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GPS for under 150 bucks

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MrMatt

MrMatt

Banned
Mar 3, 2009
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I need a GPS, doesn't have to be fancy, just something to stick to my windshield. Any suggestions?
 
BoberFett

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
TomTom XL 340-S - $120 @ Amazon

After a lot of looking at entry level GPS this was the one I got for my wife for V-Day. Spoken street names, POIs, lane assistance, 4.3" screen. To get much more than this one feature-wise, it seemed like prices quickly doubled or tripled. Spend less than this and you get the 3.5" screen, which is enough of a deal killer for me.
 
C

chin311

Diamond Member
Feb 27, 2003
4,306
3
81
I've liked my new Garmin much better than an old tomtom i used to have. was about 150$ around xmas time.
 
Proprioceptive

Proprioceptive

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2006
1,630
10
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MrMatt said:
I was hoping someone would chime in regarding screen size differences. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got a 255w as well. It's been amazing. I actually got one for $89 at Best Buy during their post Black Friday sales. Don't be tempted to buy anything with that text-to-speech crap. Most people I know who get it end up turning it off because its' annoying. Garmin are the best GPS out there right now.
 
Throckmorton

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
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Proprioceptive said:
Yeah, I've got a 255w as well. It's been amazing. I actually got one for $89 at Best Buy during their post Black Friday sales. Don't be tempted to buy anything with that text-to-speech crap. Most people I know who get it end up turning it off because its' annoying. Garmin are the best GPS out there right now.
Click to expand...

How is it annoying? I got the one without street name speaking, but I keep wishing I got the speaking one.
 
Proprioceptive

Proprioceptive

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2006
1,630
10
81
Throckmorton said:
How is it annoying? I got the one without street name speaking, but I keep wishing I got the speaking one.
Click to expand...

Sometimes the pronunciations are WAY off and just having it constantly telling you street names becomes a bit annoying. I know it's really a user preference thing, but most of my friends who have one end up turning theirs off. All I need to hear is the voice telling where I'm turning and how far it is... heck I even mute that sometimes and just look at the GPS. Eh, to each his own, right?
 
Imp

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
Proprioceptive said:
Yeah, I've got a 255w as well. It's been amazing. I actually got one for $89 at Best Buy during their post Black Friday sales. Don't be tempted to buy anything with that text-to-speech crap. Most people I know who get it end up turning it off because its' annoying. Garmin are the best GPS out there right now.
Click to expand...

It's last year's model, but it's great. I bought it and returned it after 3 days, not because it wasn't good, but I wanted to save the $250 and I knew someone with a $400 model that she never used.

It's on sale for <$120 CAD now. Cheaper in the US of A.
 
D

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,199
6
81
If you belong to a 'Wholesale Club', I suggest you check there first. I also suggest that you borrow one before you buy one. I was ready to buy a GPS, but borrowed a friends before I bought one. His was a Magellan and in one trip I was able to figure out 2 or 3 things that I HATED about his. When I did buy one, I went to BJ's and they carried TomTom, Magellan, and Garmin units. About 8 months ago I ended up getting a Magellan (a different model then my friends) for $99 ($119 - $20 Instant Rebate) + $10 for a 2 year warranty. Add NY tax and I was out the door for about $120.

Wholesale clubs usually have pretty good return policies. The guy @ BJ's said that I had 30 days to return it, even for something as simple as I don't like it. I didn't end up getting a 4.3" screen, since the ones I looked at seemed to be shorter then the 3.5" screen. Frankly, in a GPS, I wanted height, not width. What good does seeing more stuff on either side of you do? You really want to see more stuff in front of you (not to say that all displays just show more map info on either side of you, some seem to have slightly larger icons, etc.). The ones I looked at showed no benefit for me to have a wider screen. I definitely wanted one that had spoken street names (I work in NY City limits, I really don't want to be looking at my GPS while driving). I'd bet that in more rural areas, that wouldn't be such a big deal. I'd say a lot depends on where you live and your personal tastes. I'm sure you know someone who could spare theirs for a week or weekend and not miss it. I think I have needed to use my GPS about 6-8 times since I've owned it.

-Ken

BTW: You profile shows you live in Boston. I don't suggest you attach the GPS to your windshield if you park your car on the street. The suction cup leaves rings on the Windshield which let thieves know which cars likely have a GPS in their glove box. See about suction cupping it onto your instrument cluster (over a clock, that icon showing which doors are open on your car, etc..). For me, mounting on the instrument cluster keeps it a bit more shaded (making for easier viewing), lessens the chance of it being stolen (no rings on the windshield) and lets me hear it better without having the volume cranked.
 
MrMatt

MrMatt

Banned
Mar 3, 2009
3,905
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great posts guys, and thanks deadken, that's a great point about the windshield ring.
 
MrMatt

MrMatt

Banned
Mar 3, 2009
3,905
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quick question: Can someone tell me what the difference is between the 255w and 255WT? The WT is more expensive, and I can't figure out why
 
Proprioceptive

Proprioceptive

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2006
1,630
10
81
MrMatt said:
quick question: Can someone tell me what the difference is between the 255w and 255WT? The WT is more expensive, and I can't figure out why
Click to expand...
Quick answer:

I bought the 255wt originally and the only thing different is that it comes with the in-car traffic receiver so that you can receive FM traffic updates... but even then it's limited to cities that have it... so it's kind of useless unless you live in one of those cities.

The receiver is actually part of the car charger power cable.
 
MrMatt

MrMatt

Banned
Mar 3, 2009
3,905
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Proprioceptive said:
Quick answer:

I bought the 255wt originally and the only thing different is that it comes with the in-car traffic receiver so that you can receive FM traffic updates... but even then it's limited to cities that have it... so it's kind of useless unless you live in one of those cities.

The receiver is actually part of the car charger power cable.
Click to expand...

ah ok, I see that now; thanks
 
bruceb

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
You may want to get one of these mounts:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=33328

which will not leave any marks on your window.
It is just a heavy base to keep it in place on the dashboard.

Portable Friction Mount

Part Number: 010-11280-00
Suggested Retail Price: $ 39.99 USD Normally ships in 1 - 3 business days
cf-md.jpg
 
Proprioceptive

Proprioceptive

Golden Member
Feb 27, 2006
1,630
10
81
bruceb said:
You may want to get one of these mounts:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=33328

which will not leave any marks on your window.
It is just a heavy base to keep it in place on the dashboard.

Portable Friction Mount

Part Number: 010-11280-00
Suggested Retail Price: $ 39.99 USD Normally ships in 1 - 3 business days
cf-md.jpg
Click to expand...
Seriously? Save your money and clean the window every couple weeks or so where the suction cup is. Problem solved. I've had my 255 on my windshield for over a year and no marks.
 
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