Educate me on Portable Navigation units. Tom Tom? Garmin???

[kaisen]

I need to buy one. I want to buy one with the most bang for the buck.
I've used them only a couple times. I have had integrated navigation in several of my cars/trucks.

What do you suggest? Which model that you can buy new today?

[LakeCleElum]

I've had many Garmin over the years: Garmin III, III Plus, V, Quest, Quest 2, and 255W.

My wife was recently given a Tom Tom.....We tried to go to the town of Dallas, Oregon. Neither the town, nor zip code were in the data base. No was to route us thru the maze of farm roads....When we arrived, it was not a real small town and didn't show on the map.........1st time I got it wet on a m/c, it died. Good .

A friend gave me a Mallegen....Never worked brand new out of the refrib box......Good ridance......Just bought the wife a 255W on Ebay for $103.......She loves it.......My Quest has more features, but a smaller screen. Can find Quest on Ebay for $75 or so.......

[idontknow]

We use magellan, tom tom, and garmin units at work. Out of all of em the tom tom and garmin units have given the most accurate directions. One guy has a Mio and although it works, the interface sucks and it can't tell the difference between private and public roads.
The garmin and magellan have easy to use interfaces though tom tom is pretty easy once you understand the menus.

Also look into the price of map updates if you use yours for driving to construction areas or need new maps for whatever reason.

If you're looking for a tom tom, I'd recommend an XL or GO series. The ONE series uses different route planning software and isn't as good as IQ routes (or whatever it's called.)

[BeyGon]

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 205 awhile back, I love it, I don't really use it much for directions, mostly information. But it gives me the speed and milage checks I was looking for, I am sure they are all similar but when I went to buy one everyone I talked to liked the Garmin. Wish I had it when I drove to Costa Rica, just to record the trip/way points. About $145.

[Moses]

My family has three Garmins. They all work great.

I have an iPhone mount on my motorcycle and I use the TomTom iPhone app. It's been great as well.

[Mr_Wizard]

I would not buy a traditional GPS device anymore. I would look at a multipurpose device such as an iPhone or Android device. Android uses Google Maps navigator which offers turn by turn, constant updates from Google and its free.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I frequently use a TomTom and it sucks. Frequent recalculations (hourglass screen), often gets lost, and sometimes gives REALLY bad directions. The Garmins I've used are vastly superior.

Mr Wizard, the only problem with a phone based GPS is the phone. Smaller screen and no windshield mount make it difficult for hardcore urban navigation. For basic stuff I use Google Maps on my Blackberry, it is better than nothing.

[Seahawk]

I use VZ Navigator on my BB and it works flawlessly.

It also continues to run in the background should you need to call or do email.

[Rot 911]

Go with the Garmin 255W. Last years model, but with all the newer technology. Best bang for the buck out there. This model was close to $300 when it came out and you can now get it at amazon.com for $113 new and in the box with the latest map update! Amazon.com: Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator:…

[JeffO]

I love my Garmin. New ones ( some models, not all ) can download a preplanned trip from streets and trips software. This is nice when planning a route that is not the shortest, or quickest, say a Porsche weekend. The new software will also let you e-mail routes so friend can have it also. Get the newest you can find, discounters can be selling older models cheep but the maps are old also and to upgrade maps can $50. I have an older garmin small screen and I think the 4.3 inch screens display look fantastic.

[scottmandue]

I like my Garmin Nuvi 10XX (don't know exact unit number) full of neat features, got it off Tigerdirect for under $200 refurb.

Don't like that every navi unit I have used sends you off on tiny side streets... I suppose you get there. Still playing with my Garmin maybe there is a setting for that.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Mr_Wizard

I would not buy a traditional GPS device anymore. I would look at a multipurpose device such as an iPhone or Android device. Android uses Google Maps navigator which offers turn by turn, constant updates from Google and its free.

Those become useless if there is no cell coverage.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Those become useless if there is no cell coverage.

Not true. Only Google maps requires cell coverage. I have the TomTom app and the maps are pre-downloaded. iPhone GPS uses cell phone signals, WiFi and GPS satellite and integrates all available data. It's very fast.

Giz Explains: What You Didn't Know About the iPhone 3G's GPS

[legion]

Two Garmins here. I wouldn't use anything else at this point.

[carreraken]

My Garmin Nuvi works great.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Mr_Wizard

I would not buy a traditional GPS device anymore. I would look at a multipurpose device such as an iPhone or Android device. Android uses Google Maps navigator which offers turn by turn, constant updates from Google and its free.

Yes, I've used the turn-by-turn directions in my G1 several times, in FL and here in Texas and it's always worked well.

[cashflyer]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 200 and a Honeywell (Bendix/King) AV80R.

There have been many instances when the Garmin has sent me down pig trails and driveways, and at least one instance of a major road not in the database.

The AV80R has both air and ground navigation, but I have not yet used it on the roads.


edit: I also have Microsoft Streets and Trips with a GPS receiver for my laptop. It has a ton of data, but is completely impractical as a driving GPS due to having to use the keyboard and mouse.

[vash]

my MIL has a TOMTOM. the most annoying feature; it "BONGS" every single time you go over the speed limit. thanks, but i almost tossed that thing out the window. if i was speeding... i borrowed it, so i didnt have the user manual to turn it off..or to even determine IF you can turn it off.

[URY914]

I use MAPS. I get them free with my AAA membership.

[cashflyer]

I find other drivers get annoyed when I unfold a map on my steering wheel while driving around.