Considering taking some of my Christmas bonus and getting a GPS Navigator to use in our vehicles on those trips we always get lost on.

I would like your expertise and recommendations.

I've looked at Garmins and TomToms, but have no idea which is best. My price range is 100 to 150. I want the biggest display available for that price. I want the "3-D" look rather than the topical "dot" on a map type of display. And I'd like one with lifetime map updates.

No need for "talking" ones, or lane help, or traffic updates, etc. Just the basics I described above.

Anyone help ?

I have a Garmin and a TomTom. I think I prefer the TomTom, but it takes a whole lot longer to pick up the satellite signals. From what I have read, it seems to be characteristic of the brand.

My wife has a Garmin and it works fantastic. It does everything you are asking for and we get 4 map updates a year for life.....however it cost way more than $150. Her's was around $300, but a big part of that price was the life-time updates.

We have a Garmin and this one works great, we use the Garmin for geocaching
We use the Garmin too as TomTom.

For the buck, you can't go wrong with the Garmins. You can get one for under $150 that has lifetime updates, detours, lane help, and they all talk to you. However, you can turn that off and sometimes download other voices. I bought a new Garmin with a 5 inch screen on Black Friday (actually it was late Saturday and Walmart still had them) for $99.

This is the kind of display I want:



Alldat, is yours like this ? If so, what model is it ?

Also, someone told me you have to pay a monthly fee to make these work. I read reviews and they said they just work out of the box, unless you want special features beyond the navigation (then there's a subscription).

- What's the scoop ?

.

.

.

We do not pay a monthly fee for our Garmin (and it looks very much like the one in that pic). However, if you don't purchase the lifetime maps update they can get pretty pricey (something like $70 for a single update).

I do things old school...I use a map. Sometimes I use the gps map built into my phone to look everything up.

G/F, there is no monthly membership with these things anymore. They work out of the box. My display looks almost exactly like that although I don't remember the model number. It was a Black Friday special. Most of the newer Garmins come with the lifetime updates. Just check for that on the packaging before you buy.

I'm with brokentulsa. Maps all the way.

I want maps, too. Even with my old Garmin, I bought the lifetime map updates. The new one doesn't need that as it came with. I just need a unit where I can type in coordinates and it will still map it out. I use that feature with geocaching.

GF did all the replies helped you?
Have you made your choice between a Garmin of a TomTom?