[Serious] Opinions wanted... Looking to purchase... GPS system

[techgnome]

What I have:
An Acer laptop w/ Win7 running Streets & Trips 2010. I've got a GPS reciever somewhere that came with S&T 2006 originally. Works. But, laptop is kind of a bit much and don't really want to have it on all the time if all it's doing is running S&T. So I'm looking to get some sort of GPS system.

Normally when I buy stuff like this, I make a list of what I want it to do - the Must Haves - and a list of options - the Would Be Nice If, but not necessary.

I want it to be able to use trips that I've planned with S&T, so I know it's gotta be able to read GPX files. That also means some sort of communication means, via either USB, BlueTooth or SD Card, or WiFi even. After that, I'm not sure what to look for.

Voice guidance is probably OK, but I'm not sure if that's a gotta have. The primary use would be for vacations and longer trips, not so much around town (except at destinations) so I don't think real-time traffic is a necessary deal (although, having grown up in the jungles of the LA-Freeway system, it would definitely be a nice bonus.

I see so many different models out there, and they all seem to be virtually identical. Suggestions? Recommendations on what to get, or just as good, on what NOT to get?

Thanks.

[FireXtol]

Some smartphones support GPS apps. I've heard good things about TomTom.

[baja_yu]

I have a Garmin Zumo 660 which is primarily for motorcycles but it comes with both a bike and a car mount. I've also used Garmin maps on mobiles like Nokia N95, N97, E71, and iGo on my current HTC Desire (no Garmin for Android ). In short, a phone is no substitute for a standalone GPS device. It's good for first aid but nothing more, and drains the battery like a sonofa-female dog.

When it comes to GPS, Garmin and TomTom are market leaders and I'm sure you wont go wrong with either. Though I personally prefer Garmin.

[techgnome]

Yeah, I'm not interested in phone solutions. It's not something that would get used often enough to warrant that. I'm looking for a standalone GPS system.

-tg

[abhijit]

Garmin Nuvi FTW!

[baja_yu]

Check this out https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

Its a list of all their automotive models. On the left side you can tick features you want to narrow the search. Regarding prices I'm sure you can find lower prices if you shop around.

[techgnome]

That helped some baja, thanks... only issue I had with it was that it only listed BlueTooth... didn't allow me to see which ones have USB or SD card slots... and quite a few of the features they list fall into the "meh, I don't really care about that" category. But it did give me some ideas on what's out there.

-tg

[baja_yu]

I'm pretty sure that all have USB and card slots. You could probably find in the detailed specs.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I think you will want the voice features. Every time I have used one, I have found it to be a good idea. The alternative, when actually finding a route, would be to take your eyes off the road to look at a screen. Might as well be watching TV.

On the other hand, I also think they should improve the voice features. They are waaaaay too polite. A little personalization would be a good thing.

[EntityX]

On the other hand, I also think they should improve the voice features. They are waaaaay too polite. A little personalization would be a good thing.

Voice from soon to be GPS device : You dork make sure you don't miss that next right turn.

[baja_yu]

Oh yes, I completely agree with Shaggy. With this too, I think all are able to give voice guidence (with Garmin at least), the difference is that some models are able to speak street names (instead of saying turn left, it says turn left to [streetname]) and voice recognition (to be able to control it with voice commands). These two others aren't very important to have and I personally didn't see much benefit from them.

Regarding voices, TomTom has the ability to upload custom voices (not sure about Garmin). I've read recently that Brian Blessed (the bearded guy from Flash Gordon) will be doing a novelty voiceover for their devices.

[abhijit]

I think you will want the voice features. Every time I have used one, I have found it to be a good idea. The alternative, when actually finding a route, would be to take your eyes off the road to look at a screen. Might as well be watching TV.

On the other hand, I also think they should improve the voice features. They are waaaaay too polite. A little personalization would be a good thing.

You should check out Tom-Tom where you can customize voices. You can have additional character voices like Mr T.

[FireXtol]

Relevant? http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/360655/g...hazard-satnavs

[honeybee]

Doesn't anyone think getting lost is fun?

.

[I_Love_My_Vans]

I don't like getting lost, but do I do like exploring... what I might to is slap the GPS on my motorcycle, ride in unfamiliar places then when I want to go home I'll turn it on and let it do its thing.

When I was a kid and the family would go on holiday we'd always get lost, this caused a massive argument so I guess that's why I don't like getting lost :-)

[Lord Orwell]

my opinion here is find a model with a small keyboard or voice recognition. I tried entering an address in a garmin recently and finally gave up and used my phone.