Good deals on a GPS system for the car?

The Gent on 23/05/2013 - 02:59

Hi,

I'll keep it short; my sense of direction is terrible and I need a GPS system.

I live in Adelaide if anyone mentions any local store deals.

Would appreciate any first-hand knowledge anyone has on any models.

I don't need voice recognition and bluetooth capability and all that other crap. I need to be able to type an address in and it show me the route. If I miss a turn, it needs to be able to recalculate - that's pretty much all I need.

Cheers OzB.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

    • The Gent on 23/05/2013 - 12:37

      God, $220 seems so expensive to me!

      And can't use my phone am afraid, blaircam.

  • Almost Banned on 23/05/2013 - 11:26

    I know I'll probably get flamed for this but - are you sure you can't just use the mapping program in your phone? That would definitely be the cheapest option.

    • Geewhizz on 25/05/2013 - 06:31
      +1

      Not only will this flatten your phone's battery faster, but you CAN be booked for using it on your phone. If you don't think it would happen, dozens of people were in Qld a couple of weeks ago - $330 fine, and I think from memory, 3 points.

      • cheepwun on 26/05/2013 - 11:39
        +1

        re: flattening your battery faster
        There are matchbox-sized bluetooth GPS receivers that have their own battery.

        They communicate to the phone via bluetooth and allow you to use the thing for ages without running down the phone battery (and get better GPS reception than nearly all of the internal GPS receivers in phones, which are small and crappy, generally).

        Old-school Nokias support them natively. Android and iOS models support them with a bluetooth GPS app that has to be downloaded. The hardware costs less than $50 delivered from China.

        re: safety
        Phones can be mounted in universal suction mounts ($5) from China. Phone calls are routed over bluetooth, at least with older Nokias, while voice directions come out through the loudspeaker. Again, that's the case with old-school Nokias that support free maps. Not everyone likes this with old-school Nokias (preferring instaed to have all audio routed through bluetooth) but it's possible to use a phone 100% safely in its mount while using GPS, while handling calls through headset and using no internet for the maps.

        Similar things can be done on Android and iOS of course. For short trips, the long battery life of a bluetooth GPS receiver is not needed but is a godsend when away from the car or in the car on longer trips.

        Then there's the option of plugging your phone in the car cig lighter of course (while in a mount) and handling audio calls normally through a headset. Plenty of options to make driving safe while using a phone as a GPS without running down your battery.

  • Wampus on 23/05/2013 - 11:52

    TomTom is your best bet, if you don't need all the bells and whistles just go for whatever is on special/cheap. All the TomToms will do what you're asking, your main decision on the pricepoint if you don't want BT etc is the screen size. I have a 6" and prefer it to 4.3", not for reading the maps but for ease of typing in addresses etc.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 23/05/2013 - 12:45

    Tomtom Via220 4.3' is usually around 100-129 with lifetime maps. Excellent unit.
    The older classic XL around 89-99.

    TomTom units are great. I'd be lost without mine

    • Geewhizz on 25/05/2013 - 06:33

      It might be worth mentioning that the lifetime maps are via redemption .

      OP, the TomTom models eligible for the free lifetime maps promo are:

      GO LIVE 2050 World
      GO LIVE 2050
      GO LIVE 825
      GO LIVE 820
      GO LIVE 820 TopGear Edition
      Via 620
      Via 280
      Via 260
      Via 225
      Via 220
      Via 220 Value Pack
      Via 180
      Via 160

      http://www.tomtompromotion.com/maps/AU

      Dick Smith has some of those very cheap. Some do have the bluetooth etc that you've mentioned you don't need, but you don't have to use it. At $110 the Go Live 820 is a good buy.

      http://dicksmith.com.au/navigation-travel/in-car-navigation?…

      • The Gent on 25/05/2013 - 23:52

        Awesome info, Geewhizz - thank you!

        Any difference between top gear edition and the regular edition 820 - there's a $20 difference between the models, the cheaper being the one that seems to have more (gicmmicky) features…

        • The Gent on 25/05/2013 - 23:57

          Oh…I just worked it out…it has Jeremy Clarkson's voice…hmm…is not hearing him worth $20…

          Edit: found out you can turn him off. Win.

        • Geewhizz on 26/05/2013 - 07:15
          +1

          lol. Yes, it would have been well worth the extra $20 if you couldn't turn him off.

  • Cheeper on 25/05/2013 - 03:32

    Smart phone with a good "non internet" reliant map like Sygic for example. (stores all the Australian and nz maps in your phone.
    It does everything a dedicated gps does, voice guidance, etc, and you can use it when walking or cycling as well.

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