want forum people opinions on GPS's (motels, buy, stations)

[blueflames50]

We have never owned a GPS and now find we need one for here and for the trip to Alaska. Looking at Garmin's....mind boggling!!. Is there a GPS that will take multiple routes. example: start is Mass and set the whole trip thru to Alaska. I can only find one that will let me set 20 points of location. Would like to set segments of the trip in like favorites so we can just click and continue on without doing programing along the way.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

We have never owned a GPS and now find we need one for here and for the trip to Alaska. Looking at Garmin's....mind boggling!!. Is there a GPS that will take multiple routes. example: start is Mass and set the whole trip thru to Alaska. I can only find one that will let me set 20 points of location. Would like to set segments of the trip in like favorites so we can just click and continue on without doing programing along the way.

Sorry can't help, I still prefer a good Atlas as it doesn't need new batteries or to be charged up...just keep the coffee cup off it...

[Barkingowl]

My wife has a little Garmin. I have a Lowrance iWay 500C that I like a lot. But I wound up using the GPS in my phone more.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

We have never owned a GPS and now find we need one for here and for the trip to Alaska. Looking at Garmin's....mind boggling!!. Is there a GPS that will take multiple routes. example: start is Mass and set the whole trip thru to Alaska. I can only find one that will let me set 20 points of location. Would like to set segments of the trip in like favorites so we can just click and continue on without doing programing along the way.

Blue, we purchased a Magellan last year for our trip. Be sure to check whichever one you buy since not all of them cover Canada and Alaska. Yes you can set it in Mass with destination being AK. That is what we did; only changed it if we wanted to change the route ourselves. Now as far as setting segments in favorites, if I understand you correctly, then you will have to go back and key in your original destination if you are going to change it along the way. However, it's a quick, simple process. Did I understand you correctlyon that one? We found it alot more helpful then the Milepost.

Another good thing is if you make a wrong turn or get lost it will let you know and give you directions to get back on the right road. It was also great for keying in motels and getting addresses, phone numbers and directions, same with gas stations, food, etc. I would say check the Magellans and then find one that will cover AK and Canada.

[blueflames50]

Alaskapat528...sounds like you let the GPS pick your route. As we want to set our route I found out that the TomTom will only allow so many set points and one Garmin that will allow 20 set points which mean I have keep setting it as we travel.

"Now as far as setting segments in favorites, if I understand you correctly, then you will have to go back and key in your original destination if you are going to change it along the way."

example: we are in South Dakota and want to go a certain route not what the GPS picks...Do you mean I would have to reset the point we are at..for a new route plan to the AK destination?? that is what I meant

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by blueflames50

Alaskapat528...sounds like you let the GPS pick your route. As we want to set our route I found out that the TomTom will only allow so many set points and one Garmin that will allow 20 set points which mean I have keep setting it as we travel.

"Now as far as setting segments in favorites, if I understand you correctly, then you will have to go back and key in your original destination if you are going to change it along the way."

example: we are in South Dakota and want to go a certain route not what the GPS picks...Do you mean I would have to reset the point we are at..for a new route plan to the AK destination?? that is what I meant

We let the GPS pick our route depending on where we were going. On our way down husband wanted to stop in Moose Jaw, Canada (loved it there), so anytime we wanted to see something different we changed it. And yes, with ours you do have to go back and set your original destination. The GPS knows its locations at all times so when you key in a destination you can tap the button for shortest route, etc.

With ours and I'm sure all of them probably do it, to go back to original destination is real easy because it saves what you had put in it and you just click on it. If my husband didn't like the route the GPS gave he would take his own and the GPS at that point gave directions itself to the change.

Am I making sense lol. I did ask my husband and he is only familiar with the Magellan. I hope this helps.

[Huckleberry3911948]

let me esplain you, i am a true believer, got stuck up in a dead fog in big bear lake arrowhead. could not even see the signs comin down a mountain. gps got us out. i bought one of my own 2 days later.
i no longer get lost and miss social events inc CDF reunions.
ebay or amazon.com 70 buck refurbished garmin will do ya.

[Boompa]

I usually do it one day at a time. Set each nights goal as a "Favorite" then you just set it to go to that each day without a lot of programming

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

We let the GPS pick our route depending on where we were going. On our way down husband wanted to stop in Moose Jaw, Canada (loved it there), so anytime we wanted to see something different we changed it. And yes, with ours you do have to go back and set your original destination. The GPS knows its locations at all times so when you key in a destination you can tap the button for shortest route, etc.

With ours and I'm sure all of them probably do it, to go back to original destination is real easy because it saves what you had put in it and you just click on it. If my husband didn't like the route the GPS gave he would take his own and the GPS at that point gave directions itself to the change.

Am I making sense lol. I did ask my husband and he is only familiar with the Magellan. I hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

let me esplain you, i am a true believer, got stuck up in a dead fog in big bear lake arrowhead. could not even see the signs comin down a mountain. gps got us out. i bought one of my own 2 days later.
i no longer get lost and miss social events inc CDF reunions.
ebay or amazon.com 70 buck refurbished garmin will do ya.

wow...yeah this info is great...yes Pat the info helps and Huck or anyone for that matter what model Garmin is better??

[Alaskapat528]

Blue in all honesty I would not buy a refurbished. Huck obviously got a good one but you are travelling too far to take a chance.