GPS. I know this is getting old but... I think I'm gonna bite the bullet

[LS20]

phone = tiny display, 2d, navigation by numeric keypad, etc

there are differences

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Metron
Do you have a Verizon cell phone that supports GPS signaling? I have been using this on my cell phone for about 6 months now. I get turn by turn voice instructions. I can interrupt and use my cell phone as a phone if needed, and drop right back into navigation. I've used it to find the closest ATM or the nearest Italian restaurant.

Do you really need another device to carry around?

Do you really want to spend $300 up front (when you can pay per use: $3/day or $10/month)? I can get 2.5 years of utility at the monthly rate for that $300, not to mention the time value of money saving on the initial cash outlay.

If you travel for business and can write off the expense, I'll concede the argument.

I have a Verizon Moto Q but am looking for something thats as easy to use as possible and as accurate as possible while I'm driving.

My phone isn't touch screen and would be a PITA to use on the fly if needed. I agree it'd be a heck of a lot cheaper but sine its going to be a B-day gift to me from the wifey anyways, I'm not concerned about that as long as its within the $300 range.

 

[ScottFern]

Garmin Nuvi 350 > *

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: ScottFern
Garmin Nuvi 350 > *

Not within my budget!

If it were I'd be getting it.

 

[Metron]

Originally posted by: lokiju

Originally posted by: Metron
Do you have a Verizon cell phone that supports GPS signaling? I have been using this on my cell phone for about 6 months now. I get turn by turn voice instructions. I can interrupt and use my cell phone as a phone if needed, and drop right back into navigation. I've used it to find the closest ATM or the nearest Italian restaurant.

Do you really need another device to carry around?

Do you really want to spend $300 up front (when you can pay per use: $3/day or $10/month)? I can get 2.5 years of utility at the monthly rate for that $300, not to mention the time value of money saving on the initial cash outlay.

If you travel for business and can write off the expense, I'll concede the argument.

I have a Verizon Moto Q but am looking for something thats as easy to use as possible and as accurate as possible while I'm driving.

My phone isn't touch screen and would be a PITA to use on the fly if needed. I agree it'd be a heck of a lot cheaper but sine its going to be a B-day gift to me from the wifey anyways, I'm not concerned about that as long as its within the $300 range.

Cool... I was just offering my perspective. I highly value having one device (not several), and the cost is reasonable. I can set my destination before I start moving, and I listen to the voice directions and watch the road (rather than trying to drive, tap a screen, and look at a navi display).

I know I won't convince you, but here are some decent screen shots for those who might be swayed...

For wifey, I'd agree with you... get a dash top unit.

*edit* I've read (though I can't now find the link), that the accuracy is the same or better since in addition to the GPS signal the system also uses the cell towers to triangulate your location. It's using the same signal as any other GPS receiver... *shrugs* regarding accuracy concerns. I've never had a problem.

 

[lokiju]

Well after looking into it even more, it appears that the Garmin StreetPilot C320 is exactly the same as the C330 except for less internal memory. Considering I can get it for $230 from Frys and an additional 1gb SD card which would hold all the maps I could want, I think I might go with this...

 

[The Stigenator]

Okay having owned several units in the last few months (testing them)

I wil tell you this.. THe C330 is not a bad unit its simple as to use, but i prefer the C340 which has text to speech. They have the navteq db and is a bit more updated/complete.

The tom tom has more features.. and for that alone it wins hands down. However the database is still catching up. However if you can live with that then great.

I personally have the alpine blackbird, which is my personal unit and i love it.

Anyway i would say go with either.. but if you are going in the garmin c330 line, spend the additional 50 and get the C340.

 

[Smartazz]

I have the street pilot, it's good. The only problem with it is that it disconnects from the charger port a lot when I'm driving, this can be helped by attaching it to the windshield though.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
Okay having owned several units in the last few months (testing them)

I wil tell you this.. THe C330 is not a bad unit its simple as to use, but i prefer the C340 which has text to speech. They have the navteq db and is a bit more updated/complete.

The tom tom has more features.. and for that alone it wins hands down. However the database is still catching up. However if you can live with that then great.

I personally have the alpine blackbird, which is my personal unit and i love it.

Anyway i would say go with either.. but if you are going in the garmin c330 line, spend the additional 50 and get the C340.

Damn good point there.

Not sure why I was thinking the C330 had text to speech which is a pretty important feature to me.

Looks like I'm getting the TomTom One then

:beer:

 

[laketrout]

I was using the tomtom one for a while and really liked it. It was very easy to use, very slim, and i never had a problem with - i thought it was a really great unit. I recently upgraded to the 910 - its got a mp3 player in it which i really like, but both are very easy to navigate and easy to read.

 

[JoPh]

what is your budget?

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: JoPh
what is your budget?

$300 max.

 

[The Stigenator]

forget the magellan.. people complained about its interface and maps.

 

[GreenGhost]

I think TomTom Ones are being sold for $300 now. Waiting for a sale...

 

[SoulAssassin]

Now you're gellin.

 

[lokiju]

Looks like I might be getting the Nuvi 350, if the wife will let me!

 

[VTHodge]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
forget the magellan.. people complained about its interface and maps.

I'm pretty frustrated with Magellan right now. They haven't issued a single map update for my Roadmate 300. I even get a nag screen everytime I power it on, telling me to update. But it's not available.

Lot's of other things make me nuts about it, too. I don't recommend it.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: lokiju
Well after looking into it even more, it appears that the Garmin StreetPilot C320 is exactly the same as the C330 except for less internal memory. Considering I can get it for $230 from Frys and an additional 1gb SD card which would hold all the maps I could want, I think I might go with this...

I've owned a Garmin c320 for about two years and love it. If you can get it for $200, buy it.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showpost.php?p=5961971&postcount=11

 

[DaWhim]

Originally posted by: Metron
Do you have a Verizon cell phone that supports GPS signaling? I have been using this on my cell phone for about 6 months now. I get turn by turn voice instructions. I can interrupt and use my cell phone as a phone if needed, and drop right back into navigation. I've used it to find the closest ATM or the nearest Italian restaurant.

Do you really need another device to carry around?

Do you really want to spend $300 up front (when you can pay per use: $3/day or $10/month)? I can get 2.5 years of utility at the monthly rate for that $300, not to mention the time value of money saving on the initial cash outlay.

If you travel for business and can write off the expense, I'll concede the argument.

*edit* To recap, I'm using my "flimsy" Motorola V3m as a cell phone, PDA, 2 Gb MP3 player (micro SD card), and a personal navigation system.

try that when you want to go to canada

 

[DaWhim]

I have mio c310, got it for $150 during the black friday sale.

does garmin c320 includes canada maps? I am looking one for my friend and may get that one instead of the mio for her if it has canada maps.

 

[Fritzo]

I got the 350 for Christmas. Excellent unit, but the screen tends to get washed out if you mount it to the windshield. I recommend putting it lower if you can.

Also, the mount that comes with it is pretty cool. Makes it easy to snap in and out so it doesn't get ripped off.

:thumbsup:

 

[laketrout]

both of the tomtom's that i have used have seamless canadian maps on them. also, just to clarify the tomtom one doesn't have text to voice on it, but both the tomtom 510 and 910s do. you can find the tomtom 910s for under $450 now, the 510s are a bit cheaper, and the tomtom one's are $300 but you can usually find them on sale too.

 

[QueBert]

sorry to bump an old thread, but I've been looking for a GPS and really none of the portable ones seem to be what I'm looking for. Kenwood & Alpine have nice in dash head units with full navi capabilities, my question is does anyone here have either? they are expensive, like $1,200 bones + DVD maps expensive. I like the size of the screen, and the fact it'll be integrated into my stereo would be awesome. The Kenwood Echlon(sp?) one was really catching my eye but it was almost $1,500 would hate to buy it only to regret it.

 

[Reckoner]

I have the C320 from the Frys deal and I've been very happy with it. Text to Speech isn't that big a deal to me. The unit still reminds me to turn right before the turn comes up anyways, so I don't see what all the fuss is about. It recalculates routes if I like going a different way from what it's telling me, which is also nice. I was able to fit the entire U.S. map on the unit with a 1GB sd card. I'm not sure what the differences are between the C320 and 350, but all I need is directions, which is does a fine job at.

 

[mwmorph]

I have a nuvi360 and it's great. My only qualms are that it audibly tells you which way to turn. The Magellan Roadmate I had before had arrows on screen which were more helpful. Also on the Roadmate(750?) I had the option to choose shortest distance, shortest time, least use of freeways or most use of freeways every time I entered an address. The Nuvi forces you to choose from a options screen so its fixed for every time which can be problematic for rush hour when it tells you to take the interstate home.

Mapwise though, the Roadmate does not compare, the Nuvi's maps are much more accurate. Also the nuvi is small and battery powered which is a plus. The speaker does not go very loud though which is a shame. The roadmate had lots of connection and power problems though so it wasnt reliable so I'd still rather have the Nuvi.

As for in dash, the in dash units are great but cost so much more and arent portable so I didnt consider them.