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Upgrading GPS

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Rolex

Rolex

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I currently have the TomTom 1XL, and I've been very satisfied with it for about 3 years.
It's time to upgrade since they've added so many more features to all 3 of the big brands.
Top of the line TomTom is $319 and includes lifetime map upgrades, 5" screen, hands off bluetooth phone connection along with voice recognition and several other new features.
Garmin is pretty pricey for the same features, but offers a 7" screen. Magellan comes in at 299 for the same features, other than the screen size.
I'd like any advise from anyone who has any of these to let me know their opinions.
 
Only things I know about them is that my parents bought a Garmin and I bought a TomTom and theirs sucked. It was always loosing a signal, wouldnt tell you when something was coming up until it was too late and you already passed it. They hated it. TomTom was always perfect.
 
Thanks Lloyd. Scratch Garmin.
I noticed on Thursday while waiting at a light that my TomTom image was spinning and resetting, and I wondered why.
I was waiting at the light to get on the interstate, and I was underneath the overpass for several minutes.
Other than that, I never lost a signal.
 
The new ones feature the traffic updates as well as Intelligent Mapping to offer you the fastest routes. It also accounts for rush hour options.

My Cobra Radar sentry has a GPS module that alerts me to camera intersections as well as radar "Hot spots" and school zones. Hear that, Alpine? :D
 
Well, I just pulled the trigger on the top of the line TomTom after reading the reviews on the different brands. Since I already have one, I'm already familiar with most of the features and trust the reliability.
The new one also has a 5" screen instead of the 4.3, and has "pinch and swipe" touch screen interactivity, same as an iPad phone.
 
we have a garmin and it does ok but it sits in the center console now. 4.3" phone screen running google maps is leaps and bounds better. locks gps faster, shows street level views, allows quick alternate routes, real time traffic and so much more.


congrats on the purchase.
 
That was another important app that sold me. Real time traffic. It will automatically plot a detour route if you want to avoid it, and get you back on the highway when you get clear of the delay. That's a MAJOR feature for me since I'm not familiar with this area and don't know the back roads around here.
 
My wife bought me mine, so I didn't have an option. Although, I've been driving the same route for nearly 15 years... after taking various detours, when traffic sucks for me, it sucks all over. Still, would be cool if the device let me know of accidents and whatnot.
 
I actually bought a Lowrance GPS a couple years back vs. the others because my needs were a little different. My GPS gets used on the bike too, and I've been caught in the rain more than once, so the Lowrance unit is waterproof to IPX 4 standards. Since it has a media player, and is touch screen, it also gives me a great stereo on the bike on longer trips by simply plugging in my Skull Candy earphones. And the Lowrance not only does land based navigation, it works on waterways too, so I can take it in the boat to mark those fishin' holes. I don't use it much on my 1 mile commute, but the few times I've used it on road trips, it's been great.
 
Last edited:
hamz9561 said:
Well now I know why Rolex needed to upgrade his GPS. Check it out here:

http://lajolla.patch.com/articles/geezer-bandit-to-be-one-of-americas-most-wanted

Is it really smart to antagonize Alpine, while you're on the lamb, Rolex??????
Click to expand...

LMAO! I don't see a real problem here. The poor geezer is just looking to supplement his social security. :)

Between the TomTom and the Cobra, I think I have all the bases covered. The Cobra with the GPS module also informs me of construction on the highway as well as emergency vehicles approaching.
I don't speed, I don't talk on the phone, even though it's still legal here, but at least once a month I have to travel 110 miles from here and it's nice to know what's up ahead.
I've also got the AAA Premier card, so I can even be towed up to 200 miles if necessary.
Between those 3 items, it's major insurance for the ride.
 

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