Australian Purchased GPS Navigator for the USA

[Andona]

We've done over 20,000 miles on USA roadtrips in the last 10 years and have used a Tom Tom for all of them. We've gone through a few different models but our current TomTom Go (purchased on special from JB Hi Fi) came with world maps and free map updates. ( We also use it for road trips in Europe)

I do like to have a sim and have access to Google Maps in my iPad but be aware that the coverage over there is NOT reliable in more remote areas, e..g you're generally fine on the Interstates or in the cities but if your trip will take you away from the interstates in the open country then you can't depend on getting a signal. I'd be sure to have a backup of offline maps available. There are some excellent apps for that, e.g. Pocket earth and Galileo.

However, I still like to have the TomTom as well, the newest ones are excellent.

Andona

 

[marki]

I don't have one of those either!

Because I'm retired I don't need high end tablets or smart phones, as I'm home most of the day and just use Windows. Though a friend told me one reason why an IPhone is good in the USA. Whenever he parks his car, he takes a photo of it - that way he never loses the car, as he has done in the past (he once had to drive for three hours in a taxi around New York trying to find his car). Apparently the photo tags where the picture was taken, and the phone can be made to take one back to that spot after the car is misplaced.
Cheers,
Renato

Good idea which also can be done also be done on an iPad which is generally cheaper! However the tag function is not exclusive to apple products.

 

[serfty]

I purchased a Garmin from Amazon USA last decade - it came preloaded with USA and EU maps - This was about 5 years ago shortly before the first of several trips to USA and a trip to Europe.

It cost me ~AUD150. At the time, the same model was $355 to buy in Oz (on sale) along with approx. $150 for the USA and EU maps.

I found this device useful for several years - later on I managed to get Oz/NZ maps for it rather cheaply.

Over the years I have been very happy with the purchase at the price, although it did try to lead me astray in Massachusetts - but it is 18 months since I used it.

For mine, the bottom has fallen out of the market for these devices with the advent of some seriously good smartphone apps and I am unlikely to consider purchasing one again.

 

[whatmeworry]

Nokia Lumia with a added 64 to 128gb micro sd card with HERE maps. Beware using the GPS drains the battery quite quickly, so a in car charger essential.

 

[Renato1]

I have a TomTom that I load with maps wherever I'm going.

A USA+Canada map is $80. But I notice a 20% discount code (MAPS20) upon updating my maps just now.

I would think you could get a new TomTom and that map for well under your budget in Australia.

Thanks for relating your positive experience on this matter. And the discount code.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

We've done over 20,000 miles on USA roadtrips in the last 10 years and have used a Tom Tom for all of them. We've gone through a few different models but our current TomTom Go (purchased on special from JB Hi Fi) came with world maps and free map updates. ( We also use it for road trips in Europe)

I do like to have a sim and have access to Google Maps in my iPad but be aware that the coverage over there is NOT reliable in more remote areas, e..g you're generally fine on the Interstates or in the cities but if your trip will take you away from the interstates in the open country then you can't depend on getting a signal. I'd be sure to have a backup of offline maps available. There are some excellent apps for that, e.g. Pocket earth and Galileo.

However, I still like to have the TomTom as well, the newest ones are excellent.

Andona

Thanks. That's interesting, as I've never actually seen a unit with world maps being sold over here.
I'll have to check it out.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

I purchased a Garmin from Amazon USA last decade - it came preloaded with USA and EU maps - This was about 5 years ago shortly before the first of several trips to USA and a trip to Europe.

It cost me ~AUD150. At the time, the same model was $355 to buy in Oz (on sale) along with approx. $150 for the USA and EU maps.

I found this device useful for several years - later on I managed to get Oz/NZ maps for it rather cheaply.

Over the years I have been very happy with the purchase - but it is 18 months since I used it.

For mine, the bottom has fallen out of the market for these devices with the advent of some seriously good smartphone apps and I am unlikely to consider purchasing one again.

Amazing the price difference.

I used to use Amazon a lot last decade. My problem with Amazon now is that lately, every time I've tried buying something, I get to the point about entering the credit card, and I'm told that the item isn't delivered to Australia. The other problem is that I've left this a bit late - it used to take about six weeks to get a delivery, unless I paid exorbitant postage fees.

But I shall check Amazon out, just in case.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

Nokia Lumia with a added 64 to 128gb micro sd card with HERE maps. Beware using the GPS drains the battery quite quickly, so a in car charger essential.

Thanks, but I'm really not keen on a phone.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

Interestingly, as a result of posting this thread I now see that TomTom have two units on sale at the moment at Harvey Norman and JB Hifi which have world maps with free lifetime updates (Go510 and Go5100).

Reading the Whirlpool reviews, most are happy, and one was very unhappy with the map downloading process.

More strangely, one chap was buying the Tom Tom unit because the suction cup on his old unit wasn't working any more. I had that problem with my Garmin, and fixed it by rubbing some Blutack across the cup (even though it looked clean) and now I have a hell of a time getting it unstuck from the windscreen.

Regards,
Renato

 

[ashleyn]

I have a Tomtom that I have multiple maps for. When I am going somewhere I load maps for the specific region and bring it with me. If its been a few years I usually update them before. Worth a lot more then hiring a GPS.

Other alternative I use is getting a local sim-card as soon as I get there and put into a secondary phone. I also bring a phone holder for the car and then I use Google maps and navigation. Cheap and always updated.

Tomtom you can set up from home though and you are ready to go as you get there, where as the phone you need to get things when you get there.

+1 for this. I have a TomTom that goes everwhere with me. It's lane guidance was invaluable on the freeways of LA, need I say more ?

 

[Renato1]

+1 for this. I have a TomTom that goes everwhere with me. It's lane guidance was invaluable on the freeways of LA, need I say more ?

Thanks. Well, LA is where I'd have to use the unit first. With so many recommendations, a TomTom it will be.

Basically, though I'm very fond of my Garmin, if I bought a Garmin unit and then paid for the European and USA maps, the cost would be much higher than buying a TomTom GO510 for $213, which includes the maps.

The only issue now is whether I get it or the GO5100 with the included SIM card for $274, which gives real time traffic updates.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Andona]

Thanks. That's interesting, as I've never actually seen a unit with world maps being sold over here.
I'll have to check it out.
Regards,
Renato

This is the one. https://goo.gl/JevJ35
Initially it only has Aus/NZ maps on it but you can download any of the other maps for free.
Andona

 

[JohnM]

This is the one. https://goo.gl/JevJ35
Initially it only has Aus/NZ maps on it but you can download any of the other maps for free.
Andona

I was looking at the Tom Tom GO 6100 with 'Lifetime World Maps' yesterday but received conflicting advice from the sales persons at Harvey Norman and The Good Guys. One claimed that you could download one other country/region for free; the other claimed that you had to pay for the download of other countries/regions, but then they would be 'lifetime' updated for free.

Are you saying that any number of other maps can be downloaded for free and all receive lifetime updates? That seems so unusually generous that I opted not to consider buying one until I could clarify the situation.

I have an older Tom Tom with several overseas regions but they are not inclusive of updates, so what you are saying is quite appealing if it applies to all the maps they have available to download. It would not be so appealing if I had to re-buy all my overseas maps.

 

[Renato1]

I was looking at the Tom Tom GO 6100 with 'Lifetime World Maps' yesterday but received conflicting advice from the sales persons at Harvey Norman and The Good Guys. One claimed that you could download one other country/region for free; the other claimed that you had to pay for the download of other countries/regions, but then they would be 'lifetime' updated for free.

Are you saying that any number of other maps can be downloaded for free and all receive lifetime updates? That seems so unusually generous that I opted not to consider buying one until I could clarify the situation.

I have an older Tom Tom with several overseas regions but they are not inclusive of updates, so what you are saying is quite appealing if it applies to all the maps they have available to download. It would not be so appealing if I had to re-buy all my overseas maps.

That all the maps are available fo the unit has been stated here and at this discussion forum
TomTom GO 510 / 5100 / 6100 - GPS - Gadgets

Although, reading it, there seems to be an issue with getting traffic camera updates free forever.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

This is the one. https://goo.gl/JevJ35
Initially it only has Aus/NZ maps on it but you can download any of the other maps for free.
Andona

Thanks, I had found that yesterday.
Harvey Norman have it at $214 too, but Good Guys have it even cheaper at $213!

When I checked Ebay, all other prices for that unit were much higher, at over $300.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[FlyboyAl]

If you are flying into LAX and can get to Best Buy at El Secundo, 10 mins from LAX, you could go in and buy a GPS and you are all set.
I have a Garmin that I got about 3 years ago from Best Buy and it came with lifetime maps and traffic. It has all my favourites stored in it and is the first thing into the hire car when I collect it.
I use garmin at home here in Oz so I have no issues with the interface.
I run garmin updates before I leave Oz and its all set to go when I arrive.
One of the best features I find is the traffic information display and updates - it works WAY BETTER in the US than it does in Oz.
Hope this helps.

 

[Renato1]

If you are flying into LAX and can get to Best Buy at El Secundo, 10 mins from LAX, you could go in and buy a GPS and you are all set.
I have a Garmin that I got about 3 years ago from Best Buy and it came with lifetime maps and traffic. It has all my favourites stored in it and is the first thing into the hire car when I collect it.
I use garmin at home here in Oz so I have no issues with the interface.
I run garmin updates before I leave Oz and its all set to go when I arrive.
One of the best features I find is the traffic information display and updates - it works WAY BETTER in the US than it does in Oz.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for the information, but I've just bought the TomTom 5100 which should do the job.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Renato1]

UPDATE:

Well, I'm in the USA now and today my wife and I got so frustrated with the piece of junk called the TomTom GO5100.

Firstly, it will not talk to us and give spoken directions. It did this to me back in Australia, but when I had changed voices it had then worked fine. Not so over here. Whichever voice we picked, the only thing said by any of them was when we were within a few minutes of arrival.

So my wife had to tell me what the arrows were pointing to, and quite often it came up with a direction to turn where I had no opportunity to get into the correct lane.

Secondly, when calculating the route - despite the unit being set to fastest route - it decided to calculate using the bicycle route. And Bicycle Route Mode definitely had not been set.

Thirdly, the real time traffic update option provided by the SIM card in the unit, I cannot activate here using this computer - but I had activated it back home.

Anyhow, I've just done a reset and hope that I can get the unit to work properly tomorrow, else it's last use will be to take me to a shopping centre where I can buy a Garmin which talks to me, and I will make a warranty claim when I get back home.
Cheers,
Renato

 

[Moindardt]

Most uber drivers I have used in the states have either iPhone or iPad mini running google maps. I think that is a pretty good data point.

 

[marki]

UPDATE:

Well, I'm in the USA now and today my wife and I got so frustrated with the piece of junk called the TomTom GO5100.

Firstly, it will not talk to us and give spoken directions. It did this to me back in Australia, but when I had changed voices it had then worked fine. Not so over here. Whichever voice we picked, the only thing said by any of them was when we were within a few minutes of arrival.

So my wife had to tell me what the arrows were pointing to, and quite often it came up with a direction to turn where I had no opportunity to get into the correct lane.

Secondly, when calculating the route - despite the unit being set to fastest route - it decided to calculate using the bicycle route. And Bicycle Route Mode definitely had not been set.

Thirdly, the real time traffic update option provided by the SIM card in the unit, I cannot activate here using this computer - but I had activated it back home.

Anyhow, I've just done a reset and hope that I can get the unit to work properly tomorrow, else it's last use will be to take me to a shopping centre where I can buy a Garmin which talks to me, and I will make a warranty claim when I get back home.
Cheers,
Renato

Good grief , Tom Tom is useless sometimes I sympathise as I have been thru what you have been thru.

My solution was either phone google maps or Garmin