GPS Navigation Units.....

[Joe Spool]

.....Who has one (not counting a factory installed unit)? I'm thinking about buying one, probably the "Tom Tom ONE" unit. Has anyone used this, or other units? How do you like them?

Also, some units have mp3 capability, picture viewing, and other options, not sure I need that, but if the price was right I'd take them. Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks!

 

[2GNS4ME]

This is what I have and I love it. It has a hard drive plays DVDs and touch screen

ECLIPSE by Fujitsu Ten

 

[SGRIM]

If you are going to invest in a GPS unit I reccomend GARMIN. I have had many GPS units and the Garmin out performs them all. Most of the bells and whistles on todays units hardly get used. If you are looking for accuracy Garmin hands down!

 

[TurboDave]

If you are going to invest in a GPS unit I reccomend GARMIN. I have had many GPS units and the Garmin out performs them all. Most of the bells and whistles on todays units hardly get used. If you are looking for accuracy Garmin hands down!

I agree! Garmin is by far the top performer. All that other fancy junk just adds complexity, and doesn't do a thing for "value added" components for GPS.

 

[Joe Spool]

Thanks for the replies guys. I checked out Garmin's website before, and they have a lot of different units, so much that I honestly couldn't easily figure out what one was most appropriate for what I was looking for. They seemed a little high on price too. What Garmin models have you all used?

 

[SGRIM]

What features are you looking for?

We mainly use the 6720's but the new Nuvi's are pretty loaded. The base model can be found for around $360 I think and from what I understand has all the basic needs!

 

[TurboDave]

Ya, tell us what you're looking for, capabilities, etc. I kinda like the streetpilot i5. Bettern than the i3 or i2 simply because the i5 comes with street level detail of the US preloaded. The i3 and i2 have 128m transflash that you have to load the various street level regional maps into. I prefer everything pre loaded and ready to go. The streetpilot c340 would be a higher end version of the i5 but in the $500 class.

Just all depends on what you think you might like to have.

 

[Joe Spool]

My main thing was screen size. I'm thinking that I don't want to spend much more than $500, so I know it's not going to a big screen, but I thought the Tom Tom One screen seemed an ok size. I also like the 3-D kind of display vs. the 2-D. Plug and play would be nice too, don't really want to have goof around with it to get it work intially. An mp3 player would be cool, but I have an iPod already so it's not a "must have". The Garmin i5 looks good feature and price wise, but seems smaller than I'd like.

 

[JayC]

I have an Edge 305.

Oh wait, you mean for a car

 

[TurboDave]

My main thing was screen size. I'm thinking that I don't want to spend much more than $500, so I know it's not going to a big screen, but I thought the Tom Tom One screen seemed an ok size. I also like the 3-D kind of display vs. the 2-D. Plug and play would be nice too, don't really want to have goof around with it to get it work intially. An mp3 player would be cool, but I have an iPod already so it's not a "must have". The Garmin i5 looks good feature and price wise, but seems smaller than I'd like.

I'm not sure how the i5's display (1.5x1.3)compares to the tom tom. The c340 would be a much better display (2.8x2.1) but might be close to a budget buster.
I wouldn't recommend looking for wierd features like mp3. all that does is drive up the price. Use gps as gps, not a bunch of other stuff.

 

[SGRIM]

Check this badboy out:biggrin:

Amazon.com: Garmin Nuvi 360 Pocket Vehicle GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant: Electronics

 

[Turbo1dr]

I have the Pioneer AVIC-88DVD in my Malibu. I love it! If I had to choose between the stereo system or the navigation...I'd take the navigation. The unit I have will get you within 1/8 mile or less from your destination whether it's 400, 700 or just 2 miles away. I have also zoomed in on a town (Bowling Green) and searched for hotels in the area. It also gives the telephone number so I can make my reservations without needing a phone book. I have also found peoples houses that I've met on these forums...COOL! If you get one get the largest screen possible. My unit works with the Pioneer 6.5' or 7" touchscreens or the 6.5' touchscreen "stand alone" monitor. It's not plug and play nor is it portable.

I have the stand alone monitor for mine. I need to get it mounted in a better place. On the console is convienent but in the way for other things.

Monitor pictures with headlights on. With lights off the screen switches to brighter colors.

 

[BandAid]

I have the Pioneer AVIC-88DVD in my Malibu. I love it! If I had to choose between the stereo system or the navigation...I'd take the navigation. The unit I have will get you within 1/8 mile or less from your destination whether it's 400, 700 or just 2 miles away. I have also zoomed in on a town (Bowling Green) and searched for hotels in the area. It also gives the telephone number so I can make my reservations without needing a phone book. I have also found peoples houses that I've met on these forums...COOL! If you get one get the largest screen possible. My unit works with the Pioneer 6.5' or 7" touchscreens or the 6.5' touchscreen "stand alone" monitor. It's not plug and play nor is it portable.

I have the stand alone monitor for mine. I need to get it mounted in a better place. On the console is convienent but in the way for other things.

Monitor pictures with headlights on. With lights off the screen switches to brighter colors.

How about daytime photes ,so we can see how you squezed that bad boy in there...

 

[Turbo1dr]

Hmm, I just looked to see if I had any day time photos but all I could find was this picture. I didn't even have it turned on. It's more of an interior shot but you can see both the stereo unit and the navi unit sandwiched in the dash. The navi is on top hid by the flip up screen. Since that's the only place in the car that doesn't have severe vibration that's where I mounted it. This picture was taken when I had the two units working together with the navi compatible stereo head unit. Also this is an older model they're not making anymore...out with the old platforms and in with the new. 2005 was the last updated DVD navi discs available for this unit.

Best daytime pic but not close up.


I've seen time when I wanted a portable navi but just haven't ponied up the bucks.

 

[Joe Spool]

Wow, gotta love the internet for window shopping and filling your head with all kinds of crazy ideas. I started out looking at the Garmin and Tom Tom sites, then slid on over to EBay to do some searching, bounced over to Google, followed a few more links, and now what started out as looking for a low priced navigation unit has had me looking at some killer stereo head units with DVD, navigation, mp3 capabilities. All of the stuff is just so cool that I’m looking at everything and thinking “I gotta have that”. Nuckin’ Futs man!!

Anyway, once I came back to reality, I do see some pretty cool navigation units out there in the around $500 to $600 price range. Still not decided on a specific one, but I’ve definitely found a few options. I ran across this site below that was pretty cool, thought I’d share in case anyone else is looking for a unit too.

Garmin Quest, Magellan Roadmate, Garmin Street Pilot, Streetpilot, Auto GPS

Thanks everyone,
Jim

 

[TurboDave]

I had forgotten about the GPS store. It's a good place to get better pricing. It's where I bought mine (many eons ago).

 

[SGRIM]

I have bought several for fleet cars from here GPS Specials

Also be sure to check amazon for prices before you buy!

 

[Joe Spool]

I have bought several for fleet cars from here GPS Specials

Also be sure to check amazon for prices before you buy!

You're right, Amazon does seem to have really good pricing. Good lookin' out