GPS - any recommendations

Can anyone recommend a good GPS? I am looking for something with slightly bigger screen as I dont like to squint my eyes while driving.

I use Garmin.

The new nuvi 5000 has a 5.2" screen

I use the Garmin 750 which has a 4.3" screen. Garmin rocks. I've seen and sampled a few of the others but keep coming back to Garmin.

PS. BT, it's not the size of the screen which matters... it's how fast you can get a picture refresh

I am using Garmin 610, 4.3" screen, very happy with it, easy to use, no hastle.

I too recommend Garmin. But do some research on what you are looking for as there are many models. The newer ones are 3maps with junction view, which can easily cost abt 420 and above. The 2D versions would cost about 399 and less.

My personal recommendations are 3D versions. Even that you need to think where you need:
1) - Bluetooth - for hands free connectivity with yr handphone that has bluetooth
2) - FM Transmitters - for voice transmission to radio
3) - Junction View

Technospaz wrote:

PS. BT, it's not the size of the screen which matters... it's how fast you can get a picture refresh

hahaha

Actually u dun really have to look at the screen. but in case u need to, usually it will auto zoom in...

Somehow or rather my garmin doesnt tell me the speed cam locations. On Eugene's, it does. Got figure out mine, why it did.

Size within 4.3 or 5" is more than sufficient. if not, it gets too complicated for dashboard.

golfdiva:

I think you might want to set a budget for this. Most GPS are quite legible, despite small screens.

If you wish to get a GPS, the most important thing to look for is SirfStar III. This is the best chip that is used in GPS products right now and it gives almost instantaneous lock-on to your location. However, these are more expensive than products that are not using SirfStar III.

As far as I know, Garmin offers the best variety of maps (read: free). So it might be your best bet.

By the way, in case if you don't already know, the people managing the GPS satellites might be discontinuing the service in a few years time. Apparently the service is costing them too much to sustain. In short, our GPS devices will become obsolete by then. As to exactly when they are going to do this, I am not sure.

Cheers

rocky wrote:

By the way, in case if you don't already know, the people managing the GPS satellites might be discontinuing the service in a few years time. Apparently the service is costing them too much to sustain. In short, our GPS devices will become obsolete by then. As to exactly when they are going to do this, I am not sure.

I didn't know this but I'm not surprised that this is the case. While I see this to be a problem, my guess is that they won't shut it down. Rather, they'll charge people for access. Almost like an "online" service. There are a lot of GPS users out there (in the US, almost every car has one) so there's certainly money to be made. It's just a question of how and how much.

Ok. Let me just add a little more to what I've mentioned about GPS.

The following article highlights the possibility of GPS failure due to "mismanagement (and) underinvestment".
GPS System could begin to fall within a year

The GPS system is managed by the United States Air Force. And the following is their rebuttal.
AIr Force Responds to GPS Outage Concerns

Cars are just the tip of the ice-berg. Every single shipping vessel in the world uses GPS to navigate the oceans. As of date, there are approximately 180,000 large scale shipping vessels in the world. They use GPS to indicate their own position and also to tell other vessels. If the GPS goes down, all the identification devices on the vessels will come to nought. In short, there would be mayhem on Earth!

Back to topic...

GPS is still safe to buy. As what I have mentioned in the above paragraph, they won't down these satellites so quickly.

My recommendation still goes with SirfStar III chipsets.