Yeah. My iPhone is excellent.
Before that, my Android phone had GPS capability that was just as good as my old Magellen unit, except that the Google map that the phones use is more up-to-date than the Magellen, and they wanted $85 to download an update to the unit.
I think the stand-alone GPS units are on their way out.
Sorry I can’t help you. I own 2 Garmins, have lifetime updates for both and have been very satisfied with both. 1390 and a 2455.
I-phone or android with Waze app.
I’ve had a Garmin for about 8 years. No problems, other than the map is old because I refuse to pay the $80 for an update.
I had a TomTom, and I will never buy one again. The touch screen would not work if it was at all warm, I had to hold it in front of the AC vent for a long time to get it cool enough to work. About a year after I bought it, it quit working all together.
So given your experience, it looks like a gamble either way with those brands.
I use my Android (work) or iPhone (personal). They both are excellent. Voice recognition for inputting addresses just cannot be beat.
And you should ALWAYS know how to get to and from your destination. Even if it's somewhat vague. Geography should be second nature. It's hard-wired in the male brain, actually. Don't eschew it. Embrace it.
Throw the GPS away. Deep inside, you know you don't need it.
If you're a woman, however, ignore this. You shouldn't be driving...
I like my Garmin. I occasionally have problems similar to the ones cited, but overall, the Garmin GPS is a boon and much preferable to Mapquest, foldout maps (do they still make those?), or a map atlas.
The few times I use my Garmin, it is acceptable.
My main issue is it has trouble routing me via major roads. It tries to route me via shortcuts, even though I have set it for minimum time.
I need an update also. Is there a cost associated with update?
ATT Navigator on my iPhone is just fine.
Buy a Mac.
*dissolves in laughter*
Sorry! *laugh*
Couldn’t help it. *grin* That just appears to be the standard response for the San Fran crowd and their supporters these days, it just immediately came to mind. *snicker*
I am not familiar with GPS units for commercial use as the only ones I worked with were for Time and Date standards, or Location. Hope someone can answer your question for you.
Never failed me, always have a good feeling where it is I am going. Have used a Garmin GPS in the car, but it was mostly backup. Th routing sucks ballz quickly found out the one time we gave it a shot. Good to watch your progress to where you already know you are going.
Buy an iPhone???
We used an iPhone 6 and the “Waze” app on our last road trip (1400 miles a few weeks ago)...worked pretty well. The live road conditions/traffic updates by fellow Waze users are pretty neat. Waze is also available on Android. The synthetic voice lady/guy does mis-pronounce road names a lot tho.. ;-)
Used this for dash mounting the phone (got it at a Love’s truck stop): http://www.bracketron.com/products/mi-t-grip-dash-mount#.VROgD1xaREw
Off Topic; In my area, Garmin Products air a certain commercial on the radio during the Christmas Season, one that I like.
It’s a take off of MerryMerryMerryMerryChristmas,
it goes ‘Give a Give a Give a Give a Garmin!’
So far, no atheist has filed any ‘complaints’ about it.
We use Navigon when we travel.
I do agree that standalone GPS units are on the wane from the smartphone competition, but for now, this unit gets my vote.
IPhone works very well for me. I had a Garmin unit that led me 3 hours out of my way one time. Took me 4 hrs for an hour and a half drive. Sort of reminds me of liberals that follow the wrong path because of an error in judgment made by their leader ...
After that I always questioned the directions it gave me. I sometimes wonder if there are some nerd programmers who write the code for those units with a twisted sense of humor who like to wreak havoc...
I picked up a Garmin on Newegg a few years ago, and it is still working great. I can’t keep it in my truck, because my son keeps borrowing it. I didn’t pay much for it, and it had good reviews. That’s a good way to buy tech. See what everyone else thinks about it.
I bought our first portable GPS unit for our airplane over 20 years ago; it was a Garmin GPS 95AVD for around $1500. It had a monochrome display that was a little larger than a postage stamp, but it was a god send. I have purchased nearly a dozen GPS units for the cars and plane since that time, I have also owned and used several types of phones and tablets with built in GPS.
We like to travel; it is so nice to just be spontaneous and get off the beaten path and find unfamiliar places on the spur of the moment.
Phones and tablets with built in GPS are great but a lot of the apps require a cell connection to work. It is hard to beat a dedicated portable. I have had portables with the same problems that you describe.
I have a Magellan that is like that. It does everything including over the air traffic updates. Often the processor in mine can’t seem to keep up with the load placed on it. It started out working fine, but after a few updates; it started acting up. It has lifetime updates and is very useful, but I have to watch it very carefully because sometimes it does show that a turn is still a little ways off when you are actually at the intersection.
There are actually optional components that I have added to the Magellan. I keep meaning to take it back to stock and then add only the components that I actually use. I don’t know if your Garman can be “cleaned” in the same way. If it can that might solve at least some of your issues.