GPS for the car. any reccomendations?

[rapid van cleef]

HI guys.

I am after a decent gps unit for the car. IM not bothered about fm radio/ mp3 and all that stuff. just want an accurate sat nav. bells and whistles not neccessary.

id like a decent size screen. there are tons of what i presume to be, non brand name chinese sat navs on trade me. anyone bought one of these?

what are your experiences?

budget is sub $200 and i dont care if its 2nd hand. as long as it works

thanks

[bogan]

Got my old man a garmin nuvi (iirc) a while back, bout 300 i think. Good to use, big enough screen size, and good maps (with a 5 year subscription I think). If you can find a second hand one of them or similar I would think it a better deal than the non-brand ones. Whatever you get, make sure it has good maps, non-brand may not have much map support.

[Madness]

My $200 Tomtom has been in for a waranty repair within 6 months of purchase - something went cuckoo with the software. Would I buy another one - yes. Would I buy a GPS off TardMe - NO.

Go & play with a few display units, if you're like me there will be some models you'll prefer over others just beacuse of "aesthetics". I'm into simple - just ask my missus ;)

[slofox]

Although Garmin may not be at the top of the technological tree, they have one huge advantage here. Which is ...(drum roll please...)...FREE MAPS. Updated weekly. And some pretty sweet software to insert your own planned routes as well.

What steve t says (post #5). Linky is

http://nzopengps.org/

[steve_t]

+1 for Garmin. A few times a year they include "Lifetime free map updates". Otherwise, you can use opensource maps in NZ too

[mashman]

get an android phone :)

[huff3r]

Another +1 for Garmin, my phones a Garmin GPS/Smartphone and its bloody good. Far better and easier to use than Dad's Navman. Also, dunno if the standalone GPS units do it, but mine has posted speed limits on it too, can be helpful (when they are up to date!)

[slofox]

Another +1 for Garmin, my phones a Garmin GPS/Smartphone and its bloody good. Far better and easier to use than Dad's Navman. Also, dunno if the standalone GPS units do it, but mine has posted speed limits on it too, can be helpful (when they are up to date!)

Stand alone GPS units do do it. Well, the Zumo 220 does anyway. But for some weird reason, the posted limits are usually only about half of what the speed readout is saying...:weird:

[geoffc]

Navman MY60T get a good Consumer mag rating & I just bought one on special from Dick Smith for $187. Still a few left at that price which is about half the usual retail. I like the unit & the price.

[Edbear]

Sounds a good deal!

I got the latest Uniden and it's great, but it's certainly over the $200 mark.

I also downloaded a free GPS for my iPhone and it's brilliant! Not only takes you there, but tells you the time, distance and average speed before you set off.

[steve_t]

I also downloaded a free GPS for my iPhone and it's brilliant! Not only takes you there, but tells you the time, distance and average speed before you set off.

Which app?

[Edbear]

Which app?

iWay. It was free and works really well. I wasn't expecting much from a freebie but this seems very good.

[steve_t]

iWay. It was free and works really well. I wasn't expecting much from a freebie but this seems very good.

Cheers. Installing now :)

[Daffyd]

I got a Galaxy off T/Me, about $125 IIRC. Does everything I want it to. Has speed limits but they extend further than the actual boundaries. (Prolly better than the other way round.) Also has B/tooth, MP3, etc.

[Edbear]

Stand alone GPS units do do it. Well, the Zumo 220 does anyway. But for some weird reason, the posted limits are usually only about half of what the speed readout is saying...:weird:

:nono: :spanking: :Police:

[steve_t]

iWay. It was free and works really well. I wasn't expecting much from a freebie but this seems very good.

Oh man, all the hot chicks' voices are locked in the free version :girlfight:

[Edbear]

Oh man, all the hot chicks' voices are locked in the free version :girlfight:

LOL!!! Sorry 'bout dat! :lol:

[SpankMe]

Can't go wrong with getting an android phone and using Google navigate which works with Google maps. It can also be setup as a dash cam (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dailyroads.v). Why have multiple devices when one can do it all.

[huff3r]

Can't go wrong with getting an android phone and using Google navigate which works with Google maps. It can also be setup as a dash cam (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dailyroads.v). Why have multiple devices when one can do it all.

Data connection for maps = ongoing costs etc etc...

Thats where my Garmin-Asus A10 comes in handy, real Garmin GPS + real Android phone :D. Shame they no longer sell them...

[SpankMe]

Data connection for maps = ongoing costs etc etc...

You can now cache Google map areas while connected via WiFi. Or have your work pay for your phone bill :D