HELP! Seeking the VERY best GPS unit under $300!

Andre Marc

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Mar 14, 2012
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I get lost driving in a straight line..my Garmin just **** the bed...

Any suggestions on a really good portable GPS unit for around $300 or less?

Thanks!
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I get lost driving in a straight line..my Garmin just **** the bed...

Any suggestions on a really good portable GPS unit for around $300 or less?

Thanks!

Why would you buy one when you can use your smart phone
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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Calgary, AB

Johnny Vinyl

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May 16, 2010
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amirm

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Apr 2, 2010
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I have not looked at the for a few years after adopting to smartphone but at the time the Garmin touchscreen units were fantastic. Very responsive and very reliable. Was yours a touchscreen that went bad?
 

Andre Marc

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I have not looked at the for a few years after adopting to smartphone but at the time the Garmin touchscreen units were fantastic. Very responsive and very reliable. Was yours a touchscreen that went bad?

Hi Amir:

Actually the one that just died was a touch screen Garmin. Agree it was very good. I don't mind another Garmin.

What I find frustrating is the model churn, from all the manufacturers, it is hard to keep up.

I'm pretty anal when it comes to directions, because I just can't anywhere without them. ;):D
 

Mosin

[Industry Expert]
Mar 11, 2012
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Hi Amir:

Actually the one that just died was a touch screen Garmin. Agree it was very good. I don't mind another Garmin.

What I find frustrating is the model churn, from all the manufacturers, it is hard to keep up.

I'm pretty anal when it comes to directions, because I just can't anywhere without them. ;):D

I'm like you in that regard. I have a Garmin that I bought last year at Wal-Mart for $130. It's easier to use than a phone GPS app, or the one built into my wife's car. It is also very accurate with free map upgrades for life, so it's a no-brainer, in my opinion.
 

Andre Marc

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Mar 14, 2012
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I'm like you in that regard. I have a Garmin that I bought last year at Wal-Mart for $130. It's easier to use than a phone GPS app, or the one built into my wife's car. It is also very accurate with free map upgrades for life, so it's a no-brainer, in my opinion.

I totally agree ..the phone is a phone... I prefer a dedicated device...not to mention gps kills the battery.
 

DaveyF

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2010
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La Jolla, Calif USA
Andre, agree with the Garmin advice. OTOH, you could trade in your car and get a new one with Sat-Nav, LOL. The female voice on most of these is almost worth the price of entry IME;) Plus you never have to wonder where the heck you left the darn Garmin in the first place:D
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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The GPS on the phone has one small advantage - it will re-route you (in real time) around trouble/traffic jams/etc. The couple of times I've ignored the phone telling me to get off the highway when I knew that I still had a long way to go, I've lived to regret it. Once you've tried something like Waze, you'll never look back.

The disadvantage of the GPS on the phone is that where there is no coverage, you're essentially lost. So, when I know that I won't be in urban areas, I will carry my Garmin as well as my phone.
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
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I too use two. Garmin and smartphone simultaneously. Hands free driving at it's safest level possible when "life" gets in the way.

Tom
 

Andre Marc

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Mar 14, 2012
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Andre, agree with the Garmin advice. OTOH, you could trade in your car and get a new one with Sat-Nav, LOL. The female voice on most of these is almost worth the price of entry IME;) Plus you never have to wonder where the heck you left the darn Garmin in the first place:D

Ha, hey Davey, yes those voices are something else! My lease is up in May..so I will be shopping!

Actually I never take the Garmin out of the car..
 

Andre Marc

Member Sponsor
Mar 14, 2012
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San Diego
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The GPS on the phone has one small advantage - it will re-route you (in real time) around trouble/traffic jams/etc. The couple of times I've ignored the phone telling me to get off the highway when I knew that I still had a long way to go, I've lived to regret it. Once you've tried something like Waze, you'll never look back.

The disadvantage of the GPS on the phone is that where there is no coverage, you're essentially lost. So, when I know that I won't be in urban areas, I will carry my Garmin as well as my phone.

Waze is good..but it always worries me when I see people driving while holding their phones..
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
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Waze is good..but it always worries me when I see people driving while holding their phones..

When you rent a car, you don't have much of a choice of how to mount your phone. However, every car so far has a dashboard, and something like this works well. With a cellphone, I also sometimes just put it in front of the speedometer. Never hold your phone while driving.

Cellphone holder.jpg
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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My Garmins are great on the open road but enter places with lots of tall buildings and they go haywire. Happened in downtown SF and in NYC.
 

garylkoh

WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Sep 6, 2010
5,599
225
1,190
Seattle, WA
www.genesisloudspeakers.com
My Garmins are great on the open road but enter places with lots of tall buildings and they go haywire. Happened in downtown SF and in NYC.

That's the other advantage with the cellphone GPS systems - they use not only GPS satellite, but also wifi and cell-tower information, plus the acceleration sensors keep you on track even in a loooooonnng underground tunnel.
 

Andre Marc

Member Sponsor
Mar 14, 2012
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When you rent a car, you don't have much of a choice of how to mount your phone. However, every car so far has a dashboard, and something like this works well. With a cellphone, I also sometimes just put it in front of the speedometer. Never hold your phone while driving.

View attachment 18616

I must say this looks good.
 

wisnon

Well-Known Member
Dec 12, 2011
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In Europe TomTom wins hands down due to High Definition traffic.
 

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