Posted: 4/13/2008 7:59:13 AM EDT
| I am looking to buy a Garmin GPS system and need to know how the system works... Do I pay a monthly/yearly fee to use this? |
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I don't think they even charge for software upgrades. Other's I know do, but not sure about Garmin. Ours is pretty accurate, it has however missed I think two streets that were built in 2007. They were not in the database at the end of 2006, thus not in the current version of the software. Still, as accurate as one could hope for. Hell if it could find a named goatpath in Temperanceville, OH It can find anywhere you would reasonably want to go. |
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Drove a thousand miles last weekend with my new Garmin Nuvi 200 GPS. It worked flawlessly, and it's the entry level model. That said, I have a Garmin Etrex Venture cx handheld GPS for hiking/bushwacking. Not at all user friendly, and it loses the satellite link in the woods. Since most of my hiking is in the wooded mountain areas it's pretty disappointing. |
I had an older Legend that didn't doo so well in the woods. I upgrade to the Vista hCx. Night and day difference. Any of the "h" models will have the newer high-sensitivity reciever. Heavy tree cover, inside metal buildings, wherever... the newer models will hold a signal. J |
| If you drive a vehicle that doesn't get the greatest fuel mileage in the world, a GPS can pay for itself fairly quickly. I also have a Garmin Nuvi 200, and I really like it. It is very accurate, locates and holds satellite signals fast, and if you know how to open the box it comes in, you can have it up and running in less than 3 minutes. |
Software updates are free (Garmin.) But map updates (usually yearly) about $60-$80 depending on where you get 'em. I upgrade mine every year only because I'm all over the country on business and roads change a LOT. I upgrade the the wife's GPS maps every other year. |
I recently passed on my Garmin Streetpilot C330 to my step daughter, and bought a nuvi 260. Just like your 200 except it announces streetnames too. I went with one of the vent mounts off of amazon, and it's worknig out very well. The nuvi series is every bit as easy to use as Zardoz describes - a great piece of kit. I consider in car GPS to be a safety issue nowdays, especially after reading some of the stories about evacuating via car during Katrina. Crappy cellphone pics  You can get the Nuvi 200 for $160 or the 260 for $220 through amazon.com. |
I concur with information above. I just bought a NUVI 350. It came with a free 2008 Map Update offer (it came loaded with 2007). You send away for the CD. It works great!!!! |