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Thread ID: 115549 2011-01-23 20:34:00 GPS recommendations please powerover (12121) Press F1
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1172008 2011-01-23 20:34:00 Hey there guys, I will be moving down to nelson from palmerston north to start my first ever job in about 2-3 weeks, I have only been to nelson for once, jst for 1 day (the job interview).

I think I will need a GPS so I can get to know the place a little bit better, since I will be living there (I am really bad when it comes to directions).

My requirements:

under $300, the cheaper the better
have spoken out voice instructions
have a big screen (my eyes are bad)
comes with all the mounting kits
if I take a wrong turn it will reroute me and suggest alternative routes
doesn't cost much to update maps (I will probably update it once a year)
easy to use (duh....who buys a GPS because it is hard to use...)


I know almost nothing about GPS and was wondering if you guys could give me some ideas.

I was told that tomtom is good, navman is good, but what model should I get??

anything else I should know about GPSs???

I know that some phones such as iphone and some android phones have GPS apps, are they any good??? do they have spoken out voice instructions?? if they are good I don't mind spending a little bit more to get a phone.....but I do prefer a dedicated unit tho, seems cheaper that way.


Cheers, thanks for the help in advance.
powerover (12121)
1172009 2011-01-23 21:00:00 NAVMAN

Check out the AA :)
Zippity (58)
1172010 2011-01-23 21:01:00 I've used both TomTom and Navman and they're both good, if at all possible I would highly recommend going to your local Dick Smiths and taking a look at the display models - it can be hard to gauge how big they are from a website (and how the interface works etc) but you may find when looking at one physically one or two will jump out at you as suitable, and from there pick one that suits your budget

A mate of mine recently got this one and it's very easy to use: www.dse.co.nz

...but I stress don't just buy online without seeing it first, you can usually walk into a store and try them

Personally I would go with a dedicated unit yeah, I don't know if it would an issue if you're using GPS on an iPhone and the phone rings...??

Also make sure you can easily take the unit off the holder when the car is parked, all it takes is for one unscrupulous individual to see it on your dash and bam - window broken, GPS gone :(
Halwende (3418)
1172011 2011-01-23 21:42:00 I heard Navman support isn't as flash so maybe TomTom or Garmin.

If you watn a larger screen - get the larger screen ones.
If you want voice guidance - get the car versions.
Car version should have the windscreen mounting included but check.
Car versions will automatically re-establish the route for you if you miss the turn, asking you either to do a u turn or after a while it ask you do turn in there etc etc ..

All GPS are easy to use etc .. if you don't get into the other features. Set you destination and just follow it ...

Re: the map updates. Forget it. Roads don't change often. If you wanna know, Navman historically has been the more stingy one in terms of free map updates. With the other 2 and Uniden you may get Australia for free too and some free map updates for just a year or two. That's all. This arn't Windows Updates. If you want more you have to pay for updates. When I bought my Navman a few yrs ago, I got nothing for free. I heard that now some Navman customers have problems getting their updates that they were promised.

I think if you wanna look for international maps that you pay for - look at TomTom or Garmin, much more available, Navman only have a few maps. Also if you are looking at free maps others have generated look at TomTom or Garmin, but I think Garmin is better for that but don't think you get heaps of great maps cos they require someone's free labour to make them so you may find that maps are half done that they only have the main streets, no smaller streets, some may also have no routing ability - that is cannot search and select go to ... all you do is look at your red dot or car icon (your current location) and look at the map and find your own way there .......

PS. If you are into using your maps with other GPS units in NZ or overseas. Navman is harder to work. Ie., Navman only allows you to buy a map and it is activiated on that (1) device. You need the internet for that. If you bought a USA map you cannot put that simcard into someone's GPS cos it won't register. Nor can you swap them if you had like 2 Navmans.
Nomad (952)
1172012 2011-01-23 21:48:00 Garmin is the way to go. Weekly map updates free via a web site here in NZ. Find something wrong and tell them and it is fixed the next week.
www.gwprojects.org
veldthui (15543)
1172013 2011-01-23 21:52:00 Re: handphones. GPS, yep they work, yep they may want to use cell towers (data) to help them but you can disable them. I have read that others find it not bad.

You can buy cradles for them.
But I think you have to buy a subsciption if you don't use mobile data if you want routing ability and yes you can put it in car mode and it will talk to you.

Adv is that they have unlimited free map updates but check.
HTC has TomTom partnerships but check the details some maps may still need a map purchase but many don't and then the mobile data or subscription if you want "purely offline" routing.
AFAIK Android or iPhones use Google, newer ones may allow you to use offline Google Maps but you still need mobile data to do routing unless if you buy a 3rd party software.
Nokia - free maps, but routing needs subscription at $20/year whether you have or don't have mobile data. Mobile data just make it a bit quicker.

Good thing with cell phones is that you can use it on travel and it is one unit. Smaller screen thou. Given the price of some car units if you can use the smaller screens IMO I have a cell and a car GPS. I might not have a dedicated hiking GPS unless you are going camping etc ...
Nomad (952)
1172014 2011-01-23 21:53:00 Garmin is the way to go. Weekly map updates free via a web site here in NZ. Find something wrong and tell them and it is fixed the next week.
www.gwprojects.org

Yes, that's the exception. I haven't able to locate any good ones overseas. But anyway if you buy a GPS mapping device in NZ, they should give you the NZ official map anyway .....

I am not sure if they speak to you thou ...
I have this map with a parallel import Garmin 60Csx which is a hiking unit, hiking units don't talk to you. They just beep at you and you need to look at the screen.
Nomad (952)
1172015 2011-01-23 21:56:00 Hey there guys, I will be moving down to nelson from palmerston north to start my first ever job in about 2-3 weeks.

Lucky you! I'm so jealous.

Husband likes his Navman but the non-free maps annoys me a bit. At $129 - might as well just buy another GPS....

Got mine off Trademe, older model but it was great, cheap, no issues, trader bought it over and demonstrated it.
pctek (84)
1172016 2011-01-23 22:17:00 Awesome! Another PF1er to have a beer with in January. :D

I love the Navman stuff, any big name retail store will have the EZY30 or EZY40 for under $250. I use a MY30 regularly and it's great, the EZY are very similar. Compact and functional, 2 hour + battery life, and charge with a mini USB port so no silly plugs to worry about.

I sorted out a map pack for a TomTom some brought back from the UK - they payed 79 quid for it, and $139 NZD for the NZ map pack! :lol: Still a good deal though I suppose.

I don't think you would get free map updates with any cheap GPS, happy to be proved wrong though. Sometimes I see Repco advertising 2 year free map updates or something, generally only when they're running a promo though.

Ironically i've used the MY30 to get from nelson to palmy and around palmy a few times, and it's been flawless.
wratterus (105)
1172017 2011-01-23 23:21:00 Awesome! Another PF1er to have a beer with in January. :D



is that a hint at me to organise a day out in the sunshine sampling some local produce?
gary67 (56)
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