GPS - which one

Y

yudencow

New member
Have a Palm TX.
I was thinking about getting Tom Tom, then heard their maps are over a year old.
So- what GPS (bluetooth) & software are recommended?
Or do I get a designated GPS unit - Magellan Roadmate, Garmin ...?

main features are good satellite connections, voice, address to address, traffic would be nice and re-route.


Thx
 
Short version - search for TomTom here and you'll find a review I did about 3 years ago with a T3 and TomTom. I hated it.

I own a T5 now and also the following:

Garmin iQue 3600 (although it's now died).
Garmin 2620 (still used but only has 2D map sets).
Garmin 2720 primary GPS that uses - 3D maps sets, text to speech (tells you take right turn onto Main Street rather than telling you to make a right turn in 300 ft.)
Garmin iQue 3000 - similar in size to the 3600 but does have 3D maps and good battery life. I use this one when travelling via air and in the rental car.

TomTom's biggest problem was they are based in Germany and tech support was delayed by 36 hours. Map installation was terrible. I had 6 CDs and had to use to install maps from Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington - had to use all 6 at various times.

TomTom is currently being sued by Garmin for patent infringement. So you can take it for what it's worth.


Now to give you some more GPS info: All of the vendors buy their map data from one of two companies that provide it. Either Navtech or (name escapes me at the moment) so the underlying data will always be off by about 6 months to a year.

In my opinion here are the problems with using GPS on a Palm device that is not dedicated:
1. Loss of Bluetooth functionality depending upon device.
2. Screen brightness - you can't see it so you better be able to hear it with a voice prompt.
3. Mapsets - you have to have at least a 1GB card to have the entire USA on it and plan on making that card dedicated to that function - cuz they don't like to get corrupted nor have the file path structure changed by some errant Palm program.

Reasons to get a more permanent GPS:
1. Interface is dedicated and not stripped down so you get all of the functionality that you don't get in a Palm version.
2. Screen brightness - world of difference in being able to see it.
3. Sound - speaker's loud enough to overcome my stereo.
4. PC interface is available when you want to upload way points etc. - easier than working through the Palm.

Ok so I vote for a dedicated unit - btw - I did this after having the iQue 3600 and I still stand on this point. It's nice to have a small converged unit but after you get past the "wow" and "ego" factors - functionality overcomes the bling.
 
Is a pocket PC based unit out of the question?
I'm just recommending it... dont get angry.

Navman PiN i hear is pretty good (it's black with silver buttons) and it's a dedicated unit. Umm... here in Australia I currently have the previous PiN (they have model numbers, but i can't remember) and it's fairly good. Havent tried the new one but the current one there is really only one problem, the speaker. It's loud alright but clarity could use a bit of work.

It seems you are aiming at a Palm based system.
Good luck with which ever decision you make, it's well worth it, probably one of the best investments for me.
 
Personally, I use a standalone GPS reciever, a Garmin eTrex venture, coupled with a bluetooth adapter from www.semsons.com, plus Delorme Street Atlas 2006 Hand Held. Reasons for this combination:

Stand alone GPS can be used for other things: geocaching, hiking, etc...
Not gonna use bluetooth for anything else when I am driving, as I have a T5 and no BT on my cell phone
I found the GPS washed up on the ground in Biloxi, MS after Hurricane Katrina. Prce was right...
Delorme software $30, most other systems MUCH more than that...

Reasons against:
T5 hard to read if you don't have a dash mount for your car, or if there is any sunlight glare
2 devices harder to handle when carrying
GPS starting to have problems and isn't under warranty any more...
Some issues with Delorme's map data, but you will have that with all of them
Delorme has no pre built maps. You build all of the maps on the PC as you need them, then transfer those maps to the hand held. A PC is a must for this setup.

Hope this all helps some with the decision.
 
I opted to get a standalone model: the Garmin Nuvi 350. I think it is the best purchase I've made in a lifetime! I'd even say it is better than the wheel or sex.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe only better than the wheel :)
 
Back
Top