Navigation & Audio Do I need bluetooth on a portable GPS?
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Cherry Log, Georgia USA
Do I need bluetooth on a portable GPS?
I've been looking at getting a portable GPS and have almost decided on a Garmin Nuvi 350. I'm not totally sure this is the exact right one for me but I'm just over it and decided to pick one. I then noticed that Garmin is now coming out with the Nuvi 360, which is the same as the 350 except it has bluetooth. So what does one use bluetooth for in a GPS? I already have a bluetooth headset for my phone, so don't need it for that.
Of course, Sam's now has the 350 for $654.00 which is a good bit less than what I have found it for recently.
Annette
Of course, Sam's now has the 350 for $654.00 which is a good bit less than what I have found it for recently.
Annette
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Northeast Ohio
There are only two possible reasons for Bluetooth on a GPS liek that...
1) is so that it can double as a speaker phone when paired with your Bluetooth phone
2) is so that it could possibly use your phone's data connection to get weather and traffic updates...
Do you need it, probably not. If you have a decent data plan, the Nuvi supports it, and there's adequate traffic coverage for your area, the traffic reports might be useful, but the rest is just fluff...
1) is so that it can double as a speaker phone when paired with your Bluetooth phone
2) is so that it could possibly use your phone's data connection to get weather and traffic updates...
Do you need it, probably not. If you have a decent data plan, the Nuvi supports it, and there's adequate traffic coverage for your area, the traffic reports might be useful, but the rest is just fluff...
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 611
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From: Citrus Heights, Ca.
If you want to lug around a bluetooth laptop (like one of the Apple laptops) for a bigger display, a bluetooth GPS can be fun. You can load really detailed maps into a computer. They also sell GPS receivers that are USB to plug into a laptop computer.
They even sell laptop stands that fit into your dash, although, you'll have to leave the co-pilot at home!
Otherwise, you'll have to settle for the small display of the GPS unit itself.
Of course, for this kind of cash, you can get a TOMTOM!
They even sell laptop stands that fit into your dash, although, you'll have to leave the co-pilot at home!
Otherwise, you'll have to settle for the small display of the GPS unit itself.
Of course, for this kind of cash, you can get a TOMTOM!
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Cherry Log, Georgia USA
As much as I'd love to get a TomTom, I can't justify it. The website that I went to to check out reviews helped with that decision. Luckily for me, one of the guys who does the reviews lives right near me and used my area as his testing grounds. The TomToms maps were way off and didn't have any of the "new" subdivisions (ie my best friend's neighborhood which is 10+ years old). So I decided on the Garmin because the maps seem to be the most current.
Annette
Annette
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Northeast Ohio
Originally Posted by Califzeph
If you want to lug around a bluetooth laptop (like one of the Apple laptops) for a bigger display, a bluetooth GPS can be fun. You can load really detailed maps into a computer. They also sell GPS receivers that are USB to plug into a laptop computer.
They even sell laptop stands that fit into your dash, although, you'll have to leave the co-pilot at home!
Otherwise, you'll have to settle for the small display of the GPS unit itself.
Of course, for this kind of cash, you can get a TOMTOM!
They even sell laptop stands that fit into your dash, although, you'll have to leave the co-pilot at home!
Otherwise, you'll have to settle for the small display of the GPS unit itself.
Of course, for this kind of cash, you can get a TOMTOM!
And if you're going to go that route, I would suggest using a PDA instead of a laptop. It's easier to mount the PDA where you can see it, and even better, it's easier to stash the PDA when you get out of the car. I'm not sure I'd want a laptop on a dash in a MINI (or for that matter in any car) even with a stand...
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Cherry Log, Georgia USA
Well, I just went over to Best Buy and Circuit City so I could compare some models in person. Best Buy was useless (like usual) because none of their display units were live.
Circuit City's Garmin Nuvi wasn't working but the rest of their Garmin units did as did both of their TomTom units. I requested a trip from the store to my home on both units. The TomTom's map was completely wrong, using street names that are totally different roads (I think in one case the road it gave was what the road was called more than 5yrs ago). I liked the TomToms setup better, though. It seemed easier to manuever around in the screens.
The Garmin's route home was better and completely accurate, but I found using it a bit less "friendly". I would feel better if I could find a Garmin Nuvi 350 working side by side with a TomTom. They do have a 14day return policy, so I can exchange it if I don't like the one I get.
Annette
Circuit City's Garmin Nuvi wasn't working but the rest of their Garmin units did as did both of their TomTom units. I requested a trip from the store to my home on both units. The TomTom's map was completely wrong, using street names that are totally different roads (I think in one case the road it gave was what the road was called more than 5yrs ago). I liked the TomToms setup better, though. It seemed easier to manuever around in the screens.
The Garmin's route home was better and completely accurate, but I found using it a bit less "friendly". I would feel better if I could find a Garmin Nuvi 350 working side by side with a TomTom. They do have a 14day return policy, so I can exchange it if I don't like the one I get.
Annette
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6th Gear
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Originally Posted by mbabischkin
There are only two possible reasons for Bluetooth on a GPS liek that...
1) is so that it can double as a speaker phone when paired with your Bluetooth phone
2) is so that it could possibly use your phone's data connection to get weather and traffic updates...
1) is so that it can double as a speaker phone when paired with your Bluetooth phone
2) is so that it could possibly use your phone's data connection to get weather and traffic updates...
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,497
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From: Orange County, CA
What I find strange/funny is that the Nuvi 360 and 310 units have already had two public firmware releases posted up on Garmin's web site and the silly units aren't even available/out yet (they're not expected until sometime in July I believe). With the first one going as far back as May 22nd. Go figure??? 
Also, note that Garmin uses Parrot as their Bluetooth hardware/firmware provider for their GPS units and so if you've had a bad experience with Parrot Bluetooth kits in the past, then the Garmin Bluetooth GPS units will probably give you the same problems (Alternatively, if you've had good luck with Parrot Bluetooth units, then you should have the same good luck with the Garmin Bluetooth GPS units).
Also, note that Garmin uses Parrot as their Bluetooth hardware/firmware provider for their GPS units and so if you've had a bad experience with Parrot Bluetooth kits in the past, then the Garmin Bluetooth GPS units will probably give you the same problems (Alternatively, if you've had good luck with Parrot Bluetooth units, then you should have the same good luck with the Garmin Bluetooth GPS units).
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