[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by ampere

Does Garmin allow purchase of maps alone for Garmin devices bought outside India?

Originally Posted by getsurya

I have the same question, as I have a 40LM which I purchased in US during my stay there.

If you are in US:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-City-Na.../dp/B003K0DC7K

(There is also a download verion, cost is same I.e. MRP $100, Street Price around $50-60)

In India:

http://www.asplindia.in/


UPDATE:

Now MRP has been reduced to $50 (It was $100 when I purchased it in 2010)

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps...prod96070.html

[B747]

Just wondering why a separate gps device, is that so useful? A decent smartphone with Google maps or Sygic won't that be sufficient?

[iamswift]

Originally Posted by B747

Just wondering why a separate gps device, is that so useful? A decent smartphone with Google maps or Sygic won't that be sufficient?

Smartphone battery drain is the problem. Also, smartphones lag a lot in location identification when compared to separate GPS device.

[getsurya]

Any details on why you could not get it to work

Hi Jereon,

I tried downloading and saving them on a microSD card, the Garmin does not recognize and when you try to input any field level information it says cannot gather data or something like that.

I will explore and learn, part of it can be my ignorance to play around with technology

[aeroamit]

I am using Garmin Nuvi 1490 LMT purchased during my stay in Canada, after coming to India bought India Map with Lifetime update for 103 CAD from Garmin website. 1490 LMT device has 2 GB internal memory and I have added 4 GB micro card. I did faced issues regarding installation of India Map initially, but after cleaning other language files apart from English, it downloaded and is working perfectly fine. I have used it during my trips in South India. With experience I learned one important lesson, never be totally dependent on GPS, use it with your mind and chances of getting stuck is very less. This holds good for US and Canada also.

[getsurya]

Hi,

I have used the below link and it was more descriptive for my non-technology background, seems to work at home. Will test it out on the way to office and report back.

Thanks Jereon and others for your guidance.

http://mapas.alternativaslibres.es/use_en.php

[sansvk]

Got my 42LM delivered. The hardware itself is of good quality. The maps are good for Bangalore, may be even for other cities. Smaller towns are mentioned by not in detail as the Google maps. Haven't been able to find an option to directly search for a place such as say "Hampi", you have to go thru various menus like state, district etc then search.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by sansvk

Haven't been able to find an option to directly search for a place such as say "Hampi", you have to go thru various menus like state, district etc then search.

You can to to POI option and type name of the place there.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by aeroamit

*SNIP* With experience I learned one important lesson, never be totally dependent on GPS, use it with your mind and chances of getting stuck is very less. This holds good for US and Canada also.

Aeromit, I beg to differ, at least as far as the USA and Canada are concerned. I live in Canada, I travel extensively in the US, and I drive extensively.

The Garmin is absolutely spot-on, has never led me astray even once in the last 13 years, finds the smallest alleys and the most obscure addresses.

And a few points that no one in this thread has mentioned:

With GPS units, it's not just the map provider (Garmin, TeleAtlas, MapMyIndia etc.), it is also the routing software and the quality/accuracy of the GPS chip.

For example (since I am familiar with Garmin, Magellan and TomTom), Garmin and Magellan both use the same NavTeq maps, but Garmin's routing engine is so sophisticated that it will route you so that (almost every time) your destination will be on the Right instead of on the Left. And in the US and Canada, this is important because one drives on the Right of the road. To explain this with reference to in India, Garmin will route you so that your destination will mostly be in the Left. I am not sure if Garmin's India software does this or not, but it does so for North America.

Basically why this is important is that the GPS tries to route you so that you do not have to turn into your destination against oncoming traffic. A very very major safety issue, and Garmin is the ONLY one that does this.

And by the way, neither Magellan (which also uses NavTeq maps like Garmin) nor TomTom (which uses TeleAtlas) does this.

And my guess is, none of the phones that you so vehemently tout as equivalent or better than dedicated GPS units (such as Nokia which owns NavTeq) would do so either. I have had iPhones since the 3GS (including the 5) and they do not do it. The downloaded MapQuest app does not do it. Google certainly does not do it, even on the Mac (or PC)!

Just because a phone can do GPS as well as make phone calls and check your Facebook status, it does not automatically make it better. A phone will never have the quality and accuracy (resolution) of a dedicated GPS chip.

So, before "reviewing" a GPS unit, please first understand what it takes to be able to competently review something. Posting what amounts to be a user-manual does not make a review! A review should talk about how something behaves in real-life usage, how it compares to other items in the same market; and not simulations, not marketing-speak, and certainly not duplicating the same specs that are available on the product's website without explaining how those specs benefit the consume better than the specs of competing products.

Cheers

[aeroamit]

Originally Posted by tilt

So, before "reviewing" a GPS unit, please first understand what it takes to be able to competently review something. Posting what amounts to be a user-manual does not make a review! A review should talk about how something behaves in real-life usage, how it compares to other items in the same market; and not simulations, not marketing-speak, and certainly not duplicating the same specs that are available on the product's website without explaining how those specs benefit the consume better than the specs of competing products.

Cheers

@ tilt: I never reviewed my GPS device in the thread and just shared my learning with it. I stayed in Montreal, QC (Canada) for 2 years and covered distance between Montreal-QC <>Niagara-ON, Montreal-QC<>Toronto-ON Montreal-QC<> Gaspesie- QC. Montreal many times covering roads apart from TransCanadien Highways. Same goes for my touring trips to US from Canada between Montreal<>NYC, Montreal<>Florida. When I said using my mind that does not mean the GPS device is bad, but as an example if you set destination as Niagara-ON from Montreal-QC, then it will give first route through US (criteria= shortest distance). Which may put you in trouble if not having US Visa ( Personally I am aware of many cases where those guys had to spend 2-3 hours at the US-Canada Border before starting their journey again). Also, if you set first destination as Kingston-ON and then second destination as Niagara-ON, it will take you through Canada only. I expressed context of using mind is in the example mentioned. Apart from that even in India also I am enjoying my Garmin Device. Hope this clarifies your confusion.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by aeroamit

@ tilt: I never reviewed my GPS device in the thread and just shared my learning with it. )

Oh aeromit, I apologise for not being clear. Only the first part of my response was to your post. The rest was in General and the final part about the review was aimed at the very first post in this thread.

Once again, my apologies.

Cheers

[ebonho]

Hi guys,

I need your help in making up my mind in terms of which GPS to buy for my Storme please. I have been reading up and googling as well as gone through the threads on team bhp, but the confusion is still there.

I have decided against going with the MMI LX340 4.3" as well as the more basic MMI LX140WS 4.3" and decided to stick with either TomTom or Garmin even though their maps are currently not as good (lifetime free updates should eventually even that out - I think/hope).

Though the new MMI machines are better in feel and quality but the screen is not very responsive and I do not like the cluttered look of the 3D maps and graphics. The fonts too are too fine and the graphics not very clear and bright or attractive. The 3D look of the buildings etc. also to me at least does not seem to be so much of an USP as is made out by the sellers of the MMI. The interface though of the single line typing on top of all different components of the address (house no., lane, city, pin, etc.) instead of shifting from screen to screen is a plus. Unfortunately the TomTom does not have the same - do not know about the corresponding Garmins.

The TomTom machines look the best in terms of look and finish, and the screen resolution and clarity and brightness of the color is even the best. The new 2 position suction cup which is attached to the body is also pretty robust.

Garmin machine is much lighter (flimsier?) than the TomTom and the screen while more responsive, has a faded color greyish dull look of the graphics (like older generation mobile phones).

I have however read a lot of complaints about map updates and hardware issues and GPS lock issues for the TomTom including screen responsiveness, but nothing of the sort for the Garmin. Garmin is also supposed to be quicker, better responsive screen, and less cluttered more intuitive interface (important for a newbie like me). It also seems to have faster near instantaneous and better satellite lock, as well as more smooth scrolling and movement of maps across the screens without jerking.

I am looking to make a decision between

1) 4.3" vs 5" screen size

2) Garmin vs TomTom (MMI decided against for the reasons mentioned above)

The Garmin ones I am considering are the basic level new launches Nuvi 42LM and Nuvi 52LM (which replace the outgoing 40LM and 50LM). Difference 42 and 52 is just screen size. Don't know how they are different if at all from the older 40LM and 50LM.

The TomTom ones I am considering are the newer basic level Start 20 and Start 25 (which replace the outgoing Via series 100 and 125). Difference is just screen size between the Start 20 and 25. Don't know how they are different if at all from the older Via 100 and 125.

Price wise the 4.3" ones are 8.5-9K (including the MMI LX340 - the MMI LX140WS is the cheapest PND at just 6.5K) and the 5" ones are 9.5-10K. The Garmin is about 500 bucks more than the same corresponding screen size model of the TomTom. So both makes seem to be seen in the same ballpark.

Which machine is better - TomTom or Garmin?

Which is easier to use and has better less cluttered/multi-step more intuitive interface?

Whose maps are better as they stand right now?

Which has better more useful real life driving features, tools, options (route planning, via points, detours, options, etc.)?

Hoping someone can help me out of my dilemma please. Would really appreciate your expert advice and some detailed inputs from you on my doubts and queries please.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ebonho

Which machine is better - TomTom or Garmin?

To throw in more confusion:

If you have any one coming down from US, I would recommend a 24XX series.
They are priced in the range of 150-180$ and excellent value for money. The same price you pay 4x, 5x series in India.

What it gets you is trip planning capability. You can create routes on a Garmin S/W on PC and Tx those routes on the device and ask it to follow.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by ampere

To throw in more confusion:

If you have any one coming down from US, I would recommend a 24XX series.
They are priced in the range of 150-180$ and excellent value for money. The same price you pay 4x, 5x series in India.

What it gets you is trip planning capability. You can create routes on a Garmin S/W on PC and Tx those routes on the device and ask it to follow.

Thanks ampere. What about the maps package? And lifetime free updates?

Need to pick it up now. Already put off this for some time now. Can you help me choose from the ones I have identified please?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by ebonho

What about the maps package? And lifetime free updates?

If you have to pick it now, then can't suggest. As to maps, I think for the highways Garmin + MMI works best. For city we don't need a GPS. We have google on phone. GPS requirements show up for the highways mostly, if we don't want our high end phone to work all the time as a GPS. (My personal opinion). Thats the very reason, even I have a GPS.


So I would suggest Garmin + MMI. I don't know if MMI makes maps for Tom Tom. But Garmin yes. I also hear from @sgiitk that Garmin maps are also good. They have improved quite a lot. So a life time maps package in that case may be worth it. However since I have not used them, I can't comment. I have been using MMI on Garmin for almost 4+ years. And this month I got a 24XX series device from US (For a very nice Black Friday deal. 180 -> 99 ) So I can surely vouch for the device.