kbm6893
Member
Want to pick one up this holiday season. Both are about the same price ($100). Anyone have experience with either one?
Portable GPS: Tom Tom or Magellan?
- Thread starter kbm6893
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I have a Garmin, but suppose they're pretty much alike. Never leave home without it, even if I think I know the way.
Used it extensively in Maine, Florida and western NC recently. Helps find points of interest, restaurants, sporting goods stores
,fillin' stations and just about anything you may need.
Where they "get you" is the "yearly updates", when they offer to upgrade the software for a "fee". I don't do that every year as I figure not much could change, but do it like every 3 years.
Before making a trip we load up the GPS with evry place we may visit. Better to do it beforehand, imho, than when you get on the road. You can always delete whatever you don't need.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Used it extensively in Maine, Florida and western NC recently. Helps find points of interest, restaurants, sporting goods stores
,fillin' stations and just about anything you may need.Where they "get you" is the "yearly updates", when they offer to upgrade the software for a "fee". I don't do that every year as I figure not much could change, but do it like every 3 years.
Before making a trip we load up the GPS with evry place we may visit. Better to do it beforehand, imho, than when you get on the road. You can always delete whatever you don't need.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Babalooie
US Veteran
I bought a Tom Tom for my car. Didn't like it. Was told TOM TOM is an English company and their North American software has issues. Ended up with a Garmin and am pleased.
windjammer
Member
I have a Garmin, which I like.......have no experence with others. They can be had in the same price range.
Magellan
The nice lady in my Magellan really enjoys arguing and uses the term "Make a legal U Turn" quite often.
The nice lady in my Magellan really enjoys arguing and uses the term "Make a legal U Turn" quite often.
IcarryS&W
Member
Another vote for Garmin. Mine gets used extensively making customer service calls for a Propane Company in rural East Texas. Even most small dirt private roads are in the system.
I like my Garmin the best.
kalei
Member
I personally like Garmin, tried the others and they don't work as well.
Log into garmin.com and you can check out all the models and comapre features
Log into garmin.com and you can check out all the models and comapre features
tomf52
Member
Garmin! Love mine.
ChadW
US Veteran
My wife loves her Garmin. It's very good from what I've seen.
Jerry N.
Member
I have a lower end Garmin. I like it except for one thing. It doesn't seem to have an option to stay on a main highway. We were driving from St. Louis to Detroit and it kept wanting to take state roads versus staying on the expressway. Generally though, I'd rather have any cheap one with all its flaws than none at all.
Jerry, do you have it set for fastest time or shortest distance? Using shortest distance could be why it's taking you off the Interstate.
We have two Garmins, both are 4.3" screens for ease of visibility at a quick glance. They have been trouble free for a few years now. Some friends bought Toms and Magellans and have had issues, and their experiences drove me to buy Garmins.
Both have the street name feature. This is VERY useful, because the device says, "In 500 yards turn left onto 1st Avenue," instead of "Turn left in 500 yds." That's fine, but how many people can judge distances away from the target range? Not many.
The larger-screen device with the street name annunciator feature is well worth the extra $$$, IMO. With these things, like many electronics gadgets, you definitely get what you pay for. Spend the extra $$$ for the user-friendly features.
JMO,
Noah
Both have the street name feature. This is VERY useful, because the device says, "In 500 yards turn left onto 1st Avenue," instead of "Turn left in 500 yds." That's fine, but how many people can judge distances away from the target range? Not many.
The larger-screen device with the street name annunciator feature is well worth the extra $$$, IMO. With these things, like many electronics gadgets, you definitely get what you pay for. Spend the extra $$$ for the user-friendly features.
JMO,
Noah
Milanfire2
Member
Garmin,the best.
I have a Magellan - works great. My only complaint is that firmware updates from Magellan's web site require a Windows PC. I am a Mac user, so always have to scrounge to borrow a friends PC when I need to update the firmware.
pete-driver
Member
I use the Magellan. I like it. I drive a semi so it really allows me to focus on traffic rather than small road signs and building numbers. I use it every day and would not want to go back to maps.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I own 4 Tom Toms and they've all been great. They're easy to update, and they're the only GPS I've found that has reservation roads loaded in. Also, I've got Homer Simpson's voice in mine telling me where to go. D'oh!!
Hofstet
Member
Have a Tom Tom and a Garmin. Both great units.
