Cheapest way to get set up with GPS

[GanChan]

Currently I only have a Macbook Air and a "dumb phone" -- not because I'm a Luddite, but because I'm financially tight enough to be worried about the long-term costs of maintaining a smart device and data plan. For my extended road trips in my ancient low-tech car, I've been taking screen shots of different legs of the journey for viewing on my Macbook as needed, but that's an awkward situation that requires me to open the laptop, pull over, and check my position.

I'd like to have something like a tablet on a dashboard mount running GPS, and I'm wondering what the most cost-effective means of getting there might be. Right now i'm thinking about a small-ish (and possible refurb) LTE-ready tablet running Google Maps, which wouldn't require an ongoing data plan or special software purchase. Any other suggestions?

 

[MRrainer]

And the reason you don't want to buy a bog-standard, simple, dead-cheap, entry-level TomTom or Garmin device (specifically designed and built for this very purpose) is exactly what?

 

[chabig]

Join AAA. They have these things called "maps"...

 

[campyguy]

If you're in NA go with Garmin, if you're pretty much anywhere else get a TomTom. I'm generally in NA, I purchased for my mom - a luddite with an ATTWS LTE Kyocera flip phone - and my company driving needs the Garmin DriveAssist 51 LMT-S. Plenty of options, free map updates, traffic options and warnings, and SD card slots plus cameras. My mom's on my UL data plan, I set up her phone so that her Garmin tethers to it automatically. I like that I can DL data from the devices for record keeping, and the web portal for both Garmin and TomTom Drive help with route planning and in my experience standalone devices are more accurate than cell phones for position reference in all 3 dimensions - I've worked both ends of a survey chain for 30 years...

Three bits. I talked with my insurance provider and found that this Garmin (and other units like it) lead to discounts in auto insurance because of the cameras and built-in accident avoidance option, provided they're enabled. This time of year new models are about to be released, and in my industry (civil engineering) I know that new mapping data gets pushed out in October (January and August are when a lot of data gets collected and submitted to agencies for processing) so definitely consider only devices that get lifetime map updates if you go this route. And, related to that last bit, this is the time of year for deep discounts on "last year's models" - Garmin usually sells certified refurbs through Amazon, with the new 51 LMT-S going for $250 new and $140 for a refurb (I just looked, your post reminded me to check for a new hire!).

Keep in mind that Garmin also makes GPS-enabled cameras that can record video and positional data and dump data too. And, I always carry a copy of Thomas Maps...

 

[HDFan]

Is your intention to use the device to serve as a navigation aid, or just to log where you have been? In the latter case you don't need anything that big. I use my Garmin Fenix watch for my gps data so I can geotag my pictures. Works great, sometimes even will capture international flight paths. It will also track your path out of the car, e.g. if you are hiking, doing city walks, jogging, etc. Works somewhere in the 10-20 hour range before needing a recharge.

Not sure if Garmin has anything in your price range, but might give a different option if this type of device would meet your needs.

 

[NoBoMac]

I'll take a different tack vs. what others have said.

From the way I read it, sounds like OP is using some sort of web-based mapping program, getting screen grabs of that, and then referencing those while on the road. If I got that wrong, apologies.

I have done something similar in the past. Go to Google Maps to get directions from A to B, print the directions with the map via standard Mac print interface, but instead of sending to printer, do a "Save as PDF". Take the PDF(s) and upload to Dropbox. Download and make available off-line in Dropbox app on my iPhone and iPad. So, something like should be doable with just about any refurb/used tablet or phone, iOS or Android.

Do not necessarily need an LTE device as Google Maps does support caching: download the region you need before heading onto the road. There are other apps that do this as well. Example, I have an app on my phone named Galileo. With a desktop program (Mobile Atlas Creator) that takes in open-source maps, I can stitch together those that are needed, organize, then upload to the Galileo app via iTunes sync/filesharing and pull-up the appropriate map at the appropriate time. I like this option as one might not be in an area where they can get cell signal.

I'd go with a refurb/used phablet as that is easily "uninstalled" from one's car when not needed, reducing the chance of someone knocking out a window to steal the device mounted on the dash.

 

[bdj33ranch]

Just do a search for - Factory Outlet GPS.
For about $75 - $85 you can get a refurbished unit from Garmin, Magellan or Tom Tom.
Even these inexpensive units will be a life changing upgrade from what you’re now doing.
And much safer.
It will have free lifetime maps and traffic info.
You can talk to it and it will talk to you.
It will display arrows and distance to your next turn.
It may have bluetooth for hands free phone use if your phone supports that feature.
You can probably even use it for an hour on so on internal batteries as a pedestrian GPS.
Being satellite based GPS it will work where there’s no cellphone signal.
But it’s always wise to keep a paper map in the glovebox for the “big picture”.

 

[Tech198]

Currently I only have a Macbook Air and a "dumb phone" -- not because I'm a Luddite, but because I'm financially tight enough to be worried about the long-term costs of maintaining a smart device and data plan. For my extended road trips in my ancient low-tech car, I've been taking screen shots of different legs of the journey for viewing on my Macbook as needed, but that's an awkward situation that requires me to open the laptop, pull over, and check my position.

I'd like to have something like a tablet on a dashboard mount running GPS, and I'm wondering what the most cost-effective means of getting there might be. Right now i'm thinking about a small-ish (and possible refurb) LTE-ready tablet running Google Maps, which wouldn't require an ongoing data plan or special software purchase. Any other suggestions?

There are two options, either

- use Smart phone with Googe or Apple Maps, (you need internet access)
- use TomTom app on smart phone, or standalone GPS device (sticks to windscreen of car, and download maps in advance for device or phone you have.

Waze does the same, its free. Otherwise, be prepared to spend some money for maps.

The reason why we use Apple maps or Google, is because its easy,,, we can go anywhere (but you pay for data), vs TomTom or Garmin devices where you must download the appropriate map for the country.. but you

Think of it as a UBD connecting to Google servers, but not limited to your own country.. anywhere in the world, vs only the country u are in is mapped.

If u need the convenience, you pay for data though your mobile carrier

 

[nutjob]

I'd like to have something like a tablet on a dashboard mount running GPS, and I'm wondering what the most cost-effective means of getting there might be. Right now i'm thinking about a small-ish (and possible refurb) LTE-ready tablet running Google Maps, which wouldn't require an ongoing data plan or special software purchase. Any other suggestions?

Get a cheap Android phone or tablet (or a more expensive Apple device if you must) and install Here Maps: https://wego.here.com/

You can download maps to the device and you don't need a data plan. This will give you the most flexibility without the hassles and limitations of a dedicated GPS device.

 

[monokakata]

Join AAA. They have these things called "maps"...

Or you can buy a road atlas for not too much money.

I'm hardly a Luddite -- I have a variety of GPS units, and my cars have had built-in nav units for years -- but there are circumstances where a paper map beats the heck out of any GPS.

I'm not aware of any GPS unit that allows the user to "back out" without losing detail. And it's easy to see why that's the case, of course -- but on a paper map, this simply does not happen. The little roads -- the blue roads, they're sometimes called -- stay put no matter how you fold or unfold the map.

OP does road trips, and although I don't know, I'm guessing that includes a lot of driving off highways. That's the way I used to travel when I lived on the continental US -- there were many times when we would think -- oh cool, let's take this little road . . . where does it end? And then zooming out to see made that road disappear. Sure, there are ways around that, but picking up a paper map and looking at it is easier.

I'm not suggesting that OP not explore the GPS units people have suggested. All I'm saying is -- don't discount what paper maps can do.