UPDATE: Since several years have passed, I decided it was high time for an updated version of this post!
Yesterday I looked at five GPS features you don't need. Today we'll check out the flip-side; what are the best and most useful upgrades when choosing a navigator? I'll start with ones available on relatively low end units and then move on to features found on more expensive models.
- Text-to-speech – Abbreviated as TTS, this feature calls out street names for upcoming turns. Which means that you'll hear "drive one-half mile, then
turn left on Oak Street." instead of just "drive
one-half mile, then turn left." - Wide-screen – A 4.3" touch screen is just so much nicer than a 3.5" model. It's easier to tap menus and keypads without error, and the map display isn't as cluttered.
- Points of interest – Abbreviated as POIs. Some cheap units have as few as 750,000 POIs; you may as well just give up on finding anything without keying in an address. I strongly recommend getting a unit with at least 4.5 million. This is one reason I like Garmin units — they don't short-change you on POIs on low-end models; you'll get nearly 6 million on any of their units. TomTom just says that they have "millions of POIs," but I've never really found their units lacking. Even with one of these two leading brands, you'll still have plenty of places that aren't in the POI database, but you'll experience it less often.
If you can swing it, I highly recommend the above upgrades. The next three may not be as critical, but are still worth paying extra for. You can get them on cheaper models, but it will sometimes mean getting a second-tier brand and/or one with weaker implementation of the feature.
- Multi-destination routing – Allows you to pre-plan a trip with multiple stops. The better units do a good job of "optimizing" the order of the stops for efficiency; they also automatically advance you to the next point on the route.
- Lane Assist – Gives you visual guidance as to what lane you should be in for turns. This can be very helpful on freeways or on urban streets with multiple turn lanes.
- Speed limit display – Helpful if you have a lead foot; it will more than pay for itself if it keeps you from getting a single ticket. The ideal implementation will show your current speed on the map screen as well, or allow you to set an alarm if you go a certain amount over the speed limit.
- UPDATE: Powered mount – I’m adding a seventh. With these, you don’t need to fumble with the mini-USB plug each time you get in your car. Current Garmin nuvis with this feature include the 169x, 23xx, 24xx, and 37xx series.
- UPDATE: Lifetime maps – Many units now come bundled with lifetime map updates. Garmins with this feature wil have an LM or LMT appended to the model number, with the T models also featuring lifetime traffic. On TomToms, look for an M or TM.
About Rich Owings
I’d love for whatever device I use to be easily updated on-line. Maybe even a richer feature set (POI?) for selected destinations. The cheapy device I have works OK – warns you on speed warnings for example, but you can’t go on-line and update it and it’s out of date for some things. Plus business go out of business so I have destinations in my POI that no longer exist!
I think a recorded track is also essential…
One of the features I’d really like to be able to find in GPS units is the ability to drop a waypoint at some random places during a trip.
I have an old Magellan SportTrak and during a long drive, I can press a button and drop a waypoint at where I am. I note the number assigned (WP123) and then why I wanted to note it. (Example, a large ray-dome up on a hill off the highway.)
When I get home, load the track and look at the waypoints and I can use a map to find out what the item was (in this case, a weather radar).
This also works for POIs that I’d like to add to my own cache of goodies to keep track of (business, photo-op, etc.)
I’ve used the Garmin 320c and it seems to only allow one (1). This is useless.
If anyone’s got any ideas of which units support this feature, it’d be helpful for some of us.
You can do this with most nuvis by tapping the car icon and then “save”. The limit is 500 or 1000 waypoints, depending upon the model.
That’s good to know! Thank you for the reply.
I have scanned the manual and looked around but didn’t see that.
Thanks!
I had narrowed my choices down to TT 930T and Garmin’s 775T, but with Garmin’s 775 pulled from store shelves (due to firmware issues?) any additional comments are appreciated.
I will need the Maps for US and Europe. So, recommend away.
Thanx
I’d go with the nuvi. I think its a better unit. They’ve rolled out a firmware fix… http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2009/06/ask-garmin-free-mandatory-gps-software-available-now.html
Hi
I just returned from a trip in which I used a nuvi 76X (I can’t remember the exact model). It was pretty good on major directions, but was disappointed that it only allowed you to choose between “fastest” and “shortest” routes. It did not offer anything like “simplest” or “fewest turns.” Is there any model on the market that includes routing options other than fastest or shortest? Also I found some rather annoying errors in their maps. Does Garmin do any route validation? Does any one do that?
Magellan offers most use of freeways and least use of freeways. Map errors are due to the map data provider, NAVTEQ. You can report errors at http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/
Can you recommend a GPS unit that I can buy here in the States but can get maps for Europe, in particular Germany and the Netherlands? To rent one over there would cast about as much as buying one here, I think. I have a Sanyo Easystreet but can’t find and Europe maps for it.
THANKS!
Any Garmin nuvi will work. You can buy City Navigator Europe maps to add to it. Or, buy a nuvi x7x model, which comes with US and European maps pre-loaded. This may be the cheapest way to go. If you don’t need anything fancy, check out the prices on the nuvi 270 or nuvi 275. Be sure to register the unit right away, as you might be eligible for a free map update.
I don’t know what Garmin pays you but it’s not enough. Would the 1490T work with a Mac for map updating, track downloading, etc.
I wish they paid me. I do get some money from ads, etc., but nothing from them!
I’m not a Macophile, but my understanding is that Garmin has the other GPS manufacturers beat when it comes to mac support. Maybe this will help:
http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/
As far as track downloading, if you can mount it as a USB drive, you should be able to access the current.gpx file that has the track.
handheld garmin that I own works fine with my Mac’s. Have even done multi map loading on a micro SD card that does not show as supported on the manual I have.
Does anybody know how to be able to enter the zip code rather that a city name. I live in an area the has many cities uner on zip . It would be much easier that searching a city name. Thanks A.
What brand and model do you have? Some support this.
How come you didn’t mention “IQ routing” as a must-have? Is it?
regarding “speed limit display” is that generally just for metropolitan areas? or everywhere in the US no matter what? And how accurate is it, what if changing speed limits and all?
Thanks for the great website
IQ Routes was relatively new when I wrote this. I think it’s good, but not quite “must have.”
In my experience, Garmin has the best speed limit coverage with many secondary roads, and not just in major metro areas. The last time I reviewed a TomTom, it was missing for many major highways. And no, it is not 100% accurate.
Can you just look at the streets on the screen and pretty much judge what lane you will need to be in for an upcoming turn? Doesn’t this mean that “lane assist” is only useful in very rare situations?
Well, you can watch for signs. If there are roads you aren’t familiar with, I think it’s very useful.
for those people with GPS units with IQ routing technology, do you think using the AM radio traffic reports in your car that people without GPS units use is an adequate substitute?
Here is my dream GPS:
Garmin or TomTom or Magellan
with IQ routing technology or equivalent
with 4.3″ screen
with text-to-speech
roughly $120 or less
Does such a unit exist?
The TomTom XL 340S will do that. I’ve seen it as low as $110, but that was a rare deal. You can keep an eye on http://bestgpsdeals.net and see if one turns up. Nobody but TomTom uses historical speed database, or they don’t disclose it if they do.
Thanks, great website. Any insights into question #22?