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Official Black Friday GPS SYSTEM Discussion Thread


Brad

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As always, we have several dedicated threads for the hotter items each Black Friday. Please try to keep all discussion related to these items in their official threads. Other threads posted will likely be merged into this main thread.
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  • 1 month later...
I would like to get a couple of GPS systems to give my parents for Christmas. I've never bought one so does anyone know what would be a good price to look for on BF? If I can't get a good one for less than $100 then I will get a different gift. Is that doable or am I way off?
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I have been watching the BF ads for the past few years for a gps and was never impressed by the specials. About a month ago I got a Garmin Nuvi at HHGreg for 99 with .lifetime map updates and I love it so far. So I think under 100 is definently do able but I'd start looking now and not hold out for BF necessarily.
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I would like to get a couple of GPS systems to give my parents for Christmas. I've never bought one so does anyone know what would be a good price to look for on BF? If I can't get a good one for less than $100 then I will get a different gift. Is that doable or am I way off?

should be doable, last time I checked the one I considered last BF on Amazon is back to 119.99 on Amazon with free lifetime updates.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I would like to get a couple of GPS systems to give my parents for Christmas. I've never bought one so does anyone know what would be a good price to look for on BF? If I can't get a good one for less than $100 then I will get a different gift. Is that doable or am I way off?

Defineately doable, and has been done numerous times in the past few years. I bought a Garmin about 2 years ago for $99. HOWEVER...... I would highly recommend 1 you can upgrade with new maps in the future. There are numerous roads that have been made in the past 2 years that when I use my GPS it shows me driving through a field and tells me to find the nearest road. I have bought a new GPS for my wife that has lifetime updates which is actually the better move. That's something I highly recommend you look for on any model you choose to buy unless you want to pay $89 for the updated maps in addition to the GPS system.
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I agree that it is worth spending a few more dollars to get lifetime maps. That should still be available under $99. You might also consider lifetime traffic.

 

I bought a TomTom (another good brand) without lifetime maps or traffic a few years ago thinking "how often does the road network actually change, anyway." The vast majority of roads do stay the same for decades, but over time you will find new or reconfigured sections. I also figure the updates allow corrections for mapping mistakes to get to the unit, and there are more of those than there are new roads.

 

I am now considering buying a new, and slightly larger unit with lifetime maps and traffic. The benefit of traffic is that it receives data on live traffic conditions and recalculates the fastest route and more accurately predicts arrival times.

 

The final thing to consider is the size of the screen measured diagonally. The larger the better as this makes the unit easier to read and should mean less distraction from the road trying to see something on the unit while driving. Small units are 3.5", medium are 4.3, and large are 5"+.

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I grabbed a TomTom XXL 550M (m=lifetime maps) 5 inch GPS from Beach Camera for $89 a couple months ago. Last year (a couple weeks before BF) Crutchfield had the 550MT (maps+traffic) for $110. My aging eyes appreciate the large screen and the GPS has performed very well for me.

 

You definately want the lifetime maps. Traffic has saved my bacon a couple times, but i don't think I'd pay more than $20 premium for the feature and I would not pass up a deal waiting for traffic.

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I got a TomTom xl350 lifetime maps and lifetime updates from BestBuy.com the night before black Friday. $79 and I had a gift card so paid $59 out of pocket that day! I always look for online deals on electronics not trying to fight people in the store! Edited by SweetCanela
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  • 3 weeks later...
I have a Garmin and recently purchased a higher model Tom Tom that was on clearance at Target. I absolutely HATED the Tom Tom. I very much prefer Garmin. Although, I just found out that I am no longer eligible for my free map upgrade for my Garmin, so I would have to pay $50 to upgrade the maps. I think it is more economical to just buy a new one with lifetime maps. (the one I have is a few years old)
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I have a TomTom XL, which I am generally pleased with, but it does not have map updates or traffic, so I am planning to buy a larger 5-inch one with those features (and maybe Bluetooth). I have read a technical review from a few years ago that suggests that Garmin and Magellan had the better mapping and better routing algorithms, but the diffference was rather slight and I am not sure it is true anymore.

 

For anyone who has owned both, exactly what did you like or dislike.

 

As another person commented, I am seeing better prices on the TomToms for the general features I am looking for.

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I have a TomTom XL, which I am generally pleased with, but it does not have map updates or traffic, so I am planning to buy a larger 5-inch one with those features (and maybe Bluetooth). I have read a technical review from a few years ago that suggests that Garmin and Magellan had the better mapping and better routing algorithms, but the diffference was rather slight and I am not sure it is true anymore.

 

For anyone who has owned both, exactly what did you like or dislike.

 

As another person commented, I am seeing better prices on the TomToms for the general features I am looking for.

The TomTom I had worked fine, but I liked the clarity of the maps of the Garmin better (seemed less cluttered). Also little things, for example, my Garmin would tell me "Arriving at destination on left" where the TomTom would just say "Arriving at destination." Little things like that can be very helpful. The TomTom screen did seem to be higher resolution though, but it is about 2 years newer than my Garmin.

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ok guys i need you unbelievable genius! My mom wants to buy a "personal gps" (????) for my step dad. As she explained to me ... she doesn't care about driving options. she wants something for when he is hunting in the woods so that he doesn't get lost. Oh yeah, and she isn't BF shopping, I am doing it "for" her, and so I don't screw up anybody care to explain what i need to look for. This is the lady that bought 6 vaccume cleaners, and 5 food processors and returned everyone of them because she "didn't like them" and I havn't bought her a "good gift" in 10 years. HELP ME! PLEASE!
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ok guys i need you unbelievable genius! My mom wants to buy a "personal gps" (????) for my step dad. As she explained to me ... she doesn't care about driving options. she wants something for when he is hunting in the woods so that he doesn't get lost. Oh yeah, and she isn't BF shopping, I am doing it "for" her, and so I don't screw up anybody care to explain what i need to look for. This is the lady that bought 6 vaccume cleaners, and 5 food processors and returned everyone of them because she "didn't like them" and I havn't bought her a "good gift" in 10 years. HELP ME! PLEASE!

Probably something like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PDR230/ref=s9_ds_bw_g422_ir02?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-8&pf_rd_r=1BE89CY94C4YA7RZJ159&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1329999222&pf_rd_i=384082011

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I don't know the general consensus, but I very much prefer Garmin. I'm thinking about heading to Gander Mountain this year to the the 1300LM for $99. That is after a $50 rebate, so I'm a bit undecided, since they go for $129.99 shipped from Amazon.

I think you'd be better off with the 40LM. They're basically the same, except the 40LM is a newer model and has lane assist, junction view, and speed limit indicator. On the downside it doesn't have enhanced pedestrian navigation that the 1300 has. The 40LM is as low as $64.99 at Staples if you have a $25 off $75 coupon code.
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