Charisma Veteran Posted September 10, 2012 Veteran Share Posted September 10, 2012 There are pros/cons to both solutions.. The nice thing about using a smartphone is that you have updated maps, traffic, etc. The bad thing is it eats through your battery, data plans are mostly limited now (although if you have Android, you can pre-cache on WiFi). I love using my Garmin, even though I have an Android phone. For me, it's much easier to use - the Garmin software is superb (even compared to all the other garbage GPS makers out there - TomTom, Magellan, etc.), the battery life is decent. The only downside is my GPS is old, and didn't have lifetime maps, so I have maps from 2010. For a pinch, the phone is great, but on long trips, it's always the Garmin. These are my feelings spot on. I have the Nuvi as well and love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remixedcat Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 my mom's gps unit and lots of them only have 2-3 hour batter life while my phone can last 8-10 hours with gps.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkMan Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 that's because GPS units are designed to be used in cars, meaning they have power available all the time. they don't need expensive batteries. Also I'd like to see the phone that can have the screen on with maps tracking your GPS location for 7-8 hours :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeta_immersion Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Well, I've looked at basically everything out there on Amazon. 99% of them dropped the MP3 app. I have a Nuvi 350, which is awesome, but has an extremely small screen. The MP3 player pauses for any direction alerts as well as calls, then continues right on. No need to adjust volumes (i.e., turn down radio to hear GPS). I also get to hear what I want without a monthly fee, ads, or a DJ rambling on. It's pathetic they drop something so useful, yet keep the photo viewer. My budget range is $300.00 for North America. I also have the Nuvi 755t and I like it for the same reasons you mentioned above however it would randomly restart sometimes or shutdown. On occasion it would not find satellites (clear day, no clouds) .. but, when it works it works ... also, another issue with this is thinking I am in collector lanes although I am in express ... --- for those of you not familiar ... the GPS would think I am in 1st lane although I am actually in the 5th (and then some) ... quite the distance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts