Advice Needed: GPS Device
 

Hey Gang,

Figured I would come to the experts.... I have read the threads on different GPS devices...

I want to buy one for my partner for Christmas...

It would almost always be in his vehicle... not really planning to carry it around.

Any advice on which GPS unit you would look to be buying?

Also, any suggestions on where to buy at the best cost?

Thanks in advance.

William

If price is no object, take a look at the new Garmin Nuvi 660. I saw one in a cab last week and it's a gorgeous unit with a huge (compared to other units) screen and great graphics. It lists for $999, street price is around $830. http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi660/

There are some good deals on the Garmin and TomTom units at the moment, of course even better deals will be around on Black Friday if you can survive the crowds.

I did a search a couple of years ago and never found anything I really liked.

I settled on a Teletype bluetooth reciever www.teletype.com but havent been happy with the company. I had a bug in my version that showed itself up with US maps. First they told me I had to pay an upgrade fee to get a software version without the bug. After raising a stink they gave me newer version, except it was incompatible with the maps that came with my older version. After more of a stink they finally gave me just the new US maps. They wouldnt give me the upgraded maps to replace the rest of my world maps with (telling me I could use the older version of the software for those). I finally ended up paying $200 just to get everything upgraded. The next time I was in Europe, I found another bug that esentially made the software useless. Needless to say, I am done with Teletype . :-)

Itll be interesting to monitor this thread though and see what folks are using.

I use the Garmin NUVI 350. It's about the size of a deck of cards and will fit in your shirt pocket. Very mobile. If I were not traveling, I would think about the 660 model due to the larger screen. My price for the NUVI 350 at the time was $579 at GPSonsale.com. They ship from AZ and I had the unit in 3 days. No problems.

I notice that they are down to $479 now on that same site. Great price and well worth it. ^

I'm also thinking of getting one. I'm looking for a fairly simple unit to use when I need to get somewhere new and/or help me get around a traffic jam.

The only real requirement I have is that it voice prompts so I don't have to look at the screen map.

I don't want to spend very much because I don't think I will be using it all that much, but I do think it's something useful to have.

Costco currently has this Garmin for $270. Any thoughts on it?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...hse=BC&topnav=

I also don't mind waiting until after the holidays to get a better deal.

I'm probably going to get the TomTom One for myself for Christmas. So far it looks like a great choice. The people on a different thread that have used it seem to like it.

I can tell you what NOT to get.
 

Do not buy Medion!

I repeat - Do not buy Medion!


It has gotten lost with me too many times. It isn't mine but it comes with my friend's car everytime he goes abroad and leaves it with me. For some insane reason I keep thinking "this time it won't mess up" and each time it does.

Ok, so I am in Europe, UK to be precise. I am north west of London. I'm going to North London and it brings me in via south west and Harrods, at which point it looses the plot completely runs me via oxford circus to get to the bottom of the A40 I could have taken straight from where I am. Which is the route it tells me to take to go home! Go figure!

Second time, London again, it actually DOES guide me in via A40 but when going home takes me via - you guessed it. Oxford Circus, Harrods, Hammersmith.... ARGH!

I love it when it tells me "turn left at the T-junction in 200 yards" and your on a main road that goes on for several miles.

Two days ago in Oxford it tried to tell me to turn left through a 500 year old building, directed me to go through a kanal, over pollards, via a park. It took an hour to make the last half a mile (800 meters) to where I was going. I ended up turning it off and tossing it in the back seat and navigated via taxi and bus lanes. I was to shoot pictures of a band and only had the first 4 songs of their set to do this. I ended up getting in just when they started their last two songs and security was kind enough to let me get on with it. Ran around with photopass stuck in my mouth so I could show it when asked and not be interrupted.

So, I hope I have made it very clear that never buy Medion Sat Nav

One magazine rated it not long ago with the "do not touch with a barge pole".

Did I say "Do Not Buy Medion!" ?

/E

I have the Nuvi 350. I recommend it highly. While the 660 has a bigger screen and Bluetooth, I don't think the cost difference is worth it.

If you'd rather deal with Amazon, you'll pay a little more -- $519 now -- but it's a great device and I've enjoyed not printing maps anymore.

does the nuvi make a good mp3 player as well? How many mp3s can you get on it? If I can convince myself that this would be an ok replacement for my lost 2G ipod, it might just be all i need to go ahead and pick one up.

It does have an SD slot, right?

Thanks for any info!

Love the two Garmins I've had, when I replace the second one it will probably be another Garmin.

And don't forget about the black Friday ad sites blackfriday.info, bfads.net, etc.

Be careful, some of those addresses have become porn sites, so don't just keep changing the domain names if you are looking for another site (blackfriday.org for example is no longer sales coming up for the holidays, but a porn site). No fun if you are in the office with a screen others are looking at.

I have the OEM GPS (Kenwood) in my Subary Liberty (AKA Legacy). IF it's to remain in the vehicle, the built-in version is much better to use than a portable.

The downside is that they're more expensive, and (duh) not portable.

Eclipse have a fantastic built-in - Eclipse AVN5500

I second the Nuvi 660. The FM transmitter isn't as strong as the one I used to use w/ my Ipod, but it's still an FM transmitter. I like being able to play music through the stereo, yet still have the nav kick in when needed.

Yes, it has a SD slot and SD memory is practically given away now.

I got mine on Amazon.com for $750 with free shipping and no tax over a month ago.

I'm happy with my nuvi 660. I never print out maps anymore. The touch screen is very easy to use while driving (shh, don't tell).
I haven't signed up for traffic rerouting yet, but I like knowing that my unit has the availability to do that.
I also haven't used bluetooth since I am currently due for a new cell phone.

I'd echo the other Garmin Nuvi sentiments - I'm shopping for a portable one and the reviews of the Garmin Nuvi units have been the strongest overall.

If you are in the US, then check out Sams Club and Costco...both had great prices on garmans, magellins and a few others.

Sigh... TOO MANY CHOICES....

OKAY... opinions....

Garmin Nuvi or TomTom Go 910?

Votes...... :)

TomTom GO910; for the following reasons... Bluetooth standard, ALL of the US, Canada AND Europe preloaded, 12Gb free for MP3's and photos, speaks the street name and not just "turn left" (Some Nuvi's do this, but not all). iPod interface, traffic information without an expensive addon, home docking kit, and best of all... it is cheaper than most Garmins.

If anyone sees a Black Friday deal for the TomTom Go 910, can you please let me know?

THANKS!!!!

If I were buying a GPS unit, I'd do the following:
1. Buy the cheapest tablet PC you can get, make sure it has Bluetooth (it seems Gateway has a tablet for ~1000. If you can find some coupons or something on sites like Fatwallet, you may be able to get that down to ~900).
2. Get a really good bluetooth GPS receiver. (A good one won't set you back more than $150)
3. Mount the Bluetooth receiver under the windshield (not on it) using velcro.
4. Mount the laptop on the dashboard.
5. Viola.

It may be a bit of overkill, but the large screen will be extremely helpful.

If this is overkill for you:
1. Get a very cheap PDA from, say, dell, that has bluetooth.
2. Get a Bluetooth GPS receiver and mount it as described above.
3. Viola.

I don't like units that are GPS-only. They are too expensive for what they do.

I see these suggestions quite a lot, and I really have to disagree. There isn't a single navigation package out there as good as TomTom or Garmin on their own devices. PC's are large, bulky, increase the risk of theft, can crash, don't have as many features as most standalone units (name one PC based package that supports TMC). Mounting a tablet PC on a dashboard is a ludicrous suggestion, just begging for an accident.

I actually have this setup (Teletype bluetooth GPS with Dell Axim) but I have never been happy with it. It might not seem like it at face value but it's just too much of a hassle. Two sets of batteries, two battery chargers, two cigarrette adapters (requiring an extra cig lighter split adapter to carry around and keep up with for those rental cars that only have one cig lighter, extra link to be made (gps to ppc) .... no one thing is overwhelming but it all adds up to be a pretty big pain in the a**.

I can see why you would suggest it though ... before I actually had it, I was pretty excited and optimistic about it. I was disappointed in the end though.

you guys got my attention with the tomtom. The eopinions reveiws are just mixed enough to scare me away though :(

http://shop.resellerratings.com/PD-32411923/SD-1/rvw-1

I agree with this. FWIW, just about any GPS device that has a nema interface and just about any mapping software (DeLorme, MS Streets & Trips, the no cost nRoute software from Garmin) can do this, so in all likelyhood if you already have a GPS unit and the right interface cable, you can already do this. The big laptop screens and voice prompts (Turn Left on Main Street) are very nice. But, the setup is way too bulky and cumbersome, after you try it a few times you realize there's a novelty/coolness effect, but it's not practical to do over the longterm.

In the last 12 months, the range of functionality on Garmin's product line has taken a huge leap forward, some some very nice stuff these days. (Including things you cannot do with a laptop with GPS). In addition to the Nuvi, also look at their Street Pilot series. They have traffic status that can be integrated into the mapping and routing, 3D map graphics, voice prompts, MP3 players, the units integrate with a bluetooth phone, and on and on.

Also, in regards to the black Friday, Sam's/Costco sale prices. I doubt the deals can be better than the online retailers who specialize in GPS. gpsnow.com and tvnav.com are consistently the lowest priced for Garmin (you have to 'add to cart' to see the discounted price). If you find deals lower than these two, I'm interested, report back!

The NUVI 350 is only $479 AT GPSonsale.com. That's lower than either of the above 2 sites...and the lowest that I've seen.

I actually have this setup. I only need to charge my BT GPS once in a while and that can be done at home. Both of them use one charger, so if BT is charged in the car, the PDA can use the batt. for a bit. I haven't had problems with it.

Just a point worth noting: I prefer to turn my screen sideways - much easier to see.

nuvi 770
 

the new nuvi can be had here, for 700$

westmarine.com

code is : 12HOURS

Radio Shack is advertising the TomTom One for $399.99 on black Friday. It says available in select srore, online or by phone. All other TomTom GPS models $50 off. Don't know if these are good prices or not.

The Magellan RoadMate 300+ is $199.99 at Radio Shack.

So, anyone see any good deals on the TomTom Go 910?

William

One final bump to see if anyone saw any great deals out there on the TomTom One 910??????

Thanks again,

Wait
 

So, I would wait a few days, week. the tomtom 910, just was DISCOUNTED in Europe yesterday, bringing it to 700$, in line withe some of the garmins that they compete.

This pricing was rolled out Late October in Europe and will trickle through in the coming week in Australia and the USA

Like I said in IM, cheapest place is still Abe's:

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewproduct.asp?id=ttgo910&

$506 after a $50 rebate. I've not seen it cheaper than this at a respectable seller.

sure
 

can we be sure this isn't a refurb, from the early shoddy base models?

Just noticed this thread.

I have a factory-installed GPS unit on my Benz and frequently use the Magellan on Hertz rentals.

If you get an aftermarket GPS system for use in the car, I suggest that you get one which connects to the speedometer or transmission (or whichever portion of the vehicle is necessary) to enable dead reckoning.

From the Garmin website description of the Street Pilot 7500:
Here in New York City, we have four underwater vehicle tunnels. When I drive through any of them, I know my progress at all times.

When I am in SFO, the Magellan is inoperative most of the time especially in highly congested (building) areas like Union Square or the streets abutting Market Street.

Also, unlike with a satellite-only system, if I lose adequate signal coverage (i.e. at least three birds), my car, with dead reckoning, still knows where I am.

I think getting an external antenna is very important. I notice that the Magellan external antenna on the Hertz cars is a flat piece about the size of half a credit card. On my car (as well as BMW, Audi, etc.) the antenna is about three inches high.

A lot of posters are making much of the units that can speak out the name of the street. Don't forget the acronym GIGO ("garbage in, garbage out"). If your unit uses map data from Navteq, that's what you get.

Navteq decided that Liberty Street in Manhattan no longer exists, which is rather surprising when you look at the street sign. Also, they have the annoying habit of entering the "honorary" names of New York City streets instead of the real names. Trust me, no one here says Fashion Avenue. We call it 7th Avenue. There are hundreds of such examples in my hometown alone.

Do I like GPS? Absolutely! I'll get one on my next car as well.

But it does need improvement.

I know Scott... but I keep hoping for lower... I can be so "Frugal" at times... :)

By shopping at a reliable seller. I'd say away from any of the "camera stores" in New York unless it's a reliable one like B&H.

Except Abes of Maine IS in NYC. :) As a matter of fact, it's on Coney Island Ave & Ave L or M in Brooklyn. It's real name is Abe's Electronics.

I can't say I remember much about it though, since I did most of my shopping at Crazy Eddie's before he totally lost his mind, went public, and became an even bigger theif :D :D :D

now cheaper pricing
 

tomtom 910 are now selling pretty much everywhere for less than 600$
585$ at amazon.com

are there any $300 or so portable car units that come with both USA and Europe maps ?

my friend is coming over from Europe and it would be nice to have one GSP that would work both places

Rally

I just got the TomTom Go910 in the mail today... ordered it from Abe's on Wednesday.

It was $556 on their website, and it also has a $100 rebate. $456 for this unit is a steal!

William