ted1992

I am seeking advise on a new GPS unit for my wife. We currently have a Garmin nuvi 750 but is is not meeting her needs.

My wife is directionally challenged and extremely likely to get lost while driving. At the same time, she hates gadgets and devices, especially if they are difficult to use.

She recognizes she needs a GPS in her car -- but she has a way she wants to use it that makes it difficult. When my wife is driving streets she recognizes, she does not want the GPS on or to even see it. She only wants to use it for the 10% of the time she is driving someplace new. The problem with our current GPS is that since she keeps it unplugged most of the time, it needs a few minutes to figure out the current location. My wife usually has kids in the car and she cannot wait that long to get going.

I know that a cell-phone may be better since it does not take as long to figure out is location but she needs something that is very easy to use when driving.

Do we need a built-in GPS unit (where the display can be turned off) even though it is not needed the great majority. Or is there some easy to use portable option that can be kept off most of time time and then can be turned on when needed.

Thanks.

Ted

Andy

I think the only problem you'll have finding a portable GPS is the time it takes to get a lock when it hasn't been used in a while. My older Nuvi 660 can take up to 5 minutes if I've traveled any distance from the last time I used it.

If she really can't wait a couple minutes for it to get a lock then maybe a GPS enabled cell phone would work better for her. You could find/make/buy a mount that would put it in a convenient place like you do with the 750.

Or maybe a built in GPS. That would cost more but most let you use the display for radio/CD/etc controls when not using the navigation part. My car has an OEM nav and it is fast. Initial sat lock is less than 30 seconds since it's always running.

GeorgeC

The only practicable way to get a built in GPS is to purchase a new vehicle. Adding one to an existing vehicle is usually a couple of thousand or more. You will also still have the problem of how long it takes the unit to locate satellites and update.

My Nuvi 760 takes very little time to find the satellites and calculate its location. I would say less than a minute on the average. I think the 760 is out of manufacturer. However, there should be some new models that have quick capture.

I think that you should try to convince your wife to have a portable unit in her vehicle all of the time. If properly attached on the dash or low on the windshield they do not interfere with your vision. In fact I prefer the portable mounting to most in dash units. They are higher in my field of vision and therefore I do not have to take my eyes off the road as much to look at the GPS.

On those days when she knows that she will always be going places that she knows, then she will not turn it on. On days when she thinks she may travel an unknown area then turn the FPS on when she first gets to the vehicle.

The idea of turning the unit on only when she arrives at a point she does not know is not reasonable. I think you need to try to explain the practicalities of this to her. She should understand. For one, regardless of GPS lock time, it will take her too long to get orientated to her location.

Good luck.

George

sviking

Uh, nooo... Virtually every time, an aftermarket install will be less expensive and better than most of the OEM crap systems. Probably the only factory system I'd consider is Lexus.

GeorgeC

You need to provide some backup material for this statement. I have never seen anyone other than you who thinks that an aftermarket can be installed cheaper.

I guess that if you have the talent and equipment to build your own unit and the masks required for the vehicle it MAY be possible to add one with less cost.

However, this is out of reach for the average individual.

George

sviking

Um, okay. 5 seconds on Google shows me this excellent Kenwood GPS/head unit, which runs the beloved Garmin GPS OS.

Amazon.com: Brand New Kenwood Dnx5160 All-in-one Double Din 6.1"…

EASILY installed for WELL under $1000. In fact, buy it at the right place and a lot of the time, the install is free. So, how does that stack up to your $1500, $2000+ in dash units?

Look, I'm not saying OEM units are not the way to go IF someone wants one, but your statement of an aftermarket unit generally being more expensive is just plain WRONG.