Best portable GPS navigation system?

[Exact Rototilling]

Best portable GPS navigation system?

I'm not sure if this would be cost effective for me but I do get fair amount of one time customers call, rototilling, aeration etc., so having directions spelled out for me would help some. If someone calls when I'm at home I always pull up their address on Google maps 97% accurate.

If I receive a call when I'm driving it's bit tougher to get directions correct. I know a GPS Nav unit would help but how forgiving would they be on address entry and spelling? I'm a horrible speller - so some sort of spell check would weigh in heavily for me.

I would need one that is portable so I can move it from both of my work vehicles. Is there an sort of subscription service for this?

I'm a very technical person but I'm clueless on this issue. :hammerhead:

Thanks,

Glen :waving:

[topsites]

I have the TomTom One XL, don't know what it costs because I got it for Xmas :)

It's niiice.

[HOOLIE]

I've always done fine with just a map. Keep it in the truck if needed.

[wooley99]

I got a Tom Tom for Christmas too. (Tom's Tom Tom:)). If you can spell your town's name correctly and the first letter of the street it will get you there. It takes me much longer to tap this crap into the screen than it does to find it on the atlas though. And I enjoy pissing it off by taking the way I know has less traffic or no speed bumps or whatever. After telling me to turn around 3 times it "recalculates".

I'm usually just happy if I can get someone to give me their street address instead of "directions".

[topsites]

There are some drawbacks, all maps have errors...
It's led me down a couple of dead ends, also told me to turn left where there was a median strip...
You definitely still have to pay attention :laugh:

But I can make corrections, just not to the unit itself, has to be sent to TomTom then once verified it goes in the system.
All user-submitted corrections are available as free downloads, always.

As far as investments they do save time, even on routes I have always traveled I now use the GPS, and lo and behold I found a couple of roads in 20 years I didn't know existed... Map or not I get so used to doing things a certain way, always drive down this road to get to A, that road to get to B and so on, and it gets to a point I fail to see the shortcut!

So it can easily cut 15-20 minutes drive time a day, that alone is worth it.

Now I haven't had a chance to test this yet, but the GPS has the ability, the only question remains is will it do it, here's the idea:
1. Create a POI Category called Customers.
2. Enter all customers in this category, pita but once done it's over, new customers are entered right then and there, phone number too!

Now, say for instance I have 8 lawns to cut.
Create an itinerary with (and I'm not sure on this part) 8 destinations OR way points, make my home the start and finish and enter those 8 destinations (or way points) pretty much at random.
Then, let the GPS figure out the best way all around.
It should do it, I just don't know if it will, or if it simply calculates the shortest route between the destinations/waypoints AS entered.
But it should do it the fastest way, re-routing as needed.
I doubt it's a matter of functionality per se, more likely a matter how flexible the software is, or allows it to be.

Want to eat lunch?
Ask the GPS to point out restaurants along the route.
Hungry now?
Detour the GPS to a restaurant.
Then, resume itinerary.

I also created a POI category 'Businesses,' for the dealer, the auto parts store, and so on, places I frequent.

It really helps a lot, I don't drive without it at all.

[Pflat1]

Garmen

Iv had a Garmen for over 2 yrs and its never steered me wrong, even when I took it to Canada.

[AI Inc]

Ya can buy a magellan 3200 for about$170, I have em in all the trucks.

[dave k]

I was told that a BOYO is user friendly and they make neat looking back up camera's in your license plate covers, just Google it, I'm in the market as well.

[memac259]

I use a Tom Tom 720. I think it's great for going to houses or businesses for the first time. I don't have to ask customers for directions. Sometimes the routes aren't the best possible but it always takes you right to the driveway. I also use the bluetooth feature for the cell phone when its in the truck. I also got it for Christmas and I actually use it a lot more than I thought I would.

[deere615]

I just got a garmin c330 a little while ago, my dad has the same one, they are great

[lawnkingforever]

I have a Garmin c530, got it at Cabellas for 200$( Fri. after Thanksgiving). It is pretty accurtate. Comes in handy when you travel. Most don't charge monthly fees. But some of the expensive ones do. They offer realtime traffic and weather conditions.

[Happy Frog]

Consumer report gives Tom Tom One a best buy rating...

[CALandscapes]

I have Garmins in both of our trucks. I LOVE them. I wouldn't be able to operate without them.

[Ravenwood Landscaping]

I bought a Tom Tom One for $150 (I think this is the new going rate for this one) for my parents for their traveling. They've been a ton of places since Christmas and said it hasn't been wrong yet. And they've been some not well traveled places. They've put it in the truck with a $700 model and they worked exactly the same. So if you don't need much in the way of add-ons, this one seems to work well.

[joesimoes2]

magellan 700 works great:drinkup:

[deere615]

I have a Garmin c530, got it at Cabellas for 200$( Fri. after Thanksgiving). It is pretty accurtate. Comes in handy when you travel. Most don't charge monthly fees. But some of the expensive ones do. They offer realtime traffic and weather conditions.

Thats a great deal! Where are you in Pittsburgh?

[cgaengineer]

If you can or want to swing it, I just got a Blackberry Curve with unlimited internet and I installed google maps (Free) and it also came with Telenav which is another $10 per month if you want to suscribe. Telenav is voice guidence like a Garmin Street Pilot (I have one of those as well) and I have to say it works pretty well. The nice thing about using a Blackberry is that you have internet, email, GPS, contacts, scheduler, mp3 and a phone all in one. I always thought people with Blackberrys were weirdos, but once I tried one for 30 days from AT&T I was hooked.

As far as the GPS on Blackberry, you would need unlimited internet as the maps are downloaded from the internet (Unlike the Garmin). With Telenav you get traffic info (Useful if you live in a big city) and the ability to add places on the website to be updated on your phone, if driving you can call Telenav and they will add the location for you and you never even have to type it in. Text to speech is the only GPS I would consider if you are going to use one and most of the portable units have that now as does Blackberry.

[Exact Rototilling]

Thanks for all the input.

A discount store has the Magellan Maestro 3100 on sale for $149.88 reg price $200

Costco has the Magellan Maestro 4250 for $199

and Costco has the Garmin NUVI 680 for only $399 ;)

I have a fair amount of 1 time customers for Rototilling and I also plan on expanding aeration service to areas I'm not very familiar with except for major streets. Sounds like a no brainier to me.

:cool2:

[corbster]

Question for all that posted:
Is there a monthly fee for Tom Tom ...ect?
I use Sprint/Nextel and only pay 20.00/month extra for Internet/Navigation pack.

[AI Inc]

Question for all that posted:
Is there a monthly fee for Tom Tom ...ect?
I use Sprint/Nextel and only pay 20.00/month extra for Internet/Navigation pack.

I think the high end ones that give you real time traffic updates might . The affordable ( $150-$200 ) models dont have a monthly charge and pay for themselves within weeks.