question on garmin GPS units
 

Hi,
The last GPS unit I purchased was several years ago, it has image like this, (first pic)
Now, I see some units has image like this, called 3D (second pic)?
Do they all have 3D now and the pictures I see are only advertizing images, Or I will see on screen what/how it is on the ad image?
To me, the second image type looks much better
Thanks.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1000_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1000_.jpg

I bought a new Garmin last year and it has the display as seen in the second pic. It gives a better view of the upcoming exits/crossroads. I also like that it shows you which lane you should be in at the next interchange.

+1

We still have our old Garmin in my car, and our new Garmin in her car is a bigger and better unit.

+1
note that garmin power chords aren't the greatest ... I've had to replace on my old and new units

My Garmin is a few years old. When I registered it I bought the "Lifetime" updates package. I can download the latest maps and software before a trip. The last time I updated it said I did not have enough memory. I had to buy a memory card for 10 bucks and add 2 or 4 gigs of memory. I don't remember but it was cheap. It had the 3D view just like the display above.

The only time I use my GPS is road trips. It is great for complex interchanges in strange cities. Getting through St Louis would be a nightmare without it. There is a series of interchanges where you go from left to right side of the road dodging 18 wheel trucks. One wrong turn and you cross a bridge going into the wrong state. :eek:

I still have an older Garmin but now prefer a smartphone with mapquest or Google earth app. In addition to mapping and routing, I can actually see an image of the building I am looking for.

Yup. Embedded GPS navigation in my iPhone has made my GPS obsolete. The maps are always up to date, you get live traffic, and you don't have to carry around an extra device. I have a dash mount and charging cord, it does everything my old Garmin did.

Going somewhere in a car I use a printed map and directions. For out doors I use USGS maps or similar and a first gen Garmin GPS unit that stores a few hundred way points and does simple plotting on a small b&w screen

The second photo is Garmin's Junction View/Active Lane Guidance

It appears when you are nearing (usually within a mile) a major interstate junction with multiple lanes to give advance guidance of which lane you will need to be in. After you pass the junction, the view reverts back to a normal view. On mine, the Active Lane Guidance pops up in a split screen alongside the normal view, then goes away when the junction is passed.

Its quite useful, and on most but not all current Garmin units.



Tim

My old garmin dosn't have the 3D feature. I missed the exit often, even the GPS is working fine. I am sure the 3D feature will be much better.
Thanks guys,

Cajundaddy, onewhippedpuppy,
Last time I checked, google map is not available for black berry and I have BB :)