Navigation / GPS suggestions

psinsyd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:10 pm

Hey guys,

Sooo, tis the season for shopping, and I was considering getting the fiance a navigation solution for when she's driving. I'm not too up on what's out there, other than the in-dash @ $1300 nav units. I was looking for possibly a portable that is easy to read while driving, with a price of between $200 and $300.

If you guys had any suggestions and your experiences with the available units, I'd totally appreciate it!!!!

Thanks a ton everyone!

P.S. I figured I may get more responses here than in the Electronics forum, but mods, feel free to move if necessary.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:18 pm

Do you have a laptop? I was looking for some software for my laptop but Im not to sure what to get? I figured if I already have the laptop, that would be the best idea for me..

I was looking at some Bluetooth GPS.. The cost is alittle high though..

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:25 pm

If you want cheap cheap cheap, get a serial GPS and wire it up to a laptop or PDA. I got my last Serial GPS for $40 shipped, and all it takes to connect it to a PDA is 4 wires (TX RX VCC and GND). Also - they make cables for certain pda models for the faint of heart.

PDA/Laptop GPSs are nice because you can leave the GPS antenna in the car (they aren't worth enough to steal and don't attract attention), you can use ANY software (since it's a pda or laptop), you can save tracks for later, and you can save a ton of money by getting a cheap PDA for $50-$100 instead of a $400 GPS unit

JMLoughrey · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:27 pm

a portable gps will run you about 400-500.

Get a Garmin.

Look into the streetpilot series... the 330 and 340 would be your best bets...

moose · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:28 pm

Love my (wifes, even though sh bought it for me) eTrex Vista cx. Color, good battery (we backpack too), and USB interface to the laptop (includes basic s/w for track management). I guess this is another one I won't be showing you on the 30th Jeepjeepster... :cry:

And I just got a cool dash/window mount for it too.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:48 pm

moose wrote:

Love my (wifes, even though sh bought it for me) eTrex Vista cx. Color, good battery (we backpack too), and USB interface to the laptop (includes basic s/w for track management). I guess this is another one I won't be showing you on the 30th Jeepjeepster... :cry:

And I just got a cool dash/window mount for it too.

Gosh moose, stop rubbing it in!! :twisted:

Its a 3 hour drive to Gatlinburg and another 3 hours back up to Livingston.. Its around 300-400miles round trip.. Then the 100miles back home.. I just really do not feel like driving that far..

Anyway, I just found THIS

I think Ill go with that since its cheap.. Ive used Delorme software before and really liked it..

psinsyd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:08 pm

Thanks for the input everyone! So far, I was kind of eyeing something like this for her. Found a deal with a 2GB SD card for @ $315.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Garmin_iQue_M3/ ... 67767.html

Not sure if anyone has any experience with this.

Keep the suggestions coming!

Thanks again!

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:41 pm

I've had a bunch. Currently have a Garmin III which is basically a b/w portable unit. Prob with a Ique is that it is basically a PDA with a GPS card and as such is a fragile unit (PDA). IMO u r better off with something dedicated to GPS as it will be more reliable and sturdy. If you don't want the absolute newest thing on the market, there are plenty of leftover or refurbed or even used units available really cheap. I bought my replacement III (1st was stolen from the Jeep) for under $125 New In Box off eBay. List when new was over $400 just 2 years ago. You should be able to pickup a standalone color unit for under $250 new. If u have a little more, look at the Garmin Nuvi.

mcattardo · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:37 am

Garmin streetpilot c330 is a nice compact unit. Wally world has them for around $330.

Saber · **Joined:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:48 pm **Posts:** 160

I have a Garmin: nüvi 350
It's pricey tho I paid around 800 for mine, but there down in price now

1) VERY compact -- easily able to fit in a breast pocket
2) Text-to-Speech -- announces proper street names, not just "turn left in 500 feet"; radically reduces how much you need to look at the screen to figure out the real instructions; wouldn't own a GPS unit wihtout this
3) Bright Screen -- readable in virtually every situation

Jeger · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:01 am

Ok so do all of these units mentioned work offroad as well, Im not expecting voice prompts or anything but it would be nice if they could display your location on a terrain map or at least show elevation lines? Maybe I am asking too much out of a cheap unit?

moose · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:58 am

Jeger wrote:

Ok so do all of these units mentioned work offroad as well, Im not expecting voice prompts or anything but it would be nice if they could display your location on a terrain map or at least show elevation lines? Maybe I am asking too much out of a cheap unit?

The eTrex series does. You don't have to go with the Vista over the Legend, or color over b&w to get what you asked for.

Sorry Jeepjeepster, you'll have a better time than us anyhow.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 8:20 am

I also have a vista which is nice. I got them as part of a class set for my science class so cost and ease of use was a primary concern. If I were to buy one for just me, I would get a Garmin 60c. These have a larger LCD and a better antenna. They also have better turn to turn direction options that what I get on my Vista. All of the garmins can use the topo maps or the street maps but I dont think you can upload them to the GPS at the same time. I use only the topo maps as they have most of the major roads anyway and even most logging trails as well. I, like Moose, was looking for something that I could take with me in hikes so I did not even look at car only units. I wanted something that I could mount on the window to give me directions as well as to put into my pocket when I left the jeep. Make sure the LCD is a backlite screen if you plan on being able to see it at night. Also factor in the cost of the software and car jacks to help save on the cost of batteries (or buy rechargable). All of this adds to the total cost of ownership which is often overlooked in budgeting.

psinsyd · **Posted:** Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:20 pm

Awesome. Thanks a ton for all of the replies!!!! Totally helpful!

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