Best GPS System?

Updated on November 30, 2011
J.G. asks from Rochelle, IL
13 answers

Ok, my husband and I went from Northern Illinois to Pittsburgh, PA over the weekend for a wedding in the family. We do not have a GPS in our car, which we found out we really should. All we had were Google Maps directions, which got us lost on more than one occasion. There were a few times it told us things like "stay left at fork" when we actually needed to go right. Not cool Google Maps, not cool. Anyway, once we got to where we needed to be everything was beautiful, it was just getting there that was not good. After this frustrating trip, we have decided that we need to get a GPS, as our families live in different states and we like to go and visit a few times a year, and we do NOT like being lost. So, what types of GPS systems do you think is better? What features make it a tier above the others? What should we avoid like the plague?

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M.W.

answers from Chicago on

I've had two Garmins and loved them both. I agree with the other posters, lifetime updates are very nice. I'm directionally challenged, so I LOVE my GPS.

2 moms found this helpful

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T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I love my tomtom. Its simple to read and set up. Not so simple to update in my opinion. So, I have yr old information, I sometimes end up in a corn field!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I've had good luck with my Garmin nuvi. Every system has it's quirks and you always have to make intelligent choices (turn left? that's a parking lot!), but it gets me around pretty well and we also took it to the UK. One of the downsides is that Google will give you alternate routes, but for the GPS you have to reset it to see what your options are. I got the Garmin last year and didn't think I'd use it that much, but I use it all the time now. My phone is not smart enough to take Google on the go, and I like hearing "Turn left in .05 miles onto Holly Avenue" vs sneaking glances at paper.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

The navigation system on a smart phone is phenomenal . A great app to download is one called WAZE to keep you posted on what is happening.

1 mom found this helpful

L.W.

answers from Chicago on

I have a Garmin nuvi, my husband has a TomTom. They both work pretty well. The only thing I suggest is that if you buy one, make sure it has free lifetime map updates. Paying for the updates can get pretty expensive and then when you think you don't need them, you'll find out that you do.

1 mom found this helpful

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

i have a standard gps with the ability to speak street names..although its cheaper J. to get a data plan and use your phone..i do that now

1 mom found this helpful

C.P.

answers from Columbia on

I have an iPhone. I bought the Motion-X GPS Drive app with voice navigation for $20. It's constantly updated and I've never had a problem. You can even make changes when you run into something incorrect, which is not often. I used to have a Garmin, which I loved, but when I bought this app I stopped using it.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Chicago on

We have had a couple of Garmin's (each time an upgrade and gave our older one to our son's or my niece). We love the Garmin's on our current on we had the option to add our phone to it for hands free driving, which came in handy this past weekend when we drove from Chicago to TN! Also it has an option to get around traffic (there was an accident) which worked well and took us right back to the highway on the other side of the accident.

1 mom found this helpful

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I have a Garmin and Google maps. Google is right more than Garmin. My brother has Garmin, Tomtom and Google maps, Google maps wins again.

The only flaw in Google maps is if you use it from your phone. It is figuring out your location more using cell towers than anything else. When we were in podunk Illinois my Garmin knew where we were but the phone knew where we needed to go.

have fun

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I just bought a Garmin 1450 with lifetime updates and traffic alerts for my hubby. He's started a new job w/ a driving territory. My brother has this one and likes it. They are normally $300+ but Amazon has them for $130.
http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-1450LMT-Portable-Navigator-L...

My sisters have Garmin's too. They've tried Tom Tom, but didn't like it because it would skip ahead in the directions.

1 mom found this helpful

B.S.

answers from Lansing on

I do not know much about GPS systems or which is the best out there. I do know we paid a little more than the average GPS but it has lifetime map updates, which I hear are costly....so might want to look into a GPS that offers that. Its a TomTom brand I believe.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

I have a Garmin Nuvi but it's now out of date. It costs $80 to update it!! Not doing that. I have an iphone so I have a map app.

The best GPS I found was when my Blackberry had Sprint service. The Sprint GPS ruled!

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

TomTom systems are fantastic. Don't get the phone applications since you have to pay for subscriptions.

1 mom found this helpful
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