Choosing a GPS navigation system - page 1 -

• Choosing a GPS navigation system by Razor X on 29 Nov, 2009 19:56
• 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?
• #1 by andrew on 29 Nov, 2009 20:34
• 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.   
• #2 by Rusty Shackleford on 29 Nov, 2009 21:31
• 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.
• #3 by slyck85 on 29 Nov, 2009 22:42
• 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will lose features like Bluetooth capability......even the top dollar GPS devices will still occasionally give wrong or outdated directions.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).
• #4 by Tyler on 29 Nov, 2009 23:40
• 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.
• #5 by D.A.L.U.I. on 30 Nov, 2009 06:13
• 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. 
• #6 by Mikekoz13 on 30 Nov, 2009 06:16
• I also have ta Garmin Nuvi and like it a lot.
• #7 by Razor X on 30 Nov, 2009 07:04
• 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.   
• #8 by D.A.L.U.I. on 30 Nov, 2009 07:11
• Consumer Reports probably has a review if you can get hold of it.  They are usually reliable IMO,
• #9 by Rusty Shackleford on 04 Dec, 2009 21:12
• Quote from: Tyler on 29 Nov, 2009 23:40

  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.
• #10 by Tyler on 05 Dec, 2009 00:15
• I just saw that Costco.com has the Garmin Nuvi for $125ish.
• #11 by D.A.L.U.I. on 05 Dec, 2009 06:47
• 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?
• #12 by Sgt. Pate on 05 Dec, 2009 16:05
• 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
• #13 by rick68 on 05 Dec, 2009 18:15
• 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
• #14 by Bald_freak on 06 Dec, 2009 06:12
• 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.