K ([info]munchkin1616) wrote in [info]poor_skills,
2009-06-21 14:43:00

GPS/Phone

I'm possibly moving in with some relatives in the near future, in a new city in the South Florida area.

I'm trying to find the most economic way to have a GPS system (so I'm not driving totally lost) as well as considering cell phone options. (Right now, I have a super basic phone and minimal plan since I use my house phone mostly, but if I move, I won't have this so I'll really need to up my cell phone plan).

Essentially, it's figuring out whether it's cheaper/smarter to buy one of those fancy phone with a GPS built in or if it's better to not have to buy a new phone with all kinds of stuff I don't need to have GPS on the phone itself.

Also, what do you recommend (have good luck with, etc) for either/both a GPS and phone that has GPS? (I'm a super basic kinda gal, so I don't really need all kinds of cameras or games or whatnot, though ease of use is important).


THANKS!!!

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  • 54 comments

[info]i_id

June 21 2009, 18:57:36 UTC 2 years ago

I geocache, so I've had a few GPSs. With most in-phone GPSs, there are a lot of extra charges, sometimes every time you use it. But you can find a used hand-held on ebay or on the geocaching site for pretty cheap.

[info]mystik00769

June 21 2009, 19:15:40 UTC 2 years ago

Hey there fellow geocacher! :D

[info]i_id

2 years ago

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[info]munchkin1616

2 years ago

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[info]i_id

2 years ago

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[info]stacycat69

June 21 2009, 18:58:56 UTC 2 years ago

I had a sprint phone, so I can talk about what the extras cost.

For internet (Sprint PCS vision) it was 15 for that, plus 10 for the Sprint GPS. 500 Texts were 5 bucks, so thats 30.

My Blackberry upgrade has all the fancy things included in the 30 sprint blackberry plan.

While I dont use the GPS feature all that often, I do use Google Maps quite a bit. I am in New York City, so their transit feature is great. But, google maps triangulates based on cell phone towers, so it can give good directions. So, if you dont need GPS, but have a want for other internet services, take a look at that option.

[info]hecatemacbeth

June 21 2009, 19:03:09 UTC 2 years ago

Honestly, I've had more luck with Google maps and mapquest than I've had with GPS. GPS SUCKS if they're doing roadwork or tolls and you want to avoid those. It takes you to back roads and a bunch of other crap, including people's driveways that don't have an outlet because you constantly have to update the maps and such.

[info]cece00

June 21 2009, 19:28:36 UTC 2 years ago

most (maybe all) gps's have a feature where you can choose to avoid tolls, and if they have the service that updates based on traffic, you can avoid roadwork too.

just an fyi in case you didnt know it.

[info]munchkin1616

2 years ago

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[info]devious_angel3

2 years ago

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[info]meredith_mae

2 years ago

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[info]munchkin1616

2 years ago

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[info]meredith_mae

2 years ago

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[info]hecatemacbeth

2 years ago

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[info]antisocialite

June 21 2009, 19:07:19 UTC 2 years ago

I have a Garmin nuvi (which I think run about $99) and it's been great so far. And I live in DC where there's constantly roadwork, tolls, and HOV lanes, and you can adjust it to avoid that (though I do have a basic familiarity with my area enough to know where those are). Or if you hit those, you can just ask it to find a detour and it will.

I've never thought about it on the phone though, so I can't speak to that.

[info]mymaninthemoon

June 21 2009, 19:13:54 UTC 2 years ago

I have a Garmin Nuvi and LOVE it - I also have a blackberry and never use the GPS functions. I like that my Nuvi talks to me and tells me when to turn so I'm not preoccupied trying to look at a map. As far as I know, if you get a GPS enabled phone, you're going to have to have at least internet service, and possibly pay for the GPS service as well, and it won't be a "basic" phone, but more of a smart phone type. My Nuvi, btw, was only $99.

[info]munchkin1616

June 21 2009, 19:41:06 UTC 2 years ago

is there a monthly fee or whatnot to use it?

[info]antisocialite

2 years ago

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[info]devious_angel3

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[info]mymaninthemoon

2 years ago

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[info]munchkin1616

2 years ago

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[info]torpedoed

June 21 2009, 19:17:03 UTC 2 years ago

i have a samsung rant but have also used the gps on the instinct and both are very easy to use. the rant is being replaced with the exclaim, but it looks to me like everything is the same on the phone, it just slides two directions instead of one.

i can use google maps on my phone too, but beware you do have to pay internet charges, we have unlimited everything except for minutes, so i'm not sure about the exact amount it would charge you.

i think i prefer the gps over google maps but only because my gps talks to me which is sooo nice. since you need to look into a new cell anyway, i'd look into something like this, i think the rant is only $30 with a sprint plan right now anyway, they haven't replaced it yet and i haven't seen a date for it (but best buy has already gotten rid of the rant for the exclaim.. earlier than they were supposed to).

[info]cece00

June 21 2009, 19:26:40 UTC 2 years ago

I recommend keeping the basic cell if you dont need it for anything other than GPS, and then getting an afforable GPS that is simple to use bc most ppl dont not need the "top of the line/bells and whistles" GPS. My GPS can do SO MUCH STUFF and I barely use it...I would have buyers remorse if my husband had not bought it @ work and gotten a CRAZY good deal on it due to his discount.

It will be cheaper in the long run to keep the basic cell phone and buy a GPS on sale for maybe $100. A new cell will likely cost you $100, not to mention your monthly bill will likely be higher as GPS service on a phone usually is on the smartphones, which need the data plan, and you have to pay for monthly GPS service.

[info]myrcwood_rose

June 21 2009, 19:28:32 UTC 2 years ago

Probably a better poor skill to stick w/ a cheap phone and get a good local atlas, the atlas can't die on you at the worst time, and it will never cost extra, save that money for the extra gas you'll need to run your A/C.

[info]mistpantherpurr

June 21 2009, 20:41:09 UTC 2 years ago

This. I am a bit curious as to why a good up to date map or atlas wouldn't do?

[info]mymaninthemoon

2 years ago

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[info]speciesofspaces

2 years ago

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[info]selsin

2 years ago

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[info]munchkin1616

2 years ago

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[info]selsin

2 years ago

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[info]mistpantherpurr

2 years ago

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[info]beartalon

2 years ago

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[info]mymaninthemoon

2 years ago

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[info]speciesofspaces

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[info]trent_tranznor

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[info]kittenbabe

June 21 2009, 19:33:24 UTC 2 years ago

I have a tomtom and I love it. I thought I would never need it because of googlemap/mapquest, but once I tried it, I can't imagine being without it. You can set it to whether or not to take toll roads, highways, regular streets, etc. If you can't turn someehwere because of construction, or if you just miss a turn, it updates very fast to give you a new route.

I highly recommend it.

[info]munchkin1616

June 21 2009, 19:43:15 UTC 2 years ago

is this a brand of GPS or something different? is it the GPS in general you love or this specific brand? expensive? thanks!

[info]sacredlyprofane

2 years ago

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[info]meredith_mae

June 21 2009, 19:40:57 UTC 2 years ago

My boyfriend has a GPS which ran us about $250 (Garmin). It's pretty awesome, but we're going to have to update the maps soon, because he has the 2007 version, so construction, new tolls, and newer restaurants and places of interest aren't in it. If you're looking to explore an area, that might be a consideration.

I have a blackberry curve through Verizon with VZ Navigator, which is $9.99 a month. That's $120 a year. So yes, you could buy a cheap GPS system with that, but, again, you'd have to pay to update it. VZ Navigator works like GPS, though you can't stick it to your dashboard as easily. I put mine in the cupholder and usually charge my phone at the same time. It tells me audible directions and also gives me things like traffic updates, and can detour around that. I like the features on my boyfriend's GPS better, but it's handy to have the VZ Navigator on my phone because 1) my phone is always with me and 2) VZ Navigator is always updated with traffic, construction and new restaurants and stores.

However, having a smart phone does cost a lot. The Blackberry plan is something like $30 a month for unlimited data. It's well worth it me, because I'm out of the house a lot, but it's something to keep in mind. Also, I wouldn't want to use a GPS function on a phone with a smaller screen.

[info]munchkin1616

June 21 2009, 19:43:52 UTC 2 years ago

is it expensive to update?

[info]devious_angel3

2 years ago

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[info]mymaninthemoon

2 years ago

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[info]meredith_mae

2 years ago

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[info]forloveofbaby

June 21 2009, 19:59:48 UTC 2 years ago

I prefer having my GPS in my phone... that way, I ALWAYS have my GPS on me. When I had a separate unit and was traveling out of town, I would ALWAYS forget the unit in my car. Plus, I like having the capabilities to use the GPS on foot, which I do not think is an option in most car units. Plus, as stated above, you have to pay for the updates, which come standard on most phone options...

That being said, I have AT&T and their AT&T Navigator feature on my Blackberry Bold... I prefer AT&T when it comes to GPS because it uses satellite triangulation (like Tom Tom/Garmin etc) as opposed to Sprint or Verizon's cell tower triangulation, which means the directions are much more accurate. I have used my company iPhone, which uses the cell tower method, with Google Maps quite literally side by side with my Bold and they "found" me about 5 miles apart *headdesk*

Cost wise, because it's a Blackberry, I have the $40 minute plan, $30 email/internet (required for GPS) & $10 GPS... you can get other phones (non-PDA/Smartphone) that use a different internet source and it's only $15, plus the $10 for Navigator & whatever plan you choose... They have phones with GPS (among other features) that are free with activation too, so it's not like you have to pay out the nose for the phone either... plus, since you'll have the internet/email available with the data plan, you can get everything, literally, on the go.

Can you tell I'm a techie geek? I love my phone a little too much! =)

[info]hadthelastdance

June 21 2009, 20:23:42 UTC 2 years ago

I recommend Garmin. My parents have one and it's great and you can buy them new usually for around 100 bucks. To get GPS on a verizon phone is 9.99 a month.

[info]lifeisjustthis

June 21 2009, 22:46:03 UTC 2 years ago

I have a Garmin and love it. I have no sense of direction and I used to get lost constantly. I'd study a map, print out directions from mapquest, and still get lost. Then I'd almost get into an accident trying to figure out where I was and where to turn.

My Garmin also has a feature that lists nearby hotels, food, attractions, parks, etc. It isn't perfect, but it is really handy.

I think I have a Nuvi. If it isn't a Nuvi, it is one of the lower ended models.

[info]munchkin1616

June 21 2009, 23:05:07 UTC 2 years ago

you sound so much like me on things... thanks for your insight especially since it helps to get a viewpoint similar to mine as well as those who are more adapt than we :)

[info]mymaninthemoon

2 years ago

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[info]bagheeracr

June 22 2009, 03:22:12 UTC 2 years ago

I have a Garmin for in my car (useful, but use common sense- mine doesn't recognise parkinglots can't always be driven through).
I also have an eTrex Legend for geocaching. With the maps (expensive but good when in the zone) it works just like a regular GPS unit.

[info]imfinallyfound

June 22 2009, 04:45:48 UTC 2 years ago

I really really hate sprint for their customer service but I have the simply everything plan for $99. This includes unlimted internet, unlimited calls to any phone carrier, unlimited text, and ofcourse the GPS which i use for my job because i travel all over San Diego on a dailey basis. I have the Blackberry Curve and i absolutely love my phone. my boyfriend who got the phone for me calls me "crackberry" :) ha

[info]abreadcrumnfish

June 22 2009, 14:06:29 UTC 2 years ago

The best poor_skill here would be not to move to South FL. I've lived here my entire life and I'm moving next week to TN because it's WAY too expensive here. Where are you moving to?

[info]munchkin1616

June 22 2009, 19:05:47 UTC 2 years ago

moving for educational reasons that I can't avoid... moving to the miami suburbs. if you have tips and tricks from a local that you'd care to share, please feel free to message me and/or comment in my lj entries :)

[info]abreadcrumnfish

2 years ago

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[info]jewel_case

June 22 2009, 21:02:46 UTC 2 years ago

When I was looking into buying a GPS, I asked the two friends of mine who already had them what features I should look for. Both friends said to spend the extra to get one that does "text to speech" because they didn't and wish they had. Text to speech means that instead of the unit saying "Turn right in 100 feet" it says "Turn right in 100 feet onto XYZ Street".

I used the buyer's guide and extremely in-depth reviews at gpsmagazine.com to determine which model and features would fit my needs. I love my Garmin Nuvi 660 (although I paid $300 for it, not the $700 they're now asking for it on Amazon). There is an optional subscription service that will transmit live traffic info to the GPS, but other than that, there is no additional cost involved after the initial outlay for the unit itself.
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