GPS Navigation Units -- recommendations? reviews?

[PaperclipGod]

Looking for info on car GPS nav units... anyone have recommendations or links to sites which have reviews?

 

[Ballatician]

Hey I'm just starting to look and was going to make a thread. I found this site for reviews so far: http://www.gpsreview.net/

 

[A5]

gpslodge.com is another good one. It's been a bit slow since the holidays, but Garmin has a new line coming out later in the summer, and there are a few new "Connected" GPS units coming by then from other makers.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Garmin Nuvi 265wt is awesome. Probably the best out there for its price. gpsreview.net had a good article on it, and I know the 250 was a great seller and all but the 265 packs more to it at roughly the same price level.

As for the 7 series I'm not so sure because thats out of my price range.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Just buy this, LOL, don't even bother looking any further unless you want to do stuff like play MP3's on it or something...

http://www.buy.com/prod/garmin...loc/111/208721097.html

 

[Ballatician]

There are way too many options out there and everything is so disorganized. Garmin's line is all over the place. The 265wt does seem to be at a sweet spot but then I see some supposedly higher end units for almost the same price on Amazon. What gives? Need to do some more research. I'll probably end up going to a store and seeing which one I like using the best also.

 

[fast1]

i think you should go for reliabilty, check out amazon reviews

 

[Ballatician]

Is Bluetooth really necessary on a GPS unit? Maybe I don't understand the reason but it seems like all it is used for is to send the data from your gps to a handheld device like a phone.

I am trying to pick between the Garmin 265wt and 255wt and the only difference is the 255 lacks bluetooth.

Also, do these boxes include the stand to mount it in the car? It's a huge rip if they don't but j/w.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: Ballatician
Is Bluetooth really necessary on a GPS unit? Maybe I don't understand the reason but it seems like all it is used for is to send the data from your gps to a handheld device like a phone.

I am trying to pick between the Garmin 265wt and 255wt and the only difference is the 255 lacks bluetooth.

Also, do these boxes include the stand to mount it in the car? It's a huge rip if they don't but j/w.

Bluetooth is awesome if you have a phone with the GPS. You can receive/place calls via the GPS and also call POIs through it. Instant hands-free device!

Also, I'm pretty sure all units come with a windshield mount; if you want a dash mount you'll have to buy one.

 

[Ballatician]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: Ballatician
Is Bluetooth really necessary on a GPS unit? Maybe I don't understand the reason but it seems like all it is used for is to send the data from your gps to a handheld device like a phone.

I am trying to pick between the Garmin 265wt and 255wt and the only difference is the 255 lacks bluetooth.

Also, do these boxes include the stand to mount it in the car? It's a huge rip if they don't but j/w.

Bluetooth is awesome if you have a phone with the GPS. You can receive/place calls via the GPS and also call POIs through it. Instant hands-free device!

Also, I'm pretty sure all units come with a windshield mount; if you want a dash mount you'll have to buy one.

Yeah you're right about receiving/placing calls through bluetooth, I didn't read about that until just now.

I'll have to check again if the windshield mount is included.

 

[Synomenon]

Lots of good info. on sites like GPSReview.net, GPSPassion, and GPSmagazine. I'd recommend a beanbag mount over a crappy suction cup / windshield / vent mount. The best type of mount though (for Garmin units) if you own your car is to get the Carcomm CNM-22 and find a good place on your dash to screw it into..

 

[bruceb]

Yes the suction cup mount for the window comes with the unit. But not the soft bean bag that can be used with some so you just plop it on top of the dashboard. A lot depends on where you want the unit in the car, as I don't like a power cord being draped all over the place. And you want to be able to easily see / hear the display, without it blocking the driver's view of traffic (which is a ticketable offense in most states)

 

[flyboy84]

I use a Garmin nuvi 765t with the official beanbag mount and I'm very happy with it. Lane assist is great!

 

[Gibson486]

wait...so is the 265wt basically a 760 w/o the multi destination? I am so confused now.....It's like they just rebaged the 760 to a 265wt and took a feature out to make it different.

 

[shortylickens]

I did an informal review of the Tom Tom 1 widescreen.
Unimpressive.
As was my review.