For those who prefer Navman or TomTom over Garmin, this seems to be a pretty good deal. I was originally looking at the TomTom 6100 but ended up with the Garmin in my previous post (personal preference and it ended up being cheaper).
Prices on most of the GPS' on the JB site seem to be more than 20% off, not too sure what that's about but not complaining.
I honestly wanted to ask the same question.
can use a 6" phone
It's funny how people with no interest click on these posts to share their 5 cents.. :)
You'd be surprised at how many people still use a dedicated GPS rather than a phone.
I usually use a dedicated GPS. With routing, it's all about the data. Complete, current and accurate data vs. "plausible" data (which sends you the wrong way with full confidence). Not to mention the issue of phones getting very hot and using heaps of battery when the GPS and screen are on constantly.
I've found that phone routing is way better - with Google Maps and Apple Maps, each phone actively reports its speed and location back to the company's servers (this uses a negligible amount of data). With so many devices out there reporting their location out there, the data is bound to be considerably better than the Suna service which most GPS devices use, which can only really receive a limited amount of traffic data due to the nature of the service (receiving incident data from government traffic management centres - which are often updated long after the incident occurs).
I know the Sydney metro area like the back of my hand, but I use Google Maps every time I drive because I know it will actively route me around any congestion based on what its users report.
I did not make myself clear. I was talking purely about the geographic data. It is far better than Google's. But because Australia is behind in getting life traffic information to GPS devices through radio signals (as they do in many European countries), it means that traffic information is much better on phones (whereas on GPS devices it is based on fairly useless historic data).
But if you are trying to find a remote-ish address or an address in a new development, you need to be very careful when using Google Maps. I believe Apple maps had similar problems in the beginning, but I do not know how good it is now.
I am surprised. I mean, short of the GPS for sailing, (not sure why I thought that), I thought most people would use phones and iPads.
We occasionally still use our GPS, but that's if our phone batteries are dying. I haven't updated the maps, because it's expensive, hence prefer the phones.
I agree, I stopped using my GPS a few years ago because maps were expensive. But these days you'll struggle to find a GPS that doesn't include free lifetime maps.
And as Make it so said above, phones get hot when using them as a GPS. We used one for a few hours on a hot day and the phone (iPhone 5) overheated (had a warning on screen) and turned itself off. I personally only decided to get one now as we're heading to Darwin from Melbourne.
My phone doesn't get hot?
Yea, I don't know a single phone that can last over an hour screen on brightness up for day time driving whilst directing.
@cloudy: strangely, no one has mentioned that most people use a car charger with their phone when using GPS
I still prefer GPS
Well, in the case of a learner/probational driver as me, 'using' phones in a car is strictly prohibited even if you are not driving. The definition of 'using' is open to interpretation, and I think routing is 'using'.
In that case, GPS has a pretty solid use case.
As far as 'using' goes, in South Australia if you touch or use your phone whilst driving (even if it might only be in the GPS function) that's the same penalty as talking on a mobile while driving and you'll cop a fine if the police see you. Personally, I much prefer a standalone GPS.
for non learner/ probational drivers, is there any advantage of a GPS over say a smart phone with eg Here maps used offline? (apart from the obvious using battery power)
The lower end models surely will not have live traffic data?
Not really any IMHO…
GPS devices now are predominantly interchangeable with phones, running Androids etc. Also Tomtom and Garmin both ported their GPS software to smart phones, so yeah, if I'm not bound by the no-phone rule as a learner driver, I couldn't really justify spending on a GPS.
Regarding the later half, I've got a pretty lower end models (NAVMAN MY550) yet it has live traffic data. You'll have to tether it to a phone to use it, that is. Most GPSs are not cellular-enabled. And battery power on that is s**t. But still, I hook it up to the smoke lighter plug all the time, so it isn't really a problem to me either.
My GPS device keep falling while driving. I want to buy a new one and return the one i have. Any recommendation? My main issue they start falling after a while.
Anyone know if the TomTom 6100 has the range of voices that the old ones have (partial to the Irish female one - well, ok, I love her)?
Does it have audible speed alert?
Don't you lot have GPS built into your cars?
I do, but the TomTom is better.
My partners new car does, and it's awesome. My car doesn't.
People still use these? …lol