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Bringing your own Magellan/Tom Tom

Discussion in 'Getting There & Getting Around' started by Sam in Ut, Mar 31, 2013.

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  1. Sam in Ut

    Sam in Ut High-Roller

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    Anyone tried to bring your own portable navigational (like Megellans or Tom Tom's) devise for your rental car? Any prohibitions from the rental companies?
     
  2. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    No problems at all. They don't know and I don't know if they would even care if they did.
     
  3. mckevin32

    mckevin32 Low-Roller

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    Everywhere I go. It's typically on the dash before I leave the lot. No worries at all.
     
  4. 21wins

    21wins VIP Whale

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    I too bring my Garmin all the time.

    I have it preset for most stops I'll make in Vegas.

    As others said mine is on the dash when leaving the parking garage at the rental facility.
     
  5. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    I'm surprised folks still use navigations systems.

    My phone does everything a nav system does but better.

    Google maps gives the latest maps cuz it gets it from the cloud. Add to that, traffic is pretty darn accurate. I avoided a number of backups in Vegas.

    I live in the DC area also which has the 2nd worst traffic in the nation and I use my phone. My nav system is in a box. I brought it couple times way back on trips and don't bother anymore.

    Basically, if you have an Android phone (and I think IOS phone) you have a nav system in your pocket. By a nice bracket and call it a day. The damn things give voice turn by turn directions too (I tend to just use "the map" tho).

    ....and I have lowly Droid 3. God forbid you have a BIGGER phone.
     
  6. HallOfPromise

    HallOfPromise Low-Roller

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    I used my Android the last time as well. It really helped me avoid the backups on the Strip, as well as going to and from the airport rental center via I-15.

    If you do use your phone just make sure to do so in a safe, hands-free method. If law enforcement sees you holding your phone they will stop you. It's never fun getting a ticket on a vacation.
     
  7. Julie888

    Julie888 VIP Whale

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    No issues with bringing your own GPS. It's worth it.

    It was a relatively new Garmin but it didn't recognize the changes because of Terminal 3. By the time we realized where it was taking us, we just followed the route. No point starting the trip being stressed by a little technology. Downloaded the latest maps so will see what happens next time.
     
  8. xmarksx

    xmarksx VIP Whale

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    Julie, I had the exact same experience at the airport with my Garmin. Even though I have a pretty good working knowledge of Las Vegas, I would have a hard time finding some of the more out of the way places. Love having it on our trips.
     
  9. motownbob

    motownbob High-Roller

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    App

    What App do you use to get driving directions with voice ? Bob
     
  10. engicedave

    engicedave VIP Whale

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    I use iphone app called MotionX Drive
    Has voice turn by turn and more.
     
  11. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Not everyone has a phone that can do GPS. And your iPhone can do live traffic because the new GPS units on the market offer it too.
     
  12. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    I usually use my cell phone, but I have brought my GPS a couple of times when I was going to have an extended rental car trip with lots of stops.
     
  13. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    Phones are great if you have unlimited data. But a lot of ppl don't anymore. GPS units are practically given away these days. I just bought a 4.5" Magellan with lifetime maps and lifetime traffic updates for $110.
     
  14. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    This is a prime example^^.

    Phones get info from the cloud and thus are always updated.
     
  15. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    What phone are you talking about?

    Any Android phone has it built in. I used it on my Droid 2 years ago.

    I get POIs also.
     
  16. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    You don't need unlimited data. I have unlimited data and find I barely approach 1GB every month. I use Google Maps every day to and from work in the DC area.

    Nav systems were great awhile ago but I can't see a reason for them anymore except for the most niche market.

    Also if one has a smartphone, they are obsolete.
     
  17. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    Some of would rather be stuck in the 90s and not be slaves to our phones. For a person like me who barely uses even basic phone functions, it doesn't make sense to pay unnecessary money to be tied to the internet. I update my GPS when I need to travel somewhere and I haven't had an issue because I wasn't linked to the cloud.
     
  18. Chuck2009x

    Chuck2009x VIP Whale

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    A lot of days there's no clouds until late afternoon, so then what are you supposed to do?
     
  19. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    That makes perfect sense. That, nowadays, is a niche market.

    I can see GPSs going down in sales tho'. Good point, however.
     
  20. Sam in Ut

    Sam in Ut High-Roller

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    Thanks all for the valuable input. I too have the I phone 5 but a brand new user, so I plan on bringing my Magellan. By the looks of this thread, there won't be any problems ... Thanks for sharing.
     
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