Some magellan models offer lifetime maps.

I have an older magellan 1700 rm 7" mounted in the 06+ navi console and receive free updates...

Btw I find google maps and navigation works much better lol

 

It’s difficult to determine if Magellan and its competitors are moving towards or away from free map updates.

This is from the Megellan website:
http://support.magellangps.com/suppo...kbarticleid=36

--Spike

 

Phone. Definitely phone.

I have an S4 with has a 5" display and is not hard at all to see. I used to use my blackberry back in the day with a 3" square screen and I was happy with it. Plus my S4 gives me a more realistic arrival time, and traffic updates which many standalone GPS units lack unless you pay.

PROS:
-Real time traffic
-Constant map updates
-Call directly from phone
-Read reviews

CONS
-Battery drain

 

+1 on smart phones because much of OPs concerns can be addressed (see above posts by others) given their versatility and any disadvantages (i.e., battery life) are easily fixed or outweighed by the advantages they offer.


As for the iPhone slowing down, using navi on it shouldn't visibly affect its performance that much. Maybe your phone just has a lot of different processes running in the background.




Thread cleaned, btw

 

Here is a link that agrees with your statements. Notice that the article’s cons (arguments against the smart phone as a GPS device) are all very solvable.

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-new...ed-device/3055

--Spike

 

There you go. Also, unless you're a die-hard Apple fan, plenty of Android devices offer large enough screens. I currently have a Note 3 and I love it.