TomTom 920
 

I like the 920 because it has Europe and North America. It also tells me which lane to stay in and which way my next turn will be with an icon instead of having to look on the map....helpful if you are on the phone and just want to glance at the unit.

I've been very happy with my nuvi 350 and my in-laws are happy with their nuvi 650 (wide-screen version of the 350).

Maybe we're talking about two different things that are upgradeable, maps preloaded in hardware units and separate map software.

If you purchase a CD or DVD map product, such as City Navigator North America or Topo, you have to pay full price for any upgrade after 30 days from orignal purchase. They used to list this prominently on their website.

There should be a longer grade period for hardware units that have maps preloaded in them, such as units that were sitting on a retailer's shelves for a few months. I've never dealt with any of these situations.

But for map software it is 30 days only, and according to GPS forums, practically no wiggle room allowed past that.

Bought a few other packaged map software such as City Navigator Europe v9, Brazil CN v3. Frankly never found a need for updates yet for far flung places since I only go there occasionally.

So I've never encountered this 30 days problem you mentioned.

I just got the Garmin nuvi 650 from Costco online for 299.00. Great little unit and I thought a very good price.

Note from Costco reg. Garmin (others):

"NOTICE TO DRIVERS IN CALIFORNIA AND MINNESOTA: State law prohibits drivers in California and Minnesota from using suction mounts on their windshields while operating motor vehicles. Other state or local laws may also prohibit drivers from using suction cups on their windshields. (See California Vehicle Code Section 26708(a); Minnesota Statutes 2005, Section 169.71)"

Question: (In a rental car) Where/how would I fix the GPS in CA.
Thanks

Two solutions to this:

1. Lower left corner, section (b)3 in this link
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm
2. Use a dash top suction cup plate

SJUAMMF
Thanks ... I got it ....

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) Rearview mirrors.

(2) Adjustable nontransparent sunvisors which are mounted forward of the side windows and are not attached to the glass.

(3) Signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver, signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the rear window farthest removed from the driver, or signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a 5-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest the driver.

I've been playing around with the TomTom GO 930 for the past 2 weeks, and have to say that it's the best GPS unit I've ever seen.

I've got 2 parts of a 3 part review posted:

Part 2 - the interface

Part 1 - the hardware

It's not cheap, but it's really unfair to compare this thing to any of the budget GPS units. $499 gets you US/EU maps, voice recognition, a Bluetooth remote and tons more.

If you have a TomTom One 3rd Ed., is there an inexpensive way to get european maps?

What are the key differences between the 920 & 930? 920 is over $100 less.
I found this on amazon but it doesn't include the 930
http://www.amazon.com/TomTom-920-Por...1-6#comparison

Essentially just Lane Assist and IQ routes. Plus a newer version of the maps and the OS.

Lane Assist is pretty nifty; you see virtual highway signs that help guide you in the correct lane, and IQ routes uses years of historical traffic data to determine the right route. Even if there is no current traffic, the device will know to bypass a certain road if it "thinks" the road will be bad by the time you get there.

The technology pace continues unabated. I picked up a TomTom 920 not very long ago when it was the top of the line and then the 930 appeared very quickly thereafter. Look for a 940 to show up pretty soon with a bunch of other new features. :)

But if you are going to want a GPS unit for Europe, I doubt if you can do better than the TomToms.

Does anyone know if LA works with some of the more complex (i.e. multi-lane) traffic circles in the UK?.....I've driven a lot in the UK but those things still scare me at times....sometimes I go around 2-3 times just plotting my next move.

I haven't tested it in the UK yet, but so far it looks like Lane Assist only works on highways (M roads in the UK), so you won't get different guidance on their roundabouts.