cost. Not paying for extras like bluetooth handsfree. Depends on your budget though if you want these features.
      
      I work in sales, and we probably sell the most of TomToms, but I find the screen responsiveness and interface on the Garmin's better. Generally the garmin users are the most satisfied, but you'll be fine with either brands.
IceCreamBandit on 09/01/2014 - 10:28

+1

Just bought the Garmin 2597 from The Good Guys for $168 last week which I think was the cheapest price around, with JB/Dick Smith selling it for $199.

My parents are okay with tech stuff and wanted a GPS to go to new places (their eyesight and physical street directories no longer get along too well)

It isn't the cheapest GPS around but my parents were interested in the extra features the cheaper ones didn't have such as:
Bluetooth - it meant they didn't need a headset to set up when driving
Traffic updates - so they knew why they were stuck in traffic (worked really well the other day on the M4)

The visuals/voice guidance were all relatively easy to understand, but it takes a little time to get used to.

Here is the Garmin product page if anyone is interested
https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/automotive/in-car-gps/new-20…
Chongy288 on 15/01/2014 - 15:58

+1

Thanks everyone for your help! It was all super detailed and useful information regarding my choice in GPS.

For the archives of Ozbargain I'll summarized my findings. IMO the Garmin 2597 was best for my parents, I did play with the TomTom 225 as well as the others on display in 3 shops (JB, HN, DS)and the reasoning for my choice is the large 5" display, loud and annoying beep every time you press the buttons (perfect for the parents), elimination of non sub-sequential letters when searching suburbs and streets names (eliminates the amount of typos) and the responsiveness of the touch screen was better that the TomTom 225 with me not having to try twice pressing what I want. Surprisingly parents are excited to use the bluetooth system with the phones to take calls but i doubt it is necessary since they can last on $10 credit for 6 months… anyways, they feel slightly better about tech with items like there.
I've just stated the differences in models that made my decision, all really had good voice output and navigation display.
I was able to pick one up the Garmin 2597 from Harvey Norman Everton Park QLD (it was the closest to where I was at the time) and asked for a price beat from the advertised price of $168 at the goodguys (Thanks IcecreamBandit!)
http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/buyonline/Garmin_Nuvi_2597LMT_…
and the nice HN guy was ok for me to have it for $160 :D

So all ends very well and I'm satisfied with my purchase with the help of everyone!
Hopefully this summary will help out another person with a similar situation.
Thank you again!

Best GPS for Parents

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