GPS recommendations?
 

is driving considered "travel"? i think so.

i'm looking into getting a portable gps system. i travel a ton for work and when i fly in, i usually have to drive about an hour to get to my destination. My husband feels that i should have one for several reasons:

1. I am completely directionally challenged and driving in cities like DC, LA, san fran, Houston, to name a few...have been difficult.

2. i'm in my mid-twenties, lost often, late at night

so. any reccs on a good portable gps system under $500 that is easy to use?

thanks for your help!

There was a great thread on this last month that convinced me to purchase a tomtom 910, which I highly recommend. It's probably just over your price range, but they have some other models that are in your range. If their rebate offer is back (it was $100) then it's in your range.

I was a dedicated Garmin fan until I got this unit,

Here are a couple of the past threads


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ghlight=tomtom
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ghlight=tomtom


Ignore the highlighting, I searched for tomtom to find the threads (as you can't search for gps, three letters and all that)

I own the Tomtom 910 and would suggest it to anyone. Works great!

thanks!

our company has been giving them away at our conferences for the give-away...guess it was a good choice!

I am using the Pharos GPS Phone 600 - I believe it will be released in the next couple of weeks.

Price might be slightly out of your range, but it is also a windows Mobile 5 device, the phone is very good and the GPS software works like a champ. The overall footprint is pretty small, with a nice large screen. And since it is also your phone, you will always have it with you.

If you can wait ( I have heard of a Feb 2007 release date) you should consider this device.

My wife gave me a TomTom One for my birthday last year and I have to say it is fantastic. I own other Garmin GPS units, one for aviation and one for walking, and have used the Garmin in car GPS units and for me the One has a far superior user interface.

I've not found that I need the additional functions that the higher end TomTom units have, YMMV of course!

I have a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx. It's a great handheld GPS with a microSD chip that can hold maps for the entire US . It's a decent car navigator, very accurate but no voice prompts, it beeps at turns and gives on-screen turn directions. I like it because it's also a great GPS for hiking. If you're looking for a multi-use GPS, check this one out.

One thing about Garmin is in my experience they have great tech support. I have a GPSMap 176c that I use on the boat. A couple buttons got broken off during a race one weekend. The unit is well out of warranty, but one call and they offered to fix it for free. I sent it out and had it back about a week later all fixed, software upgraded, and even a new front panel. I was very pleased.

I also have the TomTom One and so far I love it. They were in the weekly sale flyer ending Feb 17 at Toy-R-Us for $299.

The one gripe that I have is not with the unit, but with the new map update that came out right after I bought it (order online for only shipping charge). The new map file doesn't recognize the address where I work. The old file did.

I just bought the Garmin c550, which was $520 on the internet. Apparently it's come down to $499 today:

http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewproduct~id~gmspc550.htm

I really like it. Since it's bluetooth, I paired my cell phone to it and downloaded the phone contacts. It came with a 6 month subscription to Clearchannel's traffic notifications.

And it was very easy to set up.

Another vote for TomTom GPS! I have an iPAQ hw6915 with TomTom software included for "free" - and I must say that I'm very happy with the GPS functionality (and the phone ;)).

Up until yesterday, I would have completely recommended the Garmin Nuvi 660 even though it is slightly out of the price range given. In another thread, I pointed out that I had some reception issues which is continuing today to a lessor extent.

Another vote for Tom Tom...I have the 700 and it may be the best tech toy I've ever bought (and I buy almost all of them)

Well, this sounds good. Not to distract from the OT but my Garmin etrex VistaCx screen cracked today for no apparrent reason. Mine is still in warranty. I'll call on Monday to see what will happen.

I will add that I've liked the unit quite well. The Vista Cx is a bit smaller than the 60CSx but has some similar features like the microSD card, color screen and auto routing, with the appropriate maps.

I second the Garmin Nuvi 660- got one about a week ago and have been loving it so far. While its a bit out of your pricerange, the 360 has most of the same features with a smaller screen, and there is a slightly cheaper version that lacks bluetooth and maybe the FM receiver.

It's easy to use, works fantastically in the car, and easy to transfer to other cars. I used it in Phoenix to get me across town to an event, and it worked flawlessly, also took it to San Diego to get from the airport to a hotel a good 30 min away. Check out epinions reviews...