Garmin Sucks
 

Ok I don't always buy the latest and greatest device. I have an older c340 that still works. Well, until today.

I bought a supposedly Lifetime Update for the device as long as I own the device and it still works, but apparently, the latest update killed it, because it is an old device.

So now I am stuck with a broken device and the best they can do is send me a new Lifetime Update card and a 20% discount towards a new device.

I don't want a new device. I want my old device to work with my LIFETIME UPDATES!!!

Sorry just ranting...

What do the stand alone devices do better than smart phones? I havent touched a gps system since I first got an androic in 2007ish

Chuck it! I have a Garmin Nuvi that is probably 5 yrs old but is fading fast. The internal batt is essentially useless and the on/off button no longer works. I have a bunch of locations saved in there so I still use it, but a smartphone and mapquest are just way better with real-time updates and traffic info.

Smart phones are killing the GPS device industry. My LG Pro smart phone has crystal clear screen and maps are always up to date. I still have two GPS devices but when they die I'll use the phone exclusively. The other day I was going somewhere and decided to use the phone and the GPS. Both were spot on until a junction in the road, GPS said turn left phone said turn right. I turned right and it took me right where I needed to go. Maybe turning left would have worked also I guess I'll never know.

I like their GA products

GPS uses GPS satellites, a cell phone uses towers. A cell phone is also slower than a dedicated device, even an older one.

I find the Phone GPS a pain on long trips.

rjp

I'm on my second Magellan in car. The first one still works, but it's maps were getting old and I was getting tired of driving on roads that didn't exist. ;) it was cheaper to buy a new one with lifetime maps than to update it.

I don't use the new one much. On long trips I'll put it up so I don't have to worry about getting on a phone call and missing a turn, and have the time remaining on screen is nice. But for my day to day, in town stuff I just use my phone.

Garmin Sucks
 

The only advantage of a real GPS is it works anywhere at all as long as it has power. A phone only works in civilized areas with cell phone coverage. If you can download the map to your phone it might work. I use both.

My cell phone was convinced a hotel in Monterey was a residential house. I had to dig out the gps to find my way to the hotel. It was in the trunk after a day at Laguna Seca.

A cell has an actual GPS receiver. That's what it uses for position. Some navigation apps require data service from the towers to operate

Ah yes. The smart phone. But you forget my first line... I don't always buy the latest and greatest. Which means... I don't have unlimited data plan. I only got a smartphone for the first time in 2010 because the company I worked for gave it away for free. And I got the cheapest data plan. So while the GPS will work, I won't always get the map.

I suppose I could try it and see how much data I am using.

I have the same GPS and found out the same thing three weeks ago when I attempted to update it prior to my house-hunting trip to Atlanta.

Garmin also offered me the 20% off, but it is if you buy it from them, which is almost always at least double the price on Amazon. I just bought another Nuvi (I have multiple GPSes) on Amazon for $100.

I like having my Garmin GPS on the windshield when I am traveling to an unfamiliar destination. I had a Nuvi that I liked, but it got stolen. Now I have an Area 500 that I like even better.

GPS vs Phone? No contest, IMO. The Garmin interface is better, the address searching is better, etc. I don't have to think about the GPS ringing and switching screens while I drive, and I cannot text on my GPS while driving.

For me, it is unlikely that a cell phone GPS app will ever replace a real, dedicated GPS navigation device.

With the advent of smart phones Garmin is going to have to start treating customers better or go out of the car GPS business. My guess is they'll go out of the business.

My MacBook 520c doesn't work with OS10.9! Consornit!!!

I'd be happy if there was a screen calibration menu on my 2010 Nuvi. It takes 2-3X to get the address right, the touchscreen is really crappy. Always has been.

I used to have a TomTom One, that piece of hardware would run rings around my Nuvi. Problem with TomTom is the maps suck. I bought a TomTom, and tried to use it to navigate around my neighborhood- that didn't go too well.

Back to Best Buy it went.

I have an older Nuvi with lifetime updates & traffic. Tried the smart phone. Decided that I preferred to use the Garmin as primary & keep the smart phone as a backup.

On the other hand, if you only rarely need route guidance and don't have a stand-alone GPS, a smart phone makes perfect sense for occasional use.

I am somewhat biased. I fly in fairly complex airspace. A Garmin with XM weather really helps keep me legal & safe. A particular benefit is that most TFR's appear on the screen as well.