Buying an in car GPS?
02-18-2009, 01:47 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: C172 Left
Posts: 642
Buying an in car GPS?
After a few years of driving around and not knowing where I am, I've decided it's probably time to buy a GPS device. I'm looking for something in the 200-400 dollar range, and am most interested in the hotspots feature (can it find local restaurants, movie theatres, etc). Any suggestions?
02-18-2009, 03:13 PM
#2
On Reserve
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Position: PA-28, finally moved to left seat
Posts: 18
Okay, I wrote a long and thorough review but I guess I waited too long and when I clicked to post, I had apparently been logged out and my detailed review was missing when I logged back in... Anyway:
I have a Tom Tom which I absolutely love (I am not sure which, it was a gift). The hotspots feature is awesome and I frequently use it to find gas stations and food. I work in real estate and as such I spend the day driving and frequenting new destinations each day. The Tom Tom is seamless and I would recommend it to anyone. But before making this look like a shameless plug, I will list the pros and cons, cons first:
Cons:
-Occasionally it will take 2-3 minutes for it to find a valid GPS signal. Not a big deal but can be frustrating if you are in a rush and live in the city.
-It does not work in tunnels, it will guesstimate your position for about 15 seconds or so before giving up. It will take up to 10 or so seconds for it find the signal again. This can be irritating if there are exits you must take (but are not sure which) within the tunnel (or right as you exit the tunnel).
Pros:
-Extremely accurate estimated arrival time
-Very clear voice with tons to choose from and tons available to purchase via download (multiple languages).
-Connects to PC with a USB (not Apple though (at least not mine), this should have been a CON). This is great as you can really customize the GPS as you please and purchase tons of extra features for it, most are only a couple bucks.
-Password protection.
-Can be manipulated as you drive. I point this out because my girlfriend has a car with a built in GPS, when the car is moving the GPS features block out. You must come to a full stop before you can do anything the GPS.
Anyway, I hope this helps. There are lots of different GPS systems out there and most are pretty comparable.
Good Luck!
I have a Tom Tom which I absolutely love (I am not sure which, it was a gift). The hotspots feature is awesome and I frequently use it to find gas stations and food. I work in real estate and as such I spend the day driving and frequenting new destinations each day. The Tom Tom is seamless and I would recommend it to anyone. But before making this look like a shameless plug, I will list the pros and cons, cons first:
Cons:
-Occasionally it will take 2-3 minutes for it to find a valid GPS signal. Not a big deal but can be frustrating if you are in a rush and live in the city.
-It does not work in tunnels, it will guesstimate your position for about 15 seconds or so before giving up. It will take up to 10 or so seconds for it find the signal again. This can be irritating if there are exits you must take (but are not sure which) within the tunnel (or right as you exit the tunnel).
Pros:
-Extremely accurate estimated arrival time
-Very clear voice with tons to choose from and tons available to purchase via download (multiple languages).
-Connects to PC with a USB (not Apple though (at least not mine), this should have been a CON). This is great as you can really customize the GPS as you please and purchase tons of extra features for it, most are only a couple bucks.
-Password protection.
-Can be manipulated as you drive. I point this out because my girlfriend has a car with a built in GPS, when the car is moving the GPS features block out. You must come to a full stop before you can do anything the GPS.
Anyway, I hope this helps. There are lots of different GPS systems out there and most are pretty comparable.
Good Luck!
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