Auto GPS Systems - Do you have one? Need Help.

As most of you know I travel alot. I started out a couple of years ago with a cheap Tom Tom unit it had a small screen and was hard to see. Well before Christmas last year wife found larger screen Tom Tom unit and got us both one. I now have had this thing for almost a year. And they want me to pay for map updates. After using it during this last trip to Mississippi I am about ready to throw the thing in the trash. It seemed to me at 70 mph I would be almost a quarter mile down the road past my exit before it would tell me which way to turn. Sometimes its kind of hard to turn around when your pulling a RV. Plus the maps were so out of date there were new highways almost every where.

I see from the Garmin website that they offer free lifetime map updates. Anyone out there used one? Any ideas?

I don't have one but if they offer lifetime free up dates that may be a good selling point,,,i can check with a friend who has one and travels coast to coast,,will get back with u or see u at camp

I have a Sony unit and like it a lot, but the Garmin systems are hard to beat! I also have the Garmin 60 CSX handheld unit and have been very impressed

Thanks guys! Any help would be apreciated! I did see that Garmin offers a Truckers model for semi truck drivers. You can put in the size load your pulling, type of load your pulling (ie hazmat) and it will route you according to what your pulling. That might be nice since sometimes I might have a load of fireworks behind me. And I might have a load of large round hay bales on a trailer behind me. Plus it is a Bluetooth unit which means I could do away with my current speaker phone unit. I already have too many things on my windshield! GPS unit, speaker phone, Sirius Satellite Radio unit and my Escort Radar detector. God forbid if I have to plug in my cell phone and try to charge it.

Garmin all the way my friend!! Just like I said in the PM. You will think you just got new boss when she starts in a mile before your turn and if you don't do as she says she gets mad!!! Just wait til you hear the change in her voice when she says recalculating.

Garmins customer service was great when I broke my father's 'live traffic' part of the power cord. They sent one to him and I even told them that I was his son and not the original owner. Free of Charge! That's why I bought a Garmin. When the voice says "recalculating", you should think of her telling you that your $money$ is the other way!

So what you guys are telling me its going to be like having the wife in the pickup with me doing the back seat driving! OH GREAT! I hope there is a mute button on them. Thanks for all your help guys!

slow down

I own several garmins and they charge for map updates also. You usually get the first one free within 60 days of purchase, after that it is $90 for lifetime (of the unit) updates or $50 for a one time uodate. They actually just lowered the price this week. Mine has the bluetooth and it is okay in town but at highway speeds it is tough to hear. They do have great customer service! Their suction cup mount isn't worth spit, throw it away and get one from Arkon.

Well DMW like i said i would get back with you,, they have the trucker virsion, but as good as they are Jon got a driving award Monday morning on hwy 44 at Lebenon,MO on the way back to Oklahoma from Reading,PA. He said the system worked just fine as it alearted as he went by the MO Patrol car,,
So i guess the moral of the story is like beagle said try to slow down.......;(