I had a Tom Tom and hated it....it was a Tom Tom ONE and it would lock up sometimes. Then there was an issue of the maps being wrong, even after updates.
NAV/GPS Systems
Who is the best provider for Canadian GPS/Nav systems? I'd hate to grab one and find that they lag in their Canadian content.
Futureshop has Tom Toms on sale rigth now for a $100, any one with experience with these?
Futureshop has Tom Toms on sale rigth now for a $100, any one with experience with these?
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Garmin has map previews on their website so you can check it out and see how up to date their maps are. I don't know if TomTom does or not. A friend of mine has a TomTom and loves his. Unfortunetely I don't know what model he has. I have a Garmin Nuvi 750 and my old garmin worked great in Toronto two years ago.
You mean there are roads other than the "ice roads" in Canada ?
Do GPS's require a subscription like Satellite Radio?Garmin has map previews on their website so you can check it out and see how up to date their maps are. I don't know if TomTom does or not. A friend of mine has a TomTom and loves his. Unfortunetely I don't know what model he has. I have a Garmin Nuvi 750 and my old garmin worked great in Toronto two years ago.
No GPS is free from subscription fees. Some of the higher end models from Garmin have XM capabilities that will let you access weather radar but that can get pricey.
The only thing you would ever have to do is upgrade the map from time to time for areas that are under development. Not really an issue but a possible future cost if you own one for a long time.
The only thing you would ever have to do is upgrade the map from time to time for areas that are under development. Not really an issue but a possible future cost if you own one for a long time.
my wife has tomtom loaded on her cell phone..... not bad....but dont expect the latest roads either!
and orangee - no... all our roads are paved with ice!
and orangee - no... all our roads are paved with ice!
paved with ice , nice .. when my freezer runs out , I can chip some from the front yard , the rumly and coke needs a few cubes ....;-)
Garmin Nuvi comes already loaded with North American maps. I have Nuvi 250W and love it.
the canadian way...we pave it as roads for winter...and chip it for our beers / pop / BBQ meat in the summer :lol:paved with ice , nice .. when my freezer runs out , I can chip some from the front yard , the rumly and coke needs a few cubes ....;-)
I have an old Magellan road mate , water resistant for Motorcycle applications , it works great , no live updates for traffic work or congestion , the updates are not available for me as I run a Mac and it is PC only , I generally check an online map first before heading out to unfamiliar territory ( like Hamilton On , one way streets ) and use my gps as back up ... I still have a fair sense of direction , check the moss growing on trees , use my analog wrist watch as a sun dial , if all else fails , I have a cell phone ... ;-) more ice for my beverage please !
Garmin has best Canadian map data
I've used a StreetPilot 2720 Garmin GPS for years on my work E and motorcycle (waterproof) for years. The Canadian map data is of good quality (unlike Tom Tom) but future map updates are expensive. I would recommend updating every two years only if you update at all. The Garmin GPSs are reliable and work well. The leading edge is the bleeding edge as they say; if you want the latest model/features it will be more than twice the price of an older model with fewer features and slower processor, etc. Find a model you like with all the features you want/need and wait for the price to drop to your liking. Also, wait for the newest map data to be included for your model, although I think that that is included up to six months from date of purchase if new data becomes available. My GPS is mounted in my E's dashboard using a metal bracket that fits into the right side of the radio and is bolted on for rigidity, for best visual use and security; the first one I had was stolen when it was not bolted in! :x
I've used a StreetPilot 2720 Garmin GPS for years on my work E and motorcycle (waterproof) for years. The Canadian map data is of good quality (unlike Tom Tom) but future map updates are expensive. I would recommend updating every two years only if you update at all. The Garmin GPSs are reliable and work well. The leading edge is the bleeding edge as they say; if you want the latest model/features it will be more than twice the price of an older model with fewer features and slower processor, etc. Find a model you like with all the features you want/need and wait for the price to drop to your liking. Also, wait for the newest map data to be included for your model, although I think that that is included up to six months from date of purchase if new data becomes available. My GPS is mounted in my E's dashboard using a metal bracket that fits into the right side of the radio and is bolted on for rigidity, for best visual use and security; the first one I had was stolen when it was not bolted in! :x
I use MotionX-GPS Drive on my iPhone. Works great - and includes smart-traffic. For $25 bucks a year (U.S.) can't beat it. (covers U.S. and Canada). They are constantly updating it and improving it (free updates) - even have an HD version out for the iPad now. Haven't used my old Garman Nuvi since I got this - the MotionX works way better.
http://www.motionx.com/
http://www.motionx.com/
I run Pharos as a GPS on my phone. Hands down best program I've ever used. They make dedicated GPS systems and their maps are outstanding. My phone GPS has Traffic conditions a smart finder and a location service (allows you to show a select group where you are). They update their maps yearly and the maps are very accurate (updates are free for basic changes: 6.1-6.2 and cost around $70 for program changes: 6.9-7.0)
Their maps for Canada are broken into 3 sections (if I recall correctly): BC & Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, Quebec & Ontario. Each can be loaded individually as can the states (so you only carry the info you want)
Their maps for Canada are broken into 3 sections (if I recall correctly): BC & Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, Quebec & Ontario. Each can be loaded individually as can the states (so you only carry the info you want)
I have a TomTom that has always been great. You can change the voice to Yoda, nuff said.
I have had the three big brands of gps systems. The Tom Tom was good with good maps but the menu system is hard to use in a hurry some features are hid on screens deep in the menu structure. Maps were about $ 80.00 and you can find them on sale on the web site. Will work with windows and Mac for updates. They also have free map corrections. The Garmin was a nice unit with long battery life and free traffic updates. However I did not like the popups that came on the screen from time to time telling me where to eat or buy something. This is how they give you free traffic reports ads and more ads. This could only be updated with Windows. Maps about the same price. The third one I have is a Magellan Roadmate 1700, the only one for consumer use with a 7" screen. I use a bean bag mount on the dash of my E and it is easy to see and read if you have trouble seeing like I do. The Magellin has the best menu system of all GPS units, the One Touch Button on the screen lets you move around in the menu very quick. You can set some one touch buttons for your favorite points of interest or home location. It has the AAA autoclub points of interest data just like you would get at the autoclub. Updates and maps can only be downloaded with Window PC. they are about the same price as the other two. For Mac users like me I dual boot my Mac with OSX and Windows 7, and have no problem getting map updates. If you want a pro model GPS check your local truck stop, they sell 5" and 7" models with expanded maps for trucking. They usually have more streets and info that the consumer models. The Magellan I have can also be upgraded to the trucking maps.
What happened to the rest of Canada :shock:Their maps for Canada are broken into 3 sections (if I recall correctly): BC & Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, Quebec & Ontario.
They are missing 4 Provinces and 3 Territories. Did they secede? :-D
Or just stop building roads. (Ice Road Truckers don't need no stinkin GPS).
They break them into LARGE groupings, but those are the broad names they throw onto the files.
Heck, they have Texas broken into 4-5 files and Minnesota is 2 just by itself... Are you sure they use roads?;-)
Heck, they have Texas broken into 4-5 files and Minnesota is 2 just by itself... Are you sure they use roads?;-)
Having driven a dirt/clay track through the wilderness, called a road in far Northern Alberta, I'm not sure if no roads wouldn't be better :grin:They break them into LARGE groupings, but those are the broad names they throw onto the files.
Heck, they have Texas broken into 4-5 files and Minnesota is 2 just by itself... Are you sure they use roads?;-)
Was driving along, straddling the high points on top of the dried-like-concrete clay ruts that big trucks made, hit a rock, and bounced down into the ruts. High-centered our car with all four wheels 2 inches off the ground. :twisted:
Luckily an oil company well service truck driving a ways ahead of us saw that we'd come to an abrupt stop, came back to check on us, and pulled us out.
There's a reason people up north tend to be viewed as nice. It's a survival trait, they just ask that you pass it forward.
If you get the opportunity, read "Ghost Rider" by Neil Peart. He talks a bit about riding that area... on a motorcycle.
If you get the opportunity, read "Ghost Rider" by Neil Peart. He talks a bit about riding that area... on a motorcycle.
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