GPS: Garmin Operational Costs & Recommendations

We don't use GPS very often and currently use our Sprint cell phones for
GPS.
But we are getting tired of the high monthly fees involved compared
to how
seldom we use the GPS feature.

If we switched to a dedicated Garmin GPS, what
are the operational
costs? I assume we need to pay to download databases from
time to time?

Also is there a Garmin GPS that also does the following that our
cell
phones do now?

- Voice commands to search for businesses such as
restaurants
- Voice input for a destination address, etc.
- Search for the
lowest price gasoline wherever one is driving

These are the features in which
we are most interested. If my wife and
I can share a portable GPS that does the
above, we can cut off about $60
per month in shared cell phone fees.

Thanks for
your advice. -- Rik


--
Rik Brown

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I think all of the automotive style GPS units come preloaded with
turn-by-turn maps and most give spoken directions. They are normally good
for at least a couple of years before they need updated for (presently)
about $60. Some units have voice recognition, I don't know about the
gasoline price information. Here you can compare the features of Garmin
units:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

Ummm.....you buy one, get it cheap, then use it as is until you get the
sense that the maps aren't up to date enough for you.

Then you choose to update the maps, or you get a new one. Map updates
are around $70. You don't have to update at all. It's completely
optional. The unit continues to work with whatever maps are in it at
any given time.



Yes, the Nuvi 885? or something like that.

Just buy a cheap sat nav unit and see what it's all about. It's not a
lifetime commitment or anything.

m.google.com maps replaces the AT&T Navigator on my smartphone, at no cost
other than the unlimited data plan that I have anyway.


It does not replace a dedicated GPS, though. the maps are only there if you
have cell coverage, and my Garmin GPSMap60cs is better at many GPS-related
tasks.

--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

        It will cost you the price of GPS minus $60/month in cellphone bill.


        It sounds like you have already done some research but don't trust what
you read.

        So the answer is YES, YES, and YES depending on the GPS model and service.

- Some GPS as built-in Voice Command most don't

- Most newer GPSes have option for Traffic, Movie, News, Gas price etc.
which costs around $30-40 months or around $130-150 for the LIFE of your GPS


        Right now, NUVI is probably the good choice for most people, so just pick
the one with the feature you like.