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Post by buddysmom on Jul 29, 2014 14:18:28 GMT
Getting a new car-yay! My DH has a built in navigation system in his car which was way too expensive, difficult to use and basically a piece of crap.
I did not want that so I asked my son (he's a techy!) to find me a portable GPS at Amazon that is reasonable and gets good ratings, etc.
I have one already but it's about 6 years old so it's out of date. Amazing how many new roads, changes have been made.
Anyway, he said that people don't use them anymore; he just uses his iphone because Google maps updates all the time.
But that is going to suck the data. I sometimes leave the GPS on, well just because...
So if I have to pay another $5-$10 per month, in data, in a year I could have bought the GPS.
Plus the phone is a smaller screen and I don't know if there is a mount for it.
I don't want to keep reaching for it if I really need directions.
What do you use?
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thecurleyque
Junior Member
Posts: 97 
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Post by thecurleyque on Jul 29, 2014 14:23:10 GMT
Well, like your son, I use my phone (and make sure to turn off google maps when I get to my destination).
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:28:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 14:26:48 GMT
A Rand McNally map book. The old fashioned paper kind. After an incident involving GPS, a 10-ft U-Haul towing an auto hauler and my KIA, a dirt road, and a fence with a "Trespassers Will Be Shot" sign, I am convinced GPS is of the Devil.
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conchita
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,141
Jul 1, 2014 11:25:58 GMT
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Post by conchita on Jul 29, 2014 14:27:43 GMT
I have a Navigon. It was a bit pricey but has been a lifesaver traveling through Europe. I'm heading back Stateside and have already downloaded the maps for the States.
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Post by snappinsami on Jul 29, 2014 14:28:34 GMT
DH's car doesn't have a built-in unit, so we both use our iPhones. We have different apps (built-in one, Waze, etc.). I haven't had to use them enough to have a preference at this point. Regarding data usage, chances are you don't need to have it on all the time, only when you're going someplace where you're not familiar. And honestly, the amount of data that map programs use is pretty minimal. I doubt you'd have a problem with it using so much that you run over your limit for the month. There are also a lot of different mounts that you can check out. When we get rid of my car and I have to drive DH's all the time, I'm going to get this one. |
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Post by ferblover on Jul 29, 2014 14:29:23 GMT
Well, like your son, I use my phone (and make sure to turn off google maps when I get to my destination).  Finally got to use that one, hooray! |
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,233
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Jul 29, 2014 14:31:07 GMT
I use my phone. My GPS is old and outdated. As often as there is road construction in my area, it's just not worth the trouble or money to replace it and keep the maps updated.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:28:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 14:34:39 GMT
I use the Waze app. Love it.
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psiluvu
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,217
Location: Canada's Capital
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Post by psiluvu on Jul 29, 2014 14:53:23 GMT
I use google maps on my Samsung Galaxy 4 phone. Not really a data sucker that I have noticed. Always updated which I really like.
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Jul 29, 2014 14:55:13 GMT
Built in GPS with my Google maps app as backup.
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Post by PinkPrincess77 on Jul 29, 2014 14:58:07 GMT
I use WAZE or Maps as well. Any GPS that you use on your phone is going to use Data, as far as I know. You just have to remember to turn it off.
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Jul 29, 2014 14:58:44 GMT
Google Maps or the Apple Maps app. I don't really have the desire to have to keep track of yet another device. Having the phone works wonders
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Post by Aheartfeltcard on Jul 29, 2014 15:01:05 GMT
I use my iPhone. I use Bluetooth and ask Siri for directions. No need to have to look because she tells me where to go. She fades out the music to talk too! I love it !
I have never gone over my data but I also don't use it much day to day or use gps often.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,402
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 29, 2014 15:03:04 GMT
I have a Garmin. Cheap as they come and very good. Much better than the TomTom it replaced.
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Post by beachbum on Jul 29, 2014 15:04:20 GMT
I have a Garmin Nuvi GPS and love it. It comes with lifetime map updates, shows a graphic of most upcoming turns (on major highways), shows which lane you should be in, has a large screen, and does not suck the data out of my phone. We take long car trips (last summer was almost 8,000 miles!), when DH is driving I use my phone to check FB, look for restaurants and hotels, and find interesting things on our route - can't do that if I'm using the phone app as a gps. I did buy a different mount, one that has a bean bag type bottom, easier to remove and doesn't leave a tell-tale ring on the windshield. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:28:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 15:09:21 GMT
I use my phone. GPS really doesn't use much data at all and the ease of use and always-updated nature of the maps on the phone are preferable to me over built in or aftermarket navigation systems.
I have a mount in my car and I can see just fine, plus the announced instructions are always helpful.
I also keep a couple real maps in the car for a backup (really only use it when we are in the wilds of Oregon, but it's very handy to have. Not interested in becoming a victim of death by GPS!)
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Post by AN on Jul 29, 2014 15:12:19 GMT
My phone. Much more updated.
I do try to look up the directions ahead of time and have the "mental map" in my head so I'm not solely relying on GPS. It is more of a trigger/reminder than me following it step by step. I find driving much less stressful if I've looked at the map ahead of the time and have an idea of where I'm going versus waiting for the GPS to give me instructions. Helps me be in the right lane, be on the lookout for upcoming exits earlier than GPS tells me, etc.
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Post by johna on Jul 29, 2014 15:18:52 GMT
we use a TomTom GPS. it works very well. My concern with trying to use the phone on our recent trip was what if a phone call came in? (my dh is a minister and he gets lots of phone calls). I am terrible at maps, and the GPS is very easy to use.
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Post by SnowWhite on Jul 29, 2014 15:20:44 GMT
For short trips, I use my phone, for longer trips, I have a Garmin I got a few years ago with the lifetime maps update. Google maps on my phone uses data and drains the heck out of the battery (and makes the phone warm as well), so I don't use it very often.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:28:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 15:21:57 GMT
I think mine is a garmin. I tried useing my iphone but the screen is smaller than I can easily read from a distance, like I prefer to keep it when driving, so I chose a gps with a larger screen.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 14:28:44 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 15:24:09 GMT
we use a TomTom GPS. it works very well. My concern with trying to use the phone on our recent trip was what if a phone call came in? (my dh is a minister and he gets lots of phone calls). I am terrible at maps, and the GPS is very easy to use. When a call comes in the phone screen temporarily comes to the top so you can touch the answer button and the gps voice stops talking. But inevidebly someone would call just as I was needing to see the map and the gps function wasn't talking to me either. |
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Post by hennybutton on Jul 29, 2014 15:25:17 GMT
Add me to the list of people who use the phone. I start by finding my destination before I leave. I suck at maps, so I read over the step by step directions. If I'm really unfamiliar with the area, then I'll turn on navigation and let Google maps voice navigation get me there. It works pretty well, but I can't say how much data it uses. I have an unlimited data plan.
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Post by Karene on Jul 29, 2014 15:25:57 GMT
I also have a Garmin Nuvi. We are planning on taking it with us on our trip to Nova Scotia through New England. We leave in 3 days.
It has lifetime updates and I find it easy to use. It is my first GPS. We don't have data on our phones so we can't use GPS on them. I did download an offline maps app called OsmAnd. It lets you load 10 free maps (provinces and states).
We will also be taking a paper roadmap of North America.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,305
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Post by gina on Jul 29, 2014 15:27:27 GMT
we use our iPhones.
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Post by lovetodigi on Jul 29, 2014 15:29:14 GMT
I have a Garmin Nuvi GPS and love it. It comes with lifetime map updates, shows a graphic of most upcoming turns (on major highways), shows which lane you should be in, has a large screen, and does not suck the data out of my phone. We take long car trips (last summer was almost 8,000 miles!), when DH is driving I use my phone to check FB, look for restaurants and hotels, and find interesting things on our route - can't do that if I'm using the phone app as a gps. I did buy a different mount, one that has a bean bag type bottom, easier to remove and doesn't leave a tell-tale ring on the windshield. This ^^^ DH and I both have Garmins that are less than a year old. I will sometimes use Waz on my iPhone as backup to check and see what might be going on if there is a traffic problem. |
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Post by monklady123 on Jul 29, 2014 15:30:27 GMT
I have my trusty map book in the car. Yeah, old-fashioned. If I'm driving somewhere unfamiliar I use Google maps at home before I leave, and I write down the directions. If I miss a turn or something then I pull over somewhere and look at my phone. If dd is with me she uses her phone. Hers talks to her, mine doesn't.  |
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Post by lbp on Jul 29, 2014 15:31:46 GMT
I use a Tom-Tom. You can update all your maps by plugging it in to your computer and going to their site to update. I prefer that to my phone.
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Post by roundtwo on Jul 29, 2014 15:32:04 GMT
Before I got my vehicle with the built in system, I used a Garmin Nuvi and I loved it. The only place I had an issue with the maps not being updated was when I was driving in Croatia and since that isn't a place I drive on a regular basis, I don't really consider that a negative. My back up is always a paper map/road atlas.
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Jul 29, 2014 15:41:52 GMT
For local stuff, I just use my phone. For longer distances, we have a Garmin with lifetime map updates.
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Post by khaleesi on Jul 29, 2014 15:44:01 GMT
Another phone user here. I have never come near using all of my data (we share on our family plan) with the GPS on.
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