Tech observation

 

I've owned two GPS's since 1991, both Garmins. The first was an aviation one (191, I think) at $1100 and the nuvi 200 was $200. Both were/are great units. Now I've been looking into getting one with routing, but have been discouraged by reading about all the problems the newer ones are having.

I figured that the technology would have advanced and stayed reliable in the 2.5 years since I bought the 200. I guess the technology, at least with regard to traffic and lane assist, has advanced a little but has also become less reliable. Maybe that's the cost of becoming cheaper.

For now, I've decided to keep my old reliable 200 and update the map. It works fine and gets me where I want to go. Maybe there will be something as good or better in another 2 years. Or maybe, because of cost considerations, they will never be made as good as they used to.

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nuvi 200 | lifetime maps

Routing

Routing is needed. You can't depend on the GPS to choose your route. The route has to be created using via points.

dobs108

Check the specs per Garmin

Check the specs per Garmin device, my 260wt doesn't do routes, my 780 does, each one has specifics that you need to know before use or you might not be to happy.

an obsevation/opinion
Virgo

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Virgo53 Nuvi 780/265W

I have used a 205W for the

I have used a 205W for the past 1 1/2 years, with no problems giving bad routes. I am very happy with my Garmin. Dont have lane assist, but the next GPS will, that is the only thing I wish my GPS would do.

Adventure

I love letting my Garmin pick my route. I have found many interesting places of interest that I may have missed taking my old fashioned map route

1490T

dminz wrote:

I've owned two GPS's since 1991, both Garmins. The first was an aviation one (191, I think) at $1100 and the nuvi 200 was $200. Both were/are great units. Now I've been looking into getting one with routing, but have been discouraged by reading about all the problems the newer ones are having.

I figured that the technology would have advanced and stayed reliable in the 2.5 years since I bought the 200. I guess the technology, at least with regard to traffic and lane assist, has advanced a little but has also become less reliable. Maybe that's the cost of becoming cheaper.

For now, I've decided to keep my old reliable 200 and update the map. It works fine and gets me where I want to go. Maybe there will be something as good or better in another 2 years. Or maybe, because of cost considerations, they will never be made as good as they used to.

Get a 1490T, the best GPS I've ever owned.

Consumer Market

I think it may have a bit to do with the target market of manufacturers as well.
GPS units are marketed to average consumers now who aren't as demanding for precision as the niche market in the past. Hence the focus is mass producing cheaper quality devices with seemingly cool features (i.e. bluetooth, mp3,etc.) and cater to that crowd.

But...

DrewDT wrote:

I think it may have a bit to do with the target market of manufacturers as well.
GPS units are marketed to average consumers now who aren't as demanding for precision as the niche market in the past. Hence the focus is mass producing cheaper quality devices with seemingly cool features (i.e. bluetooth, mp3,etc.) and cater to that crowd.

But they are eliminating features like mp3 and FM on the newer models and I read that the bluetooth does not work as well as it used to. Also, no "most" map detail. I suspect that they are using cheaper, lower-performing chips now.

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nuvi 200 | lifetime maps

Cheap is expensive

Of course, that new units are not as advanced as the old ones were in their days. When unit costs over $1000 it was possible to use expensive technology in it. Now, when prices are very low, how gps manufacturers can afford cutting edge technology? Of course they will go for simpler and cheaper sensors and units, that will last shorter time then old ones.
It is this same with ever other thinks. Look for cars: with technology improvement over years we should have cars that practically never brake down. Reality shows, that quality is not much better (comparably) and are mean to be fix (even smallest thinks) by factory train stuff with very expensive tools. Heck, in some cars even changing light bulb requires visiting dealership or spending most of day on your own.

I will not be surprised if soon there will be generation of units that you buy and throw away for new unit with updated maps. But there is so many people with attitude: "I don't really know what this is for, but if it will be cheap I buy it", that it makes it hard to blame companies to sell cheap with low quality. Of course problems are multiplying with new units but hey, they are cheap so what to expect.

Cheap

grzesja wrote:

But there is so many people with attitude: "I don't really know what this is for, but if it will be cheap I buy it", that it makes it hard to blame companies to sell cheap with low quality.

Which is why China gets so much business. We only have to blame ourselves razz

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Garmin nuvi 1300LM with 4GB SD card Garmin nuvi 200W with 4GB SD card Garmin nuvi 260W with 4GB SD card r.i.p.