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Suggestions to buy GPS

 
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I am searching for a good basic GPS which is economical. I don't want a GPS with MP3 player or blood sugar level detector.

I have few questions for those who has GPS.
  • Which GPS do you have?
  • Why did you buy that GPS and not any other?


  • Why one should look for Text to Speech feature in GPS? It is one of the features which affects the price. GPS shows you on which street you are and when you should go where? You can turn by looking at the GPS and rare chances of making mistakes.
     
    Bartender
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    I originally had a Garmin Street<something> but it broke in an airplane ride. I really like the Garmin interface.

    I replaced it with a TomTom because there were good, portable TomToms which, just like you said, didn't have MP3 players, or options to brush my teeth for me. It seemed if I wanted to get a Garmin I had to go full in and get a 2000 piece in one driving experience kit. The TomTom had options like that, but also had small, simple devices which were cheaper. The TomTom interface is okay, and the voices are good, but I like the Garman interface better. I think the TomTom is less conservative when choosing paths too - meaning it is more likely to send me on small roads to avoid longer distances on larger roads. This can be good (less traffic usually) but can also be a problem (stop signs, curvy roads you can go fast on, etc...), and it seems to do it excessively, a lot more than the Garmin would.

    I think the text to voice is a key feature. Being able to hear the Street you need to turn on is a lot better than having to keep an eye on the GPS. Keeps your head up and looking for the turn.

     
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    Vishal Pandya wrote:I have few questions for those who has GPS.

  • Which GPS do you have?
  • Why did you buy that GPS and not any other?


  • Why one should look for Text to Speech feature in GPS? It is one of the features which affects the price. GPS shows you on which street you are and when you should go where? You can turn by looking at the GPS and rare chances of making mistakes.



    I bought a Nuvi 3xx, about two years ago. Don't remember the exact model though. I bought it because my brother loaned me his for a couple of weeks -- and I liked it.

    Speech is absolutely essential if you are driving, as it is very difficult to look at the GPS, while you are driving. As such, other needed features are (1) use of descriptive street names, and (2) a bigger screen. If I had to do it again, I would have upgraded to the 600 series for the bigger screen.

    Another feature that I would have liked is the bluetooth. The only times that I use a cellphone bluetooth is in the car, and this would have saved me the need to constantly charge a headset. The GPS also lowers its voice when the bluetooth is in use too.

    Henry
     
    Ranch Hand
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    Some other features to check..

    1. Red & Speed camera alert
    2. Which version of the map
    TomTom Map
    3. Nearest Petrol , Parking etc

    If you are not experienced driver then It is better to buy with text to speech feature. It help me lot . I use NavMan.

    HTH
    -TS
     
    Thillakan Saba
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    one more, Real-time traffic information If you are daily traveling to city. You can choose the features depend on your needs.
     
    Rancher
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    I've had two Garmin over the years, and am about to buy another. The first was an original Street Pilot, I bought it last century, it was cool at the time, but limited.
    I replaced it with a Nuvi 660, and like it a lot.

    But I'm going to get a newer one, they improve all the time. The 660 is obsolete these days.

    Warning: these standalone GPS are probably on their last legs as products, all of the smartphones have GPS, and Google has annouced turn-by-turn instructions.

    So whatever you buy, expect it to be totally obsolete in a few years. Kinda like a laptop
     
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