$600 phone + $mobile plan + $data plan + dependency of having data service
VS.
$80 GPS with Lifetime maps....
Let me think about it....
What good is GPS without real-time traffic? It may be good in suburbs where one seldom comes across traffic, but in metros like DC one cant survive without Google Real Time Traffic and Navigation. Everyday it takes me on anew route when I realize the original was jammed due to accident, car pileup and what not. So a GPS without real time traffic no matter even if uses some 1 or 2MB data each morning but saves me hours sitting in traffic or reaching my office late and ultimately loose the job. So $80 is much worse than maybe $20 (at the most) I may be spending each year on data used by my smartphone. Even if you factor in battery usage, life of smartphone etc, still it is worth using smartphone based navigation. My take.
Just noticed this is the 55LM, not the 55LMT. If you want traffic info, get one of their models ending in LMT.
Here are a couple quotes from :
LMT is lifetime maps + traffic. The traffic function means that your Garmin will take into consideration traffic information when it calculates the arrival time. It can also suggest a different route due to traffic congestion. George
Does this Garmin warn of traffic jams backups, etc?
Yes, it does as long as you have it plugged into the lighter. It also gives you the delay time and, if severe enough, it will give you an alternate route.
Just recently used one for a trip where my cell phone did not have any range. The traffic warning is not as good and accurate as compared to google maps, but a GPS is a must have if you're travelling back roads and uneven terrain. Once inside the city I switched to my phone GPS which is much more accurate with up to date traffic info. Just make sure to buy one with all north American maps which would cover Canada as well.
Comments & Reviews (9)
Hmm...
$600 phone + $mobile plan + $data plan + dependency of having data service
VS.
$80 GPS with Lifetime maps....
Let me think about it.... :D :lol: :lol:
I do . Better then IPhone
What good is GPS without real-time traffic? It may be good in suburbs where one seldom comes across traffic, but in metros like DC one cant survive without Google Real Time Traffic and Navigation. Everyday it takes me on anew route when I realize the original was jammed due to accident, car pileup and what not. So a GPS without real time traffic no matter even if uses some 1 or 2MB data each morning but saves me hours sitting in traffic or reaching my office late and ultimately loose the job. So $80 is much worse than maybe $20 (at the most) I may be spending each year on data used by my smartphone. Even if you factor in battery usage, life of smartphone etc, still it is worth using smartphone based navigation. My take.
Any comments from someone who owns one???
Here are a couple quotes from :
LMT is lifetime maps + traffic. The traffic function means that your Garmin will take into consideration traffic information when it calculates the arrival time. It can also suggest a different route due to traffic congestion. George
Does this Garmin warn of traffic jams backups, etc?
Yes, it does as long as you have it plugged into the lighter. It also gives you the delay time and, if severe enough, it will give you an alternate route.
Thank you!