Garminfone.

[gonefishing70]

I have been looking at GPS for a while. Doing alot of research and have been looking at the nuvi 500. Now i found this andriod gps phone through Tmobile wondering if anyone owns one of these or what you think of this phone. Thanks.

[TravP]

My brother has one, says he likes it.

[FrontenacPike]

The nice thing about a GPS phone is that you will never have to pay for a map update. Google updates there maps regularly, so you always have the latest roads and businesses. Another nice thing about it, you can do a Google Internet search and it will bring up an address for what ever destination you are searching. From there just touch the address and it will feed into your GPS navigation and start giving you turn by turn from your current location. One last feature I've used is the street view. If you are familiar with Google maps you know what I'm talking about. You can see a 3D interactive view from street level of your destination and everything surrounding. (PS sorry if last sentence is confusing, I couldn't think of a better way to word it)

I own a Garmin and have had it for about 2 years. Within the last year or so I keep getting a message that I need a software update. I checked it out and the cost of the update wasn't worth what I use mine for. I also have a Droid with GPS navigation. It does everything my garmin does and then some. The only negative is when running your GPS, it sucks your battery life fast.

[Norm1980]

I own a Nuvi 500 I would personally go with it again over using my smart phone because its water proof and much more rugged. If you use it in summer in your boat the nuvi can take as much water as you can throw at it. In winter if your using it for ice fishing the cold will drain your smart phone battery much faster then the battery on the nuvi.

Cost wise if you already have the smart phone it doesn't cost much to get the lake master app so price is a big +. the nuvi + lakemaster chip will run you $300 plus

[croixflats]

Done some research on the Garminfone been interested also reviews say its a good introductory phone with droidx format but lacking in up to date tech. I know you were looking for hands on experience but thats the best I can do. I should say I am a Garmin fan.

[gonefishing70]

Thanks for the info. I do not own a gps or a smartphone yet I want both Right now T-Mobile is offering the phone free with a two year agreementthe only thing is i live up north and not sure on the servise here. But it would be the way to go all in one.

[Supercrew]

Get one!!! You wont be disappointed. I am using mine now, and wanted to upgrade my phone when i found the garminfone. I just upgraded the OS and it is like a new phone

GPS is great and fits in my pocket, web and email, plus the wife can call me for no reason.

Next app is Navionics for mobile.

[Ed Carlson]

I have been watching the new Garmin NuviPhone and it's reviews in Europe for the past couple of years prior to it's release in the USA this year. It got high marks and is evolved to get even better reviews now in it's new release. I have wanted one preaty darn bad.

The only thing that held me back was waiting to see how the coverage shacked out in my region. The 3-G was limited and I had some holes in coverage here in the Red River Valley and in Canada that I was not to happy with before this new acquisition deal.

I see now they upgraded the coverage with the new network acquisitions so it's looking like a go to go get one for me.

I may need to check into that T-Mobile deal while it's available..thanks for the tip.