GPS recommendations

[Bighit]

Go Tom-Tom. I had a Garmin at first but the Tom-Tom is seriously better.

Yes, we had a Garmin Nuvi, if you went down the M5 in CT, the Garmin would take you onto the off ramp by access park and directly back onto the M5 on ramp afterwards (if travelling south); instead of just staying on the M5 the whole way.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Does your SO have a phone? Most phones should have GPS included.

Also, the voice direction on the apps such as google maps is pretty accurate and clear. Dont see why you would need a GPS unless you travelling in areas without cellular coverage.

Considered that, but she's not too keen on the idea. Would prefer something more dedicated and reliable. But will rethink the idea, especially if I just get her to upgrade to a Note 4.

2nd hand Samsung Note phone, and Sygic (recommended) or Here.

The problem with 7" devices is finding a reliable mount. I'm using a tablet suction cup with my Note 1's original holder after the suction cup broke. The Chinese rubbish is not very good.

I considered this. But, thanks for the feedback on the mount issue- will note this.

Yes, like you OP, we also wanted a dedicated GPS. Took the TomTom 500 because of the following:

Free Lifetime map updates
Free Lifetime traffic (as long as you've connected your GPS via bluetooth to a compatible phone eg: s4, s5 etc).

The live traffic re routing was the big selling point for us, Google Maps didn't have this automatic rerouting function built in as this only came in just under 2 months ago.

Thanks for the feedback. Will note this, too.

 

[geezer]

What it means actually is that, if the Garmin came with map set 2014, you'll get upgraded for a new update on that map set like 2014.1 - 2014.2 - 2014.3 etc. Not updated to map set 2015.

Not quite. You will get updates for the "useful life" of the product, as set out in the term and conditions on the Garmin website.

"You will receive up to 4 map data updates per year, when and as such updates are made available on Garmin’s website, for 1 compatible Garmin product until your product’s useful life expires or Garmin no longer receives map data from its third party supplier, whichever is shorter. A product’s “useful life” means the period during which the product (a) has sufficient memory capacity and other required technical capabilities to utilise current map data and (b) is capable of operating as intended without major repairs. A product will be deemed to be out of service and its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more."

 

[Ivan Leon]

Go for the Garmin Nuvi 55LM (5" Display) or the 65LM (6" display) - both are new generation (2014) devices, with the latest City Navigator maps pre-installed - and, as mentioned above, FREE lifetime updates for the useful life of the product.

These map updates (and any firmware updates) are installed via the Garmin Express software, which will install itself onto your PC the first time you connect your Nuvi to it, or can be downloaded & installed separately.

The 55LM usually goes for R 1899 - R 1949 or so, but the bigger 65LM model is on special at Incredible Connection from 19-22 Feb, at a reduced price of R 1999-90 (R 400 saving).

55LM details - http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_55lm.php?productid=489

65LM details - http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_latest.php?productid=479

There is also a local forum - http://www.gps-users-forum.co.za/ - that provides a FREE monthly Road Hazard & Traffic Camera Alert Points of Interest (POI) database, which can either be compiled manually & customised using Garmin's POI Loader software(the option I use) - or can be downloaded in a pre-configured format - with or without audio alerts.

Garmin also provide their own Traffic Camera alert database - Cyclops - with regular updates, but this subscription costs an additional R 320 a year.

The 55LM & 65LM have a range of useful features, with apps like Trip Planner, ecoRoute, Where I've Been, Mileage Reports, and Lane Assist guidance, with overhead road signage prompts.

Using the traffic alert database, in nearly 5 years of owning a Garmin Nuvi, first the 205 and now the 55LM, since July last year, I have never had ANY speeding fines, from either fixed or mobile cameras.

 

[Chevron]

My SO has started a job that requires her to travel largely around Johannesburg at least three times a week, mostly to the CBD, East Rand and southern areas, in order to meet with clients. Naturally, she'd need a GPS for this.

Which brands and models do you guys and girls recommend? I'm more concerned on the accuracy of the map data, navigation methods and ease of use, but I'm not sure which models would be best.

Xperia Z3 Compact.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Go for the Garmin Nuvi 55LM (5" Display) or the 65LM (6" display) - both are new generation (2014) devices, with the latest City Navigator maps pre-installed - and, as mentioned above, FREE lifetime updates for the useful life of the product.

These map updates (and any firmware updates) are installed via the Garmin Express software, which will install itself onto your PC the first time you connect your Nuvi to it, or can be downloaded & installed separately.

The 55LM usually goes for R 1899 - R 1949 or so, but the bigger 65LM model is on special at Incredible Connection from 19-22 Feb, at a reduced price of R 1999-90 (R 400 saving).

55LM details - http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_55lm.php?productid=489

65LM details - http://www.garmin.co.za/prod_detail_latest.php?productid=479

There is also a local forum - http://www.gps-users-forum.co.za/ - that provides a FREE monthly Road Hazard & Traffic Camera Alert Points of Interest (POI) database, which can either be compiled manually & customised using Garmin's POI Loader software(the option I use) - or can be downloaded in a pre-configured format - with or without audio alerts.

Garmin also provide their own Traffic Camera alert database - Cyclops - with regular updates, but this subscription costs an additional R 320 a year.

The 55LM & 65LM have a range of useful features, with apps like Trip Planner, ecoRoute, Where I've Been, Mileage Reports, and Lane Assist guidance, with overhead road signage prompts.

Using the traffic alert database, in nearly 5 years of owning a Garmin Nuvi, first the 205 and now the 55LM, since July last year, I have never had ANY speeding fines, from either fixed or mobile cameras.

Thank you for this, a very informative post. I'll definitely look at those two.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Xperia Z3 Compact.

She isn't a Sony fan, unfortunately

 

[DanH]

Use an android.

You can download Google map data for offline use.

Just get in a wifi zone.

Open google maps and type "ok maps" in the search box. Select the area you wish to save and it will be downloaded so that in future you won't need to download map data for that area.

Get a decent cigarette lighter charger and she should be good to go.

 

[ahoudet]

Nokia Lumia with Here Drive worked great with me Otherwise any droid with TomTom maps or Waze also works really well... I'd go for a used droid like a Note 2 or S3 or a Nokia 920