Gps

[Inknsteel]

Ok, I have to chime in here with my bits and pieces of knowledge... (I used to work for Verizon AND Garmin).

If you are wanting a good navigation system, Garmin is DEFINITELY the way to go. I'm not saying that just because I used to work for them, but because being in the industry, I had the opportunity to test models by all the major manufacturers. Garmin devices have a simple user interface, audible voice guidance, and MANY options in different price ranges. Garmin updates the mapping every 1-2 years and you can purchase map updates to load into the GPS. Unfortunately, new maps aren't free, but they're also not mandatory. If your system is getting you around just fine where you are using it, no need to update every year. The accuracy in Garmin units is top notch. Generally, a Garmin nav system will display your position within 10 feet of accuracy, sometimes even better. The voice guidance is good, very audible, with adjustable volume. As for charges, you pay the one time charge to buy the hardware and there is no monthly service fee. The only other cost you will incur is to purchase the map updates, if and when you choose to do so.

Verizon navigator is fairly new and wasn't around when I worked there, but I have used it and played with it for comparison purposes. The upside is that the maps are all updated by them and you don't have to do any map loading. Now, the downsides. There is a MONTHLY charge for the service, $15 a month if I'm not mistaken. The screen will be very small compared to a stand-alone nav system. Also, the voice guidance is barely audible over road noise. It WILL get you where you're going, but you have to pay attention to your cell phone screen so you don't miss a turn. I think the IDEA of Verizon navigator is a good one, but the execution of the idea is slightly lacking...

Just my

[rabernet]

garmin comes with a built in maping system that is current ( has my apartments in it that are only a year old that mapquest doesnt even have) downloads/upgrades of maps are free with the system i purchased. i have friends that use the one on verizon but the draw back is when making a long trip and keeping it on there goes your battery..all in all i would say no matter what get a gps. any gps will do the job its how it works and the ease of use. it has saved me hours and jobs

With long trips, I plan to turn off Navigator and then turn it back on when it's closer to the next turn. It will tell you it's 100 miles to the next turn (for example) so turn it off until you are 95 miles down the road, then turn it back on.

[rabernet]

Verizon navigator is fairly new and wasn't around when I worked there, but I have used it and played with it for comparison purposes. The upside is that the maps are all updated by them and you don't have to do any map loading. Now, the downsides. There is a MONTHLY charge for the service, $15 a month if I'm not mistaken. The screen will be very small compared to a stand-alone nav system. Also, the voice guidance is barely audible over road noise. It WILL get you where you're going, but you have to pay attention to your cell phone screen so you don't miss a turn. I think the IDEA of Verizon navigator is a good one, but the execution of the idea is slightly lacking...

Just my

$10 a month actually and I had no troubles hearing the verbal guidance over road traffic. I actually drove with the cell phone closed, and the verbal guidance gave me plenty of advanced notice of an upcoming turn with the name of the street, not just "approaching left turn" but rather "turn left on Warsaw in 1 mile".

If the upgrade on Garmin is $100, then I can get 10 months of VZW Navigator for the same price and not have the additional cost of the actual GPS unit (since my phone was free with the NE2 upgrade).

It all boils down to what works well for each individual user. It's good to hear the feedback on the Garmin since I do plan to buy a unit for my parents for Christmas.

But for my personal needs right now, VZW Navigator performs well and is a very good alternative.

[Inknsteel]

...not just "approaching left turn" but rather "turn left on Warsaw in 1 mile"...

As far as I know, all the automotive GPS units Garmin is releasing also have the turn by turn with street names. I know they were working toward that when I left the company 9 months ago.

Which Verizon phone do you have? I have the LV enV but I have only tried the navigation with the phone open. The voice guidance on mine is very quiet and I haven't found a way to get the volume to go higher than it already is. I also haven't tried it with the phone closed, so I may do that too.

[Reediculous]

Ok, I have to chime in here with my bits and pieces of knowledge... (I used to work for Verizon AND Garmin).

If you are wanting a good navigation system, Garmin is DEFINITELY the way to go. I'm not saying that just because I used to work for them, but because being in the industry, I had the opportunity to test models by all the major manufacturers. Garmin devices have a simple user interface, audible voice guidance, and MANY options in different price ranges. Garmin updates the mapping every 1-2 years and you can purchase map updates to load into the GPS. Unfortunately, new maps aren't free, but they're also not mandatory. If your system is getting you around just fine where you are using it, no need to update every year. The accuracy in Garmin units is top notch. Generally, a Garmin nav system will display your position within 10 feet of accuracy, sometimes even better. The voice guidance is good, very audible, with adjustable volume. As for charges, you pay the one time charge to buy the hardware and there is no monthly service fee. The only other cost you will incur is to purchase the map updates, if and when you choose to do so.

Verizon navigator is fairly new and wasn't around when I worked there, but I have used it and played with it for comparison purposes. The upside is that the maps are all updated by them and you don't have to do any map loading. Now, the downsides. There is a MONTHLY charge for the service, $15 a month if I'm not mistaken. The screen will be very small compared to a stand-alone nav system. Also, the voice guidance is barely audible over road noise. It WILL get you where you're going, but you have to pay attention to your cell phone screen so you don't miss a turn. I think the IDEA of Verizon navigator is a good one, but the execution of the idea is slightly lacking...

Just my

thanks for your input.........very helpful

[rabernet]

As far as I know, all the automotive GPS units Garmin is releasing also have the turn by turn with street names. I know they were working toward that when I left the company 9 months ago.

Which Verizon phone do you have? I have the LV enV but I have only tried the navigation with the phone open. The voice guidance on mine is very quiet and I haven't found a way to get the volume to go higher than it already is. I also haven't tried it with the phone closed, so I may do that too.

I have the LG VX8700 - darn sexy phone too!