https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:07:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279921 Wed, 02 Sep 2015 02:08:21 +0000 808love 2279921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok I have been using iPhone maps and just tried Google Maps again. Wow! A lot has changed. It really has a lot and I am willing to give up my little bit of storage to keep it on my phone!! Will suspend further confidence in my Garmin advertisement and leave room for further experimentation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279890 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 23:02:51 +0000 BSB 2279890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: @Foodnerd81: oh, duh! Google bought or merged with Waze! So that makes sense! I should try google maps next time.</p> <p>Cool! I gotta check out the lane feature! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279869 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 22:26:53 +0000 Foodnerd81 2279869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Google maps tells you the lane, and is just as up to date with traffic as waze- it takes the waze info into google maps automatically. I felt like waze was eating up my battery because it was running all the time so I deleted it and only use google maps anyway now. (Though as I said above I like the built in because it's just easier to see if not as up to date). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279835 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:40:04 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2279835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: Google Maps tells you what lane to be in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279822 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:20:57 +0000 BSB 2279822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: @808love: I don't use the google maps app but I know the Waze app does not have lane direction. I know my Garmin tells you what lane you have to be in for upcoming turns. Also the garmin tells me the speed limit for the stretch of road I'm on. I was hoping Garmin would buy out Waze. Combining Waze and Garmin's features would be great. I know I would pay for Waze if I had to. (The features I like on Waze is being able to know when there might be a cop (hidden or visible), accidents that pop up, road debris, disabled cars on the shoulder, and temporary road blocks. Oh, if I have to add a stop like Starbucks or gas, it will tell me how much time it will add to my current route for each Starbucks location.)<br /> I have used Tom Tom in cars that I rent from Hertz but I haven't used any other GPS stand alone units. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279812 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:15:35 +0000 BSB 2279812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumuckl: @NCSUchick27: True. You need data to find the location but only GPS to navigate. I need to check with Waze but maybe it needs data since its community driven and always updating and letting you know what's on the road. </p> <p>The garmin that I have does have lifetime maps so I'll always be able to use it. My old garmin was a few years old but I had to pay for yearly updates. I think garmin lifetime maps is now standard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2279783 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 20:44:37 +0000 MrsF 2279783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so glad I asked this question! Thanks guys :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278970 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:47:43 +0000 808love 2278970@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks, I see. Updating is possible by plugging into computer. So theoretically I could do it whenever I charge. There is a preference option for traffic or shortest route button on the Garmin. I was just so surprised how much I liked the Garmin after I got it. I learned to use it before ever getting the hang of my phone GPS so a first love fan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278946 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:35:01 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2278946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: I don't dislike the Garmin. I just think both other options are easier to use. And the iPhone gives the best directions because the maps are constantly updated and traffic is taken into account. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278914 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:17:52 +0000 808love 2278914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: What don't you like about the Garmin? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278907 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:13:56 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2278907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: I've used a stand-alone Garmin, built-in navigation, and my iPhone. I prefer the iPhone with Google Maps for sure. The stand-alone GPS is actually my least favorite! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278665 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 06:50:55 +0000 NCSUchick27 2278665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have unlimited data on my phone, and I use the Google Maps app all the time. It really doesn't use that much data. I only have 3 gigs per month, and I never go over.</p> <p>DH says once you get going you can actually put your phone in airplane mode and Google Maps will still work. I have never tried it though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278645 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 05:55:42 +0000 Pumuckl 2278645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also with using the phone you need unlimited data and a signal as with a stand alone GPS you are free of both :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278643 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 05:49:08 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2278643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use a phone with the sound on. My mom has a Garmin and it is great too. The one thing that's more convenient about the phone GPS is you can search (Google) a place and quickly map it for directions, where as with a Garmin you have to enter the address manually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2278617 Tue, 01 Sep 2015 01:57:15 +0000 808love 2278617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: Wait!! Hold the phone! I have had a stand alone Garmin for a few years, used it for a bunch of trips and use my iphone for day to day but the Garmin wins hands down. Ask anyone who has used both. There are less buttons to press, a memory bank, suggestions of places to go nearby by category, auto fills streets, and best of all, it gives you a few seconds better lead before the turns!! Crucial so you don't have to keep looking at it. With a standalone, you don't have to heat up your phone or fry the battery. I totally trust my Garmin. It has only gave me wrong directions once. I do not like my IPhone in comparison but use it on the go since my Garmin stays in one of our two cars we use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277690 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:28:55 +0000 lovehoneybee 2277690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mostly use Waze on my phone, and have a holder for it. I have an older car, so no bluetooth, but I have an adapter that lets me stream from my phone through the car stereo (also handy when I want to stream podcasts or a streaming music app). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277682 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 10:20:52 +0000 MrsF 2277682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies! Looks like phones all the way! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277612 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 09:18:15 +0000 snowjewelz 2277612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Phone! I've had cars with built in GPS and for some reason they suck sometimes! And phone is so much faster! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277405 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 06:44:21 +0000 yin 2277405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have navigation in my car, and it was a pricey addition 9 years ago. It was definitely worth it at the time, and I used it all the time. That being said, times have changed and it's so easy to use the phone for navigation. For the past year I have been using Google Maps on my phone, and I love being able to see local traffic and alternative routes. I rarely use my car navi anymore for directions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277388 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 05:59:21 +0000 NCSUchick27 2277388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We use our phones. We like the Google Maps app. I like that the phone maps are automatically updated because on our old Garmin we had to pay to update the maps every so often. </p> <p>We just use a mount that attaches to the air conditioning vents in the car, and we can run the sound through the speakers in our car via Bluetooth.</p> <p>I don't think we will ever buy a car with built in navigation. It just seems like a waste of money when we can get it for free on our phones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277384 Mon, 31 Aug 2015 05:29:04 +0000 hellobeeboston 2277384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Phone! We had a garmin before we got iPhones and I don't even know where it is now. I found the iPhone to give better directions/options (ie Waze app for traffic) but I admit we haven't used a gps device in maybe 4 years so maybe they are better </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277283 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 22:15:02 +0000 Foodnerd81 2277283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used to just use our phones and it worked great. Actually better than the built in navigation we have now because google maps has traffic updates and our built in doesn't. </p> <p>We also had a Pro Clip mount and it was perfect. Kept the phone right where you needed to see it. </p> <p>That said I do prefer the built in navigation because I like the bigger display and not using so much if my data. I'm also embarrassingly dependent on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277202 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 20:55:44 +0000 MenagerieMama 2277202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Phone. Google maps is my directional life force! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277191 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 20:26:07 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2277191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: my car has Bluetooth so my phone just connects to the car speakers via Bluetooth and the directions come through there. But before I had a car with Bluetooth, I just put the phone in the cupholder and listened to the directions. I don't ever look at the screen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277179 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 20:07:54 +0000 MaryM 2277179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second waze. I use it daily to help me get around traffic. I can't see spending the money for gps when it's free on my phone. I don't have a mount, I just plug it in so I can listen through my car speakers </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277164 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:52:05 +0000 MrsF 2277164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: @Synchronicity: do you put them in some kind of a mount on the dash? I get so distracted looking at it if it's just kicking around in the cup holder.</p> <p>ETA - I see you just added that @bluestriped bee: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277159 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:47:04 +0000 BSB 2277159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Phone with the Waze app! When I got my CRV a few years ago, I could have gotten the navigation but the reviews weren't that good.<br /> DH has navigation in his truck because it came with it as a package. He does use his navigation and sometimes the Waze app. If he is lost, the navigation is helpful because it's already there, no need to fuss with the app. But the Waze app is such an awesome app that it can definitely save you time by getting you around accidents and warning you of slow spots, traffic, cops and anything else. I'm fairly good with using the Waze app all the time so it's very helpful. DH only uses his Waze app when he is going to some place new or if there is a big traffic jam... Which might be too late for him to take a detour. </p> <p>Anyway, I don't regret my decision to not get navigation in my car because I'm pretty good with using the Waze app. My DH is a bit lax, so navigation in his truck is better for him. But like I said, it was part of a package. I don't think it would have been worth it to pay an extra for him.</p> <p>Oh, I have a Pro-clip hands free holder. It made specifically for my car and phone and it keeps me safe by not having to fumble with finding my phone. I get in the car and seeing it reminds me to put my phone there and plug it in. (Oh, very important, always plug your phone in when using any GPS apps... It will drain your battery.) if you have a setup like mine, it will be just habit to plug your phone in everytime.<br /> Oh, I have a Garmin that I bought before I bought my car. Since it can attract thieves, I like to take it down everytime I leave the car so it can get annoying put it up and down everytime. I do like my Garmin when we travel out of the country into Canada when I turn off my phone and when we travel and get a rental car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277153 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:33:07 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2277153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Phone! My car has built-in navigation and I still use Google maps on my phone instead. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277152 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:31:16 +0000 Synchronicity 2277152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Phone! I use the bluetooth sync feature on my car so the turn by turn navigation comes right through the speakers. It does the trick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gps-device-vs-smartphone-with-gps-app#post-2277146 Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:20:23 +0000 MrsF 2277146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your car doesn't have built in GPS - do you prefer to use a stand-alone device or an app on your phone? </p> <p>We're shopping for a new car and can't get the built-in GPS without some other serious upgrades - just doesn't make sense financially. My old car has built-in GPS and I'm embarrassingly dependent on it. I'm not sure whether to buy a Garmin or just something to mount my iphone on the dash. I'm a little worried about the phone with the smaller screen / more distractions. </p>