FYI - the 1450 does not have live traffic updating. You would need either a 1450T or 1450LMT for that.

Garmin model coding: T = traffic, LM = Lifetime Maps

My only experience with the 1450/1490 was in demo mode at the store to see how the lane guidance feature worked, and it seemed solid, it just wasn't necessary for me, and at the time it was a an additional $150 or more to jump up to that model from the 265WT (basically double the price).

So long as you get one with traffic and a decent sized screen, I don't really see how you can go wrong with any model Garmin.

What he said, and TomTom's are fine too!!!! I just buy what's cheaper with the features you want ...When the garmin's I had bought a few years ago died I replaced them with TomTom's. No preference both get the job done... As will my iPhone with a free app...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/28/tomtom-satnav-data-police-speed-traps 

They sold the GPS tracking data collected from all their units in the Netherlands to the government so that the police knew where to set up speed traps.

From an engineering perspective, the electronic hardware engineers I know who work with small integrated devices and circuits pretty much all describe the design and hardware in the TomTom units along the lines of "mediocre" a few even go so far as to describe the design as "cheap shyt"

I defer to TG on all things electronic !!!

with that said, I bought 3 Garmin's a few years ago... 5.5 inch model whatever they were selling at the time... all 3 died within 6 months of each other at about 2 years of age (give or take a few months)... picked up 3- 5" TomToms for about $100 each with lifetime maps new about a year ago... in all honesty they work fine and all are still operational... Maybe it was the particular Garmin model i had as all three died very close together and all in my opinion too soon...

When these die, as long as the price is close ill switch back to Garmins... at least last year in the 5 to 5 1/2" sizes the Garmin that replaced the one I had was like $200 each and the TomToms half as much and included lifetime maps (for whatever that was supposed to be worth) updates that have of course CRASHED my unit every time I have tried to update so know I don't bother...... Of course they may have been older models?

Now we just have to figure-out how to use them!!!

Lighten up Francis.

I never said you made a bad choice or for anyone to buy a certain brand, I pointed out some issues with the TomToms that people might or might not be aware of.

As for your Garmins going tits up, well, they can't all be zingers. The near logarithmic rate of improvement, growth and capability coupled with an inverse curve for price makes things so disposable that things like build quality, durability, longevity and upgrade paths seem to be largely ignored.

Electronics just aren't built to last anymore.

If you need help with the TomTom crashing during updating issue, LMK via PM and I'll see what I can find out.

No problem bro.

If I made it sound like I was pushing the 265 series, it was purely unintentional. I thought I mentioned, or at least alluded to, that at the time I purchased, the 265WT was where the size/feature/capability vs price break was. IIRC I paid about $170 for the 265WT a bit over a year ago, at the time, the larger or more capable units were about double the price. $350 was just not worth it to me for the additional screen area and lane guidance. At half that, the slightly less capable older technology unit made sense. Now, today, with the current prices, the decision would likely be different and probably would have bought a unit similar to what you just purchased.

They are very easy and intuitive to use - you should be able to pick them up in no time.

Thanks again.