GPS Recommendations?

[theFRANCHISE]

My dad wants me to shop around for a GPS for his Christmas gift. Cost isn't really as big of a deal compared to features and reliability. Probably looking to spend $200 tops, but anything that's a better value would be great.

What brands would you recommend? What about map providers (Tele Atlas vs. Navteq)? What brands/provider to stay away from in your experience?

Most likely, we'll be looking to pick up the lifetime maps & traffic bundle alongside whatever unit we go with. Amazon.com has a couple of bundles but I'm wary after reading a few reviews.

[Twoo]

My first recommendation when buying a Nav unit is ALWAYS buy the widescreen version or the XL screen version. It's leaps and bounds better than the normal sized screen and you'll thank yourself 100x each time you use it.

The 3 main brands are Magallen, TomTom and Garmin. My girlfriend uses a TomTom and I owned a Magallen and Garmin in the past.

In my opinion, no one makes a better unit than the Garmin (Nuvi series). They have the best battery life, tons of options in the navigation, more user friendly, best display (especially in direct sunlight), the touch screen isn't overly touchy like a cell phone (you have to apply pressure, which is better when driving), etc, etc, etc.

Go Garmin or go home

EDIT: forgot to answer your maps questions. I never purchased Maps for my nav systems. I used the preloaded map system and went on my way. 999999/1000000 times you'll never have to update your map system unless you plan on keeping it for... well, 3+ years.

[flaccopoe]

You could get a Droid. It has its own built-in GPS system and it has multiple uses.

[robbcs3]

I can say not to get a Navigon. They came out with this "real view" thing that seemed cool when I first got it. But the screen only comes on every third or fourth time I turn it on. After about 6 months it started doing this. They dont care about the problem. Luckily my iPhone's gps does okay

[PuRock]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1291134078' post='555137']
You could get a Droid. It has its own built-in GPS system and it has multiple uses.
[/quote]

I got a TomTom One XL two Christmases ago. Then I got my droid. The TomTom doesn't see the light of day anymore.

It was decent a few years ago. But it takes forever to find a signal nowadays. Google Navigation is awesome. Speak destinations, shows traffic congestions.

I feel like hand held GPS's will be slowly going away since phones seem to do it better and is already in your pocket.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='robbcs3' timestamp='1291155895' post='555467']
I can say not to get a Navigon. They came out with this "real view" thing that seemed cool when I first got it. But the screen only comes on every third or fourth time I turn it on. After about 6 months it started doing this. They dont care about the problem. Luckily my iPhone's gps does okay
[/quote]


Well the good news for you is Navigon is out of the GPS business.

We had one, and with out question it was the best and finest GPS we have ever owned by far when it comes to features and usage. Far above and beyond any other GPS I have ever used. It did a lot of stuff and gave tons of useful information.
Sadly it died suddenly on a road trip. Our quest for a bang for the buck equal continues...

[1/28/01]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1291156665' post='555496']
I got a TomTom One XL two Christmases ago. Then I got my droid. The TomTom doesn't see the light of day anymore.

It was decent a few years ago. But it takes forever to find a signal nowadays. Google Navigation is awesome. Speak destinations, shows traffic congestions.

I feel like hand held GPS's will be slowly going away since phones seem to do it better and is already in your pocket.
[/quote]
Yeah, the Droid is nasty good with everything!

Since getting it a few months ago, it rarely leaves my side. Wife loves it (hates it really)!

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1291173168' post='555797']
Yeah, the Droid is nasty good with everything!

Since getting it a few months ago, it rarely leaves my side. Wife loves it (hates it really)!
[/quote]

Heh, the Droid has an app for everything! Since everyone loves it so much, vote for the Droid in my [i]Smart Phones [/i]thread!

[1/28/01]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1291173400' post='555808']
Heh, the Droid has an app for everything! Since everyone loves it so much, vote for the Droid in my [i]Smart Phones [/i]thread!
[/quote]
Im just making you sweat it out....when I eventually vote, it'll be epic!

[flynismo]

This isn't really my area of expertise, so I'll just say that every TomTom I've ever owned (4 of them so far) has had horrible battery life. But they are typically good bang for the buck once you get to the $180+ range.