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Help me buy a GPS for my car

L

lytalbayre

Senior member
Looking for a GPS system that requires no monthly subscription. Not the kind that you have to get installed into your dash. Want something portable that can be removed from car when parked, etc.

I purchased my mother a Garmin C330 which came pre-loaded with pretty recent maps etc. I think it works well. However, there might be something even better to be had... which is why I'm asking ATOT

Please make some suggestions on what I should buy.

Thanks.

 
TomTom is usually amongst the best ones.

Is a 4.3" widescreen worth the extra money over a 3.5" screen? Eh, Its nice but I wouldn't say its a "must have". That said, I have a TomTom One XL and have been very happy with it.

EDIT: The problem with brands like Mio is the availability of update maps and/or maps for other countries. TomTom has basically all of Western Europe available to purchase along with parts of South America. Garmin/Magellan and those big names are similar. Something to think about.
 
My roomate has a Garmin C340, he's had it for a few years and I've used it on several roadtrips too.

I would get a Garmin C550 which is if I were going to buy one now because its essentially and updated version and also like the C340 it speaks the names of the streets when giving directions.
 
There are so many candidates to meet your needs ...

My friend bought a Garmin Streetpilot III a few years ago for $700. He just sold it for $50! Consider a used unit or Ebay if money is tight. Use the buyer's guide provided by Mitaiwan and look to Ebay to see what they are going for on the open market.

Also, why do I see people mentioning "monthly subscriptions"? The GPS constellation (and receipt of it's signals) is FOC. Are manufacturers starting to charge for monthly updates to their maps?
 
i LOVE my tomtom go510.

I picked it up off of woot.com for 200$ a little bit ago, NEW not refurbed!

IT works great, I just mount it on the bottom left of my window and I can remove it when I want. tomtomforums.com is a very helpful place ... and you can see how others mounted theres in there cars too.
 
Originally posted by: dud
Also, why do I see people mentioning "monthly subscriptions"? The GPS constellation (and receipt of it's signals) is FOC. Are manufacturers starting to charge for monthly updates to their maps?
Click to expand...
Traffic subscriptions. New maps almost always cost money as well since they're hardly free to make.
 
Love my Garmin C340...lowest model to do the voice directions, well worth the little bit more. I think I was around $200 or $300 for mine.
 
Magellan 3100 is a great buy if your on a budget - $200
I have the Magellan 3140 and it is great. Also look at the Garmin 350.


#1 Garmin
#2 Magellan
#3 TomTom
and then the rest.

Lou
 
Just bought a Pioneer something S2 GPS from Circuit City for 250 after tax. Has bluetooth but no text-to-speech. Ease of use isn't as good but the navigation is excellent. For the price you can't beat it.

You need to get 10% off from CC though, which is pretty easy.

Garmins are easy to use, but I think they can get expensive. My dad's Nuvi 350 costed him 350 dollars, and that thing doesn't have bluetooth.
 
I have a very basic Magellan 2000T, it's the best money I've ever spent. :thumbsup:

My next one will have text to speech, but I'm in no great hurry to buy it.
 
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