Vehicle GPS System

i like my garmin, although it's pricey. it's more reliable than the outdated one that came with my car (i bought it used, so.....) or my phone.
my brother has a tomtom which he likes okay. my kids just use their phones and are incredulous that anyone might need anything else. i think i'm a technology Sink, though.
khairete
S.

Tomtom is probably the cheaper one - can echo what Queen Mommy said, not because I'm in the industry but because #1, you get what you pay for, and #2,Garmin is very well known around here, because their home office is in Olathe and they are exploding - always expanding and hiring, an industry leader. Great company to work for and great product (I've heard. I also researched when I was job hunting but didn't end up going that way). And local for you! As also mentioned, get the lifetime updates if possible, totally worth it.

Fwiw, I use my gps on my smartphone and am totally in love, so if you don't have to have a separate device, I totally recommend the smartphone route.

If you have a cell phone - why spend the money? You have navigation on your "smart" phone.

We have had both - Tom-Tom and Garmin. I think the Garmin is more user-friendly.

Whichever one you choose? Make sure you regularly update your maps...

Definitely Garmin (I am in the industry). Make sure to get one with lifetime map updates (most have this now), and free traffic info is a bonus. Garmin will be around a lot longer, and their map database company invests a lot more in ensuring the map is accurate.

ETA: Note to the comment on roaming and using up battery.... I have unlimited data so no worries there and always have my charged up Mophie with me in case I need any extra charge. I was just in a very rural area and never had any issues with cell coverage, data overuse or battery issues. I love using my ONE device for everything!

IF anyone does not have a Mophie, you need to get one. I paid about $130 for each one that we have and keep charged up. GREAT extra chargers and they will charge 2 items at the same time (ex: phone/laptop/IPad, etc.) Worth the $$
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I never use the GPS in my car for directions...... I just use my phone. Same with daughter and hubby and we all have top notch GPS systems in our cars.

I know the system in my car is top notch and when I go in for service it gets updated but the only reason I keep it is because I have the SOS button which will send help if I push the button or will send help if I do not respond to the vehicle alert when help is notified.

I'm with Julie, save your $$ and use Google Maps. It is more up to date and free on your smartphone.

Google maps on my phone.

I have a Tom Tom but found it frustrating that you actually have to hook it up to your computer to get map updates. So you have to do this quite frequently if you are going someplace where you really need to depend on the navigation.

I found that using Google Maps on my phone is much, much better. I bought a holder for my phone that attaches to the air vent (so there is no distracted looking down to see the map), plug it in with a car adapter as to not suck all the battery and I'm good to go.

One of vehciles has one and the other doesn't. The one that doesn't, we keep a Garmin in there. No idea why that one came home and not the Tom Tom, but it works like a charm!

To be honest they both have their pros and cons, but I stopped using mine all together once I got a smart phone, the app on my iPhone is so easy and you don't even have to input an address, just tell your phone you want to get to said location.

Years ago when my husband drug me kicking & screaming onto the GPS bandwagon we went with a Garmin. Although I really didn't want it at first & was convinced it would make me stupid (due to complete reliance on technology & not exploring new surroundings as I had always done) I actually found it quite handy to have around.
Now he uses his smart phone, the Garmin finally breathed it's last & I'm trying to decide if I want another one. I can't stand using my smartphone for a GPS if I'm driving for a number of reasons but also haven't decided to spend the money on a new GPS. If I do decide to though I'll probably go with another Garmin as I've had great experience with one & it seems to be a reliable product & company.
Hope you find one that works great for you!
May grace & peace be yours in abundance.

I have a Garmin and it still works well, I have had it for over 5 years and haven't updated the maps. Sometimes it shows me driving in the water or where there is no road, but the talking is always correct (what road I am one and where to turn).

We have several Garmin and they have never let me down. To the people that only use their phones, good luck if you go somewhere with rocky coverage ;) and you are still paying - using data and zapping your phone.

I have a fairly old Tom Tom and it works great - I like it better than my smart phone.

I had to laugh when I read your question, so sorry! (It's not you, it's me!) I have a Garmin and I understand how to use it. I'm grateful I don't have to ask my sons how to do it. My older son and I were driivng him to college 4 years ago, and stopped for gas. There was an older couple sitting in their car, and they called us over asking if we could help them. Turns out that someone had set their Tom Tom for their destination, and when they stopped at the station, they couldn't figure out how to find it in the GPS again. My son, techno that he is, figured it out for them and tried to explain it. I don't think they understood a word he said. I hope that they didn't have to turn their motor off again before they got where they were going!

Anyway, I'll stick with Garmin, because I'm worried that I won't be able to figure out Tom Tom!! (More laughs!)

We have a Tomtom for my daughter's car and I just traded in a car with built in Sync navigation. Traded for a brand new 2016 model and didn't want nav included...why? Because my entire family has a smart phone, why pay for nav in a car when you carry it around? Saved $$.

I have a Tom Tom, and it works great! I've had it for years and never updated the maps, but it's never been an issue. If the road is new and isn't on the Tom Tom, I just keep going and Tom Tom figures it out.

I agree that it's important for the voice to tell you the name of the road! Hard to imagine there were ever units made that didn't do that, but the companies can't think of everything on the first models :-)

I suspect you will be fine with either one.

I think living in KC means you should get a Garmin! If there's a choice I always support "local" companies! Their headquarters are in Olathe!

I don't know the two products, but can speak from experience having a system in my car:

Get one that verbally gives you the street names. Mine is 10 years old and does not. So, it will say I need to turn right in 1/4 mile, but doesn't say exactly where to turn. I can't tell you how many times I've had to guess if it's time and have guessed incorrectly. It shows the street name on the screen, but it's in tiny print that's only useful if there's a passenger who can read it.

My husband's car just says the street name where you need to turn, so there's no having to squint at the screen or guess. That's what you want.

we have both, the garmin is for hiking and boating, the tom tom is for driving. the garmin is old and a bit outdated and takes forever to load. the tom tom is much nicer for driving.