when to let go of Garmin?

I use my garmin for long trips, and my phone for daily commute. I think garmin has its place, but is getting less important as time goes on.

Someone mentioned the rental car scenario, that's a good one where we used ours last week. Yes, even though my co. is paying for the rental, I still watch the expenses, like the extra charges, so why pay for a GPS. It makes me wonder though, do they have to seek out cars without navigation for their fleet? And they do seem to turn off satellite radio...

I haven't used the Garmin in quite some time. I find myself going more to the factory GPS or my cell phone.

I've just reentered the GPS market. For past few years used my cell but recently changed carriers and plans. My current plan limits data. On a upcoming trip I will be using the Garmin exclusively.
The decision was made easy because of the limited data AND the last long trip with the cell the cell got very warm. The cell had to be kept plugged in or I'd run out of battery.
I do use the cell locally for traffic but directions and POI's I go with my Garmin.

I see too many issues with factory NAVs. I do not want a car with one.

What issues, other than over priced updates?

For me overpricing so ridiculously map updates is reason more then enough to not buy built in navigation. Unless they price it reasonably I still prefer stand alone device.

I'll keep all my Garmins. My new 2015 HD came with a beautiful, extremely clear and highly visible screen but the maps are ancient and it is extremely tedious to use. Forget loading POIs, the memory is limited and the GPX format is such that you are pretty much limited to creating them and routes online using the HD Ride Planner site, which isn't that nice either. Every time it doesn't like the GPX format you have to factory reset or privacy reset the unit to remove the POI or route from the device. A recent update was just release to bring it up to "2014 Q2" which is still 2 years old, for $150.

I've never liked using my droids to navigate. The simplicity and ease of use make the Garmins still my go to GPS.

in the new cars, that may be even more reason not to have an external navigation. Meaning, the ones where if you start to navigate, it places the map directly into the center of your instrument cluster, and makes your tach and speedo smaller if you choose.

People seem to be loyal to Garmin, wonder if that's just old habits. I can remember a time when the older generation didn't trust online shopping and internet banking or stock trading. Next thing you knew senior citizens were going to online trading parlors and betting their retirement savings...

There is quite a 'fight' over the electronic dashboard showing up in new cars. Microsoft and Apple are duking it out with Garmin and a few others getting a piece of the action as well. The key item is who gets control of the infotainment system as it leads to other purchases from the vendor's store. The advantage to the car companies is they get to specify what they want the system to do while the vendors develop the software and hardware. Saves the car companies big bucks in development and maintenance costs.

I would bet that the majority of the active users here are over age 55. And we tend to be more loyal to a brand than younger generations. We tend to not like change. I remember back in the 1980's swearing I'd never give up my albums and cassette tapes for CD's or my VHS tapes for DVD's in the 1990's. But I eventually did. Brand loyalty towards vehicles is big in older generations too...Ford vs Chevy etc. A good percentage of the older generation still have landlines or use flip phones and that is another reason why they have yet to move on from Garmin.

For me personally I tend to gravitate towards what's easiest and more convenient for me. And that tends to be my smartphone for navigation. I always have my smartphone with me. It's easy and convenient. I still use the Garmin Nuvi for Interstate travel to take advantage of Junction and Bird's eye view at confusing interchanges but I also have Waze running alongside for the traffic info. But for everyday travel or a spur of the moment trip I use Waze or Google Maps.

As technology changes so do our habits. That will dictate the need to discard or replace etc.

The best time would be when something better comes along.

I usually buy the car one year behind to knock down my losses.

With Toyota it's not too tough to say, "I'll just bring the mats, take those out." And, "I have a GPS that updates--FREE and four times a year. I don't want yours."

They knock off just to move the car.

Within a year I'm getting the email and postcards saying they "need used cars."

My Garmin PNDs have been Great! I absolutely will not dump my Garmins for a dumb phone map app ( dumb phones are not GPS devices, never have been, never will be until they triangulate using Satellite Signals )...............

Used my extra nuvi for the rental car from Oakland Airport to Walnut Creek for a family function.

Could have used google maps via iphone but that's plan B.

That way I can use the iphone for traffic conditions and phone calls. Also not drive the battery down.

Always have a back up.

johnnatash4, why you ask? Seems that even if you write that portable GPS is unneeded, you are trying to get us to confirm this as a fact for you. As you are not exactly sure about it

As usual you got pros and cons for portable GPS, but if you sure that it's time to stop using Garmin just do so. But you can keep old Garmin in drawer, as it may happen that built-in navigation system will get older and less accurate, and maps update will cost as much as new standalone GPS. Than you may get old but still cheap or free to update Garmin on the road.

You can't beet Garmin for routing out long trips ahead of tima and rental cars. Also don't have to worry about cell loss in unfimular places.
I love my in car, me Here, my Google Maps but non can compare to Garmin.
I use built in for local and phone as a suplament when car needs help.
I use phone as a supplement with Garmin when traveling to research.

alternatives for directions to areas with new roads/development. I use my garmin almost strictly for work as I drive a route and like the traffic function as well. The biggest struggle for garmin seems to be newer roads/developments and areas where big tracts of land/lots were sub-divided and addresses don't follow the normal rules.

We bought a CPO 2010 Audi Q5. The maps were from 2008, and Audi did not come out with new maps until around 2013 or 2014 and they wanted a ridiculous fee in the $300 to $400 range to update. I got lifetime maps a while ago for the Nuvi 660 and it does fine with 4 updates a year. While I know new streets pop up daily, I'm not a realtor or a pizza delivery person, so I can get by with only major roads for trips.

We also waited a good 8 years to update the maps in our 2005 Acura TSX because they just did not update anything that we needed for that long. Once our kids' new house finally showed up in the NavTeq updates and on-line maps, we then got the DVD for the Acura, but have no plans on ever getting another update for it.

If we get a new car, unless it's a CPO and the Navi is already in it, there will be no need to spend $2-3K for the built in.

PHred99

If the factory NAV is working for you, you will soon give up the portable.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45941

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45941

"Jack J 180" said in part...

What...?

Nuvi1300WTGPS

I still use my garmin for long trips and complicated highways with on and off ramps and I will use my droid for short trips but I do find myself using the droid more often . I suppose when my garmin dies I wont replace it, the phones seem to get better bigger and have dash mounts like the garmin voices and poi's you can add traffic and lowest price gas locations ! also the smart phones keep adding more handy apps I have an app I use for fishing if you find a hot spot while fishing I have an app that will mark the spot on the lake so the next time you go it will guide you back to it ! I really like my garmin but its going the way of the 8 track tape .

and since I OP'd this thread, I did update the 2350LMT fully, 2X.

Used it in Toronto solely, but recently discovered the "wonders" of googlemaps on my smartphone in FLA.

It seems like the latter is a timesaver.

I would not want to stop using the Garmin, but it's quite unlikely we would purchase a new one, it seems unnecessary.

And after thinking about it from another post, it would seem the connected car would eliminate Garmin as well for new cars. But they are not stupid, they must be partnering up....

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/automotive/announcement-le...

Nav was something like a $1600 option on my new car - which I special ordered WITHOUT Nav. I bought a refurbished 6" Garmin with HD traffic for $200 and it has more functionality (esp. the ability to add POIs) than the car maker's GPS, which must have been designed 6 or 7 years ago. And I can buy a new Garmin GPS for the price of the map updates!

if even today, would I want nav for $1,600. But in some premium cars, heck, even VWs, they come with the car. The navi is buried into the cost of the "package." For example, a VW GTI. But, a BMW M2, there is no nav option, it's standard.

Anyway, say today, you want to pay $13 instead of $40 to park, well, you'll have to do it on a smartphone app, and you can't just drive right up to the place, you have to "order" it ahead of time.

Let's say a connected car makes life simple, I'm going to the garage at 234 W 47th St., get me the lowest rate--rate is $13. Ok, book it. and you drive right in. That is going to sell imho, especially if the $1k or $1.6k cost is buried into a package, and not easily identified, or, it's simply standard. Kinda like when you buy a printer, the printer is free, it's the toner or ink that costs $$$$.

I can't see giving up my Nuvi as long as it continues to function. It does a good job, has the free map updates and fairly good traffic reporting and gets me from A to B without issue. My old 255W still functions well and gets my son to his destination without problem despite a map that's probably 10 years old or more now. Just my 2 cents!

when one owns a Toyota with factory NAV - the best advice is to keep your Garmin. My Rav4 NAV sucks big time.

Now if you own a Chrysler product with NAV - it is made by Garmin.

There is no definitive answer to this question. As this thread demonstrates, it is all a matter of personal opinion.

If you can afford an in dash nav system and its updates and are happy with the performance, great! Go for it and sell your Garmin on eBay.

If you can safely navigate with a small screen smartphone and have a data plan to support it, fine! Go for it and sell your Garmin on eBay.

If you are a multi vehicle family with different in dash nav systems and want a single portable GPS that will accept POI files and can be personalized to your liking, terrific! Keep your Garmin. Unfortunately, it’s tough to sell an in dash nav system on eBay.

Yes, they're damned expensive, saw one advertised once but to sweeten the pill the seller threw a car in too

Many features are now on cell phones, but the stand alone nuvis still offer lane assist and are useful when traveling to other countries. I still rely on them as the phone versions just don't have everything yet.

From the sound of it you can use it while driving except for touch screen. Looks nice and keeps Garmin in the market.

My 2013 Jeep (a Chrysler product) has the Garmin based NAV, at the time they offered two versions of onboard NAV, only one was Garmin based, and a lot cheaper too.

The onboard NAV in my 2013 Jeep Wrangler is part of a system called Uconnect, and it does pop out and can be sold/replaced, BUT it only fits another similar set-up.

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/mygig-navigation

Possible time to ditch PND's

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/local-motors-debuts-olli-first...

When I bought a new car I carefully considered the nav system..... and rejected it--- consumer reports indicated it was challenging to use as well as expensive.... especially when you consider the update fees. I could buy quite a few garmins with updated features for that money--and I like the garmin.
Yes, I use my galaxy s7 maps.... but until we get universal coverage in all areas --- I have calls dropped on the Baltimore Beltway with verizon--- and I'm going to trust it with getting me where I want to go????

plus the POIS, red light and speed cameras are quite useful.....