Thanks to you members for all your input here. I've actually been spending more time looking for a new GPS device than I am looking for a PA2X PRO. Thankfully, the GPS can be found in most stores.

I haven't had my TomTom more than a week, and it has already saved me from disaster. Last week I had a 5:30 pm start on a 90 minute job. It was 4:45 pm and in the middle of rush hour so I couldn't take my normal route. I didn't have time to look up a new route on the computer. I threw caution to the wind, set my destination on the GPS and let it take me to where I needed to go. Every time I made an unscheduled turn to avoid traffic, the GPS picked up where I was and revised it's directions. I glided in to the location with ample time to spare and as calm as could be. It feels like I have a personal trainer.

These things are incredible so much so that I'm going to return the TomTom and get a $300-$400 Garmin. They not only give you directions, they can direct you to your nearest police station or hospital, give you the phone #'s of these places, locate "points of interest" (libraries, movies, theaters, etc). I even take it out as a date on Saturday nights and spend the evening talking to the internal female voice!

Tony...I agree with you about "frivolous toys." I viewed these things as just that up to now. Once I got one, I'm not sure how I got along without it, particularly when going on a driving vacation. As I thought about it, I realize with the tremendous surge in heavy traffic, there is no more taking "alternate" routes. They're ALL backed up! Now I can go from one block to another as I need to and this thing will track me all the way. No more worrying about being late for a playing engagement due to traffic tie-ups or accidents blocking your path.

The heck with Blackberry's, laptops, Ipods, Bluetooth's, and the rest. All I need now is my cellphone and a GPS to get through the rest of my life!

Lucky

P.S. something important I learned in my researching from a web site:

"The simple fact in mapping is that Tele Atlas is not as good as NAVTEQ in North America...TomTom uses Tele Atlas maps and Garmin products use NAVTEQ maps."

Are these guys nuts? The only reason I haven't bought a GPS is because I don't know which one to buy. Look at the options on Garmin's website alone. How could it possibly get more confusing???

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134


[This message has been edited by chony (edited 12-11-2008).]

No.....we're not nuts! We simply found the "fountain of youth."