I have a trip coming up shortly and I'm looking at GPS units. I have a couple questions:
1) Should I consider the new VIA 14XX or 15XX series? They are brand new and I don't like being a 'beta tester' for new units, but I hate to get a product like the XXL540 that is being discontinued.
2) I know the 'Lifetime Map Updates' are defined as 4 map updates, but does the initial '30-day map update guarantee' count against the Lifetime Map updates. I doubt it, but I want to make sure.
3) I don't need Bluetooth, but the voice command feature seems compelling. Is the voice command feature worth it if you will be driving with someone else most of the time (someone who could enter the information themselves while I drive)? Also, does it pick up a lot of ambient sounds that affects performance? My daughter is 2 and she creates quite a bit of 'ambient sounds' from the backseat.
4) If given the option (pricewise) for a newer unit with a 4.3" display or an older unit with a 5" display, which would you choose. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with a 4.3" or 5" display - an if the size makes that big a difference.
5) This might be blasphemous on this forum, but if anyone has used a recent Garmin unit and a recent TomTom unit, are there any major benefits to a Garmin and if you had to do it again would you still get a TomTom?
Pretty much a newbie to this, so any other advice or considerations would be great. My budget is around $200 but I could go a little higher if it's worth it.
1) Should I consider the new VIA 14XX or 15XX series? They are brand new and I don't like being a 'beta tester' for new units, but I hate to get a product like the XXL540 that is being discontinued.
2) I know the 'Lifetime Map Updates' are defined as 4 map updates, but does the initial '30-day map update guarantee' count against the Lifetime Map updates. I doubt it, but I want to make sure.
3) I don't need Bluetooth, but the voice command feature seems compelling. Is the voice command feature worth it if you will be driving with someone else most of the time (someone who could enter the information themselves while I drive)? Also, does it pick up a lot of ambient sounds that affects performance? My daughter is 2 and she creates quite a bit of 'ambient sounds' from the backseat.
4) If given the option (pricewise) for a newer unit with a 4.3" display or an older unit with a 5" display, which would you choose. I'm trying to figure out if I should go with a 4.3" or 5" display - an if the size makes that big a difference.
5) This might be blasphemous on this forum, but if anyone has used a recent Garmin unit and a recent TomTom unit, are there any major benefits to a Garmin and if you had to do it again would you still get a TomTom?
Pretty much a newbie to this, so any other advice or considerations would be great. My budget is around $200 but I could go a little higher if it's worth it.