| Lightninrod |
I did a search and I read the threads in this forum so please be kind as I need additional info;) .
We opted not to get the OEM NAV system when we bought our 2007 SL. We now want an after-market, portable GPS. In some of the threads I've read, Garmin and Magellan have been mentioned several times. We want to spend about $3-400 on one. We won't need Bluetooth or MP3 capabilities, just good coverage in the USA.
We will probably get one from Best Buy as I have one of their $100 gift certificates. They carry Garmin, Magellan, and Tomtom. Any thoughts on what's out there that fit's into those capabilities?
TIA,
Dan |
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| GripperDon |
It's the best stuff. Pick your feature find your best price and go for it.
I did the same thing No NAV first time went back and got another Mo with NAV. |
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| Corin |
Get something with a battery. It's SOOO nice to be able to run on battery power rather than having to plug it in all the time, especially if you want to set up an address before you're in the car.
I love my Garmin c320. Eventually I want to get a newer one, and my old one will go to the wife's car.
As for where to buy, make sure you look online. I bought mine from a place like www.gpscity.com and it was a LOT cheaper than any local store. |
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| ekaxel |
I and many members of my family have Magellan 3000T. We are all happy with it. Refurbs can be had on ebay for about $225. Has a battery. Customer service so-so.
Very subjective. Garmin owner swear by theirs, Magellan owners swear by theirs. You pays your money and takes your choice. I honestly don't think you will go wrong with either one. |
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| Penderwheels |
I have a 2007 SL on order (Pick it up in 4 days !!!) and opted NOT to buy the OEM Navi becauuse:
Last year my wife refused to drive her mustang from Michigan to Florida without navi. (We have taken 2 cars for our 6 months stay, My 2004 350Z with OEM navi and her Mustang)
I bought her a Garmin C330.
She fell in love with it. Then I drove the 'Stang with the Garmin and, in many features, I found this $250 unit (Best Buy Reward Zone) better than the Zenrin in the "Z" which was a $2k option.
Bluetooth, Photo library, IPOD music connections, etc. are all features I DON'T need.
I'd buy the Garmin C330 all over again. |
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| Kris |
Garmin!
Right now they are gaining market share and are leaders. Best support! Best product! Many products to choose from!
I have had two C320 for almost 2 years now. Love them! Right now though I would go for C5series on Nuvi. Only because they have SIRFiii receiver - very sensitive one. And that's make the difference. Also consider a unit with TTS - text to speech recognition. This type of units prounance street names! And you would be surprised how useful this feature is...
Just my 2c. |
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| Corin |
quote:
Originally posted by ekaxel
Very subjective. Garmin owner swear by theirs, Magellan owners swear by theirs. You pays your money and takes your choice. I honestly don't think you will go wrong with either one.
This is very true. Both companies make excellent products, and whichever one you first own seems to set you for life believing that is the best (Garmin for me, obviously). Their interfaces have a different feel, but they are both top quality.
It's the same thing as with DeWalt vs. Makita power tools. They just have a different feel, so whatever you get used to is "the best". |
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| Lightninrod |
Y'all's comments are what make this BB such a joy to use. Thank you all.
I take it that there is a difference in "text-to-speech" vs. "Voice-prompted turn-by-turn navigational instructions and warnings" with text-to-speech being the higher function?
I'm thinking of getting this one.
Dan |
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| Kris |
Dan,
excellent choice! You will not be disappointed. As this is an "older unit" you will get a great deal. Just search around the net...
A great place to visit is gpspassion.com....
good luck
I am off for two weeks again......
will miss you gals and guys! ;)
Anyway I will be close to Mr. 3000 territory so who knows........:D |
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| MO Dale |
quote:
Originally posted by Lightninrod
I'm thinking of getting this one.
I have the Nuvi 350. You will love it! It replaced a Magellan Roadmate 700 after the touchscreen died. The Nuvi is sooo much nicer. |
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| Gonzo |
I've got the Garmin C320.... I prefer it over the C330 because it does NOT have a hard drive. It uses a SD card and the batteries last about 8 hours. I can fit the entire country on a 1GB SD card.
Its a very basic system but works well. My only compliant is that sometimes acquirement time is a little slow. But its very minor and my wife and I use it a lot. Great for house hunting. Heck its almost a mariage saver in that situation. |
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| Corin |
quote:
Originally posted by Lightninrod
Y'all's comments are what make this BB such a joy to use. Thank you all.
I take it that there is a difference in "text-to-speech" vs. "Voice-prompted turn-by-turn navigational instructions and warnings" with text-to-speech being the higher function?
I'm thinking of getting this one.
Dan
GPSNow.com has this for $424.95 including shipping. Definitely check around. I know you have a Best Buy gift card, but no use WASTING that if you can get if for nearly $100 less online!!! :) |
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| zebelkhan |
| How about one of these and spend the rest on yourself! |
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| jason1234 |
I'd have to recommend Garmin too. I've been quite happy with their c550 (thread )
And btw ... that model that you linked to at BB (the nuvi 350) is $90 cheaper at GPSCity.com
To answer your question about "text-to-speech" vs. "Voice-prompted turn-by-turn navigational instructions and warnings":
A TTS prompt would be something like "In 100 meters, turn right on Main Street" whereas the alternative would be something like "In 100 meters, turn right" |
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| Lightninrod |
Thanks again guys.
Jason: I already have changed my mind and am favoring(DW thinks it's too costly) the c550. Been reading reviews online for a few hours. Found it at Circuit City(online purchase--pickup at store or have it shipped) for $499.99 and it's available here locally. It's got more(Bluetooth, MP3) than I initially wanted but the basics of the unit are what I want.
Dan |
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| genterara |
Garmin C320, its cheap, and it doesnt have a hard drive = more battery life.
$263.98 from amazon.com |
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| Corin |
quote:
Originally posted by genterara
Garmin C320, its cheap, and it doesnt have a hard drive = more battery life.
$263.98 from amazon.com
pros and cons of a hard drive:
Pros:
1) Much more storage space, so you can store the ENTIRE map database rather than just a few states at a time.
2) Many times you could also store other files on the system, so you can use it as a portable hard drive.
3) Adds a little more weight to the system, so might stay on your dash better if you don't have it mounted.
Cons:
1) Shorter battery life, as a hard drive takes more power to operate.
2) While getting better, hard drives still have a higher failure rate in small portable devices due to jiggling around constantly.
3) Units with hard drives tend to cost more.
4) Upgrading the drive space is essentially impossible, whereas you can always buy a larger SD card (if your system supports it). Of course, most likely the hard drive that is built into these units will be plenty big for the life of the unit. |
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| genterara |
quote:
Originally posted by Corin
pros and cons of a hard drive:
Pros:
1) Much more storage space, so you can store the ENTIRE map database rather than just a few states at a time.
2) Many times you could also store other files on the system, so you can use it as a portable hard drive.
3) Adds a little more weight to the system, so might stay on your dash better if you don't have it mounted.
Cons:
1) Shorter battery life, as a hard drive takes more power to operate.
2) While getting better, hard drives still have a higher failure rate in small portable devices due to jiggling around constantly.
3) Units with hard drives tend to cost more.
4) Upgrading the drive space is essentially impossible, whereas you can always buy a larger SD card (if your system supports it). Of course, most likely the hard drive that is built into these units will be plenty big for the life of the unit.
Pros
1) I'm pretty sure that with a 1Gb card you can fit the whole USA. Besides, whats the point of having a whole country, unless you stay a lot on the road? I use a 256mb and fits all california and nevada, and still have room left.
2) the same with the card in you camera/pocketpc/palm |
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| Mr3Putt |
Garmin?
Magellan?
You can't go wrong with either one.
I have on of the oldest portable GPS systems ever produced. About 6 years ago I paid $1,600 for my Magellan 750M. (Think Hertz Neverlost)
It's one of the best purchases I've ever made. The support from Magellan has been phenomenal. I was having reception issues and had to send it to them, they refurbed and updated the entire unit, they even offered me a loaner while mine was "in the shop".
This thing has saved my @ss so many times I can't count.
I would buy another Magellan in a nanosecond. I keep waiting (hoping?) for mine to break to justify another purchase. But, my unit seems bulletproof.
In any event, aside aside from the "coolness" factor of a built in unit, a portable unit makes way more sense than a factory installed GPS. You made the right choice.
I vote Magellan, but it sounds like you leaning towards a Garmin, and that's OK!
Enjoy. |
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| Lightninrod |
Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions, experiences, and insights on the huge array of GPS offerings.
Finally made a final decision and just ordered online the Garmin c550 from Circuit City that had it on sale at $499. Picking it up at our local CC in a little while. Hope we can find our way home;)!
c550 info and note, 12 pgs of reviews
Dan |
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| Mr3Putt |
Fine choice Dan!
You will wonder how you lived without it.
If it's not included, I would definitely get the 12v car adapter.
Enjoy! |
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| TheGymKid |
| I have the Magellan 760 for 2 years now and LOVE IT... except in the last month it started crapping out on me. It freezes up all the time. My friend has the same one and he said he lost the sound on his. He called up the support hotline and was on hold for almost an hour before he hung up. Although I love it, I don't recommend it. :( |
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| Lightninrod |
quote:
Originally posted by Mr3Putt
Fine choice Dan!
You will wonder how you lived without it.
If it's not included, I would definitely get the 12v car adapter.
Enjoy!
Yes, it has a 12v adapter and a PC/USB adapter included and I used the 12v on the way home and yes, it led us correctly to our rural/suburban home with one little glitch. It named H'wy 49, Peach Blossom Trail which it may be known as that somewhere but the sign is for H'wy 49... Still very cool device. Even my 'luddite-like' wife was impressed!
I have it connected to the PC right now so the battery gets a good, trickle charge.
Btw, I had a couple of questions that weren't covered in the manual or on their online site so I called Garmin's '800' number and got thru to a human in less than a minute and he was able to answer my newbie questions to my satisfaction.
Dan |
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| Lightninrod |
UPdate: Returned the c550 and ordered the Garmin Nuvi 660 yesterday from those folks and it got here today at 12:30 PM using their special shipping offer of overnight delivery by DHL for just $9.95:D .
The 660 has a better, bigger screen, more 'portable', and a better mounting system.
Dan |
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| Sparkle |
Hi Dan,
I'm watching your pursuits of the ideal GPS---you are doing the searching and picking for me!
I hope to buy one in July! So, keep us posted about what you like, don't like about the Garmins. You started with the Nuvi c550--O.K.---and now you have the 660, but you don't mention why?
Better price for more options? I bet by July the prices will go down even more---Hoping, and waiting until then....now if you change your mind again---keep me posted! :) |
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| Lightninrod |
Sparkle: For clarity's sake, it was a Garmin Streetpilot c550.:) The Nuvi 660 operates almost identically as the SP but has a much better(bigger, offering a few more icons per screen with a larger map view) screen, connecting wires(Traffic/FM receiver) connect to the mounting cradle, not the 660 itself, making it easier to remove the 660 when leaving the car, etc., and it's less than 1" in depth, making it easy to carry with you in a pocket.
It also comes with a leather carrying case, has a "walking" option so it can be used when hiking, etc., and also offers a FODOR'S travel guide(not needed by me--[but not included]), calculator, currency converter, and a few others features not available in the SP c550.
Here's a review: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,175...2129TX1K0000530
Dan |
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| SIM |
For me it was a hard pick between the Nuvi 350 and 660. But, I did not need the Bluetooth since I already have it as a kit in the MO. I compared both and finally picked the 350 especially because it is more compact, easier to carry and as such, does not block my sight as much as the 660.
And for a much lower price, it offered all of the important features (for me) of the 660. |
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| Lightninrod |
Just placed an order for this dash mount. Garmin's windshield mount works most of the time but if you don't get the glass and the suction-cup clean, it can fall loose. This dash mount will also place the 660 closer and in a more natural line-of-sight
A lot of guys over on gpspassion use this mount but I think the one I chose is a little bit more robust.
Dan |
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| Starsushi |
I have the Garmin Street Pilot 550 and love it. The Bluetooth works great.
It does have considerable depth though. But this isn't an issue for me as I won't be using it outside of a car (99% in the Murano).
I don't plug in the traffic adaptor unless I run into unexpected backups or if I'm driving long distances. |
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| jwmarlowe |
Just got a new GPS. I looked at a lot of models. They all have their good and bad points. Got the new Magellan crossover GPS. Very small unit with a reasonable screen. Sits very nice in the Murano display area. It has a removable rubber frame around it so it doesn't slide around. It has 8 hrs Batt life so unless you are on a trip, you don't need to plug it in.
It is also set up to use for hiking. If you go to a park and go out in the woods, you can carry it with you and the basic maps will get you back. Comes with car charger, AC charger, window mount, computer cable. Amazon has them for $385.00 |
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| Sparkle |
O.K. Dan ---and other Garmin GPS owners. I've narrowed it down to two choices. I've read reviews on the interent, cNet, Amazon, etc.
It's either the Gamin Nuvi 660 or the Gamin Nuvi 360.
I have some concerns about the 660 sound. That it comes through the stereo---some have mentioned static in their reviews. How is it in the MO. and is that the only way to listen to it. It does have it's own speakers too--right?
There is also chat about versions: that the currant 360 is not version 0.9, and that Garmin is going to charge an additional $75.00 in the future for this upgrade to ver. 0.9. It is running 0.8 now.
Any other comments here on the 360 or the 660.
Oh, did you know there is a new 680 now too! But, too expensive and I can't see that it's much better specs. than the 660. |
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| Lightninrod |
Sparkle: Yes, the 660 has an internal speaker for every day use. I tried a C550 Garmin before taking it back and getting the 66o, primarily for its larger screen and am happy with my choice.
Yes, the new maps issue is up in the air now, with some buyers being promised free, updated maps and others being refused. Garmin also says they are reviewing their new policy of charging for the upgrade. There are new Garmins on the shelves that already have the newer maps but you have to be able to open the box and check the unit.
Never used a 360 but I'm sure it's fine unit just with different features.
Dan |
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| ekaxel |
I would just like to throw a comment in on the new "larger" screen units. I have always used my Magellan in a heading up mode in town (just seems more natural to me). The new units are WIDER, offering me anyway no real advantage in seeing where I am going. Wider might be useful on a long trip, where a much bigger scale would be used and a North up might seem more like a map.
I have a Magelan 3000T (which you can really get cheap [less than $200] these days, and it has worked well for me (and my wife, who won't be without it!).
I am usually one who has to have the latest and greatest, but in this case, I pass... |
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| ekaxel |
| Illustrates my point well. You have a couple of inches of route ahead, and all that useless real estate on the sides..... |
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| Sparkle |
Hi Dan,
Thanks for getting back to me. After Googling, thinking, comparing, checking funds, comparing prices--you know the drill.
I have decided on the Garmin Nuvi 680 after all. Purchased on Amazon.com this a.m. for $657.80. No shipping charges. Arrives on Tuesday.
I thought about buying it a PC Nation, but as I have an account with Amazon and know their return routine, I felt for the price difference I would stick with Amazon.
PC Nation does have the 680 for $674.00 a very good price!
Most of the reviews were very good on this Nuvis, and the 680 too. Thanks for sharing your information with me over the past few weeks. I'm now looking for the mount like you have for your 660 at a good price. Any suggestions on that appreciated! ;) |
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| Lightninrod |
Good deal on the 680!
This mount is also available directly from RAM but if I remember correctly, they charged a little more for it than mountguys. After seeing some pics of the 'beanbag' mount, I really prefer the RAM even moreso. Btw, "some assembly is required" for that mount but all necessary parts are included and all you need is a screwdriver to put it together.
Dan |
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| Mr3Putt |
I have an HP IPAQ PDA. I was thinking of getting this software from Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-GPS-for-HP-...VQQcmdZViewItem
And then moving the Magellan to my Daughters car.
Does anyone use this type of setup? I'm just looking for Pros & of course, the cons....
Is there another software/setup that would work better?
This stuff uses the Bluetooth to communicate between the devices, I guess the GPS stuff stays in the car and the Palmtop remains portable. |
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| Sparkle |
Regretfully the Garmin Nuvi 680 has not met our expectations and it has been returned. The maps were outdated. The MSN.contact subscription does not work in our area (Sonoma-Napa valley) --which considering the huge population and wine industry, Pacific coast line, and tourists in this area is hard to believe. Garmin indicated the new updated maps would cost $75.00 and be available in a few weeks. MSN would be available maybe next year, maybe not.
The Nuvi 680 trial runs were inaccurate, and when we looked for the nearest ATM, it completely missed the Wells Fargo ATM I have used for close to 9 yrs, and the 680 sent me 2 miles east on the same road to the next Wells Fargo ATM instead.
It completely missed the entrance to our local restaurant. Didn't say a word as we drove by, and took us into a side street 300 ft. east instead.
It also does not know about one of the oldest and biggest shopping centers in Santa Rosa.
We just got this uncomfortable feeling that it was not as reliable for directions as it could be at this time.
Compared to another less popular GPS that we own. (Intial) with black and white screen no voice for street names. The Intial actually is more knowledgable while mapping.
We are now looking for another GPS with color screen, which speaks the street names and has accurate mapping with POI.
We are looking at the Garmin 360 which I've read is actually better at mapping at this time, or the Magellan Maestro 4050.
More testing coming up. This time I will deal locally and forget the online deals. So much easier to deal with returns and questions.
More to come when we find that elusive ideal up to date GPS! |
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| Lightninrod |
After reading about this one, my Garmin Nuvi 660 is looking a little lackluster. Not available in the USA yet but what a unit that one appears to be!
Dan |
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| Kris |
Dan,
this unit looks fantastic! It reminds me a unit developed by one of our companies. I read about it on our Intranet.....if my Garmin quit I will have a hard time selecting a new GPS. In 2 - 3 years there will be so many of them on the market. And this is great! |
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| Kris |
Dan
thank for the information. I will try to find out what our company does and if I can get "employee" discount price. But it would have to be a good product and my Garmin would have to quit first....but in 2 years time...;) who knows... |
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| Sparkle |
Hi Dan,
I'm now waiting for reviews on the Navigon 7100.
http://tinyurl.com/352mga
It should be available locally at Best Buy soon. I could order it from Amazon, but expect a 4-6 week delay in shipping. I read that Best Buy has an exclusive contract to introduce the Navigon the end of July or before. We'll see. In the meantime I'm using my older Intial GPS which gets me where I'm going very accurately, but no color, no POI's, no traffic watch and all the bells & whistles the newer GPS's have.
Returned the Garmin Nuvi 680 on Friday to Amazon.com. and left reviews about how it did not work very well in our area of no. Calif. (Which was not as expected---at all!) So disappointed. Maybe it was meant to be---Hopefully the new Navigon 7100 will be ideal for our area. (Hwy 101 corridor into north California and surrounding northbay area counties). Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Mendocino into Oregon. |
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