Yea, that's right...and to preface this post I don't own a smart phone, hence the old guy thing.
Looking for a simple to use GPS that gives optional routes to reach the same destination. Not looking to create my own route but want various options to reach a particular destination. Prefer a Garmin because of the user support but really want it to be easy to use. That 50LM looks nice but the features description seems a bit confusing. That 2557 looks nice; a bit more expensive, allows route creation (not sure I need this), and may have a lot of features I really don't need.

 

I've got the 50LM, piece of cake, very simple to use. it was $79 at Costco. how could you go wrong ??

 

Thought the 50LM gave route and only 1-alternative route.

 

Buy a smart phone and you will have it all.
I'm 67 and finally got one about 3yrs ago and never looked back.
BTW, I'm the chapter road captain for my MC and use my smart phone gps when leading the pack. And, believe me, you don't want to be responsible for causing a 25 bike MC pack to make a u-turn.

 

That's fine if you always have reception. A gps will get reception where a cell phone won't!!

 

I'm not so sure about that. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable about gps receivers and data connections will chime-in here.

 

are you close to a Fry's Electronics? They've always got them for cheap. Today they have one advertise for $79.

http://www.frys.com/ads/page37#AdNavi

 

make sure whoever's model you go with has "Lift-time" free map updates

 

I have never lost signal with any gps I have ever used unless I was inside a building or under a structure.


Dennis

 

a smart phone and google maps will get you there.

it comes down to why carry 2 or 3 devices when 1 will do.

google maps gives turn by turn audio prompts thru my iphone

the same device makes phone calls and weather alerts and plays music.

( my new car has a gps, which I never use- my iphone is faster, better, I can enter the info before I get in the car)


when out of range I have the free You need a map app which has all roads in USA/Canada stored on board.


a google type satellite view allows me to look at unfamilair roads in the boonies to see if they are paved or gravel/dirt...look for painted lines on the road, that means paved...and i really do get out in the boonies

I find the tmobile services much less expensive than others, most data plans give you a set amount of LTE/4G data, once you hit that threshold, it still gives data but slower.

iphone is overpriced compared to androids- but you don't have to be smart to use it- it just works

I still use maps for "big picture"

mike