I have been using a Garmin for the last 6 years and have found it to be very good. The original one died but was replaced under warranty with no problems. The current one is still working. It was a cheap one but had more features than other similar priced versions.
The essentials of a good GPS are:- good graphics; street spoken names; updated maps (with lifetime free map upgrades); spoken safety warnings; and advanced lane guidance. Others such as Road Safety Alerts, Voice Activation, Traffic advice etc add to the pleasure. Maps still have their uses. A GPS will get you there while a map will show you where it is.
I have a relatively new Tom Tom (18 months old), about a year ago it started telling me to drive into rivers, it seems to love water, and also has been telling me there are train stations... where there are clearly no train stations, for example out in the middle of NSW, not a house, or building of any kind in sight, we are passing an imaginary train line, complete with stations. Funny to the point, where we bought a new GPS, a Garmin.
The Garmin has been problematic, as if one wants custom POIs, then you basically need a degree in computer science. Upside the screen is good.
Have had the Garmin 765T for 2 years now, and has operated flawlessly.
Very good and easy to use.
First GPS was a Garmin StreetPilot, great unit but memory wat too small and could not be upgraded.
Second was a Navman, wouldn't even work as a boat anchor, boat still drifted.
Back to Garmin with the 765t