What GPS UNIT DO YOU RECOMMEND?

[mr t]

Your input is wonderful!

It looks like the GPS choices will be even more complicated with the introduction of Garmin's new 1200 and 1300 series introduced today in Germany. Thinner, lower price and more features will no doubt revolutionize
the industry. I just wish it was coming out today. It is slated to be released in the second half of this year.

In the meantime your replies are most welcome.

mr t

[ezmoney]

Originally Posted by mr t

Hi everyone, I am planning to take a road trip to upstate New York on May 27. Does anyone recommend a favorite GPS unit to buy?

Thanks for your input.

mr t

I own a few Garmin Nuvi models. If all you want is point A to point B navigation get a Nuvi 260W. It's inexpensive, easy to use and dependable.

Originally Posted by Thomasio

I know it isn't true GPS (it is cell tower triangulation), but the navigation application that comes on the 3G iPod is fantastic.

There are many places in upstate NY with no cell phone reception, especially in the mountains. A cell phone based navigator would be useless in these places.

Originally Posted by EliseAtLeast

Does the newer GPS allow you to enter coordinates instead of an address because I know most old ones don't? I find this to be the best feature in my Mio. A lot of times its database does not contain the address that I type in and I can just look up the coordinates and punch it in. Sometimes when you have a car following you and it got separated, you can just pull over and call and give the other car your coordinates. I can't understand why most other GPS will not allow you to enter coordinates. Its a GPS for god sake.

All the new Garmin units can use Lat/Lon coordinates to program waypoints.
Gamin's MapSource program is very useful for plotting waypoints/routes and the waypoints can then be down loaded into your Garmin gps unit.

[ameeriklane]

Originally Posted by EliseAtLeast

Does the newer GPS allow you to enter coordinates instead of an address because I know most old ones don't?

My TomTom allows this. In fact I used it earlier this week when visiting a friend in a new development where the streets weren't on the maps yet.

[mr t]

Your input is wonderful.

The new Garmin 1200 and 1300 series are being sold now and the release date is May 20TH. I am leaning towards the 1390T, list price $399 but I have found it for $322 with free shipping.

I continue to welcome your comments.

Best regards,

mr t

[Kaliuzhkin]

I have a TomTom 920T and depend on it.

I find the Bluetooth feature very important. When you make turns, you don't want to be looking at a screen. You want to be looking at the road! Its like having a personal navigator in the passenger's seat.

[the1sen]

I pity the fool who don't use a GPS, sucka.

I have the Garmin Zumo 550 (purchased before my Lotus)

+ LOUD speaker for our car
+ bluetooth hands free calling
+ waterproof
+ speaks street names
+ you can put in your own POI, and Photo Radar alerts
+ you can use it on a motorcycle also
+ Garmin rocks

- it's bigger than a NUVI
- it's hard to secure in the Lotus due to size
- no speaker seems to be loud enough for our car (it was loud enough in my Miata)

[NJdrool]

Within the Garmin family I would recommend any of the 12xx series as they are the lightest at 4 oz.

The rest are too heavy at 5.x oz and above!!

[andykeck]

Originally Posted by Thomasio

I know it isn't true GPS (it is cell tower triangulation), but the navigation application that comes on the 3G iPod is fantastic.

The 1st generation iPhone only had triangulation, but the 3G model most certainly has full GPS capabilities.

[qball]

Love my Garmin 265W!

[craracer]

Picking a unit has thus far proven to be a difficult endeavor at best. I've read a ton of reviews from professionals and lay people alike.

I keep coming to the same conclusion; Every manufacturer has significant shortcomings. It boils down to which I willing to live with.

I've been comparing TomTom's and Garmin's for the second straight night. This is becoming tiresome.

[mr t]

I was just informed by Amazon that Garmin has just pushed back the release of the 1200 and 1300 series to June 8.

The newest Nuvi is the 1490T with a 5" screen. It is to be released early July.

Amazon is also having a big sale on GPS's starting today.

mr t

[Cegan09]

I own the Garmin Nuvi 750. I think that one is no longer made, but the 760 is essentially the same thing. Definitely get a larger screen, its worth it. The Garmins are nice, and very easy to use. One thing i've noticed, the cheaper ones come with lower quality voices, or at least my friends 2xx. His sounds very much like a computer talking where mine is fluent. Garmin also does a free map upgrade within a certain time frame of buying so that you're is up to date when you get it.


I can't speak to other brands since i've never used them.

[CrusaderTBC]

They're no longer making them, but I still like my dash gps. Yes, it is bulky. But the traffic and wireless connectivity is damn useful. I can send addresses to my gps from a website and people have created maps of police traps that I can automatically pick up when I'm in the area.

[craracer]

I noticed that the price on the 'old' models plummeted this weekend, so I bought the 255W.

I told my wife it's her belated B'Day present. If I like it, she may have to buy her own gift

[mr t]

Thanks for every one's help.

I couldn't wait any longer so for $230 I got one from Amazon.

mr t

[ML1media]

The Garmin is an excellent choice. You won't be disappointed. I've been testing a Pharos 200 this week, and I can definitely NOT recommend it. The first one came DOA, the second one had some moments, but as a primary GPS, it won't cut it. Screen dynamics are wrong, configurability is limited, and map set is too incomplete. Mind you, for $69, a wide-screen with TTS looks ok on paper, and as a backup/'second opinion', it'sgood to have, but it's def not PRI class.

john m / ML1 media

[B-T]

I'll vote for the TomTom One XL. I have had a Garmin unit, and the route planning on it stinks in my opinion. There is a program available that interfaces with Google Maps / Google Earth that lets you do route planning with up to 50 waypoints and then download those sequential waypoints directly to your TomTom GPS. It is called TYRE and was originally developed for use with motorcycle touring. I used it early this month on a mountain trip and it was very nice to not have to find map destination programming during the drive. Read up on it, I think you would really like it for planning drives in unfamiliar areas. The TomTom One XL has an extra wide screen, and I bought mine (refurbished at CompUSA) for $99.
The TYRE program is shareware, with a donation if you feel like paying for it.
Pretty slick setup IMHO.

BT

[craracer]

It was so difficult deciding between the Garmin and the TomTom. Each unit had some significant weaknesses. It was a matter of deciding which I felt I could live with the most.

I'll be testing this unit before handing over to my wife. If I don't get along with it, I'll purchase the TomTom and start the testing over again. Either way, my wife will end up with the "BETTER" of the two.

[Spudboy]

Originally Posted by B-T

I'll vote for the TomTom One XL. I have had a Garmin unit, and the route planning on it stinks in my opinion. There is a program available that interfaces with Google Maps / Google Earth that lets you do route planning with up to 50 waypoints and then download those sequential waypoints directly to your TomTom GPS. It is called TYRE and was originally developed for use with motorcycle touring. I used it early this month on a mountain trip and it was very nice to not have to find map destination programming during the drive. Read up on it, I think you would really like it for planning drives in unfamiliar areas. The TomTom One XL has an extra wide screen, and I bought mine (refurbished at CompUSA) for $99.
The TYRE program is shareware, with a donation if you feel like paying for it.
Pretty slick setup IMHO.

BT

Garmin allows you to do this with MapQuest as well. The don't support waypoints with Google yet, but are supposed to be adding it.

[B-T]

Originally Posted by Spudboy

Garmin allows you to do this with MapQuest as well. The don't support waypoints with Google yet, but are supposed to be adding it.

That's good to know. I could not gain that info prior to purchasing the unit I bought. The guys at the store know almost nothing about this stuff. Planning a route / trip on the PC seems like such an obvious thing I am surprised they don't advertise it as a feature. There is nothing about it on either mfr's websites.

BT