Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
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I realize there have been a number of posts on this topic, but none of them are particularly current, so I'll ask for help.
I also realize from reading past posts that GPS units should only be used as a back-up tool when locating campgrounds.
However, what we are most interested in is listed below:
A unit with Lane Assist as we always seem to be in the incorrect lane for turning on Interstates and at tool booths when there is a necessary turn after the toll.
A unit easy to use for the untechnological - ie: US!
A unit that has current maps, or maps that are easy and quick to download without excessive extra charge.
Traffic assist would be nice as well, but those units may be beyond our price comfort range?
I have been looking to purchase a GPS unit also. I found this Garmin Comparison link which might be helpful. http://gpstracklog.com/compare/garmin-nuvi-comparison-chart I am considering buying the Garmin Nuvi 1450. Ebay has the 1450 for less than $200 on a Buy It Now.
We recently bought a Garmin GPS 255W at Target for about $120. While it's not perfect, it generally does the job and it does tell you whether the next turn is to the right or left and it announces the street name. I'm still seeing this model on sale for this price at various outlets.
Its a little expensive, about $350, but the Cobra Truckers Gps has been great, only safe routes, lots of extra stop info, Gas Etc.... and really clear user friendly format, Gene
I have been looking to purchase a GPS unit also. I found this Garmin Comparison link which might be helpful. http://gpstracklog.com/compare/garmin-nuvi-comparison-chart I am considering buying the Garmin Nuvi 1450. Ebay has the 1450 for less than $200 on a Buy It Now.
This is a heads up for consideration, not a blanket coment. When purchasing a GPS, even a new one in the box, from Ebay of some other similar "non-store", consider the maps may be out of date and require upgrading at a cost equal to a freshly loaded GPS.
Even new out of the box GPS units may have been on a shelf for quite a while if not a new release. Like buying tires having set on a rack for two or three years.
Just a thought. I know it can happen. ;)
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Ethel & Charles Henry, Itasca Horizon DP/Honda Element Toad Traveling with our furry-snouted, four-legged children.
"Each of us must take part in making this a better world for all people."
The garmin is the best one for the money. I am sure some have other things but for the price and how easy they are to use you will love it.
I bought the new nuvi 265wt with hands free calling and lifetime traffic online. Very happy with the unit and it has the bigger screen. Maps included for USA and canada and even alaska.
I bought the Magellan 1450 thru Amazon for 170 bucks and love it. It has lane assist that works great and also free traffic alert. In exchange for free traffic alert, small, unintrusive ads come up at the top of the gps for restaurants, retail stores etc, occasionally. I was hesitant buying it at first because some of the reviews knocked the device for the voice directions not being too audible. I don't know what they are talking about because mine is perfectly fine. It has many features that I won't go into other than it competes as well with the garmin. The reason I opted for this one instead of a garmin was that the screen was bigger which really makes it nice. I used it extensively in Alaska without any problems and have used it all the time in Florida. I do not have any other place that I have used it so my geographical experience is limited and maybe others can chime in.
By the way the magellan does not come with bluetooth or mp3 player but I did not see spending extra money on a gps for those features since I was looking for a gps. I already have bluetooth for my phone and an ipod. Hate paying for features I do not need.