Choosing a GPS navigation system

[Razor X]

I'm trying to pick out a GPS system for my dad's Christmas present. I don't really know anything about them, and it's difficult to tell from the online reviews that I've read which one to go with.  Does anyone have any recommendations?  Is it possible to get a decent GPS for about $150 or less?

[andrew]

I have a Garmin Nuvi 350 and have been very pleased with it.   I just bought my wife a Garmin 255 on Amazon for $140 with free shipping.  I actually just saw that same model at BJ's for $120.   

[Rusty Shackleford]

I had a TomToms in that price range this year and the thing was so awful that I grabbed the thing and threw it into my glove compartment door and shattered the screen.  God I hated that thing, but for the life of me I can't remember why anymore.  I knew it always used to tell me I was on a dirt road when I began a trip, but that wasn't the reason I hated the thing.  I mean I HATED it.  I now have a Garmin Nuvi and it's a lot better.

[slyck85]

yes you can but you will lose features like Bluetooth capability......even the top dollar GPS devices will still occasionally give wrong or outdated directions.  The Garmins seems to be be pretty good, I have a Garmin StreetPilot C580 at work thats ok, but for some reason alot of abandoned (two of those for the past 25 years) roads seemed to show up on the map and an old Trimble Placer 450 coupled with MS Streets and Trips that is spot on as long as the mapping data is up-to-date. 

If you want something that will give you raw lat/long coordinates (useful for hunting, camping, hiking, geocaching) you may want to go with a handheld device (Garmin 60Csx is a good one).

[Tyler]

I have both a TomTom and a Garmin Nuvi.  I like both, but each have it's advantages and disadvantages.  For example, the Garmin doesn't have as good as interface as the TomTom, but I don't like the way the TomTom attaches to the windshield.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Garmin Nuvi here, now a couple of years old.  These things "age" fast--mine can't accept the entire updated maps for the US--bummer.  They are very handy, pretty easy to use for the mapping function.  The other features, such as food/restaurants, municipal buildings such as courthouses, etc. can age pretty fast but are useful to know about. 
He's going to like it, even with the quirks.  Anyone driving in a large metro area shouldn't be without one.  The quirks, well, I call mine, "That Bitch Betty!"  You get the idea. 

[Mikekoz13]

I also have ta Garmin Nuvi and like it a lot.

[Razor X]

Thanks, guys.  I'd been looking at the Garmin Nuvis on Amazon at first, but the more comparison shopping I did, the more confused I got.   

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Consumer Reports probably has a review if you can get hold of it.  They are usually reliable IMO,

[Rusty Shackleford]

For example, the Garmin doesn't have as good as interface as the TomTom, but I don't like the way the TomTom attaches to the windshield.

I did like how the TomTom continuously displayed the remaining number of miles on the trip.  The Garmin only shows the distance remaining on the current road.

The way the TomTom "attaches" to the windshield was an absolute joke.  I could never get that thing attached right.  I'm telling you, the company clearly only hires boneheads.

[Tyler]

I just saw that Costco.com has the Garmin Nuvi for $125ish.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

The prices on the "basic" models are really coming down.  The interactive--I'm not sure that's the term--still are in the $300 range and I'm not sure they're worth the money.  Anyone got one, has it kept you out of jams?

[Sgt. Pate]

I've got the Garmin nuvi 255W and it's been good.  I'm not in to any extra stuff, just the GPS map feature and directions.  

$139.00 - http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-4-3-Inch-Widescreen-Portable-Navigator/dp/B0015EWMX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260054378&sr=8-1

[rick68]

I have a magellen RoadMate 1440 and I love the thing. Has kept me from getting lost too numerous times.



http://www.amazon.com/Magellan-RoadMate-1440-4-3-Inch-Navigator/dp/B0021L9C0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260062211&sr=8-1

[Bald_freak]

If he ain't driving a semi then any of the low end garmins will work great. If he does then your looking at some serious dough for a "trucker friendly model" they designate low bridges and roads that have restricted access to large trucks.