Looking for GPS Nav system.Which ones do you have?

[tyler811]

I am looking for a GPS unit. What are some of the features I should for. From what I have read WAAS enabled is what I need and the number of channels should be 20. MP3 I am not worried about but text to speech would be nice if it can be had.

I read alot about how some have maps on a sd card and some have a harddrive. The harddrive is better because it will list more streets and have house numbers. Is this correct?

 

[daveymark]

garmin is the best. but it's also the most expensive when compared with similar featuresets of other brands. Nuvi 350 is a great choice.

mio c310/c310x if you like to hack your device. can be hacked to put TTS on it, play movies, skins, etc

tomtom 510 is nice, has a 4" widescreen and can be hacked to be more like the tomtom 910

best bang for the buck right now is probably the tomtom ONE at staples for $169 after using a $30 coupon bought from ebay.

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TTS is generally going to be on the more expensive units unless you want to hack them.

bluetooth is something to consider as you can tether to your cell and get real time traffic updates that way. you can slo use it as a hands free speaker phone

There are some no name brand GPS units with TTS etc that are cheaper , but I'd stay away.

Main brands to stick with are Garmin, TomTom, maybe Magellan if you can find a good deal on one, and Mio c310 or c310x

 

[MazerRackham]

The Garmin C530 is what I have, and I love it. Doesn't speak street names, but I have the sound turned down at all times anyway because the prompts drive me crazy. 6 million POIs and all of North America make mazer a happy boy. And it has SiRFstar III and WAAS/EGNOS. You should be able to get it for close to $200 now. Bought mine last year for around $300.

 

[RossMAN]

We've had our Garmin StreetPilot c320 for around 2 years and we love it. We don't need an MP3 player, Bluetooth functionality or even traffic updates. I chose the c320 because it doesn't have an internal hard drive which can always be corrupted or just die one day. It uses SD removeable media. I heard you can fit the entire USA on 2GB.

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck I would recommend the TomTom One for $199.

Otherwise increase your budget and get the Garmin nuvi 350.

 

[Squisher]

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[laketrout]

I agree that the TomTom ONE is the best bang for your buck - I used one for a long time but I just recently upgraded. I just moved up to a TomTom 720 which I think is the best unit on the market. Its a bit more expensive than the ONE, plus if its your first unit you might not need all the extras on the 720.

 

[MetalMat]

I use a TomTom one for work, best bang for your buck. Spent around 400$ late last year for one and has been worth it.

 

[ViviTheMage]

tomtom go 510

 

[ultimatebob]

I have the StreetPilot 330, and it works great!

You can get a Nuvi for around $350 now, though. For $100 extra, you're getting a GPS that's thinner and easier to store than either the StreetPilot or a TomTom, plus it has text to speech (for saying street names) and Bluetooth integration to your cell phone.

 

[teddyv]

Get a Garmin 2720 from EdgeGPS, as new refurb with Garmin factory warranty for $289. No better GPS out there for near the money, plus the POI Loader is incredibly useful.

 

[xanis]

I got the Magellan Maestro 4040 through AAA not too long ago and I love it. It's easy to use, the screen is big and clear, and the voice isn't too annoying. One of the best features of the unit (and getting it through AAA) is the specialized Roadside Asistance feature. As long as the GPS has a signal, AAA can locate your vehicle and send help.

 

[nick1985]

tomtoms are damn nice.

 

[imaroon]

Top 10 Gps Systems

 

[Unheard]

Just picked up a Mio C220. Good little unit, and there are a couple of hacks out there for it. Got it for $170.

 

[krunchykrome]

A lot of stores are selling the TomTom One for $200 or less now. I would get one of those.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Out of curiosity since I'm also considering picking up a GPS for my 2nd vehicle, which ones of these, if any, offer free map updates? Or generally speaking, how does the process work of getting map updates. Do you have to pay, does it come on a memory card or downloadable, are any of them available through "alternative" methods?

 

[RossMAN]

TRU B&M has the TomTom One for as low as $144, check SD/FW.

Toysrus (in stores only) has the TomTom One GPS for $200 - 20% off instantly at the register = $160. Also, trying asking for a Are you Smarter then a 5th grader game piece and answer the question correctly to get an additional 10% off bringing it down to $144.. Lowest on Pricegrabber is $206. Thanks Mikeinator1st.

 

[laketrout]

Yeah, thats a crazy price for the TomTom ONE now. They just dropped them to like $199 everywhere and with the deals you can find to go on top that its nutz. You can find them for like $179 pretty regularly now, that price really kills the other guys.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: laketrout
Yeah, thats a crazy price for the TomTom ONE now. They just dropped them to like $199 everywhere and with the deals you can find to go on top that its nutz. You can find them for like $179 pretty regularly now, that price really kills the other guys.

A few weeks ago I thought I got a good deal on a TomTom One for $199 after coupon.

At the time it was a good deal but it pales in comparison to the current $144 @ TRU

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: laketrout
Yeah, thats a crazy price for the TomTom ONE now. They just dropped them to like $199 everywhere and with the deals you can find to go on top that its nutz. You can find them for like $179 pretty regularly now, that price really kills the other guys.

A few weeks ago I thought I got a good deal on a TomTom One for $199 after coupon.

At the time it was a good deal but it pales in comparison to the current $144 @ TRU

How do you sleep at night?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: laketrout
Yeah, thats a crazy price for the TomTom ONE now. They just dropped them to like $199 everywhere and with the deals you can find to go on top that its nutz. You can find them for like $179 pretty regularly now, that price really kills the other guys.

A few weeks ago I thought I got a good deal on a TomTom One for $199 after coupon.

At the time it was a good deal but it pales in comparison to the current $144 @ TRU

How do you sleep at night?

Who said anything about sleep?

 

[laketrout]

Originally posted by: Squisher

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: laketrout
Yeah, thats a crazy price for the TomTom ONE now. They just dropped them to like $199 everywhere and with the deals you can find to go on top that its nutz. You can find them for like $179 pretty regularly now, that price really kills the other guys.

A few weeks ago I thought I got a good deal on a TomTom One for $199 after coupon.

At the time it was a good deal but it pales in comparison to the current $144 @ TRU

How do you sleep at night?

Haha, Its amazing that the same units were like twice that price a year ago. The TomTom ONE is doing a great job of making quality gps available - the market must be huge in the US alone. Also, depending on where you bought it you might be able to get some money back if they honor competitor's coupons - worth checking. But still, the ONE is a good buy even at $199 imo.

 

[bmacd]

Jim,

I started with a Garmin 350 or 360, and upgraded to the 660 or 680. I love the big widescreen and the fact that it uses SD cards. I've taken it all over Michigan, through Georgia and into Alabama. There were a few mistakes, and some of the bars we were looking for were outdated, but overall, I am very pleased with the unit. I have the bluetooth on the GPS, but I didn't care too much for it. FM Modulation is also a good thing, unless you have a car full of kids that want the radio on. Fortunately, the GPS is also an MP3 player that you can download onto the unit or an SD card. I have the traffic adapter with mine, and have only used it a few times. The construction updates were fairly accurate, and the GPS will try and re-route you to avoid the rush and congestion. Unfortunately, it only works in the major metro-cities, like Detroit or Atlanta. I will probably buy another one before Christmas for the family.

 

[Mahaguru]

Issue I have with the GPS I used (C330 or something) was that I couldn't browse the maps. All I could do was zoom out, I couldn't move the map around. I can't always know the exact address. How about I just browse the map, point to a location, and just get me in the general area. From there, I can find the place.

 

[SLU MD]

I have the garmin c330 and absolutely love it! Would highly recommend. Its been a godsend for driving around.

The above post says you cant browse the map, you definately can; he is wrong.