GPS Under $400

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

What GPS navigation brands for under $400 would you recommend? No Not Google Maps on the mobile phone ... I will explain why ...

The third Tom Tom GPS navigator I have had decided to curl its toes up recently. I fell back to using Google Maps on my mobile. During my latest trip away I noticed a feature that Google Maps does not have which earlier Tom Toms did. Soon as I took the wrong turn using a Tom Tom it would announce that I was going the wrong way and when it was safe to do so, I should do a u-turn.

With Google it started leading me at least 30 kilometres away before it took me to some obscure place where it instructed me to turn around. Most of the 30 kilometres return trip actually retraced my previously guided journey. So Google Maps took me on a 60 kilometre diversion. During this trek I had previously passed through numerous round-abouts. At any time Google Maps could have said, "take the X number of exit" which would have equalled my taking a u-turn. The phone was not in a position where I could see that after taking the wrong turn my estimated time of arrival was actually increasing instead of decreasing. So yes - I was pretty hacked off with Google Maps. At the time I even missed the Australian accented voice from my last Tom Tom that used to say - "Hey mate - chuck a u-ee when it is safe to do so, because you are going the wrong way. Tell the back seat drivers to shut up, or you will leave them at the next service station".

I know that Tom Tom does tell you that you have taken the wrong turn. Do the other brands such as Garmin have the same feature? Just having the time to destination increasing because I took the wrong turn or exit on the round about is not a feature that does me any good. I need to be told as soon as possible that I took the wrong turn and get directions to be back on the right path. It is the second time that Google Maps has pulled a similar lark. There will not be a third time - well fingers crossed.


Kind regards
Lionel

[Saitch]

Dr. Lionel, I have posted this elsewhere, but will do here. Over the years, I have had to recover half a dozen or more, vehicles from a fenced, 100 acre paddock, across the ridge from our house. All were using 'Google Maps', which shows several roads through my property and the neighbours'. I can't believe that none of them woke up to the fact that driving through 2' high grass was unusual for a road, even in Qld.

Personally, I use a Navman product and have done, without any major, issues for years and find the updates adequate. I do update the equipment every few years, too as they have some good deals on upgrading units. Can't help with the price, though, sorry.

You get a choice of Aussie bloke or girl navigator. I think the girl is from Mackay.

[Lionelgee]

Dr. Lionel, I have posted this elsewhere, but will do here. Over the years, I have had to recover half a dozen or more, vehicles from a fenced, 100 acre paddock, across the ridge from our house. All were using 'Google Maps', which shows several roads through my property and the neighbours'. I can't believe that none of them woke up to the fact that driving through 2' high grass was unusual for a road, even in Qld.

Personally, I use a Navman product and have done, without any major, issues for years and find the updates adequate. I do update the equipment every few years, too as they have some good deals on upgrading units. Can't help with the price, though, sorry.

You get a choice of Aussie bloke or girl navigator. I think the girl is from Mackay.

Hello Saitch,

Thank you for your reply. Does Navman tell you that you have gone the wrong way and that you should turn around - or re-directs you around the block to get you back to where you should have been going? The bit about "you are going the wrong way" is the most critical aspect to me. The sooner it announces the error the better!

Kind regards
Lionel

[Tombie]

Having said what you have above…

I’ve had Garmin and TomTom etc do the same.

It’s a glitch in the Aussie maps in some locations.

In other instances using Waze, Google Maps and Apple Maps I have had immediate “do a u-turn” warnings.

Apple Maps has consistently proven faster at finding quick runs to distant locations.

The bit to listen for in all instances is a sudden update in directions!

[incisor]

garmin are much easier to update than navman or tomtom

i get lots of calls to update devices for people...

[loanrangie]

I would never buy a one of those dedicated GPS devices, an android tablet is much more practical and you can generally find free apps and maps online.

[simonmelb]

Agree with the above.

See here for more details: GPS Advice (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/gps/292512-gps-advice.html)

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Thank you for the suggestions of using a Android/Apple tablet and downloading free maps. This is all great and I really do appreciate your replies.

However, do they immediately tell you - via a speech mode - that you are going the wrong direction and that you should turn around when it is safe to do so? Or do they automatically redirect you and via speech mode - tell you about it?

If these programs do not do that then they are not fit for my specific purpose.

I have only bought Tom Tom GPS in the past, and I just wanted to know if other brands of GPS offer the bold, italics and underlined bit from above.

Yes, I can be a pedantic git ... "fools and their money" you might say .... However, I do have a specific purpose and the item must be fit for purpose. To achieve that end I am more than happy to pay for it; providing it is priced at a reasonable amount.

Kind regards
Lionel

[LuckyLes]

Hi Lionalgee,
I have a Garmin in my Disco and it tells you to do a uturn when you make a wrong turn.
LuckyLes

[BradC]

We have a Tomtom for when my inlaws arrive from Scotland. I actually like it but updating it can be a pain.

In the car I tend to use Apple Maps. I find when you miss a turn it will examine the routes and persistently tell you where to turn around until you ignore it long enough you reach the point the next alternative route is shorter. I will say however this experience varies. It's not always right, but it's better than a UBD in that it's somewhat aware of traffic conditions.

My wife uses Google maps, and it loves to take us down dirt tracks, sand traps and pretty much anything else that might be trafficable in a 6x6 with tank tracks regardless. It also likes long detours and re-routes rather than u-turns. Again, experience may vary. Nothing like taking a 2WD Hyundai through the sand traps of the Gnangarra pines because some **** on the Tonkin jumped in front of a B-double. Thanks Google.

The only one that is dead reliable (city or country) is the factory Nav in the D3, but it's also 10 years out of date now. Because we're pretty slow at development over here in WA, at least if Apple maps does something dumb I can usually switch to the factory Nav and get there in a relatively expedient manner.

The thing is, your user experience depends on route, time, weather, connectivity and the angle of the sun regardless of your Nav unit/method/application.

[NavyDiver]

Hi Lionel or is it Professor Lionel now Sir?

A melbourne store I have used a few times has very good advice in store and probebly via phone

Online it is Johnny Appleseed GPS - Your Garmin GPS and RAM Mounts shop for GPS Australia! (https://www.ja-gps.com.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_OmQ56Sj-wIVlQsrCh0pwQupEAAYASAAEgLjxvD_BwE)

Phone number is Freecall number 1800 477 477
email via sales@ja-gps.com.au

(sales@ja-gps.com.au)One question you might like to consider is GPS or via mobile network? The Tablet computer Apple or android would in my view need to be a Tablet with built in GPS

A quick look at a " (https://www.amazon.com.au/Lenovo-ZA5G0036AU-TB-8505F-Iron-Grey/dp/B08FSYZ6D9/ref=asc_df_B08FSYZ6D9/'tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341772800614&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6268142226613221678&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071363&hvtargid=pla-954445234932&th=1)Lenovo Tab M8 HD, 8 Inch, 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, Iron Grey, ZA5G0036AU" specs did not show GPS anywhere in the details (https://www.amazon.com.au/Lenovo-ZA5G0036AU-TB-8505F-Iron-Grey/dp/B08FSYZ6D9/ref=asc_df_B08FSYZ6D9/'tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341772800614&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6268142226613221678&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071363&hvtargid=pla-954445234932&th=1) despite googling Android tablet with GPS

A sailing site might have that covered What is the best GPS tablet for navigation in 2022 : Android or Apple? - Sailing Kerguelen (https://sailingkerguelen.com/en/best-gps-tablet-navigation-android-apple/)


Good luck considering. Hunting is fun

[Lionelgee]

Hi Lionel or is it Professor Lionel now Sir?

A melbourne store I have used a few times has very good advice in store and probebly via phone

Online it is Johnny Appleseed GPS - Your Garmin GPS and RAM Mounts shop for GPS Australia! (https://www.ja-gps.com.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_OmQ56Sj-wIVlQsrCh0pwQupEAAYASAAEgLjxvD_BwE)

Phone number is Freecall number 1800 477 477
email via sales@ja-gps.com.au

(sales@ja-gps.com.au)One question you might like to consider is GPS or via mobile network? The Tablet computer Apple or android would in my view need to be a Tablet with built in GPS

A quick look at a " (https://www.amazon.com.au/Lenovo-ZA5G0036AU-TB-8505F-Iron-Grey/dp/B08FSYZ6D9/ref=asc_df_B08FSYZ6D9/'tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341772800614&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6268142226613221678&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071363&hvtargid=pla-954445234932&th=1)Lenovo Tab M8 HD, 8 Inch, 2GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, Iron Grey, ZA5G0036AU" specs did not show GPS anywhere in the details (https://www.amazon.com.au/Lenovo-ZA5G0036AU-TB-8505F-Iron-Grey/dp/B08FSYZ6D9/ref=asc_df_B08FSYZ6D9/'tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341772800614&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6268142226613221678&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071363&hvtargid=pla-954445234932&th=1) despite googling Android tablet with GPS

A sailing site might have that covered What is the best GPS tablet for navigation in 2022 : Android or Apple? - Sailing Kerguelen (https://sailingkerguelen.com/en/best-gps-tablet-navigation-android-apple/)


Good luck considering. Hunting is fun

Hello NavyDiver,

I am still getting a sense of naive amusement when people call me "Dr. Evans". Once I get used to that I might look at expanding the title a bit. At the moment not being hooked up to academia is quiet restorative.

For example, I can research stuff such as a new GPS without having feelings of guilt. The voice whispering in my ear that I should be working on the PhD instead. I am very pleased that particular monkey is off my back. My last bout with Google Maps re-directing me kilometres away from my intended destination was a parts run to pick up an engine and gearbox. This whole trip was guilt free! While I was in that neighbourhood, myself and a friend who for various reasons - lock-downs ... we have not seen each other in years; and we arranged to catch-up with each other. Anyway, we had a significant amount of our scheduled get-together consumed by Google's foibles. Google sure as hell did not do my stress levels any good during the redirection time either. Plus, I am lucky I do not have a self-imposed swear jar. I have also been able to work on motor vehicles - you know that word called a "hobby"! Something one can pursue during their... what is the word? That's it ... "Leisure" time.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Phil 850]

I bought a Garmin in 2015 for a trip to Europe and installed a Europe SIM card.
We traveled all over the UK and France without an issue.
Yes it told us when we went the wrong way (which we often did in Paris) and would recalculate a new shortest route.
i used it in my Morris 850 mainly as a speedo but would put in destinations if I didn’t know the way.
My daughter has one in her Morris 850 (daily driver) and has compared it with her iPhone and prefers the directions from the Garmin.

One of the features I liked was using a woman with a French accent while in France as the street names then made more sense [smilebigeye]

I am planning to build a pod to mount it in, in my 82 RRC so that it looks like it sort of belongs there.

Phil

[Saitch]

garmin are much easier to update than navman or tomtom

i get lots of calls to update devices for people...

Hmmm. I get an advice box on the Navman: "Updates are available" and just connect the unit to my laptop and Bob's your uncle.

[loanrangie]

I've been using Igo for android for years and it tells you when turns are coming up etc and if you miss a turn it will say " recalculating route" and give you new directions.
My old Iaq PDA was running TomTom with an Ozzy Osbourne voice pack so you'd get turn by turn navigation with a stutter and he would tell you off if you missed a turn :)

[Saitch]

Hello Saitch,

Thank you for your reply. Does Navman tell you that you have gone the wrong way and that you should turn around - or re-directs you around the block to get you back to where you should have been going? The bit about "you are going the wrong way" is the most critical aspect to me. The sooner it announces the error the better!

Kind regards
Lionel

Yes. It's fairly quick to come up with a 'Do a U turn when possible' statement and reasonably quick to calc a new route.
I also have a few apps on my phone and tablet, for more non-urban travel. [smilebigeye]

[simonmelb]

Remember with an Android tablet you can try and use for free a vast number of navigation apps and you’ll find one you like. Much better than buying a locked down dedicated GPS, as you have so much more choice.

I use OziExplorer ( on the tablet ) for most touring and off-road driving, and Google Maps for on road.

You really need an internet connected device for on road so you can get live traffic / road closures and other alerts. Several times this has saved me!

Other good turn x turn apps include Waze and Mapme.




Hello All,

Thank you for the suggestions of using a Android/Apple tablet and downloading free maps. This is all great and I really do appreciate your replies.

However, do they immediately tell you - via a speech mode - that you are going the wrong direction and that you should turn around when it is safe to do so? Or do they automatically redirect you and via speech mode - tell you about it?

If these programs do not do that then they are not fit for my specific purpose.

I have only bought Tom Tom GPS in the past, and I just wanted to know if other brands of GPS offer the bold, italics and underlined bit from above.

Yes, I can be a pedantic git ... "fools and their money" you might say .... However, I do have a specific purpose and the item must be fit for purpose. To achieve that end I am more than happy to pay for it; providing it is priced at a reasonable amount.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Tins]

Hello All,

Thank you for the suggestions of using a Android/Apple tablet and downloading free maps. This is all great and I really do appreciate your replies.

However, do they immediately tell you - via a speech mode - that you are going the wrong direction and that you should turn around when it is safe to do so? Or do they automatically redirect you and via speech mode - tell you about it?

If these programs do not do that then they are not fit for my specific purpose.

I have only bought Tom Tom GPS in the past, and I just wanted to know if other brands of GPS offer the bold, italics and underlined bit from above.

Yes, I can be a pedantic git ... "fools and their money" you might say .... However, I do have a specific purpose and the item must be fit for purpose. To achieve that end I am more than happy to pay for it; providing it is priced at a reasonable amount.

Kind regards
Lionel

Lionel, have a look at the Sygic app.