Do you have to sign up to some kind of service to use it,like a cellphone?

I am thinking of getting my Dad one for Father's Day,but wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be pricey for him to keep up with.

Do you mean like a TomTom type GPS? One that's mobile/portable and you can take it car to car? Yeah, I have one. No service involved. If I remember correctly, you get free updates for the first year you own it. Just hook it up to a computer and download them. After that, I think the updates are like $20 or $25 a year. It was a great toy to play with when I first got it, but to be honest, I use it VERY seldom. I just don't go many places I don't already know my way around.

I had a Garmin and loved it. My boyfriend has a Tom Tom and I hate it, it's too confusing and always sends us a longer way.

Garmin is the way to go, just don't have your home address stored in there in case it's stolen.

CarrieLee said:

If I ever got one, I'd program the police station in as my home address.

We have the Magellan brand...no service fees required. It works great and I have used it a lot.

The only downside is that I can't blast my music when I am going somewhere where I have to use it because it drowns out the directions...

It took us all the way from Detroit to Miami without a problem.

RodeoSchro said:

good idea!

CarrieLee said:

Very good advice!

Thanks for all the responses!!

EmeraldSkies said:

My car was stolen and they got my Garmin too. I was able to retrieve my car through trusty ol' Lo Jack but I was petrified that they had my home address. Never again!

I love our GPS's Holly (Magellan) and Tiffany (TomTom).
[Edited 5/27/10 9:16am]

CarrieLee said:

I never thought of that, but fuck it cuz I use the Home button all the time.
Maybe if they steal the car they'll be dumb enough to come to my house in the car and we'll have a fightin chance at getting it back.

johnart said:

Well I'll give you another example. A friend of my mothers was at a Patriots game and someone broke into her car, took the gps, went to her house and robbed her house while she was at the game.

Criminals are smart sometimes.