Is Garmin still the best GPS?

Everyones entitled to there own opinion. But I believe pound for pound that Garmin is the real deal. it's been setting the standard for all units over the last couple years.

I am a compusive early adopter, started with a Nuvi 350 (2 returns for repairs) went to a 750 (4 or 5 returns) to a 765 (4 returns). After 3 yrs and countless bugs and fixes my 765 finally seems to be reliable. I have stopped upgrading because I refuse to pay Garmin for the priveledge of beta testing their software, I will continue with my 765 until it dies by then the smartphone apps will have improved to the point I will not need a PNA.

Nothing better than Garmin for what I need a GPS to do.

I have a Nuvi 350 and a 760 and never had any
problems. I have tried TT's and Magellans that friends and Garmin still offers the best choice even with all the problems they have been having.

I will take that bet. I just spent two days side by side test with Garmin Nuvi and Copilot. The Nuvi is going on the book shelf. The only thing I liked about the nuvi is that it will speak the street name.

Now I know why all of the Long Haul Truckers rely on ALK Copilot.

The best I think so. The best value mabe not. We have 3 and if another one is warranted Zumo 550 acting up agin I will take a long look at the drums.

I have an old C340 & a newer 1490T.....both are still in daily use, and other than a few strange routing issues once in a while- they both work great!

Well I miss spoke. Alk Copilot does have TEXT TO SPEECH. So there is nothing that I like about Garmin. Sorry. Not trying to be an A**, just telling the truth.

Smart phones have their place, but even the best smart phone is no match for a standalone GPS* for pure navigation.

The GPS already has all the maps it needs on board, it doesn't need to download them off a network, which may or not be available at the speed you need, or at all. The GPS is also available and easily viewable no matter what you are doing with the phone. Some networks do not allow you to use data (incl. maps) while you are on the phone, which is another limitation of the phone. Sure the phone doesn't need to have map updates, but having lifetime map updates on the GPS is getting ubiquitous today.

On the other hand, when on foot or in someone else's vehicle, the smart phone navigation is very compact and handy.

* By "GPS" above I mean a standalone GPS navigation unit e.g. Nuvi.

Escort IQ?

I'm just wondering if the SmartPhone version of ALK Copilot has the same feature set of the laptop version. I checked their site and $20 for the Android version seems very reasonable. A family member has the Virgin Mobile (Sprint prepaid) $25 a month unlimited Data/Text + 300min voice plan on an Android. Google Maps on that phone is really great, but sometimes it does some really strange routing decisions. We might want to try Copilot.

By the way, I still love my 1490T, especially the big screen and clear audio.

Now that they finally fixed the screen, it's a really solid unit, nothing in the pipeline to replace it. Wish I had bought a second one.

I also have Lifetime Maps, btw - and that's where my gripe lies: in order to install the updates, I must be on a Windows PC with the latest SP installed, and with .NET architecture installed as well.

Why is it a problem ? Well, I'm a Linux user... I read somewhere that some Garmin units were actually driven by a Linux OS, so I can't begin to agree to the fact that Garmin won't provide an update that would run under Linux. They offer Windows, they offer Mac, but no Linux ?

Oh - I have no intention whatsoever to start an OS flame war. I'm grateful for the fact that my 205T does a FANTASTIC job of telling me where I am, of informing me that there may be a sharp curve right after that group of trees (saved my bacon a couple times, even if I'm not a speeder), and of guiding me to places where I've never gone before. The T option also informs me of traffic jams, and the radars POI reminds me of cash traps set by our local Leaders (I insist on the Local aspect...).

I'm also grateful for the fact that my company lets me use a MS OS on the hardware they lend me. And they have no problems with my using it for updating a GPS.

And I'm so happy to be part of THIS CROWD, where I've learned so many things in the 26 weeks I've spent on those pages.

Add our Fantastic Miss POI to my list of good points, and you'll see that I'm a happy camper indeed ! Happy New Year everyone !

PS: to all those who sent me messages for getting great health, good fortune and so on last year, a quick note. YOUR MESSAGES DIDN'T WORK ! So this year I'd appreciate if you could please send me the cash directly, will save us both a lot of wasted time. I also accept booze, wine, chocolate, smokes salmon and other such delicacies, of course

I have a 2008 Garmin Nuvi 250 and I think its still pretty good, slow sometimes but I dont regret buying it. It was a solid investment since I only occasionally use it, but it has gotten me out of tricky situations where a print out from google maps would not have.

I've only owned Garmin so I can't compare them against anything else. All I can say is that they've been reliable, easy to keep up to date, and taken me to where I've wanted to go. Are they the best? I don't know but I like my Garmins.

I use the Truck V8 Laptop. The Smartphone V8 Copilot Apps uses the same User Manual but I believe the Apps might provide a little more due to the fact of the phone service Vs On-line services.

I have both, the Nuvi and the Copilot. I use the Copilot Laptop for the motor home. I have the laptop mounted to the dash, now I have a 16" screen to monitor.

My son bought me the 1450 Nuvi for the Jeep which is what I tow behind the motor home. Kind of hard to handle a Laptop in the Jeep.

The Nuvi is OK for what I use it for, but, for travel planning it cannot compare with the ALK Copilot.

When you are over 35,000 lbs. and 50 feet long there is little room for error.

I think so. The user interface is makes the most sense to me.