USA GPS device with offline maps

YadaYadaYada on 29/04/2014 - 00:44

I am after a GPS or GPS-like device with offline maps for the US and Canada for ~60 or so. I have already tried looking on gumtree/ebay. I've tried Sygic before but it takes so long to lock onto signals :(

I did get a sim card with T Mobile so I can use google maps, but we'll be venturing out into remote national parks, so this may not work so well when not in the cities.

Also something like this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/114932 might work too but my knowledge of Nokia phones is a bit limited. Any suggestions on some cheap new/used Nokia phones which do this would help as well.

I'm open to any other ideas.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • ammark19xx on 29/04/2014 - 01:39

    I'd suggest Navigon for iOS or Android because in the US and Canada the map content matters most, and Garmin is top of the line. Nokia (Navteq) and TomTom are not the market leaders in the US, Garmin and Magellan generally take the top honours.

    I'm curious why you want to buy one from here… if you're renting a car there on a trip, they usually offer you a gps from the rental agencies. If you're moving there and are planning to buy a car there, you might as well just buy a GPS unit from Amazon or Best Buy and even Walmart!

    • YadaYadaYada on 29/04/2014 - 08:03

      Well I don't need to buy one from here. The other option is buying it on arrival. But if the price is right here then great.

      I thought the car rental GPS units were pretty pricy especially since I'm there for a month!

      • ChrisLevo on 29/04/2014 - 09:48

        aamark got it right!

        Garmin nuvi 5" screen (the one that I have and love) is less than US$90 at Best Buy.

        http://www.bestbuy.com/site/promo/top-gps-deals-a-112714 for details.

        Cheaper than getting one at the car hire desk, guaranteed latest maps, lane assist (you will appreciate that if you have never used their freeways, trust me!), and stores all over the place if you have trouble.

        Wal-Mart and Target are the same, and I even saw them for less than US$60, 'tho I would rather a brand that I know, and an interface that I am used to.

      • ammark19xx on 29/04/2014 - 10:32
        +2

        Re: the price is right thing.

        The US is by far the cheapest place for shopping on most things compared to Oz. Retail prices on electronics (and branded goods) are usually lower than anywhere else in the world and you get much better value. Whether it's a a Gibson Les Paul guitar or Nike trainers or a shirt from Gap…. Retail prices in the US are much lower than outside the US most times. So, take an empty suitcase with you and head to a suburban outlet mall and you'll likely get a good Garmin gps for cheap enough.

        Ps: on Samsung Galaxy range of android phones, Navigon is free. They are a Garmin product. Just install it from the Samsung App Store and when you run it for the first time, download the US map over wifi. It works offline as the map is stored in your phone.

      • 2ndeffort on 30/04/2014 - 00:04

        Seriously, as others have said, just buy one when you get there. You can pick up cheap GPS units for $50. If you want to bring it back with you get one that cna load Australian Maps when you come back. Ideally choose one that takes Open Maps so you arent raped blind for the cost of open source map data (cough Tom Tom cough).

        Alternatively rent a car that has a GPS built in. I was in Canada in Feb and the Avis lady tried to rent us a GPS unit when the Chevy Suburban we rented had a factory GPS built into the dashboard!! LOL!!

        • YadaYadaYada on 30/04/2014 - 12:14

          I actually have an Australian GPS already - a Tom Tom, and the cost of buying the US/Canada maps was something in the order of $80, which is more than the cost of my GPS!

          I think I might have a look around walmart etc when I get there and just buy one, if I can't find something cheaper or more convenient.

        • YadaYadaYada on 08/05/2014 - 12:55

          Has anyone tried using open maps with a gps? Is it any good?

  • Bypass on 29/04/2014 - 03:33

    I suggest downloading copilot gps on android or ios, they are free offline gps apps, get a stand and your set.. Also getting a nokia phone isn't a bad idea, but the newer the better. I had a nokia n95 in europe and middle east that i used and saved me dozens of times, but it took forever to find a signal.

    The first post about hiring one is a terrible idea, especially for an Ozbargainer. When in the USA 2 years ago I got Hertz neverlost system in a mustang, it was an eyesore, hard to use and cost $13 a day!

  • eatwell365 on 29/04/2014 - 04:57

    Used the default IOS app MAP on my iPad when visit US. Worked like wonder. Need a local sim with cheap data plan.

  • eatwell365 on 29/04/2014 - 05:02
    +1

    I do not suggest to search for cracked TomTom map online.

  • mooney on 29/04/2014 - 08:38

    I use an app (either iOS or android) called 'city maps 2 go' you can download free offline maps for pretty much anyplace. It works with your phones GPS so you can see where you're located, though it doesn't have navigation functionality.

    It has saved me many times when I travel overseas.

  • toctoc on 29/04/2014 - 09:28

    Hi - Search for 'GPS - Tomtom Start 25 (Via) Life time Maps (USA, Canada & Mexico)' in gumtree.

  • RockyRaccoon on 29/04/2014 - 09:35

    As you said traveling in the US in remote areas then online based maps are limited. Although unless you are into serious offroading, then most of these remote areas have for years been accessible without the need for GPS. Keeping in mind that rental cars are not supposed to be on roads that are unmade.

    GPS is better for larger cities where the multitude of signs and traffic really help with the overload of information that is hard to digest quickly, leading to missed off ramps, being stuck in car pool lanes where you need to be out of a few exits before you need to.

    In summary you can get by with online map programs. This does assume your navigator is able to read you out what the program is saying. If you dont have some who can take on this role then GPS maybe the only solution.

    Any IOS or Android based program as outlined above, would be fine. There are many good online map programs. Unless you have a preference for a Nokia based phone, which will at present limit the choices you have. BTW the only issue off line city maps programs and a driving holiday, you will be visiting many cities which means downloading maps in advance for each city visited

    As a side note there are some great other programs you can use, like Waze and also Gasbuddy ( http://www.gasbuddy.com/) both of these are great to find cheap gas prices on the way to your destinations. It's nice to know that the next town up the road has gas a lot cheaper than the current town, so you fill up there, also that maybe a block or two further down the prices are 10c a gallon cheaper.

    Gas Buddy: Android IOS or Blackberry, Waze: Android IOS Windows phone

    Then you have the booking apps, where you can check prices online for accommodation as you drive. Eg we arrived in Flagstaff on a saturday when there was some big schoolies type thing happening, even the 50's style motels where a $100 a night with free fleas, checked my Motel6 app, booked a room for $55 and no more running into each reception to check prices. There are apps by all the major chains and booking sites.

    However IOS and Android gives you far more options with these apps than other phones.

  • Cheeper on 29/04/2014 - 10:25

    Android phone with Sygic installed for offline maps…. the best!
    www.sygic.com

  • toctoc on 29/04/2014 - 10:39

    The GPS receivers in handheld phones are not purpose build. So satellite fixing and locking will be intermittent and buggy. Tracking in most cases will be off by more than a few metres at a time. Again that’ll be an issue more if you regularly travel down complex roads at speed, but the accuracy difference between a dedicated GPS unit and a smartphone is still quite marked. No point in talking about the battery life; you can plug in the car charger for both of them. But, for phones you need to make sure that when you unplug, there is enough to make calls.

  • toctoc on 29/04/2014 - 13:28

    Good tomtom one here - http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/noble-park/audio-gps-car-alar…

    • RockyRaccoon on 29/04/2014 - 15:14

      Sounds like its your tomtom you are selling - good luck

      BTW never had any issues with my phone or tablet running a GPS anywhere in my world travels - you might have been given the wrong info.

      • toctoc on 29/04/2014 - 15:37

        Got the info from here - http://www.techlife.net/2014/01/do-you-still-need-a-dedicate…

        Also from personal experience, got stuck in the middle of no where with phone gps (The phone got stuck and never updated the cordinates). I think the new phones will be better with good gps chips and processors.

        And yeah; not my gps on gumtree. Wanted to buy one but with Australia lifetime maps. Looking at the new garmin range. sleek..

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