Originally Posted by
themicah
For his birthday he wants a GPS, but given that after 3 years he still hasn't figured out how to download photos from his digital camera to his computer, I highly doubt that he's going to do much in the way of customizing the GPS. I'm not too concerned about Bluetooth speakerphones or traffic data or mp3 playing ability or customizable waypoints. I just want to get him an easy-to-use unit that has good pre-installed map data and a solid display.
If you don't want a touchscreen, consider a Garmin Streetpilot i5. If you do want a touchscreen, consider the Garmin Streetpilot c330. In my opinion, the touchscreen models are actually easier to operate (I have owned a c320--which is the 330 that you have to load maps onto an SD card, whereas the 330 comes with the maps installed). The other option is the Streetpilot c530, which is the updated version of the 330 (better screen in direct sunlight and a significantly more sensitive GPS receiver).
The C330 should set you back no more than $250 (it's at the end of it's sales lifecycle shortly) and the the i5 should be in that same ballpark (the discounts are not that great on it yet, and it's slightly smaller). The 530 can ben had in the $300-$350 range. Were it me, I'd get the 530.
You might also wait until the mainstream release of the Nuvi 200, which will be similar to the 530 but in the "Nuvi" form factor.