Know anything about the quality of these cheap GPS units?

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eracode

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Topic # 96514 29-Jan-2012 16:53

I'm looking for a cost-effective GPS unit with USA maps on-board for a holiday we are planning. I don't really need a stand-alone GPS unit here in NZ.

I have seen these units on Trademe and I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with them or knows anything about them:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/gps/automotive/auction-442242192.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/gps/automotive/auction-443879837.htm

Thanks

jbard

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Reply # 574664 29-Jan-2012 17:03

Yes my dad bought one before i could stop him.

They are TERRIBLE. Basically they run windows mobile 5.0 and have some map application running on it.

I have tried googling the name of the mapping application and you get about 15 results all about how crap it is.

I have spent hours trying to update the maps but can't find how to do it at all. They come with no instructions and the seller was no help at all.

The NZ maps on them are at least 8 years out of date and i couldn't add any international maps although it says they come preinstalled.

STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS.

Especially for only a little bit more you can buy a decent navman unit: http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/mailerspecials/16446

vinnieg

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Reply # 574665 29-Jan-2012 17:10

Yeah, avoid them at all costs

I'd either:
- Pick one up from Duty Free on the way into the States
- Pick one up from BestBuy or Kmart, they are about $60 for a refurbished 4.3" Tomtom, or $89USD for a brand new one

With all the Canadian/US Maps, you could just resell when you bring it back to NZ, I'm sure another person will have a need for a Canadian/US GPS

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

eracode

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Reply # 574666 29-Jan-2012 17:16

jbard: Yes my dad bought one before i could stop him.

They are TERRIBLE. Basically they run windows mobile 5.0 and have some map application running on it.

I have tried googling the name of the mapping application and you get about 15 results all about how crap it is.

I have spent hours trying to update the maps but can't find how to do it at all. They come with no instructions and the seller was no help at all.

The NZ maps on them are at least 8 years out of date and i couldn't add any international maps although it says they come preinstalled.

STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS.

Especially for only a little bit more you can buy a decent navman unit: http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/mailerspecials/16446

Thanks - I suspected as much and that this was too good to be true.

gregmcc

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Reply # 574667 29-Jan-2012 17:17

I had a similar one for about 3 years, yes getting map updates was a huge hassle, but over all the software wasn't too bad.

For a cheap cost effictive solution it will work for you. Looking at the price it is more than what I would pay, for that price you can buy an entry level brand name GPS and to be honest you would be better off buying the brand name GPS

eracode

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Reply # 574668 29-Jan-2012 17:18

vinnieg: Yeah, avoid them at all costs

I'd either:
- Pick one up from Duty Free on the way into the States
- Pick one up from BestBuy or Kmart, they are about $60 for a refurbished 4.3" Tomtom, or $89USD for a brand new one

With all the Canadian/US Maps, you could just resell when you bring it back to NZ, I'm sure another person will have a need for a Canadian/US GPS

Thanks - your Best Buy approach was exactly my Plan A before I saw the el cheapo units on Trademe. So I'll go back to Plan A.

Wade

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Reply # 574670 29-Jan-2012 17:21

Assuming you have a smartphone what about buying a GPS app or even buying a local prepay sim and using google maps/navigation?

eracode

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Reply # 574672 29-Jan-2012 17:41

Wade: Assuming you have a smartphone what about buying a GPS app or even buying a local prepay sim and using google maps/navigation?

Yes - I've got a Galaxy S II but thought I would rather have a standalone GPS (probably nuts, I know). There's going to be two couples in the car so the overall cost will be halved. To hire a GPS from the car rental company is USD13/per day = total NZD260 over the 16 days we will have the car, so buying a local GPS from BestBuy at about USD100 isn't too bad.

I guess could use google maps on my phone. Do you have a feeling for how much data I would use over 16 days and how much this might cost? I have no feeling for this. I guess I should look at AT&T and similar websites.

kobiak

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Reply # 574690 29-Jan-2012 19:33

I used to have similar NONAME brand GPS unit from DealExtream. and had no issues what so ever with it. No different from TomTom or GARMIN performance. Just does its job great - get u from one point to another.

It was running iGO8.3. 2010 NZ maps at that time. worth every $80 NZD I spent :) In fact IMO iGo is one of the best GPS software in terms of UI. I have it running on my android at the moment (MOTONAV for Motorolas) and it's great.

and BTW there are 100+ places to gets MAPs and POIs from.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

gregmcc

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Reply # 574696 29-Jan-2012 19:52

I've just moved from one of the el-chepo unit running Igo primo, the software was really good, but with the Garmin, although the software is similar it has all rough edges rounded off and is much more pleasent to use.

I've noticed that the el-chepo unit while they are a windows CE device, with all kinds of extras built in, I simply did never use any of the extras, getting updated maps was doable, but not to easy to acheive.

jbard

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Reply # 574697 29-Jan-2012 19:54

kobiak: I used to have similar NONAME brand GPS unit from DealExtream. and had no issues what so ever with it. No different from TomTom or GARMIN performance. Just does its job great - get u from one point to another.

It was running iGO8.3. 2010 NZ maps at that time. worth every $80 NZD I spent :) In fact IMO iGo is one of the best GPS software in terms of UI. I have it running on my android at the moment (MOTONAV for Motorolas) and it's great.

and BTW there are 100+ places to gets MAPs and POIs from.

Yeah I agree Igo is great but the ones on trade me don't run that. If you could get iGo for windows mobile then it would be fine.

vinnieg

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Reply # 574732 29-Jan-2012 21:09

eracode:

Yes - I've got a Galaxy S II

Forgot you had an S II :)

Navigon, $59.99 NZD for the USA maps, have you used the Au/NZ Navigon?

I found it really good last time I was in Australia. Was very hand, and free on my original Galaxy S

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

k1w33d

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Reply # 574780 29-Jan-2012 23:55

I bought my GPS unit from ebay 3 years ago. It runs WinCE 5 underneath and includes bluetooth and FM transmitter. I paid 1c (One Cent) for the GPS and $30 for postage. The GPS locks onto the signal very quickly and I use it to play all my MP3's through my car stereo (No aux input) and it will turn the volume down on my music when it speaks instructions. I am running Igo Primo on the unit with the latest 2011 NZ maps. Couple of downsides. My battery does not last very long which is not really a problem because I just leave it plugged in to the lighter whenever I am using it anyway. Glare sometimes makes the screen hard to see. Easily fixed by buying a hood for the gps holder and/or antiglare screen protectors. I haven't done either because I just listen to the voice guidance. My Father then bought one from trademe and I set his up similar to mine and he has no problems. Austech GPS forums have good advice on setting up the GPS units and links to maps although you will have to sift through the information as some of it might not be legal.
Here is a link to a GPS unit on EBay which you can get for cheaper than the ones on trademe and you can get North American maps pre installed.

Hatch

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Reply # 576362 2-Feb-2012 16:45

Bad elf gps dongle for my Ipad Wifi arrived a couple of weeks ago replacing my sleek (missing) Garmin.

http://bad-elf.com/products/gps/

Awesome signal lock. But of course you need an iphone/ipod touch/ipad. Significant battery drain.

Offline maps not a problem.

But how the hell do you mount an ipad in a car? Or at least have it secured somewhere where you can see it.

I use Sygic GPS app for NZ which is very good so far, so many more options for US maps.