Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
NM is New Mexico.
It's like my nav is reading the abbreviations straight from the road map. You really have to listen between the lines sometimes.
Bingo, that's what I meant to say.
A novice GPS user may struggle but an experienced one will understand better.
She. Samantha is more than an it to me. We have a special relationship and I love and accept her little quirks like semicolon.
The kids get a kick out of the semicolon. Although now that I think of it, I updated her just before this trip to Quebec and the semicolons were gone.
One feature I really like is the speed readout on the screen. It adapted the km/ph to mph. The readout usually turns red at 5 mph over the limit. In Quebec it turned red at 3 mph over.
Karen also turns red when I speed, but even at 1mph over the limit.
A 5" screen looks as big as some 7" built-ins.
IQ routes is based on a constantly updated data base of traffic patterns at different times of day and days of the week.
The traffic routing is much better than I had with Navigon. Simple announcement that , for example, a "New route has been calculated that is 11 minutes faster, would you like to use it?" A big yes or no button appears. Wonderful and intuitive. I have not used xmtraffic so cant compare.
It is truly disturbing that a ~ 200 dollar device outperforms factory nav units by such a wide margin. I never new a gps could be so good. BTW, graphics and voices on the Garmin are a little fancier and the voices maybe a bit clearer, but this new TomTom has better routing due to IQ routes and that more than makes up for it.
Other Tom Tom faux pax: Exiting White Sands National Monument to go to Albuqueque it wanted me to turn right southbound for 40 miles to get onto an interstate to go north. The correct answer was turn left northbound to Alamogordo and jump on a nice wide divided road northbound. It couldnt find a main street in Santa Fe exiting the municipal parking garage.
Here in Florida it wanted us to go north from Bradenton to Tampa to Orlando to 95 SB when we could have just gone due east on 60 to get near Melbourne.
As I said, I love the layout of the unit but you always must know about where you are going before you use it. And you must put up with their horrible computer map buying service.
in my car. The Tom Tom uses the same USB port as the Creative. I use the Creative
Stone to listen to Audio Books that I download from the Library for FREE.
I like things that have dual purpose less wires to deal with. Has anyone have any other
dual purpose stuff that they have used?
from Newport Beach to Anaheim over 30 years at least 300 times, On the freeway.
Somehow I got turned around had to exit in Santa Ana nobody knew the correct way
but Tom Tom did.
While driving last December in New Mexico there was a wreck and there was a detour
Tom Tom got us back on the right track it was dark we were tired thanks Tom Tom.
I am 60 years old I can use all the help I can get!
Phone service said that's it.
I followed up with an email listing the trail of RMAs and that I felt I deserved a map from somewhere around 12/2009 or 1/2010. After she bumped the question to a leader and I got a couple of messages that the three days for followup had expired therefore the problem was solved, I emailed and got another replay that the handler was waiting, due to a recent update in their computer systems.
After about 10-12 days I got an email to call. I was treated with care by the phone person. They checked my ability to do updates from TomTomHome and placed a more recent map there for me to download using the update connection into the TomTom. It took about 50 minutes. The phone person warned that it could take up to 1.5 hours so be sure I would be able to let it go through its process.
Map updated. I have equivalent to what I started with.
Only quirk I've found for sure it that my GPS wanted me to get off at the exit at Fair Road in Sidney, Ohio, going along I-75 and reenter the interstate at the same ramp. Odd.
But a friend had said that on the return from New Hampshire recently their GPS wanted them to go into Erie PA along I-90 and then reenter I-90 heading west along the lake to Cleveland..
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It worked, but POIs were desperately bad. It knew all the roads and their names, but lacked even major POIs like Fortaleza's Pinto Martins International Airport. It also lacked Beack Park, the largest water park in Latin America!
That's like not having Disney or Orlando International Airport here in the USA.
My guess is that is probably because they focused on the southeast, i.e. big cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The map designers simply didn't get to Fortaleza, even though it is a huge tourist city so you'd think it would matter.
It did have the airport in Recife, but that's 9 hours away.
We found addresses for the airport, Beach Park, my dad's house, etc. and the navigation worked just fine with any street address. In fact I'd argue it suggested better routes than my dad was choosing, i.e. more direct and fewer traffic lights.
So to conclude:
* navigation worked well
* street names and the street maps worked well
* POI database was completely useless, embarassingly so
If you want to take your GPS with you to drive in Brazil, just make sure you get every street address of the places you plan to visit, and don't rely on the POIs.
The maps cost $99 when we bought it a year or so ago. They may be better now, but I imagine it will take until v7 or so to really get a useful amount of POIs in there for smaller cities.
Hot batteries.
Loved the product for the most part though. Costco has them on sale for under $200 now.
Mine's been OK. I have a 1490T in my van, connected to a BlackBerry Bold 9700 model. Before that it worked well with a Curve 8900 model.
I also have a 265wt model in my Miata, and that's also worked well so far with both BlackBerry handsets.
Out of curiosity - what phone do you have?
The first 1490T we had was messed up from the beginning. When I registered it online I could update the software but not the maps. Then we didn't always hear the voice when we used it. Bluetooth connected okay the first time she used it but after a couple of weeks, it froze the unit. Bluetooth quality was quite poor though... not that I had high expectations.
I just picked up the new one yesterday and she hasn't tried the phone with it yet. It downloaded the maps just fine though so I'm hoping that it will be okay this time.
We had a chance to use the original on a trip and it had pros and cons. I was surprised that it didn't show much detail. It didn't name a lot of streets and no names for rivers, lakes, and towns was a big disappointment. The econ thing seems like a huge waste too... speed is the only real factor.
The lane assist and speed limits were very helpful and I liked that you could get elevation posted on the screen permanently. It wasn't as easy keep that info and to switch between track up and true north though.
At least the price is good right now.
Hopefully the new one works, including BT.
I haven't played with the Env2 - we use BlackBerrys exclusively here at work.
There is a setting where you can ask for more details, make sure you change that. But I have heard from old-school Garmin lovers that fewer street names appear on the newer models, FWIW.
Lane assist - yep, neat.
Speed limits - definitely. Reminds me to slow down but also to speed up!
Elevation - used that last weekend in Ocean City, MD. My condo is 17 ft above sea level. Gulp.
Yeah, I set it for the most detail. I've read about the lack of names as well. Seems odd to me but maybe those little things just don't have the memory to hold it all.
Funny, though, that even as they add features (Bluetooth, Traffic, etc), they still can't do what older models used to do. To be fair, some of those older models were at much higher price points. I remember the first time I shopped a GPS was around $700 or so. :surprise:
Windshield and dash mounts are highly restricted in California (and MINN I think) so that leaves either a vent mount or floor mount.
I've held the NAV "down there" near the gearshift and it seems fine, and I do like the idea of it being out of sight when parked but not really very hard to see.
Downside? You do have to glance down a bit now and then, vs. a more eye-level dash mount.
Upside? No heat from the sun, no conspicuous mount up high, doesn't block the AC flow (can you actually freeze a smartphone doing this?)
Any ideas would be appreciated!
Visiting Host
1) http://www.discountcell.com/ (Purchase iGrip)
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVBRBC3l8ww (iGrip Traveler Kit)
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAwrlaMYBSw&feature=related (iGrip Universal Car Mount Solutions Overview)
Thanks for those links. I think I'll get some tape or string and hang the phone here and there in the car, just to see what seems best, and then pick one of those from that website.
I like that the Droid lets you speak your destination choice. As long as the pronunciation isn't too exotic, it's fairly accurate. But when you get into those Spanish place names in California, watch out!
On more high end phones like a Driod it might be free with a more expensive data plan.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Yes. I just mapped from my house in Boston to my SIS in tiny town Oklahoma.
My iPhone of course doesn't do text to voice without paying for the navigation plan or buying an ap from any of the traditional navigation companies.
The key with the maps on cell phones is that the phone doesn't store the entire map like a gps. You get what you need right now from the service provider. I wouldn't be suprised to see the gps companies start working the phone companies to provide that service. Heck, Garmin is toying with bringing out a smart phone.
Well okay, let's say a Smartphone GPS does cost you $30 a month, over and above any normal cell phone bill. For this $30, you also get your e-mail and all other Internet access. And your Smartphone costs less than a Garmin. AND you get all your updates for free. And an 8 megapix camera, which takes really good photos (for my limited needs I mean).
So really, for me, it's worth it. I don't have to buy a new Garmin or a new digital camera--and I slip the phone/camera/GPS into my pocket when i leave the car....and it's a walking GPS too, and also has a bicycle mode and a hiking mode to track you (adding another APP which is free as well, called "Tracks"). I can also add, for free, "TRAFFIC", which gives me alerts and congestion info by location.
I'm not too geeky, so really I prefer very streamlined and basics functions and APPS.
I'm sure that people who demand really versatile, expert devices would not be as happy as I am.
So you are right for that $30/month I can get all that stuff with the Navigator or pay $20/month and get all that stuff less the navigator. So the navigator still runs $10/month. So in over a year or so I would save money buying a stand alone GPS.
FWIW cameras on phones are not that good, I will stick with my DSLR.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
So for those of us who a) have smartphones already b) use e-mail and Internet access by phone (business-related people) and c) don't need a DSLR quality camera, the GPS and camera capabilities on the smartphone are just part of the same package.
From my point of view, I didn't spend $500 on a point and shoot camera, and a base-level Garmin. If I bought both of those, I'd still have to pay the $30 for e-mail and Internet.
You must have a newer phone in that mine only has a 5 megepix camera. It's ancient - I think I got it new in February.
I especially like how easily you can switch the NAV program from car to bike to hike. And of course it talks to you while you walk. Worked quite well in San Francisco.
A friend got the first Droid when it came out, but his GPS app crashed every time he tried to show me. I'd be really curious to try out the updated device + software.
I don't think the portable Garmins are going anywhere. There's room for both.
Plus - there are many places that don't get you a cell signal, then if you're lost, you're lost, you can't call or get directions. A Garmin just needs a view of the sky, so that only happens in a tunnel or indoors. Having a cell gives you redundancy just in case.
These phones are getting better and better (which is why I'd like to sample one) but I don't think they will replace a good portable.
But sure, a dedicated device is usually better. If I were a serious backcountry hiker for instance, or a serious photographer, I wouldn't be using no stinkin' smartphone.
But I have to say, the NAV program on the Droid so far has been top notch. I am truly impressed, and my skepticism overcome.
Do they make a GPS where you NEVER have to touch the screen? I'd like one of those! :P
I've been curious to sample a Garmin that accepts voice commands. I've used Bluetooth, FM traffic, etc. but not voice commands.
I'd never be able to read the traffic circulation map on the Droid APP unless I stopped the car---too small.
I started with 3.5" units and they were a bit small. 4.3" widescreens were better, and I have a 5" unit that's amazing. Buttons are BIG so far fewer typos.
My BlackBerry is a Bold 3G so the screen is tiny. I've used Google Maps to lookup traffic info but it's slow and 30-60 minutes behind reality.
The FM Traffic on the Garmin is also a bit behind, maybe 20 minutes or so before an incident shows up.
I'd like to see one of these use real-time data, perhaps other Garmin users traveling the same roads, look at average speed.
In reality there are other options but the bundle the unlimited data and nav into one package and retail it that way. Trust me there are tools customer service reps can use to give you other options if you really press them. Its usually retention plans to keep you from going to another carrier so getting them may be a matter of timing on your part.
don't need a DSLR quality camera
I am a little more serious shutterbug than most people. I know there is no camera phone that could have gotten this shot.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I have several photos I have taken that I have blown up to poster size hanging around the house. You just cannot do that and have it look good with a camera phone.
Thanks for the "atta boy" on the picture, that deer was at least 100 yards away when I got him (her?). here is another one of it then back to the topic.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Not bad for what it is....
I saw six (6!) deer a block from my house, this in a developed suburban community, with houses built 40 years ago.
Grabbed my BBerry, rats, it was locked, by the time I was ready to take a pic only 2 were left. Bummer.
My good camera was in the other car.
They come for the easy pickings on your shrubbery. Heck, my 40 YO neighborhood 15 miles from downtown Boston has foxes, wild turkey, coyotes in addition to deer.
We also see fox, coyotes, possums, racoons, etc. Plus the usual squirrels and chip munks.
With Google maps navigation, you get turn by turn spoken and listed directions for driving, biking, walking and public transportation. You can chose a different route, then the one your on. All alternate routes are shown at the same time with travel time, distance and route shown on map with traffic. You can speak your destination by name or address, make your selection, and go. (Don’t need the address, If you know the place name, event, etc. and city or state. It will find it by using the internet.) The graphics are much better then the ones on my Harmon/Kardon. It has both 2D and 3D graphics and looks really nice.
I can listen to my music on my phone and still navigate and not miss a turn, with the muting of music when the nav. Speaks. I can choose to pull up additional info. on a destination: like ratings, picture, and a brief description, to make sure it’s the right place. (You can see a picture of your destination as well before you get there.) I can see my current location, next turn, next street and my destination all on the main screen. (You can add a destination to your current route.) Recalculating is just as fast as my Harmon/Kardon.
The maps are up to date and are for all over the world. I looked up stuff over in Africa, Brazil, Virgin islands, etc. I can even search POI and have them displayed on the map. If the destination has a phone number, I can call it from the nav. Screen. I can save my favorite places and have them be displayed on the map for quick view as starred places. Only draw back is, my screen is only 3.1 inches. (I’ve gotten over that though) Also, it uses satellites and/or cell towers for you current location. So, if you don’t have a cell signal, it should still work off the satellites.
So, for me, my cell phone is a GPS, mini computer, MP3 player, satellite radio, camera, video recorder and keeps me up to date with the news and weather. Instead of having 7 different electronic devices, I have it all in one. How convenient. One last thing, I have unlimited data on my phone for $30 a month and have tones of free apps that came with it, including Google maps nav. The way I see it, the data plan I have more than pays for its self with all the free stuff. Just having a satellite radio subscription alone, would cost around $10 a month. Most of the time you have to pay for traffic info. On a GPS which various in price. (I have both for free)
I took off on an earmark road yesterday for an hour - one of Robert Byrd's 4 lanes to nowhere in West Virginia, aka Corridor H. Luckily my out of date nav system has a mute so I didn't have to listen to "Proceed to the nearest road" more than once.
LOVE the screen, wow, 4.3" is so huge next to my dinky BlackBerry Bold's screen. It's significantly bigger than the iPhone's 3.5" screen, too, though resolution isn't any better.
He gave me a quick tour of the Nav app, which looked like regular Google Maps, but he said it does now offer voice commands.
Couldn't delve deeper because we're indoors and didn't have a GPS signal. To be fair, my Garmin doesn't get a signal in the same place, either.
Looks promising.
The Droid NAV is pretty darn impressive. I really like that you can talk to it and just name a building or place, without an address, and it'll give you a list of choices and then, once you pick, a route.
For instance, as I was typing here, I spoke into the phone and just said "Edmunds, Santa Monica" and it came up with the route from my house some 350 miles north in a couple of seconds.
I haven't priced the land line cost yet for the new place. Qwest was burning me for $35 a month in Boise - I used Google Voice for free long distance and when we sold out and hit the road, I signed on to Skype for $3 a month for unlimited long distance calls to land lines.
Verizon irritated me mightily this month - I got a $10 phone from them from Walgreens for the second car since we were shuttling both cars to the new destination and it was lots cheaper and better than buying walkie-talkies. When I tried to sign up online to buy minutes, they want my DOB. I don't think so. Then when I tried to buy minutes over the phone, they tried to tell me the new minutes would expire the same time that the original minutes did. Idiots. That phone is going to the recycle bin. I'm loathe to give any carrier carte blanche for 2 years.
Then again, I don't need a phone for work like you do.