GPS Suggestion

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  scrimshaw on 02/10/2015 - 20:59

  +2

  If you just want to navigate from A -> B and don't need any fancy features like Bluetooth, any GPS will do.

  you will also see the 'Free Lifetime Maps' that's often marketed with a lot of GPs units nowadays. The fine print on 'Free Lifetime Maps' usually indicates that you'll get free map updates for the life time of the device, which can vary between 3~5 years. Basically, "lifetime" is usually defined as the lifetime of the product, rather than the user's lifetime.

  The standard practice now though is that the manufacturer usually gives you between 2-3-4 years of map updates before they start making you cough up cash for map downloads (at which point, you might as well be considering throwing out the unit and buying a newer model, or even resorting to good ol' software piracy). Planned obsolescence at work.

  • 

    SydOzber on 02/10/2015 - 21:57

    With regards to the brand - Tom tom or Garmin - which is the best ?

    • 

      pjetson on 02/10/2015 - 22:05

      My experience with Garmin are that they are great, my immediate family have four of them. I have no experience with Tom Tom.

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  terrypoon on 02/10/2015 - 23:13

  Would suggest Microsoft Lumia 532 $29 @bigW
  Lifetime map updates

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  kyttiekat on 03/10/2015 - 17:52

  +1

  This one isn't on your list, but I bought it in Jan this year and it's been incredible. Garmin Nuvi 2589LMT

  Since buying it, all my passengers ask about it - and I've had two or three actually go out and buy it too!

  Things I love:

  • Great satellite accuracy - and super-fast "route recalculations". I hate how some other GPSes can seem to take forever after I miss a turn to recalculate the route, by which point I'll have missed a ton of extra turns. This one is the quickest I've used.

  • Lane Guidance. I don't know how I ever lived without this feature! Basically it means, on most multi-laned motorways or roads etc, it'll always show you the suggested lane to be in. This is AMAZING for those cases where you need to take an exit or turn a corner, then immediately turn again.. or if it knows particular lanes will merge later or turn into turning-only lanes or whatever.. It just makes the drive so much smoother. No more "oh crap I had no chance in crossing 4 lanes to make that unexpected turn/exit!" as with other GPSes.

  • Natural language. I think this is what they called it. Basically, rather than saying "Turn right in 100m", where possible the GPS will use more natural directions and landmarks, like "Turn right at the lights" or "Turn right at the stop sign" or "Turn right after the Caltex station" or "Turn right after the XYZ Hotel". It's a small thing, but I've found it incredibly helpful, rather than "oh crap, there's two or three streets all within close distance, which one is 200m away…"

  • Exit sign image. This one is a nice bonus I like - when you're coming up to an exit or on-road map (only on actual motorways of course), the screen will split in two and one half will show you the actual sign to look out for. This is nice and helpful when I'm on roads I don't know, with a billion sets of signage I can't keep up with.

  OK that's about it I think! The rest of the features are pretty common to other GPSes I know.. i.e. voice command features, unlimited maps, ability to send address from phone to GPS, pairing with phone so you can make/receive calls etc.

  But the above features were the real differentiators for me. And on par with most GPS prices, too!

  Absolutely love it.
  PS no I don't work for them.. I just love it so much haha.

  • 

    kyttiekat on 03/10/2015 - 17:53

    +1

    By the way I should add a friend bought this recently at $149 on sale. Though it doesn't seem to be on sale anymore. :( Perhaps you can find it elsewhere.

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  [Deactivated] on 08/10/2015 - 13:17

  Definately Garmin. Not sure how Mazada get away with their second rate Tom Tom GPS units that they include in their cars!