Cheapest, most usable GPS... Any Suggestions???

[Psyber]

I was planning on getting a GPS for when I go on vacation this year. I'm going to Vegas, but planning to drive to Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. I know I can get rentals with GPSs, but I wanted to get a GPS for home use anyways and this is an excuse to get one.

I wanted to see if anyone has suggestions for a cheapest, but still usable GPS (probably would have to be expandable memory). I was also thinking about getting an add-on to my laptop, but I was afraid my laptop would run out of batteries during the trip (or I could get a power inverter, which would cost more money).

-Anyone go the laptop route and what are your experiences?
-Anyone have a relatively cheap stand alone solution with expandable memory?

 

[jumpr]

The Garmin StreetPilot i2 is the best deal going, IMO. It's a black and white screen (with a backlight for great night visibility), but it gives voice prompts, includes built-in points of interest (movie theaters, shopping, banks, landmarks, airports, etc.), and takes advantage of Garmin's awesome mapping software. Also, it comes with a 128 MB TransFlash card. You can buy a 512 MB card for $50 from Amazon.

 

[pontifex]

i'd like to know too

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

jumpr just told you!

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: pontifex
i'd like to know too

Okay, I JUST TOLD YOU.

What else would you like to know?

 

[JohnCU]

I got MS Streets and trips 2006 for my laptop and ijust hook it up in the car it's been a life saver.i got it from amazon with the gps finder for 125 bucks i think.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: RossMan
Dell Axim + Bluetooth GPS FTW!

 

[ultimatebob]

I have a Garmin StreetPilot i3, and I like it. If all you're looking for is a basic and easy to use GPS to keep you from getting lost, that is the model to get.

 

[richardycc]

Originally posted by: jumpr
The Garmin StreetPilot i2 is the best deal going, IMO. It's a black and white screen (with a backlight for great night visibility), but it gives voice prompts, includes built-in points of interest (movie theaters, shopping, banks, landmarks, airports, etc.), and takes advantage of Garmin's awesome mapping software. Also, it comes with a 128 MB TransFlash card. You can buy a 512 MB card for $50 from Amazon.

you can get the Garmin Quest for around $300 with color screen.

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: richardycc

Originally posted by: jumpr
The Garmin StreetPilot i2 is the best deal going, IMO. It's a black and white screen (with a backlight for great night visibility), but it gives voice prompts, includes built-in points of interest (movie theaters, shopping, banks, landmarks, airports, etc.), and takes advantage of Garmin's awesome mapping software. Also, it comes with a 128 MB TransFlash card. You can buy a 512 MB card for $50 from Amazon.

you can get the Garmin Quest for around $300 with color screen.

I wouldn't pay $100 more for a color screen. I've never been confused or otherwise misdirected with the i2's black-and-white screen.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: pontifex
i'd like to know too

Okay, I JUST TOLD YOU.

What else would you like to know?

you always go out and buy the 1st and only thing someone suggests?

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: pontifex
i'd like to know too

Okay, I JUST TOLD YOU.

What else would you like to know?

you always go out and buy the 1st and only thing someone suggests?

No, I take people's recommendations and do my own research before buying.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
I got MS Streets and trips 2006 for my laptop and ijust hook it up in the car it's been a life saver.

same here...power inverter and you're good to go

plus you have the added useability of having your laptop right there in the car with you

 

[bolido2000]

I just bought a Lowrance Iway 350c from Here for $399 shipped no tax. 4gig internal HDD, SD expansion for MP3 and JPG, 15hr battery. This GPS came out last month so it has the latest maps from Navtech. Best deal out there by far IMO. This is a good GPS forum

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: bolido2000
I just bought a Lowrance Iway 350c from Here for $399 shipped no tax. 4gig internal HDD, SD expansion for MP3 and JPG, 15hr battery. This GPS came out last month so it has the latest maps from Navtech. Best deal out there by far IMO. This is a good GPS forum

Wow, that is a good deal. If I wasn't such a Garmin fanboy, I'd be all over that.

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: bolido2000
I just bought a Lowrance Iway 350c from Here for $399 shipped no tax. 4gig internal HDD, SD expansion for MP3 and JPG, 15hr battery. This GPS came out last month so it has the latest maps from Navtech. Best deal out there by far IMO. This is a good GPS forum

Wow, that is a good deal. If I wasn't such a Garmin fanboy, I'd be all over that.

I've used the Garmin C320 a lot and Lowrance UI is almost as easy to use. Garmin's search capabilities are better, but Lowrance UI is very customizable. You can make skins, change kb to QWERTY, change text location, etc.

 

[iamwiz82]

$100 for MS Streets and Trips along with the GPS and a power inverter got us 1,379 miles in 22 hours. Completely indispensible.

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: bolido2000

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: bolido2000
I just bought a Lowrance Iway 350c from Here for $399 shipped no tax. 4gig internal HDD, SD expansion for MP3 and JPG, 15hr battery. This GPS came out last month so it has the latest maps from Navtech. Best deal out there by far IMO. This is a good GPS forum

Wow, that is a good deal. If I wasn't such a Garmin fanboy, I'd be all over that.

I've used the Garmin C320 a lot and Lowrance UI is almost as easy to use. Garmin's search capabilities are better, but Lowrance UI is very customizable. You can make skins, change kb to QWERTY, change text location, etc.

I'm more concerned with the POI database; I want to know how to get to any restaurant in a 50-mile radius!

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
$100 for MS Streets and Trips along with the GPS and a power inverter got us 1,379 miles in 22 hours. Completely indispensible.

Don't forget $1500 for the laptop. Plus, Streets and Trips doesn't give voice directions, so it's useless without a body in the passenger seat to yell out turns.

My i2 works great with just me.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
$100 for MS Streets and Trips along with the GPS and a power inverter got us 1,379 miles in 22 hours. Completely indispensible.

Don't forget $1500 for the laptop. Plus, Streets and Trips doesn't give voice directions, so it's useless without a body in the passenger seat to yell out turns.

My i2 works great with just me.

S&T gives out directions

I was running it on a borrowed 400mhz Latitude that held a charge for approximately 30 minutes, definately not a $1500 machine.

 

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
$100 for MS Streets and Trips along with the GPS and a power inverter got us 1,379 miles in 22 hours. Completely indispensible.

Don't forget $1500 for the laptop. Plus, Streets and Trips doesn't give voice directions, so it's useless without a body in the passenger seat to yell out turns.

My i2 works great with just me.

S&T gives out directions

You're right - S&T 2005 didn't, but S&T 2006 now has voice prompts.

WTG Microsoft! :thumbsup:

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: Psyber
I was planning on getting a GPS for when I go on vacation this year. I'm going to Vegas, but planning to drive to Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. I know I can get rentals with GPSs, but I wanted to get a GPS for home use anyways and this is an excuse to get one.

My wife swears by the Avis Assist because you're relieved of any need to program the thing. It's kinda like OnStar in that you push the button, talk to someone who programs it remotely.

The first company that makes a GPS with a stowable keyboard wins.

 

[ultimatebob]

If you upgrade the StreetPilot i2 or i3 with a $45 512MB MicroSD card, you can load maps for about 20 states on it. Quite impressive.

 

[stjohnh]

I bought the Garmin i2 before Christmas, love it, now my wife has insisted on one for her car, and has one. Now my brother has ordered his. I looked at the color i3, and while it has a eye grabbing look, the mono screen is actually more visible in full sunlight. You don't actually look at the screen much while driving anyway, just when setting destinations, etc. It is $220 at westmarine.com (though currently about a 2 week wait due to back order). It is truly remarkable what this little thing will do.
Holland

 

[laketrout]

Originally posted by: jumpr
I'm more concerned with the POI database; I want to know how to get to any restaurant in a 50-mile radius!

I have found the POIs in my tomtom go 300 to be aweosme. There is also online communtiies that make 3rd party POIs that I have added to get more coverage. The TomTom is obviously more expensive than a PC based GPS system, but its well worth it to have it all in one, clear voice guidance, good tele atlas maps, customizing, etc...