Need GPS advice

bronco slim

bronco slim

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2006
Location
High Point
Went to Circuit City today to look for a GPS for the missus. Damn I didn't know there were so many brands and features. Looking for a middle of the road model that is easy to use and is portable between all our vehicles. I don't need a hook up to "blue tooth" cause I don't even know what that is. The people at the store weren't very well versed in the features and the info labels were pretty vague. Any input would be helpful. Thanks!
 
I have a Garmin Streetpilot c550 and my wife has a Garmin Nuvi 360...

mine does traffic, mp3's, bluetooth, etc...probably a lot of stuff you don't want...

the one feature I wouldn't do without it TTS, Text-to-Speech, where it says says the actually street names instead of just "turn right in 1/4 mile"...

the Nuvi line is a more compact unit, and you can get the normal or the widescreen versions of most options...

a couple items to look for:

.mp3 (I find this nice when traveling)
traffic (not always useful)
bluetooth (already said you don't care...but it's kinda nice at times)
picture viewer
audio books
headphone jack/audio line-out


I'll tell you what I've found to be the best traveling setup...not as useful around town, though...

make sure yours has an audio line-out...and buy an FM modulator for $20 or so that will plug into the line-out jack...when I'm on a trip, it plays my .mp3's through the truck speakers, then pauses the song and gives me a driving instruction, then the song resumes...then, if I get a phone call, the call can be heard in all the speakers and the mic on the unit picks up my voice pretty good...

maybe too much for you and/or your wife, but I really like it when I'm traveling on business by myself...

the Garmin site has a pretty good "compare" feature...
 
I would highly recommend buying tomtom. I've had a few different ones from different manufacturers, and currently I've got 2 tomtoms, and I love them.

The ONE is their smallest and cheapest, and probably fine for most people.

the ONE XL-S is a larger screen, and has text-to-speech, so it can actually read (or at least try to) the street names to you rather than just saying "turn ahead"

the new models are ONE 130 and XL-330 and XL-330-S, those just came out, and are supposed to be the replacements for the ONE, ONE XL and ONE XL-S
they now have a ONE 130-s that they didn't have when I bought mine which is the smaller screen, but with the text-to-speech ... if you've got a smaller windshield (like in a jeep, or miata) I think the smaller size is actually better.

the GO models start to get kind of pricy and get into features that most people don't need and wouldn't use.

anyway, that's my opinion
 
Thanks for the replies, I was a bit overwhelmed looking for one today with all the features and a salesperson who was less than knowledgeable. I'm heading back tomorrow to get one for my wifes birthday and ya'lls info will help. Is there a detailed set up or do you turn it on and go straight out of the box? I was looking at the Deloerme that was recomended in the last wheelin' mag I got but it looked more for the off road adventurer and not the highway driving that she would be doing.
 
Yes, setup is a breeze. Go outside, turn it on and press OK to the warning. Just wait a few minutes (yes, it's slow) and it will figure out where you are.

Adding your home address, saving favorites, and finding Points Of Interest is fairly easy. It's all touch, so not everything has a button. The map can be dragged, speed/distance/intersection details, and plenty of other cool things to distract you from driving!

You'll probably need to download and install map updates. If so, then that takes several hours. 2 GB file for Garmin and Navigon. (Note: the Nuvi 200 requires you to delete some files first. Do a google search if you buy that one.)
 
if you have a few days, you can get them at 50-70% off from new egg, and some other online retailers...

Tom Tom hands down...
 
Good info guys. I'm more of an atlas user so this is more for my wife when she is pulling a horse trailer to go to different riding events. All the info is helpful and the other thread link makes it sound like I still need to give her directions for backup.

We're doing a trip in a couple weeks to PA then on to a Yankees game. I wanted to be able to use it for directions to the stadium from where we are staying. I hope it works...

Does any body have the yellow Delorme I had mentioned?
 
nuvi here as well. basic yet very functional for all the "major" stuff and it was cheap. i love the portability too. the only thing i miss on it vs. the in dash system of my suburban is elevation. not a deal breaker at all though, just one of those "hey, neat we're at Xft." things.
 
the Nuvi is the "latest and greatest" from Garmin, and is a smaller package...

however, owning both a Streetpilot and a Nuvi, I find the Streetpilot's software more user-friendly...several things are available with one click, instead of have to go down to Level 2 or 3 of option menus to get what you want...

I also opted for the "bean bag" type attachment instead of the windshield suction cup...


Greg
 
I have a Garmin c330, and it has done a great job for me, It is basic and to the point. I even use it on my boat to check the mph, since the speedometer has been acting up. It is going to cost $70 to update it now that I have had it for a year though.

And I don't have a problem with the suction cup on the windshield besides it leaves a large circle. Just get it wet around the edges and stick it to it.
 
I've got a nuvi 750 for rediculously cheap with some coupons! it's got everything but bluetooth, which i didnt want anyway. built in FM modulator, text to speach, & WAAS, which is the most important factor to consider when buying a GPS. most of the cheaper auto gps's don't have WAAS which means the difference between being within 100yds & within 10ft. I plan on goin back & pickin up a handheld Garmin for geocachin in a few weeks! hope this helps
 
you're going to love it.

I've got the ONE, and the ONE XL-S (which is the older version of what you bought) and I love them.

I've had/used a number of others from other brands, and I really like the tomtom best, especially the free map updates.

When I moved here, I had a finedrive 400, which I really liked, even though its an unheard of brand, but the maps didn't have the 540 on them, and there were no updates available.
 
bronco slim said:
Thanks for all the input guys. I went with a Tom Tom xl 330-s. I hope it works out for us.
Click to expand...

I hear ya money bags! You just can't hide money. :wheel:



Dw
 
MONEY BAGS?!! I had to do something nice for her birthday. Of course I picked out one that I liked too. Her GF's said "oh shit he's getting ready to buy something for himself".

I'm bored since my buddies don't call me any more to wheel or dirt bike or work on rigs.WTF?
 
Now thats....

....good communication. LOL!!
Funny comment about the GF's. I hope she liked your new toy! Hahaha
Should have bought her another handgun :shaking:
Hey Slim, I mowed my M-ville property 2 days ago. I've got a big Ash tree that fell into the field. Help your self to some of the firewood if you need it. Did you buy us a splitter yet? :)))
Not sure where to start a brush pile there, but could use your advice on that so I could burn it later. Ain't no water available out there AT ALL!! I should have dug up a dirt patch to place all of the brush on for a firebreak while I had DW's tractor there.
Talk to you later. RP
 
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