Thanks. What does a Droid cost per month?

I use my iPhone, but winder if sometimes it would be easier with a unit mounted on the windshield? Kind if a heads up display vs looking at my phone. I don't use the turn by turn, but do like to update my eta and that's easy.

just did a very quick bit of research on phone navigation with both an iPhone and Droid. Seems like upgrading my phone may be the best solution. Just haven't wanted to be connected 24/7 to email. and I might fall into a mall pond too.

I like that the Garmin would be a unique appliance just for the car and bike.

I like that phone apps will be getting better and better. good to see that what we were all promised in 1999 is just coming out now.

tough decision now.

I of course have used GPS in my airplanes for years, but never felt the need for one in a car (old skool and all that). I recently had a weak moment and allowed myself to be upsold to a smartphone when I went in to renew my 2 yr plan. It is a Droid 2 and the GPS app works great. The Verizon smartphone unlimited data plan added an additional $29/month to my bill.

It is an interesting decision...I've been using VZ Navigator on my BB for years without issue unless I am out of a coverage area. In urban settings it has never failed.

On business trips it has been excellent. I have used it in Cambridge, MA a few times...I have no idea how on earth I would have found the hotel without it!

Go to Costco and get the 1490 or what ever large screen model they are selling right now. Lifetime maps on many models and simply hard to beat.

As noted above Garmin's warranty is the best that there is. I own 6 Garman GPS's and the warranty is a big part of it.

EDIT, if you want something on your phone, you can get Google Maps for free. Works ok but the GPS is worlds better.

I have a Verizon Samsung Galaxy Android. It's a personal thing, but I don't think the 'nav' in the phone is nearly as fast or featured as the Garmin. It also doesn't have the traffic feature, which I've grown to like. Since a 'real' nav is only a couple hundred bucks....

Nav on my Droid2 is way better than on my TomTom. Only downside is if you travel outside of cell coverage you lose your nav.

My wife recently ran a half marathon and I had to park in an unfamiliar part of town.... I just dropped a way point on the map when I got out of the car and had no trouble getting back to it after wandering all over creation.

Another benefit of nav on the Droid is that if you look up a location on the phone you can usually just tap the address, the phone recognizes that it's an address and pops open Google maps - a couple of taps and you're navigating toward your destination.

I've got an iphone with the Tom Tom GPS app - works fine. I've also got the Tom Tom iphone adapter that mounts your phone to the widnshield and also has an antenna booster - charges the phone as well.

It works just like a dedicated Tom Tom GPS device and seems to update maps on a regular basis. I think the app was $45 or so.

AM

Android Navigation app by Google seems to work pretty well and it's FREE. Voice prompts and all. If you already have a smart phone I don't see why anyone would shell out another $100+ for a dedicated GPS unit...other than it's another cool toy. Nothing wrong with that either.

50/50, I can see going both ways. Cost wise, the GPS is cheaper as I'll make a jump in plan pricing for a Droid or iPhone. Got to go into Verizon and ATT stores to check them out. I can get a 1+ year old iPhone for free, not sure if that's a good thing.

decision was made a lot easier with gf getting me an iPhone today. Love it!

need to install GPS software and I'm good to go.

I use a TomTom & it has been fine - not flawless but fine. I drop into unfamiliar cities all of the time, so it is a mandatory tool. I want a big screen. Many phones would fail here. I want to be able to glance at it & see the map & the next street prompts on the screen. I haven't got time to study it. I also want a screen big enough with big enough 'keys' that I can change on the fly. I also want uninterrupted service. In Sicily, in Alabama, in Vegas. Anywhere. It has to speak to me legibly. I currently use the Antiguan male voice - kind of like an angry Rasta. Much better than that stuckup English hussy that I used to use & verbally abuse . . .

The Garmins that I have seen seem fine as well, but when I bought it, I wanted the most Europe-friendly device for vacations.

Ian