Car GPS recommendations?

[Weetabix]

My wife has a Garmin Nuvi something-or-other that my daughter covets (because she can't navigate her way out of a paper sack).

We've decided to get her one for her birthday.

What brands or models have you used or do you like?

ETA: I'm looking at this one because it's similar to what we have (shorter learning curve) and it has the lifetime map updates. Any strong reasons against it?

[Erik]

I prefer TomTom myself. Used a Garmin a few times and not very fond of it, but I think it's pretty much a personal choice, and up to personal preference.

I have an old model TomTom that i really need to replace, but haven't bothered yet. It still works fairly ok, but there's not enough memory for all the maps i need, with updates.

I'd recommend a model with enough memory to hold all the maps you need, as well as updates, POI's and maybe a few sounds and symbols. Traffic info and speed cameras is nice to, if you want to pay for it. And you do want to update the maps regularly, so all the roads are up to date.

[MarkD]

I've had good results using the app on my (android) smart phone.

[Erik]

I've had good results using the app on my (android) smart phone.

Yeah, I've used that too. It works, but to me it's more of a thing to use in absence of a "real" car gps. Smaller screen, not as easy to see and follow, etc...
If I have a choice, I prefer a dedicated gps.

[rightisright]

I've had good results using the app on my (android) smart phone.

Yeah. I have a few different GPS models in my work vehicles. But I always find myself using my Galaxy III in a dash mount. I've found its real-time traffic to be the best. And it's hands-free... just speak the destination.

[Weetabix]

I've had good results using the app on my (android) smart phone.

Yeah. I have a few different GPS models in my work vehicles. But I always find myself using my Galaxy III in a dash mount. I've found its real-time traffic to be the best. And it's hands-free... just speak the destination.

That's what I do, personally, as well. My phone's navigation feature does everything I need.

Daughter doesn't have a smart phone, though.

[randy]

I'm a fan of Garmin, mainly because they have, in the past, been easier to integrate into my amateur radio gear. That and they have a wide range of GPS models for things other than vehicle travel on highways.

One advantage of a GPS over a smart phone is the lack of monthly fees. There's also the issue of being out of cell coverage to get your maps in some places, such as out west. Or if there's a failure of the cell system.

Our office just got 2 Garmin Nuvi 3590 LMT's for our vehicles. Lifetime map updates and lifetime traffic updates. So far so good. Have not run into a situation yet where the traffic updates were useful.

You can get the same unit cheaper without the life time traffic or life time maps.

They have good support for adding in custom way points using .csv spreadsheets, so things as adding in frequently visited locations, emergency rally points, etc.

[Captain Wheelgun]

I bought a bluetooth GPS a few years ago to use with a laptop computer and a PalmPilot that I used to have . Now I'm thinking about jailbreaking my 1st gen iPad so I can link it to that.

[Jered]

I've had good results using the app on my (android) smart phone.

I've have good luck with the app on my iPhone.

[Yogimus]

I have used all 4 systems mentioned here:

1. Android system can fuck you over IF you are getting a call when you are hunting for an exit
2. Same with apple, with the added benefit of maps being wrong (It reads county lines as roads around these parts)
3. Garmin is a more "official" looking operating system, with more features, but has the worst interface of all the types listed here
4. TomTom is the simplest to use, with cartoony graphics, but lacks some of the features of other systems (features that have little or nothing to do with navigating)

All in all, get the cheapest PoS you can find, because she is just going to leave it in the car and have it stolen within a month anyway.