Need buying advice on portable GPS, please.

cantdrv55 · 11-30-2006, 02:07 PM

I'm looking for a portable GPS that I can move from car to car. You know the ones that are suction cupped onto the windshield. Anyway, there's so many models out there that I cannot decide. I just want something that's fairly easy to program, has good and loud sound plus clear graphics. I don't want to pay >$450 though. If you have one you like, please lemme know. Thanks.

motion · 11-30-2006, 03:16 PM

I have a Garmin 330C that I really like a lot. The new Garmin Nuvis look excellent, but I think they are north of $600. Garmin's have excellent maps. I'd be a bit leary of other brands... for example, I have not heard good things about Magellan's maps.

krichard · krichard's Garage

I've got the Garmin c330 as well and it works great. I used it this summer when we were vacationing in Tahoe and the SF area. Worked like a champ. I also use it at home in Tx and it has always got me where I needed to go.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

My Magellan 700 died after only 1.5 years. If you have a bluetooth capable PDA, I recommend TomTom 6 with a GlobalSat 338, $189. The GPS is battery powered (17 hours), and very portable. I use it with my Lifedrive.

It even works on planes....

rammstein · 11-30-2006, 04:20 PM

I 2nd the PDA idea. If you already have a PDA, you can have GPS for 150ish. If not, you could buy a PDA and a GPS and still be under the stand-alone GPS units, as far as I know.

I have a PDA with the dell bluetooth GPS thingy from a few years back. Works fine. Once in awhle I have to reboot to get the damn thing started, costing me at least 45 seconds of time. But certainly gets the job done.

It calculates tips too! (name that show)

Zef · Zef's Garage

Garmin is your friend...that's the best...believe me...!

skipdup · 11-30-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by red-beard
...bluetooth capable PDA, I recommend TomTom 6 ...

+1
Been very satisfied using w/Palm T|X.

cantdrv55 · 11-30-2006, 04:35 PM

I've got the Treo Palm 700 PDA so I might go that route since it's cheaper. I'm a little worried though that I'm going to overwhelm by PDA because my car has built-in bluetooth for communication and I use it a lot. I wonder if the PDA can work with two bluetooth devices simultaneously. If not, I'm going with the Garmin.

Thanks fellers.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

No, it cannot do both at the same time. But, if you have a 700, there are other GPS units which work as both a mount and a GPS and use the connector on the bottom. You then can continue to do things the way you do with the bluetooth connection. Take a look:

http://store.treocentral.com/content/accessories/10.htm

The big advantage if you go this route, you can get a subscription to TomTom traffic and get real time road data overlayed on the map, plus it can route you based on the traffic conditions, or route you around a traffic tie up. The software uses your Treo's internet connection. It will also charge your Treo while you drive.

$249.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

This one would be perfect

http://store.treocentral.com/content/accessories/10-68--439.htm

fastpat · 11-30-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cantdrv55
I'm looking for a portable GPS that I can move from car to car. You know the ones that are suction cupped onto the windshield. Anyway, there's so many models out there that I cannot decide. I just want something that's fairly easy to program, has good and loud sound plus clear graphics. I don't want to pay >$450 though. If you have one you like, please lemme know. Thanks.

Go to Garmin's automotive GPS site and choose the one that meets your needs and budget. Garmin has the most user friendly, intuitive interface on the market today, without exception. They have more complex models for those that like gadgets, and simply operated ones for those that don't like to get involved with devices.

When you've found one you like, go to Adventure GPS for it. They've got the most up to date selection, and can help with info on the phone. I have no monetary interest in them, just a satisfied customer.

Joeaksa · 11-30-2006, 08:37 PM

Another vote for Garmin. I usually take one with me when heading on an overwater flight and their handheld GPS that I carry in case we have an emergency is just as accurate at the two that are built in to the $47 million bux airplane we are flying. At one time I owned four Garmin's and never had one fail unless it was my fault.

I have used a Garmin Street Pilot 3 for 5 years and could not do a road trip or drive in unknown areas without it. That said, its been old news for 3 years now and the newer models are much better. Motion mentioned the "C" versions and the Nuvi. I was looking at one last week and was very impressed with them. Let the prices come down in a couple of weeks or look on Ebay.

When I was looking as you are I also rented a Hertz car and tried the Magellan never lost. Liked it but its not as user friendly as the Garmin is IMHO.

As well Garmin has an industry standard warranty. They fixed my GPS the last two times it was dropped (damm copilots dropping my bag!) for FREE, so its hard for me to even look elsewhere. The Magellin are ok but their warranty work is terrible. TomTom I have heard is good but its hard for me to look elsewhere when Garmin bends over backwards to take care of customers.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Garmin - we have a C330i and the UI is the best. Easy, intuitive.

I'll get a Garmin Nuvi for a second one.

BertBeagle · 11-30-2006, 09:11 PM

Only ever had one - Garmin Nuvi and I love it. Takes the old "you *******, men never ask directions" jab right away form them.

Mounts very nicely in a 911 and snaps out in a second and then fits easily in your pocket.

Works on water also.

I wish it had a feature that muffled the radio when it tells directions.

Ashley Page

wludavid · wludavid's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by motion
I have a Garmin 330C that I really like a lot. The new Garmin Nuvis look excellent, but I think they are north of $600. Garmin's have excellent maps. I'd be a bit leary of other brands... for example, I have not heard good things about Magellan's maps.

Garmin and Magellan both use NAVTEQ map data. How they use it is a different story however.

Purrybonker · 12-01-2006, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BertBeagle
Only ever had one - Garmin Nuvi and I love it. Takes the old "you *******, men never ask directions" jab right away form them.

Mounts very nicely in a 911 and snaps out in a second and then fits easily in your pocket.

Works on water also.

I wish it had a feature that muffled the radio when it tells directions.

Ashley Page

Love my Nuvi - the newest version has FM broadcast to radio, but it also upsizes the LCD screen to too large for my taste. I like the Nuvi's size and portability. It works in the car, or slip in pocket for walking/biking. Too much $ for car only GPS.

Joeaksa · 12-01-2006, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Purrybonker
Love my Nuvi - the newest version has FM broadcast to radio, but it also upsizes the LCD screen to too large for my taste. I like the Nuvi's size and portability. It works in the car, or slip in pocket for walking/biking. Too much $ for car only GPS.

I have used my SP3 in hundreds of cars, several motorcycles and several airplanes.

It does have internal batteries for portable use, but 99.9% of the time its plugged into a power source when in use. Thats the problem with the color GPS units is that the screen uses a bit of power, while the older black and white units would go for 10+ hours on batteries.

The new Nuvi is a lot smaller and that very well may be my Christmas present...

dad911 · 12-01-2006, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BertBeagle
Only ever had one - Garmin Nuvi and I love it. Takes the old "you *******, men never ask directions" jab right away form them.

Mounts very nicely in a 911 and snaps out in a second and then fits easily in your pocket.

Works on water also.

I wish it had a feature that muffled the radio when it tells directions.

Ashley Page

Which Nuvi do you have? What info will it give you on water?

BertBeagle · 12-01-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dad911
Which Nuvi do you have? What info will it give you on water?

Don't have it in front of me but I think it is the 350 or 450??

That was somewhat tung in cheek - My wife and I took the Ocracoke Ferry from Swan Quarter NC to Ocracoke Island (aobut 25 miles) and it maped all the way showing us going across the water. That said I believe but not sure that they have the maps for water navagation available. Maybe someone who knows can commit.

fastpat · 12-01-2006, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BertBeagle
Don't have it in front of me but I think it is the 350 or 450??

That was somewhat tung in cheek - My wife and I took the Ocracoke Ferry from Swan Quarter NC to Ocracoke Island (aobut 25 miles) and it maped all the way showing us going across the water. That said I believe but not sure that they have the maps for water navagation available. Maybe someone who knows can commit.

Garmin has several units that are Bluechart (marine navigation) compatible, and useable for automotive navigation. You usually have to invest in additional map software/firmware though.