Looking for a GPS for my car

Hi

This is my first e-mail.

I know the commuty has tyalked about GPS systems before but I am know looking hard for one.

I would like a model where I can input several, up to 20 home addresses and haver it plan out the best way to show the homes.

It would be gereat if I could also over ride the laided out plans and go to any particul;ar home first and then have it figure out the best route for all the other homes.  Can anyone help me out please. 

Thank all of you up front.

Dean Greenstreet

www.DeanGreenstreetRealtor.com

E-Pro@DeanGreenstreetRealtor.com

919.770.3580

Reply

Hello Dean my name is Jocelyn and after researching the GPS options my husband purchased a tomtom for me. He made the determination based on the screen size, the map display and the systems capability to route multiple locations with flexibility in rerouting stops. I am extrememly happy with the sytem and I would highly recommend it. Novice GPS user, Jocelyn. 

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Dean,

You are in luck. There are many excellent choices available.  The tomtom is one.  I selected a Magellan Maestro.  I liked the screen size and the features, which are similar to the tomtom.  Also there was a special that day at Best Buy that day which sealed the deal. 

My Magellan provides all the features you request and more.  I use it to view broker open houses and can program up to 15 houses to see in a 2 hour period.  The best part for me is that I have do not have a good memory for streets and in the past greeted brokers open houses with anxiety, a good map and a lot of u-turns.  Now I relax and let the Magellan guide me. 

One word of caution.   I Iive in California and learned after I purchased the device that windshield mounting is not allowed.  So I mount it on the driver's side window, which works very well.  I recommend that you spend the money to have voice announcements of turns AND streets.  Then you do not need to look at the device very often.

Also in California on July 1, 2008 hands free devices are required in cars for cell phone conversations.  The Magellan has bluetooth capability, but the quality is only fair.

This may be more than you want to know, but I hope it helps.

Eric Randall

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Hi, I wouldn't be without my tomtom.  I am not good at remembering all the streets in the Fort Myers area with all the different developements there are.  It really  think clients appreciate a realtor who knows where they are going and not fumbling through mapquest directions.  They always ask about the technology too!    Pam from Fort Myers Beach Fl.

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Hi: 

Most upper end GPS systems will allow mapping of different locations.  My Garmin does not have this feature.  The feature I do have and like is the voice commands.  I use Goggle Earth to map the locations and then I put the addresses in my GPS.  I also purchased a dash mount for the Garmin.  It is easy to view and is not mounted to the windshield.  I highly recommend it.

Diane Shattuck, Broker, CRS, GRI, SRES, ABR

Town Square Real Estate

6 Rosa L. Jones Drive

Cocoa, FL, 32922

321-258-2608

www.homesinbrevardcounty.com

Reply

Dean,

I just purchased one and I am very glad I did.  I  went with a TomTom GPS unit, which has an intuitive user interface that anyone can get used to and has many features that most Realtors need.  I have a few friends that use Garmin GPS units and they are very pleased with their purchases as well.  What I like most about the TomTom unit is how accurate the driving directions are.  It lets you know exactly when to turn, which is helpful when you are driving with clients.  You can turn down the volume and follow the arrows on the screen.

Good luck with your purchase,

Jilla

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Dean,                                                                                                                                                                        My brother lives, eats, and sleeps tech stuff and he tells me that the Garmin nuvi models are the best.  They might cost a little more, but they have lots of great features.  The Garmin 360 can hold up to 500 way points and has blue tooth technology and much more.  They are a little more expensive, but they get great reviews.  Check out some reviews at www.epinions.com. 

Best regards,                                                                                                                                         Jason

Jason C. Barnette - Sales Associate - Coldwell Banker/ United Realtors  jason@themandersongroup.com     www.themandersongroup.com                         850.454.7257

Reply

Hi,

I purchased a GPS from costco. i researched GPS manufacturers on the internet. then i went to Frys.best buy,& circuitcity to compare prices and decided costco had the best price.

I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 680 it is sllek and comes with a case. so when i get out of the car i just remove it from the holder ,put it the case and it goes into my pocket. that way it does not get heated in the sun when my car is parked for a long time.

Other than the plenty of features you also get a free MSN free for 1 year. this tells you the gas prices in a neighborhood, informs you of traffic jams and reroutes you in advance so you dont get stuck.

email me if you need any further help.

regards

matthew

Reply

I was interested in the information about CA's new law regarding hand-held devices.  Would like to know if there is a site that has information about similar laws in other states.

Thanks!

Pook Bellini

Arizona Best Real Estate

pbellini@arizonabest.com

Reply

I have a TomTom 720Go. Why I bought the TOMTOM over the Garmin was because it was affordable  and offered the MULTISEGMENT ROUTE ideal for Realtors showing properties. The Garmin offered this option but was pricy.  I love my TomTom.

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I purchased a Garmin Nuvi and have been generally pleased with it, especially in my price range.  I am able to load addresses beforehand so that I can travel with clients from one property to another without having to load each address individually.   It doesn't always take me the most direct route, but I'm never lost and has saved me the time and embarassment of driving around in circles.

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