Disappointed with Avis GPS
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 9:26pm
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15 years
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I rented a GPS from Avis on a recent trip. It was a Garmin widescreen unit that is a customized model for Avis. I have to say I was not impressed with it. The screen was very slow to update and the directions it gave were not optimal (in the Boston area). My 260 seems much more zippier and the routes seem to be better (although I've not used it in the Boston area to be fair).
Has anyone else tried one these units?
.
Boston has been bad for some due to the tunnels and such. I have never had problems with my ole trusty 330 but I did have problems up in Maine around Acadia due to the mountains and hills blocking the south sky. Kinda needs line of sight to function well
******************Garmin Nüvi 1300T****************Member 6523*******************
Actually it got worse for
Actually it got worse for routing in the suburbs than in the city (except for the tunnels - no line of sight there!). Do the widescreens take longer to refresh the screen than the "narrow screens" for a given model? Makes sense if you have the same processor and more screen to redraw, I would think.
Why would anyone
Who owns their own GPSr not bring it with them when they travel? When traveling, I ALWAYS bring my Nuvi 680 so I can see where we are when flying (when allowed), and I know I've got a reliable unit with me when at my destination.
So to answer your question - no, I've never used the Avis units.
Joe
My wife uses our GPS for her
My wife uses our GPS for her work...that's a reason for why someone may not bring their own GPS along when they travel. I just wanted to pass along my experience with the Avis unit to see if my experience was unique or not.
Had
I had/used one of their old c550 units. It worked fine, but had a custom os or firmware. They may have changed the nuvi so that it doesn't perform as well.
Daniel
Garmin StreetPilot c580 & Nuvi 760 - Member 32160 - Traveling in Kansas
Have I got a deal for you!
My wife uses our GPS for her work...that's a reason for why someone may not bring their own GPS along when they travel. I just wanted to pass along my experience with the Avis unit to see if my experience was unique or not.
How can anyone have only one GPS? That's almost as archaic as only having one computer. Or one TV. Or one cell phone.
Flyer - if you're interested, I've got both a Nuvi 660 and a Street Pilot 2720 WITH a traffic receiver for sale. Heck - if the price is right, I'll sell my 680.
Avis GPS System
WHERE2 GPS SYSTEM (GPS) navigation system, where2, recently surpassed two million transactions from Avis and Budget customers since its launch in 2006, representing more than six million rental days of use.
WHERE2 GPS SYSTEM is based on the modified Garmin Streetpilot c550 with firmware 2.40 with TMC traffic, running very close to the public version.
As of Jan/2008 Avis introduced the new slimmer WHERE2
with second generation of MSN Direct service.This platform is based on the Garmin’s Nüvi 780 software.
I have had the opportunity to use both of Avis's WHERE2 systems, and noticed only differences in pin code operation myself.
Bob
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.
Ain't I a stinker?
Why would anyone who owns their own GPSr not bring it with them when they travel?
I take that as a rhetorical question, but I've always traveled with my own GPS.
It's almost fun to look at their faces fall when they ask me if I wanted to rent a GPS, and I tell them, "I brought my own."
nüvi 750 & 760
Hertz never-lost
I rented a GPS from Avis on a recent trip. It was a Garmin widescreen unit that is a customized model for Avis. I have to say I was not impressed with it. The screen was very slow to update and the directions it gave were not optimal (in the Boston area). My 260 seems much more zippier and the routes seem to be better (although I've not used it in the Boston area to be fair).
Has anyone else tried one these units?
No, but my Hertz rental came with a Magellan NeverLost. I did not pay for it, didn't need it, had my Nuvi 660 in hand. So I had the opportunity to try both side-by-side. To make it short, NEVER rent a NeverLost. If you don't know the exact address to input, you'll never get there. Takes way took long tring to input an address. Also, the onboard database doesn't have many POIs to help search for food/shopping. On the good side, once you input an address it knows about, it gets you there. Oh, it also worked as a night-light when driving during the evenings.
Hope this helps a Hertz rental decision
Nuvi 660, 2555LMT
GPS Cost at Avis
I was surprised by what Avis charges for a GPS. Don't know which model it was but the price was ~$13.95/day and $69/week. I'm beginning to feel good for the $149 paid for my older C580.
Tim
Expensive, but a good introduction for non GPSr users
I was surprised by what Avis charges for a GPS. Don't know which model it was but the price was ~$13.95/day and $69/week. I'm beginning to feel good for the $149 paid for my older C580.
Tim
That is an outrageous per day price. However I have a relative that works for Avis so I get their discount. I believe variety is the spice of life, so I always try something new when I have the chance.
You do know that your c580 is better than a lot of the Nuvi's out there don't you! full featured just not as slim.
Bob
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.
Rental units
Last year I rented a "cheapie" from Budget in San Francisco and for only a few dollars a day extra, a Garmin GPS. It was probably the entry level model, but I was so impressed with the unit that I purchased the 350 when I returned home even though both my cars have factory installed dash mounted GPS units. I am still impressed and will probably upgrade at the next excuse I can find.
nuvi 785 nuvi 350, nuvi 270, GTM 20, jag in dash, mercedes in dash.
We have a Bingo
Last year I rented a "cheapie" from Budget in San Francisco and for only a few dollars a day extra, a Garmin GPS. It was probably the entry level model, but I was so impressed with the unit that I purchased the 350 when I returned home even though both my cars have factory installed dash mounted GPS units. I am still impressed and will probably upgrade at the next excuse I can find.
alexanderrg has it right
If you think it impresses the guy or gal behind the counter when you tell them I have my own guess what, the actually could carless. and as far as things go probably they rest of us here don't give a cr_p either. Do you think the people at the Bowling ally care if you don't rent shoes because you have your own? NO!
The great thing about rental GPSr's is, they introduce people that have never had a chance to use a unit before to a whole new world and way of travel.
It's amazing to hear someone say "how do they do that", and to see their face when the checkered flag gets put up and you have arrived at your destination on the left is announced.
Then when they get home, they buy their first GPS.
Thats whats counts, not that you can show someone up, who cares!
Bob
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.
It was a rhetorical question
Why would anyone who owns their own GPSr not bring it with them when they travel?
I take that as a rhetorical question, but I've always traveled with my own GPS.
It's almost fun to look at their faces fall when they ask me if I wanted to rent a GPS, and I tell them, "I brought my own."
Never knowing what you'd get with a rental, and being frugal (my wife says cheap), I ALWAYS take my own. And after reading what the rental places charge - WOW!
Happy driving,
Joe