GPS - your thoughts

[namehater]

Recently the wife and I have been planning a few vacations, we are planning on going to Colorado for labor day weekend to do some site seeing. I find myself becoming more and more interested in picking up a GPS unit for the car, something i can take in and out in case we do the car rental thing, the only problem is, I dont know jack about GPS. How do the maps update? Does it have a monthly/yearly fee? Will they work in the mountains of Colorado?

I ask anybody here to post if you use one, like it, and if you would recommend it. By the way, I would like to spend no more than $400 on this unit and I want it to be the only one that I ever have to buy. Thanks for any input!

[Desi Cuse]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.... 153336304003

I don't know much about gps but coincidentally my sis is getting one for her car and we found this.

[namehater]

im definitely leaning toward buying from somewhere that accepts returns, just in-case it doesnt live up to my expectations, i love bbuy btw! their return policy is kickass

[ZoomZoom71]

Today, I just bought TomTom's latest offering: The TomTom Go 720. There's a very good write-up on it at GPSreview.net. For the longest time, I was leaning towards a Garmin nuvi 350, since "everyone" says the Garmin in the best. But, after reading several reviews, and realizing more about what I need/want, this TomTom unit seemed like a much better buy. I'll know more once I actually open the box but I don't doubt that I'll be pleased with it. The main feature I was seeking was the ability to insert multiple (like 20+) waypoints for a daily route and have it direct me to each of them in an efficient path. As far as I could tell, the TomTom 720 will allow me to do that, whereas none of the Garmin nuvi units would.

[namehater]

cool zoom, keep me updated, i will need to decide somewhat fast so that i can get it in my hands and make sure i know how to work it before september, so far, im kinda leaning towards the garmin streetpilot series, they seem to be about what im wanting, but i havent really started reading reviews yet, ill check your link out, i normally live by cnet reviews

[lovekeiiy]

I haven't used one or own one. Have considered getting it for my father since he does a lot of traveling for work.

From what I've read, they can be really useful. One thread I read on BARF (bay area riders forum (motorcycles)), one guy took to iceland and did a nice trip using it.

GPS is free. It's a public satallite. I'm assuming what you pay for is updated maps for the GPS unit. I have no idea what the cost would be. Maybe the site Zoom reference (gpsreview.net) may have some nice info as how GPS services work or a buyers guide.

[namehater]

ive been reading about them, and i think ive decided on the garmin streetpilot c340, bbuy has it for 350, but walmart has it for like 330, they do price matching , im gonna shoot for picking it about 2 weeks before the trip, thats unless im convinced of another unit

[AZRaiderH8r]

On a sort of related note, if you'd like some recommendations on where to go in Colorado, send either the lords of cool stuff or myself a PM. The lords live there now, and I grew up in Colorado. I'm sure that we can make some nice suggestions!

I'm jealous.

[Serren]

I own a basic handheld Garmin, an older eTtrex Legend. It really is a cool device. I loaded this thing with some really detailed maps that make traveling much easier and sometimes even fun. This is what mine looks like - https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?...3&locale=en_US

The street maps are cool as you can find places and see whats coming up and whats around you. Very handy if your in a city you are not familar with. Also cool is that it will show you local features and such, such as attractions, nature things, parks, cemetaries, all kinds of stuff.

My wife will also you ours while we drive to monitor our progress towards the destiantion. 3hr 33min and 23 seconds at current speed!

One of the best uses of a handheld GPS is using the device for what is called Geocaching. www.geocaching.com has all the details. Basically though, it is a world wide scavenger hunt for hidden caches of goodies. You enter the coordinates of a geocache and then goto that spot on Earth. There are millions of these caches all over the place. Some are even like riddles, with one hidden spot leading to another and such. Good if you like to get outdoors and get some exersice.

As mentioned, the software (data) you load into your unit is the key to the unit having all the information. The better the software, the more it costs. I am not sure what base info the units come with. But I doubt it will have all the bells and whistles mine does.

REI often has classes on how to use GPS units. They are free I think. I took a glass at a local commuinty college that showed me a bunch of stuff also.

Good luck!

[namehater]

i think we are going to the colorado springs area, im letting her plan this trip totally, im planning 7 day cruise in feb., i believe we are going on the train ride to the royal gorge and then gonna raft back down it, we are also planning driving up pikes peak, thats about it that we have planned so far, any suggestions up there are more than welcome, we just wanna relax and site see, oh ya, we are doing some lantern cave tour

[AlphaQ GehaD]

Well NameHater, I got This site specifically for you, cause They carry mainly the New and Current best GPS's. If your looking for the Old Garmins they dont have them here, But they have a Good price range of Gps's and i work at one of these stores. So if you decide to buy one and KEEP IT for the rest of your life cause you dont want to repurchase, I know a sort of Loop Hole with The Guarantee.

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/se...ader1.jhtml.13

Look at the First 2 Units on the Link, It should be the MAGELLON MAESTRO 3140 PORTABLE GPS & TomTom ONE GPS. These are what i recommend for people who are not huge GPS fans but need and want one just to simply Travel around, these are all the new models but are finally cheap. So its all current and up to date with the MAPS, of U.S. And Canada plus someparts of EUROPE.

Its 14 Day Retrun with 10% Restocking fee, But most places are like that. If you want to know the Loop Hole of Getting upgrades and Exchanges if it ever breaks let me know. Ill post in detail, Its even BETTER for Cameras. Let me know what you come up with Good Luck.

[BrewCityUpstart]

All I know about GPS is that I want one- unless the government is using it to track me.

[namehater]

gov can watch me take a dump for all i care

[BrewCityUpstart]

Originally Posted by namehater

gov can watch me take a dump for all i care

Well, at least they'll finally find some WMDs....

[AZRaiderH8r]

Now I'm really jealous man! I spent 12 years living in Colorado Springs! I'll be happy to make some suggestions.