<p>The map updating happens by plugging it into your computer, I didn’t see any kind of upgrade button on the GPS unit itself.</p>
<p>The one I have is actually not an LM, but has US and Canada maps. That version is much more expensive at the moment, the prices seem to change all the time.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell playing around with the LM, the interface is the same, but I haven’t had much chance to really use the LM version though.</p>
<p>We have a Magellan. It is eight years old, very easy to use…but it’s old…and does not have free map updates. We will replace it with another Magellan. We bought a Garmin, but I really didn’t like so we gave it to DS who says it is fine.</p>
<p>I just returned from a road trip in New England/New York state. At first we used my niece’s iphone GPS but it was slow and hard to read. Also she accidentally turned off the sound and couldn’t get it back. Then we used my Garmin (I’m looking at it right now but all it says is Garmin so I don’t know what model it is.) The thing is great. My favorite features are that it shows a graphic of how many highway lanes there are and which one or ones you should be in and it shows a picture of the actual highway sign you will see. Really easy to use. I was disappointed however that it doesn’t say “recalculating” when you miss a turn. I had that on my old one and I liked it though I suppose it isn’t really necessary. This one recalculates but doesn’t find it necessary to tell you about it. I would probably never actually get around to updating the thing so I don’t care about that feature.</p>
<p>My Magellen used to tell me “calculating route” when I went a different way than it suggested. It no longer does that. I just completed a 900 mile road trip and didn’t hear it once. I’m guessing they have changed the programming on their server so that this no longer happens. To be honest, I don’t miss it at all! It was annoying to get off of the highway for ice cream and have this thing blabbing at me for no reason. I also don’t miss “make a uturn ASAP”. That was annoying too (although sometimes accurate!).</p>
<p>Wellspring…mine is 8 years old. There have been a few trips I’ve been on where great bypass roads have been constructed in the last 8 years…but my GPS didn’t know about them. My next GPS will have free lifetime updates.</p>
<p>We have an older Garmin Nuvi model that overall we’re pretty happy with. I think it’s relatively simple to use (from the main screen one of the options is “Where to?” and from there I think the first option is to enter address). One drawback is how slow it can be to acquire satellites, and our particular model does not show the highway lanes, which is a feature I like a lot on newer ones.</p>
<p>My SIL has a TomTom and I really hate the thing. The big difference between the two is that our Garmin, immediately after making a turn, gives us the next street/exit/etc. by NAME with a distance. The TomTom did not give street names and only eventually said when and in what direction to turn (though that may only be true of cheaper/older models). My MIL is in her 50s and a computer programmer and couldn’t deal with it.</p>
<p>i lost my first Garmin–I never lose anything, how did I lose a GPS? I think it must have been lost on some trip or other, so I figure I’ll probably lose this one before they build a new highway.</p>
<p>With the Tom Tom the updates are not just about new maps. They are also updates to things like the software for locating satellites. My darned TT just stops working sometimes if those updates aren’t applied via the computer. :(</p>
<p>The biggest frustration I have with both TomTom and Garmin is the display touchscreen quality. On the midrange TomToms and some of the Garmins I have seen at least, it is pitiful. The user interfaces are not bad, but if you expect iPhone quality touch input, buy an iPhone. I have used touchscreens since the days of the Palm Pilot and at least TomTom ain’t there.</p>
<p>Look for any of those that advertises capacitive touch displays, not the old style displays…</p>
<p>
I know that the TT 2535 has a capacitive touch display, as presumably do higher end models of the other brands. My older Garmin didn’t, and it’s a drag to be banging on the screen to try to get your input to register. </p>
<p>I’m surprised at the anti-TT sentiments here; I’ve bought 4 (me, wife, son, FIL) and would buy another.</p>
<p>Ah, lots to think about. I do remember Dad was terrible at touchscreen on ipad (his wife will be better)…that’s why we got laptop for him 2 years ago.</p>
<p>I just visited my son who recently got a job some distance, all new to all of us. He was using his cell phone for navigation, and he made my hair stand straight up. Unless the person has a holder where the cell phone can sit and unless said cell phone is reliable for such things, it is not a good idea, for the same reason that using a cell phone when driving is dangerous. I bought him a Garmin ASAP and had him set it up.</p>
<p>I don’t know about everyone’s Anti-Tom Tom sentiment :). I have had two (ancient One and more recent Costco special) and they are ok but far from perfect. The user experience (an area I know well) is often frustrating, the unit occasionally chokes, map updates are not current, etc etc.</p>
<p>I have used many different units and nobody has it right yet. From $2k built in systems to $80 bargains there is too much focus on flooding the market with half baked units instead of producing units that work well…</p>
<p>Interesting comments. Since everybody has been so helpful, I’ll add some loosely related comments (smartphone vs built-in) in case it helps others.</p>
<p>We have been using cellphone navigation for years - first Verizon VZNavigator and now google maps (not quite as good, but free on smartphones). We’ve loved the portability since most of our navigation needs are 2000 miles from home in a rental car. </p>
<p>When shopping for a new car, we nixed those with Navi system. Until… gosh LOVED the backup cameras built into the navi systems. We were hooked, even though we knew same was possible with an after-market camera. Our 2013 car has a Navi system, and we are amazed at how much easier it is to use than our smartphones. Yes, it’s splurge… but so far no regrets.</p>
<p>…THE REST OF THE STORY… </p>
<p>While on vacation we shopped at Best Buy with my Dad. After reading this thread and talking with friends, I leaned toward Garmin. But I did let him look at various models before making final selection just to make sure he was comfortable with the choice. </p>
<p>We bought the Garmin nuvi 52LM (Lifetime Maps) - Dad loves it 
[Garmin</a> nüvi 52LM Essential Series 5" GPS with Lifetime Map Updates 010-01115-01 - Best Buy](<a href=“http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin---n%26%23252%3Bvi-52LM-Essential-Series-5%26%2334%3B-GPS-with-Lifetime-Map-Updates/7534076.p?id=1218849837491&skuId=7534076]Garmin”>http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin---n%26%23252%3Bvi-52LM-Essential-Series-5%26%2334%3B-GPS-with-Lifetime-Map-Updates/7534076.p?id=1218849837491&skuId=7534076)</p>
<p>Since the holiday season is approaching, I’ll add some recent feedback from my dad (in his 80’s… a laptop novice user). </p>
<p>Dad loves the new Garmin 52LM! He reports that his wife who “abhors most mechanical and electronic devices” loves it too. They both shopped with us and compared the display and audio on various brands and models.</p>