Portable NAV, What you using?

[acdii]

Discovered my TomTom has a crack in the screen. :( So looking around I see several out there, Magellan, Garmin, TomTom, etc. The TomTom has a sent to car app, lifetime map and traffic updates, and you can add your own POI. Magellan has one with a builtin dashcam. Haven't looked at Garmin.

 

I like the idea of the Dashcam, but reviews say it washes out easily and does not work well at night.

 

So what are you using and what features does it have compared to others? I would like to be able to get local fuel prices and weather on it, like what the Ford builtin Nav with Travel link has.

[GrySql]

I have two of these Garmin nuvi 2555LMT 5", one in each car. I have the exact models so when I jump from one car to the other they work the same, no confusion.

With the Garmin you can download all your address info to your computer and add it to another model later, or just as a backup. I was able to do this when transferring data from my older nuvi 755, what a time saver! The map updates are kind of slow because of USB 2.0 from the computer. Garmin has PC or Mac compatible software.

There are also quite a lot of POI's available from a support website.

You can get extension cables for a permanent install here. I used these, it is a special USB cable, not all USB cable will work.

 

My model has been replaced by the 2559LMT but no problem with support or map updates. Certain new models come pre-loaded with the Foursquare POI data base, a good deal.

--

 

As far as Dashcams I have a Street Guardian SGZC12SGSK Panorama G.

There is no battery so it takes temperature extremes easily, is small, has a built-in GPS, can use very large SD cards, a long power cable, very clear day/night.

[corncobs]

I only use Google maps for navigation since it has all the information I need to go from point A to point B.

 

I used to have a TomTom One but that had a software glitch and was dead after a software update.

 

Since my experiment with an action cam as dash cam didn't quite work out I just bought a Falcon Zero F170 64GB, 1080p Full-HD 1920*1080p 170° Wide Angle. So far it makes nice videos.

[Texasota]

I have been using an older Garmin nuvi 50LM (5 inch screen) for several years. It is a no-frills model but it continues to work well and I still update the maps regularly.

 

I also use this dasmount stand which I like a lot and it stays in place even with hard braking:

 

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/shop-by-accessories/mounts/portable-friction-mount/prod63953.html

[jeffo65]

I also use Google Maps for navigation. I use Gas Buddy for gas prices.

[sschnath]

I've got a Garmin Nuvi 3597LT. Has lifetime maps and lifetime HD traffic. I did not have a smart phone at the time of purchase so I was looking for a device that was self-contained.

 

If I had to do it again, I would look for a similar Garmin model that has the lifetime maps but not the lifetime traffic subscription and without voice activation. Here's why:

 

The HD receiver (built into the power cord) recently died. Even when it was working the, HD traffic reception was spotty and many times inaccurate even just 45 mins outside of Boston. I actually expected it to be much better near a major metropolitan area. I thought I had a bad GPS it was so inconsistent. After the HD receiver died, I started researching replacement options for the cable (which is ridiculously expensive due to the traffic receiver) and I decided to try their Smartlink app as I had upgraded the phone since the initial GPS purchase.

 

I'm extremely happy with the traffic functionality now. There is an annual fee but it's not excessive and the data usage is low. Unless you know someone who has the HD traffic in your area and can vouch for it I wouldn't pay extra for it.

 

I've also disabled the voice activation as it would get triggered occasionally by certain songs and then I had to disable the bluetooth phone connectivity (done at the phone actually) as once it a while it would grab control before the Sync system would and I think calls through the Sync system work better. Once I made those tweaks it's been great.

[GrySql]

I also use this dasmount stand which I like a lot and it stays in place even with hard braking:

 

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/shop-by-accessories/mounts/portable-friction-mount/prod63953.html

I had that one, worked nice. When I gave my older unit away to a family member it went with it.

I have this one now and it works very well too, I prefer it.

[Texasota]

I had that one, worked nice. When I gave my older unit away to a family member it went with it.

I have this one now and it works very well too, I prefer it.

I like these friction mounts because it is very easy to pick them up and store them in the center console (or under the seat) which eliminates all visual evidence of a portable GPS in the car.

[GrySql]

I like these friction mounts because it is very easy to pick them up and store them in the center console (or under the seat) which eliminates all visual evidence of a portable GPS in the car.

Yes, I agree but in my FFH's situation I actually need one.

My windshield is tinted with Air Blue so I cannot hang a suction cup mount from it.

My GPS is placed in the left corner, next to the 'A' pillar, very handy.

[acdii]

Well the TomTom crapped out when I was in Madison this morning, and using the iphone for navigation is a PITA since I cant see it unless I am holding it, so stopped at BB and was going to get a TomTom Go 60 and saw a Magellan Dash cam and considered both, then saw a Garmin Nuvicam, and for less than what the TomTom and Magellan would have cost I got that instead.

 

http://explore.garmin.com/en-US/nuvi/

 

Not only does it record video, it also has collision warning and lane keep alert, though the LKA is a little over sensitive on rural roads. The screen is nice and large and easy to see, and can pinch and squeeze like a tablet to zoom in or out easily. It also has an APP for the smartphones that appears to be working pretty good, can get weather, traffic, etc. Right now I have it updating maps and everything, which will take a few hours. The video is OK at 720p but a bit jerky. I did a snapshot of a huge turkey that was in the road, but it didn't come out well enough to be seen. Going to get a larger Mini SD and switch to 1080p.

[machoman1337]

Garmin Nuvi 50LM. It shows you exactly which lane to use when exiting a freeway or making a turn. I use it in rental cars.

 

It has a micro SD slot so I can download maps of other countries, put them on the SD, and then use my Garmin in other countries.

 

I personally dislike using a phone as a GPS. The screen is often hard to see in sunlight or with shades on (depending on the angle). You need to buy a separate mount for the phone unless you want to keep fishing it out of your cupholder, which is dangerous. It also sucks up data and battery - even if you have a car adapter or a USB port, most stock phone cables aren't long enough. On the other hand, a Garmin already comes with a car charger and a windshield suction cup clamp, and the maps are all stored locally so it works in remote areas with no phone signal. It also has a matte screen that is easy to see in bright light, even with sunglasses on. Well worth the $99 IMO.

Edited May 20, 2015 by machoman1337

[corncobs]

Reads and locks pretty good on the website.

 

Good luck and fun with your new toy.

[raadsel]

Garmin Nuvi 50LM. It shows you exactly which lane to use when exiting a freeway or making a turn. I use it in rental cars.

 

It has a micro SD slot so I can download maps of other countries, put them on the SD, and then use my Garmin in other countries.

 

I personally dislike using a phone as a GPS. The screen is often hard to see in sunlight or with shades on (depending on the angle). You need to buy a separate mount for the phone unless you want to keep fishing it out of your cupholder, which is dangerous. It also sucks up data and battery - even if you have a car adapter or a USB port, most stock phone cables aren't long enough. On the other hand, a Garmin already comes with a car charger and a windshield suction cup clamp, and the maps are all stored locally so it works in remote areas with no phone signal. It also has a matte screen that is easy to see in bright light, even with sunglasses on. Well worth the $99 IMO.

 

If you want to use your phone but don't want to use the data, you can use Here -- which is free on iOS, Android, and Windows phone. You download the maps (again, free) you want, the maps are the same as Ford uses in their Navigation system. You can download entire countries or, for the US and Canada, you can just download the states/provinces you need. The only data it will use after the maps are downloaded are traffic information; though you can turn data use off completely, if you want.

 

Granted, you still have to have a mount and cables and may get glare on the screen.

[acdii]

Well the update took 8 hours! My EEnternet sux. It has so many features on it that I am still finding things. It also has two trip recorders that show miles, elevation, average speed and time. Right now I am downloading the camera software, and maps to my computer so I can pre-plan and upload to the device. What I like is the magnetic base, it snaps on and off and locks on.

[machoman1337]

 

If you want to use your phone but don't want to use the data, you can use Here -- which is free on iOS, Android, and Windows phone. You download the maps (again, free) you want, the maps are the same as Ford uses in their Navigation system. You can download entire countries or, for the US and Canada, you can just download the states/provinces you need. The only data it will use after the maps are downloaded are traffic information; though you can turn data use off completely, if you want.

 

Granted, you still have to have a mount and cables and may get glare on the screen.

 

Heard of those. I recall TomTom had a popular app as well.

 

How much memory does it take though? On a 16 GB phone my storage space is rather tight, which is another reason for using a portable Garmin.

[raadsel]

 

Heard of those. I recall TomTom had a popular app as well.

 

How much memory does it take though? On a 16 GB phone my storage space is rather tight, which is another reason for using a portable Garmin.

 

Looks like the smallest state map (Hawaii) is around 135 MB and the largest (California) is about 500 MB. Normal voice files are under 10 MB, HiFi voice files are around 65 MB. If you have an SD card slot, these files should be able to be loaded to the SD card.

 

The TomTom app is about $60 on iOS and then has extra charges on top of that for various features.

[djminfll]

I've been using TomTom since 2007, and I really like it. I got a new TomTom shortly after getting my FFH, and this one has voice control so I don't need to keep tapping on the screen and typing in information. I really like it, and it's small and light, easy to bring with me when I rent a car.