Actually, it is nice that the jacks are on the dock, not the unit: I've had the jack on my TomTom (910) which receives the RDS-TMC antenna break -- seems to be a design fault in the plug. Rather than replacing the whole unit, I could just replace the dock. Also, on my new dock, good gaffers tape ensures that the plugs are not subject to undue stress, and I can still dismount the unit.

That sais, I rarely use it outside the car anyways, except for hooking up to the puter to backup and get new maps etc.

Huh? Suction-disk mounts are illegal in the US? Strange strange.....any specific reason as to why that is?

They are in California, and I believe Minnesota, according to the Garmin web site. In California, it seems that the vehicle code bans windshield obstructions except for the rear view mirror and the automated toll device (which in turn is also supposed to be mounted in particular position).

Huh? Suction-disk mounts are illegal in the US? Strange strange.....any specific reason as to why that is?

Suction cup mounts are not illegal; mounting them on your windshield is in 2 states.

I understand Garmin and TomTom are both great units though the interface varies and one might prefer one over the other.

I am interested in feedback people may have regarding the ability to load European maps on the US-bought/based units. That is, who had success taking their US unit to Europe, loading a map and getting good results (TomTom, Garmin software).

Thanks,
George

I asked a similar ? on TUG... got a few responses with info
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40760

TomTom seems to be the way to go given the popularity of the product over there - and subsequent development of software which when loaded should work all right.

How about East Europe, the Balkans? I haven't seen anyone use it there though maps should exist/be developed.

Thanks!

I'm almost afraid to ask, but.....is there *any* logical explantion for this? Or was it just some misguided soul who got elected to some public position and had to make a law with his name on?

Pretty much all other ways to mount a GPS strikes me a less good as suction discs (loose on dashboard: danger of flying about; clipped to a vent or elsewhere in car: forcing driver to take his eyes far off the road as compared to a windshield mount -- etc....)

Then again, elected officials got us zip-lock bags, so why not? :)

We bought a European chip for our Nüvi 350 and it has worked like a charm, so far in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, and Denmark. ^
While we like the extremely small size, the computerized voices (choose your accent and language) that tell you you're "arriving at 123 Smith Street on your left," and other features of the Nüvi, one should factor in the extra cost of that chip as opposed to other units with the European maps already loaded before you purchase.

Cheers,
Fredd

What is the chip for and how much does it cost? I though with the SD card you can load up the European software, the activation code and you are good to go?

The Nüvi 350 gave the buyer the choice of U.S. or European maps when we bought it. We bought a European map chip for our 350 from an online outfit as it was cheaper than Garmin's price. AFAIK it was $200-300 but you could look up the latest price online yourself with search.

I notice that there's a model that has U.S. and European maps pre-loaded.

http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi370/

A lot of folks are positively evangelical in their enthusiasm about the TomTom units - I used one very briefly awhile back and it seemed to work fine as well. :)

Cheers,
Fredd

I just figured out that what I in my technological ignorance am calling a chip is actually a "Garmin nüvi 350 preprogrammed SD card." Sorry for any confusion.

can someone explain the difference between the new Nuvi 270 and the 370? Is it just lack of bluetooth and mp3? Form factor seems the same or very similar? Why is the 270 seen as entry level?

Correct -- the laws of the two states (CA and MN) say nothing about suction cups, etc. For example, the CA law [VC 26708 (a)] states:

No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view through the windshield or side windows

It's me with the GPS-wanting techno-ignorant dad, back again.

After looking at Garmin's lineup a bit more, I think Dad would appreciate a GPS that spoke street names, so the c530 is out.

I'm trying to decide between the c550 and the nuvi 350. As far as I can tell, the main differences are that the c550 is bigger, has a built-in traffic receiver (which he'll never use) and has bluetooth (which I doubt he'll use).

Are there other differences? Are they equally sensitive and quick at locking in a signal? Are the screens the same size (I know they're the same resolution)?