I have a built in GPS in my car so I can't help you with that. However, I will tell you that GPS systems aren't infallible and should be used as a convenience only. If you get into a spot where you have no GPS signal you'll wish you had printed directions.
ive got the garmin nuvi 360 and i love it. if you want a bit larger screen, the nuvi 660 fits the bill. check out amazon for a chart of all the models and features. they have great prices too.
the gps, plus mapquest/google maps and client directions work very well for not getting wedding day lost.
GPS - OK - having lived everywhere and driven more than anyone would imagine - this past winter holiday driving we got a GPS after being semi-lost at 3AM in the nastier section of Tehran - the TomTom ONE was about $100 and since then cannot imagine not having one.
That said - I figure in the next year or three several one-time quiet residential streets will become superhighways as everyone uses the GPS for navigation. We now commonly take roads that we had not previously heard existed.
I use a TomTom unit and love it. As said before, it isn't infallible but most problems for me have been in newly developed areas and the maps can't keep up with "progress". The GPS shines when you are in an area that you don't know anything about. It isn't any real advantage in an area where you know your way around and know all the short cuts or roads to avoid due to traffic. My experience is that the GPS will get you to where you want to go about 98% of the time. I also recommend having a paper backup using Google or Mapquest.
Since getting "Lola" we have...
- discovered shorter, and prettier roads to take to my parents (cutting half an hour off our 5 hour drive)
- taken advantage of the built in phone number listings to call the hospital where my sister was rushed for an update as we were on our way from out of town *and* found the hospital in a strange city
- found gas stations in strange cities when running on fumes and gas stations aren't where they logically should be
- enjoyed seeing where the lakes and rivers are running on the maps when driving in total darkness
- used it to tell 911's emergency operator our coordinates when following a drunk driver on back roads with no names
man, I could go on....
So, as I was saying.... I *heart* our GPS (shes a Garmin)
My GPS is Garmin Nuvi360, I bought it from Costco few years back while it was over $600 and it sure still serve me well. Sometimes going w/o GPS, I felt like missing something ...
Ditto on the Tom-Tom, after almost being late last fall to a church with directions given by the church I bought one. Paid $300, the next week it was $150 and maybe cheaper now. It has saved my butt many times and has only once sent me wrong. I like the fact I can relax and think about the job instead of the drive. Best feature is the options for miles and drive time. Gives you the time you'll arrive and you always beat it a bit. This all adds up to a more relax me arriving at my destination. Even downloaded Mr T to come on the drive with me. Reroutes you with every wrong turn. First weekend I used it a tree across the road in a town I had never been, cops forcing a turn off the main road and still made it with time to spare. With the weddings, I just load everything in the night before Bride's house, church, photo loc, reception ... no more tailgating the limo.
Got a Tom-Tom for christmas then never used it. Wow, three weeks ago on a destination wedding we got sperated from the Limo on the way to the reception add to that the grooms directions were wrong. Needless to say we were lost and panic set in. Remebering the new Tom-Tom my wife reached under the seat and whala we were immediately saved. Since then following our recent bridal shows we have been none stop with consultatioos for three weeks and have swithched from map questing to Tom-Tom.
I love my GPS
Mine is a Magellan Maestro.
I think GPS is really helpful.
It is not foolproof, sometimes it got confused too, thats why I also always bring a printed directions with me.
But overall I'd say: very very useful.
On my vacant weekend, sometimes I just drove around and lost myself. I'm not worry about that because I know I can find the way back with my GPS help.
But what happen is that I got to know more new places, probably found a new shortcut or interesting place.
It also can re-route you if you got stuck in traffic. This feature save me once when I got stuck in one freeway on my way to the wedding. It choose another route and was able to get me to the destination on-time.
On vacation/road trip...
Low in gas ? Need a gas station in an unfamiliar place ? Just ask your GPS and there you go, you'll be there in no time.
Run out of destination/things to do/ place to see ? Ask your GPS.
On a day-trip:
Change your mind and wanna stay over ? where's the hotel ? Again, just ask your GPS and there you go...
GPS is essential!
shooting in a city you have never been to it is impressive to not have to ask for directions from your clients to get to the reception center, plust finding the hotel , nearest photo store, restraunts ect ect... get it you need one!
and it sure still serve me well. Sometimes going w/o GPS, I felt like missing something ...