Advice about 3rd party GPS systems?

recalcitrant

SORRY, I JUST POSTED THIS AS A "NEW DISCUSSION", WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN "ASK A QUESTION".

My 2011 Toyota Camry LE doesn't have a GPS system. I want to buy a portable, 3rd party GPS system. I have heard that my car has Bluetooth capability, although I'm not certain this is true. I have the following questions:

1. Does my car really have Bluetooth capability?
2. Is Bluetooth the only relevant technology for my needs?
3. Do I plug the GPS unit into the car's data port? Where IS the car's data port?
4. Do I need a GPS service provider?
5. What about a power source - do these things run on batteries, or can I plug it into the thing that used to be for the cigarette lighter?
6. Are these 3rd party products reliable?
7. Could I get the kind of GPS unit that actually talks to you inexpensively?
8. Is there anything else I need to know about 3rd party GPS systems?

Thanks for any help.

stever

A new discussion is fine for your questions, @recalcitrant.

I'm using a Garmin - it just plugs into a power port (aka cigarette lighter). They run on a built in battery too, but the battery life isn't all that long.

The "data" is on the Garmin (or TomTom or other GPS). Typically you can add a little card to the device if you happen to need room for additional maps or for extra POIs (points of interest) you can download. But usually you don't have to worry about that.

I think the gizmos are very reliable. Mine lived in the car through several UP winters up along Lake Superior and now it survives the heat here in southern New Mexico. The weak point is the plug that goes into the power port. Sometimes the spring in the little button in the very tip gets weak and the power connection gets broken.

Most of the GPS units talk to you and that's a handy feature.

I think it's worth it to get a GPS with "lifetime" maps. That enables you to plug the GPS into your computer and update the maps every few months.

I don't use Bluetooth, so can't help you there.

Amazon is a good place to compare units.

texases

My Garmin worked great until I switched to my phone. 

recalcitrant

Hi Steve, thanks for the help.

Mr_Shiftright

1. Does my car really have Bluetooth capability? It depends--it was standard on the XLE model that had the JBL audio; otherwise, probablyl not.

2. Is Bluetooth the only relevant technology for my needs? ----Bluetooth would be used to pair the Garmin to a smartphone or bluetooth headset. You can also use bluetooth to stream your Garmin audio to your car's speakers. Garmins do not pair with a vehicle's integrated GPS system as far as I know.

Pairing Garmin to a Phone and What you can do with it



3. Do I plug the GPS unit into the car's data port? Where IS the car's data port?--- Not sure what you're asking here. Did you want to use a cable to connect your Garmin to the car's stereo speakers?

4. Do I need a GPS service provider? NO
5. What about a power source - do these things run on batteries, or can I plug it into the thing that used to be for the cigarette lighter? --You can run on batteries but that won't last too long.
6. Are these 3rd party products reliable?--YES but they have some limitations and will occasionally make mistakes.
7. Could I get the kind of GPS unit that actually talks to you inexpensively?--YES, many inexpensive Garmins for instance have voice-activation.
8. Is there anything else I need to know about 3rd party GPS systems?--Just decide what features you really want, such as lifetime updates, live traffic, etc. There are a bewildering array of GPS and features out there.

recalcitrant

Thanks for your help, Mr_Shiftright.