Need Advice: GPS Systems

Sharon Kay

Sharon Kay

New member
I would like to get a GPS ... but I know nothing about them. Does anyone have one and do they recommend their particular model? What do you like about your model...special features and such???

A friend showed me hers last weekend and we used it to get to a restaurant...but being the gabby girls that we are...they talked right through 2 directions it spoke and there didn't seem to be a "repeat directions" button. It told me again when time to turn but we were in the wrong lane. Just wondering if you can get one to repeat the last instruction? I'm imagining being in a car with kids and them making noises and you missing the directions.

I'd love to hear your opinions on them! We're getting ready to do some traveling to cities we are not familiar with and I think it would help. PLUS...I am navigationally challenged here in our area! lol

Thanks so much!
 
We have a Garmin Nuvi (I can't remember the numbers) and I can't tell you how much I love love LOVE it! We bought it right before we moved to Germany, and I use it all the time here. It has the maps for Europe and the US, so we can use it when we get home, too. Ours shows which way to turn and how far away the turn is, so if you didn't hear the directions, you can just see it in the corner. It also repeats them right before you are supposed to do it, so that helps. I would definitely recommend one. We love ours!!
 
I 100% agree with this! I love my Garmin Nuvi (I call her Vivi) so much that my parents were gifted one! LoL
My dh has taken it to europe - and like Allie said, it's worked over there as well as here in the states.
The important things to look for is find out how far in advance it tells you to turn (and if it's metric only) and text to voice commands - so that you can actually HEAR the directions and not just have them printed on the screen.



AllieP said:
We have a Garmin Nuvi (I can't remember the numbers) and I can't tell you how much I love love LOVE it! We bought it right before we moved to Germany, and I use it all the time here. It has the maps for Europe and the US, so we can use it when we get home, too. Ours shows which way to turn and how far away the turn is, so if you didn't hear the directions, you can just see it in the corner. It also repeats them right before you are supposed to do it, so that helps. I would definitely recommend one. We love ours!!
Click to expand...
 
Ahh...you're talking about our Jill! LOL! We have the Garmin Nuvi 350 and she is a godsend! DH travels a LOT and she makes it easy for him. (One of the voices is "Jill" and that's who tells us the directions so we gave her a name! ;))
 
DH has a Garmin that he takes to put in his work car (he is a recruiter so drives around a lot) and he loves it! I love to use it myself too, to meet him places around the city that I have never been to before.
If you miss a turn on mine, she tells you where and how to turn around to get back on the right path to your destination. Very cool.:thumbup:
 
DH and I both use the Navigator through our Verizon cell phones and we love it. It's a small fee each month and it works wonderfully. Just another option to think about!
 
I loved reading all these...and the tips of what to look for!! Thank you very much! I was in office max today and so bad wanted to buy one for our upcoming trip...but...knew I would get shot if I came home with one without discussing it first. lol

Anybody have one they DON'T recommend?

Anything you wish was on yours that you didn't know to look for when you bought it?
 
My MIL got one that absolutely SUCKS, lol. I don't recommend it. Couldn't tell you what it is though.

It worked alright sometimes, but it was so finicky and such a PITA. If we left it in the van, it would get too hot and then not work for several hours (we took it to Cali and didn't have directions for how to get ANYWHERE there, lol...planned on using GPS, but we ended up having to try to find Legoland in Carlsbad, CA without GPS, ugh). It doesn't work well up here at all...it's got the most updated maps, but it always shows us driving through a field, lmao (the roads have changed slightly about 10+ years ago, but it still doesn't realize that the road isn't where it used to be), and at every crossroads, it would tell us to "drive to the highlighted road" (which we were actually already on). And forget trying to find your way through anything new, or have it find a specific place if it's moved within the last 10 years.

DH really wanted to get a GPS...like really, really wanted one. But I think they're a waste of money and a waste of time...we know how to get everywhere around here. The amount of times we would use it in an area we aren't familiar with is like once every 2 years, lol.
 
justmp said:
Ahh...you're talking about our Jill! LOL! We have the Garmin Nuvi 350 and she is a godsend! DH travels a LOT and she makes it easy for him. (One of the voices is "Jill" and that's who tells us the directions so we gave her a name! ;))
Click to expand...

Yes! LOL "Jill" sounds like she's a drinker... and well, since my name is Jill - I didn't want that (always) to be associated with me - hence, Vivi :)
(My son has even taken to my habit of talking back to her. "I know, Vivi. I know - another .2 miles. Got it" etc - HA! I'm glad I'm not the only one who names their "voices")
SharonKay-
I'm not sure where you are - but in Europe they have the option to get speed limits and GPS can tell you where the traffic cameras are located - VERY helpful. Check into some of the other options. And make sure that you get one that doesn't require a fee/month.
 
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wow, really? Sean Connery's voice? mmmmm yummmy

would love George Clooney's voice too . . .

I don't have the VZW Navigator myself (the one through Verizon) but my friend does and if you go off course it automatically reoutes you back on course.

i'd def go for one that you can easily remove from vehicle and carry w/you.
 
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