Thread: GPS navigation Systems

...have been doing the same and Garmin is on the top of my list.
Screen size is a biggie for me. Most people I speak to say they love their Garmin after owning a few other brands.
Word of mouth goes a long way.

I've used most (ie tom tom, navman etc) and I own a Garmin......There is no doubt I will stick with Garmin until the others catch up. I have relevatives with a tom tom and it very rarely sends them to the correct destination...

I know there will be others who have different views, but thats what makes the world a wonderful place & allows competition in the market place.

Originally Posted by wolften

...have been doing the same and Garmin is on the top of my list.
Screen size is a biggie for me. Most people I speak to say they love their Garmin after owning a few other brands.
Word of mouth goes a long way.

If I buy a Garmin what should I expect to pay and what should I expect for my money?

I know this is an open ended question but without going over the top what is an average or ballpark figure?

Colin.

I think there are several models so price would depend on the one you buy.

Harvey Norman has a great range but I don't know how they compare in price to other retailers.

We have a Tom Tom.

I like the fact that you can update the map on the unit itself - i.e. if a road is blocked, you can include that in your GPS. You can download others fixes and addendum, so the purchase of a new version map is delayed.

I dislike the fact that you have to know the suburb before you can find the street. I would love to be able to either search nearby suburbs, or do a search by street name.

Overall, I would probably look at another Tom Tom, but would also spend some time actually looking up addresses on a unit before buying.

Cheers,
Andrew

Originally Posted by artme

I think there are several models so price would depend on the one you buy.

Harvey Norman has a great range but I don't know how they compare in price to other retailers.

Yes Artme......there are so many models, that is my problem, I have trouble working out what I am getting for the price as their ads are sometimes very obscure.

I thought someone who had a Garmin could tell me that for Y price you should expect to get A B and C or for Z price you should get E D F and G.

It always helps to give you an idea when someone who has an item can tell you what it does and what they paid for it.
A bit hard to explain but I think you have an idea of what I mean.

No worries I will just keep an eye out on the ads until I see what I think is a good deal.

Colin.

Again, you need to do the research and decide on what features you want for what application.

If you want auto-routing on 4 WD tracks I don't know which will work. Certainly not Garmins with their Topo Aus V 2*, which frankly is rubbish. I've used the Nuvi 760 and that mapset and found it unreliable even at IDing major outback dirt roads.

To recover from geog embarrassment take a good paper map and an Etrex to give you a fix.

Maybe the new Hema Navigator performs better.

* edit: shld say that they don't claim it will, but my test of their auto-routing even on the roads its claimed to work on yielded results that appalled me

Originally Posted by rsser

Again, you need to do the research and decide on what features you want for what application.

If you want auto-routing on 4 WD tracks I don't know which will work. Certainly not Garmins with their Topo Aus V 2*, which frankly is rubbish. I've used the Nuvi 760 and that mapset and found it unreliable even at IDing major outback dirt roads.

To recover from geog embarrassment take a good paper map and an Etrex to give you a fix.

Maybe the new Hema Navigator performs better.

* edit: shld say that they don't claim it will, but my test of their auto-routing even on the roads its claimed to work on yielded results that appalled me

You are right Ern, there is no easy way, I will have to do the research and work out what I want and then find the best price available.
One of the criteria is NZ maps as LOML, daughter, sil and children are heading over the pond for a couple of weddings and a bit of a holiday next month and I was hoping to have something sorted before they go, I will have to get A in to gear.

Regards,

Colin.

Well, if it's just blacktop nav you want that's less complicated. Eg. Garmin Nuvis now come with NZ maps too (std inclusion, City Navigator) IIRC, and there are free and workable NZ open source maps you can download:

NZ Open GPS Project (tho the find address function does not work in Mapsource, the Garmin PC based mapping mgt program; dunno whether it works on the Nuvi stand-alone)

Originally Posted by rsser

Well, if it's just blacktop nav you want that's less complicated. Eg. Garmin Nuvis now come with NZ maps too (std inclusion, City Navigator) IIRC, and there are free and workable NZ open source maps you can download:

NZ Open GPS Project (tho the find address function does not work in Mapsource, the Garmin PC based mapping mgt program; dunno whether it works on the Nuvi stand-alone)

Thanks for that Ern, I will check it out and see what price I can get it for.

Regards,

Colin.

Another vote for Garmin here.

But isn't it a bit like asking which mobile phone is better. What might be seen as the best today, is outdated and obsolete tomorrow.

Had another look in a different store today where the young fellow claimed to have tested quite a number of the models displayed. Seemed to know what he was on about


The new MY series Navmans are looking really interesting. A couple of good specials on thee ATM with Clive Anthony.

Here's a useful website with reviews and descriptions of features:

GPS Review : GPS Reviews

US-based tho.

Originally Posted by Yonnee

Another vote for Garmin here.

But isn't it a bit like asking which mobile phone is better. What might be seen as the best today, is outdated and obsolete tomorrow.

When you put it that way Yonnee, I have to agree with you!

Colin.