Need Help looking for a GPS

[sportznut02]

Alright i need some help. I`m looking to get a GPS system for my wifes car. I know nothing about GPS systems. I don`t need any fancy features, i just want the a good GPS that get us where we need to go. Thanks for any help

[ehh]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

I have the TomTom One and love it, it's was around $150 at Christmas time, not sure how much it is now.

[beau21]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

Alright i need some help. I`m looking to get a GPS system for my wifes car. I know nothing about GPS systems. I don`t need any fancy features, i just want the a good GPS that get us where we need to go. Thanks for any help

I work in the Hunting Department at Cabelas in Kansas City, KS and GPS systems are included in my department, so here's my 2$...

I personally prefer Garmin over TomTom by a significant margin. TomToms work fine and all but just overall I much prefer Garmin. It's something I can't exactly put my finger on but I think Garmins menus and such are much easier and user friendly (not saying TomToms are extremely difficult, I just like Garmins better) and we also have probably about a 4-5 to 1 return ration on TomToms to Garmins.

Now as far as what you'll want here's my opinion if you just want a basic unit for navigation use only (no bluetooth, mp3 players, etc)...

Here is the Garmin Nuvi 200 (approx. $149.99) *discontinued*:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=9160

Here is the Garmin Nuvi 200w (just a bigger screen) (approx. $249.99):

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=9122

Here is the Garmin Nuvi 260 (approx. $299.99)

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=11017

Here is the Garmin Nuvi 260w (just a bigger screen) (approx. $349.99):

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=13381

Now for differences. Both units are for navigation purposes only.. like I said above no "bells and whistles". The only difference in the two is the way the directions are spoken to you. For instance, on the Garmin Nuvi 200 (or 200w) unit the voice telling you the directions would say "In 200 feet turn left." On the Garmin Nuvi 260 (or 260w) unit the voice telling you directions would say "In 200 feet turn left onto Village West Parkway." Thats where your difference in the two units is. Both units menus are the same, both units can be viewed in all the aerial and 3D viewing modes, both will have a line at the top of the screen telling you the street name to look for, etc. The only difference is that one will tell you the street name, exit number, etc. aloud... and the other will not.

Hope this helps!



**PS. Both of the models (200/200w and the 260/260w) have the 2008 maps in them. However Garmin recently came out with their newest maps (2009). But instead of just putting the 2009 maps in the units and potentially causing a mixup about which ones have 2008 and which ones have 2009 they have a free promotion going on. If you purchase one of these units you have until October (or maybe November) 31st, 2008 to upgrade to the 2009 maps for FREE on Garmins website. All you need to do is get a USB cord and plug your unit into your computer... then register your unit (which is FREE and I would reccomend anyway because if you do they will send you emails to let you know when map updates are available in the future)... then you can update your map to 2009 for FREE which is great because usually map upgrades cost somewhere between $50-$75 so you'll probably only want to do it every 2-3 years.

[rubisco43]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

Boom

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=863569

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

I have the Garmin 260, love it. We've had it about 8 months or so, been a God send.

[fishepa]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

I have a Garmin Nuvi 650 and love it. Best thing EVER.

[sportznut02]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

Thanks for the Help fellas especially beau1221 looks like i`m gonna go ahead and get the Garmin 260

[chadskee]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

Good choice man, I work Mobile Electronics (AKA Only GPS) at Best Buy and the 260 is probably my favorite model. Garmin just tends to be more reliable and more accurate than the Tom Toms and the Magellans. Also the accessories such as replacement mounts and AC + DC adapters can always be found at Best Buy while Tom Tom they can be harder to find.

[fishepa]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

Damn Scott you got the shaft.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Need Help looking for a GPS

My dad has the Garmin nuvi 350. It's very nice. It has TTS and mp3 player. Very accurate and quick on the recalculations.

I picked up the Mio Digiwalker C320 for $149 (normally $250) from Radioshack on black friday. It's 4.3" wide screen w/ mp3 player. It's definitely not as user friendly as the big 3 (Tom Tom, Magellan, Garmin) but it gets the job done. I was able to download a software update that added TTS. If not for TTS, I probably would have returned it for an entry level Tom Tom.