GPS Help

[RAAMONE]

Im looking into getting a GPS unit...kind of just for the hell of it

I dont need anything fancy, I just want it to talk to me and tell me where to go

I was looking at the Magellan Maestro 3200...its only like $130...however there are alot out there for that price...anyone know if one is better than the other or own any of the cheaper ones?

Also do they plug into the cigarette lighter, cause my XM already uses that

Thanks

[Thebazile78]

Im looking into getting a GPS unit...kind of just for the hell of it

I dont need anything fancy, I just want it to talk to me and tell me where to go

I was looking at the Magellan Maestro 3200...its only like $130...however there are alot out there for that price...anyone know if one is better than the other or own any of the cheaper ones?

Also do they plug into the cigarette lighter, cause my XM already uses that

Thanks

The hubby has the basic TomTom; he got it on sale at Thanksgiving. I don't know which unit number it is, but it's got a decent-sized display (not huge) and the voice is pretty neat. I hear there's a site where you can download other voices, like Mr. T, to read your directions.

It works pretty well, no street names, out loud though. (I think you have to pay a subscription for that, but I'm not sure.)

I happen to hate it because it's given us some bizarre instructions to places we know how to get to (that's how we tested it) and occasionally does a "turn left" at a spot where you need to take a jughandle to cross the highway, but, generally it's no worse than something like MapQuest. (I hate having it taking us weird routes through familiar territory and seeing my husband listening to it. Sometimes I wonder if I get especially peevish because it's a female voice.)

Yes, it does plug into the cigarette lighter ... BUT you can get a multi-port adapter at Radio Shack or another store like that so you can keep both your XM and your GPS plugged into the lighter outlet. The adapter is pretty inexpensive, but I don't know the ballpark cost.

[RAAMONE]

thanks...and that was my other question...do you HAVE to get a subscription...or do they come with the free basic features?

[Thebazile78]

thanks...and that was my other question...do you HAVE to get a subscription...or do they come with the free basic features?

Yes, you get basic maps and category "searches" (i.e. - restaurants, places of interest, gas stations, etc.) with your unit's base price.

I don't really know enough about the one we have to tell you if there's a "subscription" option, but since all you're really waiting for is which direction to turn, and it tells you stuff like "make the third right" and pre-warns you when an exit or turn is approaching, you don't need it to announce place names or anything like that.

Test it out with places you know how to get to first, though. It'll give you a sense of how you may need to tweak the directions as you go. And print out a backup set of directions from Yahoo! Maps, just in case.

[Freitag]

I have a TomTom One. There is NO subscription to it.

It comes pre-loaded with a lot of stuff and allows you to have one free map update. I think you have to buy updates if you want more down the road.

There's also an option for traffic updates, but I think that IS a paid subscription. Not sure though. You also need to get a special antenna like your XM.

We've used it in both Arizona and here and loved it. The only issue we have is that some stuff isn't on the map, but if you get a general "fix" on where you want to go and map THERE, you should be fine.

(For example, my brother's development in rural PA wasn't on the map, but a pizza place near his development was. So I mapped to the pizza place and then "found my way")

I'm pretty happy with it. If you want a lot of bells and whistles, there's other models of TomTom, but I'm good with my basic one.

[nukinfuts]

Im looking into getting a GPS unit...kind of just for the hell of it

I dont need anything fancy, I just want it to talk to me and tell me where to go

I was looking at the Magellan Maestro 3200...its only like $130...however there are alot out there for that price...anyone know if one is better than the other or own any of the cheaper ones?

Also do they plug into the cigarette lighter, cause my XM already uses that

Thanks

I've had a Garmin Street Pilot for a couple years now and I really like it, my sister got a Garmin Nuvi for Christmas this year and I kind of like that too because I don't think you always have to keep it plugged into your cigarette lighter and you can also use it in "walking mode" which comes in handy when you are a hick visiting a city like New York. I love my GPS, I haven't been lost since I have had it, however you do have to download updated maps like once a year, okay you are supposed to but I haven't done it yet and i still haven't gotten lost. If you drive alot it's a good investment or in my sister's case if you move out of state you can at least go out and explore your new town and still find your way home. I think the Nuvi's start at like $200 but sometimes places like Sams and Target have them on sale for pretty decent prices.