GPS Under $400

**Lionelgee** · 10th November 2022, 09:55 AM

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** · 10th November 2022, 10:29 AM

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** · 10th November 2022, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 10th November 2022, 11:15 AM

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** · 10th November 2022, 12:34 PM

garmin are much easier to update than navman or tomtom

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

**loanrangie** · 10th November 2022, 01:58 PM

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** · 10th November 2022, 03:55 PM

Agree with the above.

See here for more details: GPS Advice

**Lionelgee** · 10th November 2022, 05:46 PM

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** · 10th November 2022, 06:03 PM

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** · 10th November 2022, 06:57 PM

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.

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