I'm in the market for a GPS Device and wanted to see what most people have in your car/element.

What GPS Device do you have?

Garmin Nuvi350.

Best bang for the buck right now.

I bought mine from Amazon.

GARMIN 60csx

Garmin nuvi360

I have a Garmin60CSx that I never use. I bought it for outdoors usage, and then stopped going outdoors. :)

I have an iPhone that I've barely used. Its been an in-a-pinch sort of thing.

I have a printer and access to Mapquest, with a backup map, and I find its still the best way. Since I only really need it for long trips, a pen and a co-pilot takes care of "turn by turn."

+1 on the Garmin Nuvi 350 at Amazon.

I have the OEM......

I have the OEM......

I really need one of them:rolleyes: What site did you get it from?

Maybe we can get a group buy on that OEM unit...:-D

been a long time fan of Garmin.

Road Atlas! The biggin with the rings on the side.:twisted::???:

I have the OEM......

My OEM stopped working and was out of warranty so I couldn't get it fixed or replaced.

Now I have a Garmin Nuvi 760. I use it as my in car bluetooth device for my iPhone as well.

I have a printer and access to Mapquest, with a backup map, and I find its still the best way. Since I only really need it for long trips, a pen and a co-pilot takes care of "turn by turn."

I have the OEM......

Road Atlas! The biggin with the rings on the side.:twisted::???:

I guess I'm like a Luddite. We still have only one TV that we bought ten years ago. I went for years without a cell phone and now that I have one you couldn't take it away from me.

Earlier this year I researched GPS receivers and finally decided to try one out (I bought it at the local Office Depot because of their liberal return policy). Two days after the purchase of our Garmin Nuvi 255W we went on a short trip to Omaha, Nebraska where we used the Garmin to find restaurants on the way (we never eat a chains when traveling) and attractions in Omaha. It didn't take long to realize what a powerful thing a GPS is. We then used it two months later on a two week trip to Texas and the only error "Bob" made (Bob is the voice we're using) was when we got to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory he said "turn tight" when it obviously was on the left. This thing is a keeper.

ive got a magellan, not sure of the model but it was $130 and works great. its not much good in town, as it gives the most direct way not the fastest but out of town its awesome, ive driven all over the state and it has yet to get me lost. i dont quite get why people spend $500+ on a gps when mine works fine for a fraction of the price.

I have the Garmin Nuvi 350. I bought it because I make a lot of 'rescue runs' to various shelters throughout the region.

I have found it to be a great asset in getting between the different locations without having to deal with trying to follow any printed directions.

It has it's limitations, some times I do refer to the map to get an overall picture where I'm at and where I'm going. But it is awfully hard to beat for locating gas stations, restaurants, and yes even those out of the way animal shelters. :)

All of you people with Garmins might find it useful (and fun) to take a look at the Garmin Nuvi GPS Tricks, Tips, Work Arounds, Hints, Secrets and Ideas (http://home.comcast.net/~ghayman3/garmin.gps/index.html) site. Pretty cool (although the music is rather lame).

Garmin's the way to go.

I've had my tom tom unit for about 5 years and have had no problems with it, would get another one.

You needed to allow multiple choice on the poll !!

I ( We ) have or have had several.

I have and love the Garmin. The wife has the Mio. She is looking to replace it with a Garmin. I have used Tomtom, Lowrance and Magellan also.

I find the interface on the Garmin to be more user friendly. It has a logical layout, to my way of thinking. It;s also faster than the wife's Mio. I also think that the map sets are more comprehensive. That is to say, the wifes Mio is 4 years newer than my old garmin. The garmin still finds things that the wifes does not. I am missing some of the new streets that she has. That's because I dont want to pay for an updated map set. I keep thinking I will get a new one, one of theese days. But the old one just works so damed well, I hate to retire it.

Go for the Garmin.

Dom

I have a Garmin Nuvi 360. Purchased it from Amazon. I use it on those occasions when the OEM has difficulty interfacing with the multi-page Thomas Guide :roll:, or those multiple fold maps from AAA :roll:.

I got My Wife a Garmin Nuvi 200. She uses it quite a bit. I've had the opportunity on numerous occasions to use it and find it very usefull.

Be careful though I've seen it take people the long way to places. Two of my co-workers are NYC transplants. I gave one of them directions to Midway Airport in Chicago from our warehouse in Buffalo Grove. He decided to listen to his Nuvi not my directions. The Nuvi took him through downtown Chicago, which is Totaly out of the way. He nearly missed his flight.

Sometimes they are wrong... Always have a map as a backup. AND LISTEN TO THE LOCALS!!!!:mad::roll:

AND LISTEN TO THE LOCALS!!!!

This is something I learned from all the years of traveling to sports tournaments. When you are in a strange town and are looking for a place to eat, ask the local police---They always know the BEST places to eat:grin: You'll never be disapointed:)

I have the OEM......

ZOMBIE hungry.....

Just got a Navigon 2100max for my birthday. I like it a lot so far. It has lifetime traffic updates too which was a bonus.

garmin nuvi 780. works like a charm.

Garmin 255W.

I really did not want a GPS. A co worker bought the one I have for his father in law. It turned out his father in law had just gone out and bought one.
This was offered up at a bargain price and I bought it.

It works well.

Let's see, I use the Garmin Nuvi 500 in the E, the Garmin Zumo 550 on the moto, and the Foretrex 101 on my wrist when I want to go fast. But I agree that the OEM is still the best, along with the Mark 1 Mod 0 eyeballs. :razz:

TomTom One LE in addition to my Avic-D3 Navi unit, use the TomTom more since it's regularly updated.

I typically use 2 GPS units for travel. Mio C310x for general routing and overall needs, then the Pharos Pocket PC because I can keep it updated to the minute on road closures, restaurants and refueling. The combo lets me put the main destination up and I can then check how far off course I want to stray without changing a thing on the main unit. Once I get the new laptop, I plan to hook it up and have three GPS systems running when we travel (Most likely the Laptop will be playing movies to keep the wife from pestering me as we go places:razz:)

I'd have a hard time buying the other models, I like the Mio, though I probably won't end up buying a single GPS ever again. A cell GPS or PPC GPS add-on are the best way I have found yet. Besides, you can't beat the ability of Streets and Trips to update at a moments notice at any wireless link.

A reason I kept the TomTom was to use the Avic as a DVD player (plus the D3 uses the navi DVD for it's maps). Entertainment on the go is a must, keeps the passengers occupied. :)

Once I get the new laptop, I plan to hook it up and have three GPS systems running when we travel (Most likely the Laptop will be playing movies to keep the wife from pestering me as we go places:razz:)

Here is mine...

Here is mine...

:lol::lol:

I need your help. What GPS unit are the majority of you using? I can see Garmin is tops, and I'm seriously considering the 255W, by friends are hooked on TomTom. Why did you choose Garmin over TomTom? Do any of you have the FM transmitter that will transmit directions to your radio? How do you like that feature? What about Blue tooth? What features are must have?

Here is mine...

How wrong can you go with that?!


I use Garmin running off Windows Mobile 6 on a PDA celluar phone

Garmin has a lot of tech support and has been an industry leader in personal GPS units. TomTom has some nice features and is really reliable. You best bet would be to do an item comparison online between two units and see which has the features you want.

garmin here:cool:

TomTom ONE XL. I really like it, but I don't really have experience with other brands to compare. My father has a Garmin and hates it, but he is tech illiterate and doesn't have the patience/ability to learn how to use gadgets (he still can't understand how to get pictures off his digital camera despite many books and lessons).

I found there is a learning curve to using them. You need to know when to listen to it and when not to. My wife and her father and big geeks when it comes to maps and planning and they don't have the patience for GPS units.

But I've learned to use and and know how to, and I like it. I like TomTom's HOME software. It makes it easy to customize the unit and get updates. It was easy to make my home screen the Element logo, and make my car icon the E.

And for those who stick with road atlases, they are great, but they dont's have a big arrow saying "you are here". I have found that when I'm lost, an atlas is little help.

Something called a map.

Sprint Nav system with Instinct actually works well for locating stores, food, movie theaters, etc. However, it's compass is slow.

Something called a map.

Fits right in your pocket or glove box,requires no battery and is not affected by magnetic fields. Does require reading comprehension above the "See Dick Run" level.

I have a Garmin Street pilot C550. It is a great unit. I thing the Nuvi models are newer, but mine can be found on ebay for around $150. I paid $330 a two years ago. It has bluetooth for taking phone calls thru it. I highly recommend this model for the car.

Also I recommend the dash mount, basically a beanbag thing with a non-slip underside.

I have the Garmin Nuvi 780 and man that is the best gadget I ever bought.

Fits right in your pocket or glove box,requires no battery and is not affected by magnetic fields. Does require reading comprehension above the "See Dick Run" level.

However, it lacks the "you are here" function. If you don't know where you are, maps are useless.

Garmin NUVI 260 works for me. Easy to use!
I tried a friends factory in a new S class Benz, almost punched it! Not as user friendly as the Garmins'.

You could always leave bread crumbs.....

I have the Magellan Maestro 4250. Can still probably find it at a discount through Amazon.

Just got the Nuvi 750 here. So far it is pretty nice. Much easier than the old Ique and has much faster rerouting capabilities. Oh, and Karen is pretty nice too.;-)

Just installed these on all my cars. Never going back to the stick me on my windsheild type again.

Love em. GPS, DVD, Bluetooth, Ipod, radio all in one.

http://www.mp3playerstore.com/player/1-DVD/IN-657GPS/front2.jpg

where did you get the innovatek unit?

yeah definatly listen to the locals. my dad has a magellan gps similar to mine. last time he came down to visit, i gave him directions back to the freeway, which used a couple newly constructed roads that were not yet on gps maps. he chose to listen to his gps and go all the way through town and ended up sitting in traffic for 40 min :roll:

tomtom one xl-s

Sears had the Sony on sale for $80 today; going to pick it up now- will post later how it is . . .

Road Altas.

Map and compass. I really like my friends factory unit in his Odyssey. It is really easy to use.

Works for me. Gave my Garmin to my father-in-law and I haven't missed it since.

Well I got a new GPS for Christmas. It's the Nuvi 880. With speech recognition remote control. I tell it where I want to go, and it tells me how to get there!

I'll let you know how it works !

Dom

Works for me. Gave my Garmin to my father-in-law and I haven't missed it since.

I second that. I love the 3G.

To all The Nuvi owners out there>>
Is there anyway to have these thing take an alternate route?
Some of the routes it chooses are just plain crazy.
I have tried switching options from Fastest, Traffic, Shortest, etc, with no luck...

I have a Mio MOOV 500, in 3-D I love it, just got it for XMas

iPhone 3G

http://www.techdigest.tv/apple-iphone-in-hand-thumb.jpg

Well I got a new GPS for Christmas. It's the Nuvi 880. With speech recognition remote control. I tell it where I want to go, and it tells me how to get there!

I'll let you know how it works !

Dom

Does your better half know she's been replaced?

I have the Honda GPS from H and A, which is a Garmin Nuvi 350 I think?

Garmin Legend HCx.

Waterproof handheld unit. Pack-o-cigs sized. Plays topo, navigation, and street maps. Best bang-for-the-buck if you use it for other than driving.

-Lule

Tom Tom One, Don't leave home with out it!!!

Hey Guys/Gals-

I'm in the market for a GPS system for my El. Been looking at several different brands of Mobile GPS. Since they cost a couple bones, I thought I'd see what some of you have with some pros/cons. I've looked at two or three different Garmins, Magellan, and Navigon. Haven't seen too much I like in Tom Tom. So let's hear what you've got, and some pros and cons. I'm looking for something with a 4"x3" screen, and a touch screen. Dead reconking would be nice, but not a requirement. I'm shopping in the $200-$350 dollar range if that helps! Thanks.

Kyle

love my TomTom.

I use a Garmin Nuvi 350 and love it. I also bought one for my son and his wife and another one for my wife. It has since been discontinued.

Several friends in one of my Miata clubs have the Nuvi 760 and like it very much. Amazon has a good price on this one but I don't know if it might be one that is being discontinued. Here's a link:

Garmin Nuvi 760 (http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-760-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Automobile/dp/B000UX9YJ0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1234979015&sr=8-1)

Prior to my Nuvi 350, I had purchased 2 handheld Garmin GPS units for kayaking, one about 14 years ago and I updated that one about 5 years ago. I've never had any problems with any of my Garmin products.

I really like my Tom Tom ONE XL, but never used anything else.

There are lots of other threads on this too that can guide you.

I use Magellan and my wife uses a Mio. The Magellan 3100 is pretty good, and you can customize it online with the CD it comes with... you can also download uploaded maps from the Magellan website.

The Mio is really good with a lot more points of interest (POI), but at the same is a bit less user-friendly than the Magellan. If you want a reliable, easy-to-use GPS sytem, I'd go with the Magellan brand.

I'm on my 4th GPS, this one is a Mio 310x. y far the best basic GPS unit I've had.
I've had Garmin, TomTom and Magellan and my current unit will hold it's own against competitor units costing $200 more.
Mind you I bought this one about 2 yrs ago, prices have since fallen.
Though I have heard great things about current models from Mio.
http://www.mio.com/gps-navigation-products.htm#

You could check out GPSinformation.net (http://gpsinformation.net/) and if you are leaning toward a Garmin Nuvi look at Garmin Nuvi GPS Tricks, Tips, Work Arounds, Hints, Secrets and Ideas (http://home.comcast.net/~ghayman3/garmin.gps/index.html).

There is a reason that Garmin is the 800lb gorilla in the GPS receiver market.







Oh, I have a Garmin Nuvi 255W. Love it!

i have a TomTom from a few years back and a Garmin 350. the TomTom has internal hard disk, the Garmin uses flash. i prefer the Garmin, maybe because it's newer and more compact. i can connect the TomTom thru bluetooth to my phone, so it satisfies the hands-free requirement here in California. recently used the Garmin on trip from SanDiego-Tahoe-SanDiego and there was at least one interchange that was not correct, even though i have updated the Garmin to latest available. the interchange was recently constructed. i recall having similar issues w/ the TomTom, but haven't used it recently.

iPhone 3G that uses google maps!!

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5174/picture8d.png

Just got a Navigon 7200T. Have used it for only a week and it works great. It has bluetooth, lifetime traffic, Zagat ratings and voice address entry. So far so good for $200 from J&R music.

Garmin Nuvi 265 and my work Blackberry Curve 8310, these are so much better than the Avic-D3's Navi IMHO.

GARMIN
1. because it works and..........
2. Because they are made here @ the center of the Universe

Kenwood DNX 7100

I use the retro GPS for directions----Rand McNally Road Atlas----I enjoy the hunt:D

G1 Phone using Google Maps...works like a champ and I can use the sattellite view mode from Google for terrain views.

Love this phone...

I made mine out of paper - I cut a circle out of it and when I look through it, it shows the exact location of where I'm at :)

I made mine out of paper - I cut a circle out of it and when I look through it, it shows the exact location of where I'm at :)

Pretty sure there is a zoom feature you can get for that model now, too.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 205 paid $79. for it so i got two of them for each vehicle.:D:lol:

Ya, the poll needs multiple choice answers. I started out with a built-in desktop sized win3 computer with a big CRT display and a big yellow Delorme GPS receiver about the size of a thick paperback book. Switched to a laptop and more Delorme software, then switched to MS software when Delorme's reliability fell apart. That was supplemented by a low end Tom Tom for convenience and then the Tom Tom was replaced by a Garmin Nuvi750 because the Tom Tom maps were as almost as bad as the Delorme.

I still use both the Nuvi750 and the MS software on laptops depending on whether or not I need sheer convenience or more map detail. Features and bells and whistles are fun to play with but the bottom line on choosing any system is whether or not the line on your map matches the pavement in front of your bumper. Watch for maps that come from a good mapping service like NavTec instead of in-house stuff.

i have a BROKEN magellan maestro 4250... it cost like $400 not too long ago... (the new one is the 4350 i believe). their cust service sucks, they do not fix/repair broken models BUT will buy your broken model and sell you a USED or new model at a reduced price... such BS. i told them i will keep my broken piece of junk and buy a GARMIN since they are rated #1 in consumer reports and other places....

Do NOT buy MAGELLANS people!!!!!!........... :-x

Okay, finally had to upgrade (3+ yr old maps and I'm going on vacation...)
I just got a Pharos 200 series GPS unit. I've run with Pharos before on my Pocket PC and they've been bulletproof in reliability. I found this unit NEW for under $63. I'm still getting used to it, first thing I did was dash mount it next to the Mio, to compare accuracy. I like it so far. Very accurate, but now I have to learn the fastest method to programming it and all the little shortcuts I had memorized on the Mio.

The teaser on the news this morning -a bill in New Jersey to ban use of GPS systems in vehicles.

Real story... A bill to ban any manipulation of GPS systems while in motion which apparently includes "while stopped at red lights" etc. It'd be illegal to stab your finger at the screen for any reason unless you pull over first. It'll still be fine to do anything with units that have voice recognition instead of using your fingers. So, how many of the users in this survey have GPS units with speech recognition? My limited experience with this was that trying to work through voice recognition menus meant taking your eyes away from the road a LOT more than simply reaching over and touching the screen once.

I just had a look at the latest Garmin to use speech recognition and you STILL Have to push a button first to activate it.

That would be a hard one to enforce. A cop would have to see you actually pressing the screen. Not to mention the cops in our area all have GPS units on their dashes as well as the Taxi Cabs. They might as well make it illegal to change the channel on your radio or adjust the AC. Don't forget about setting the cruise or reaching for that hazard lights button when the cop pulls you over.:D:rolleyes:

The enforcement really needs to focus on existing laws first.

My GPS does not have the voice recognition system.

Real story... A bill to ban any manipulation of GPS systems while in motion which apparently includes "while stopped at red lights" etc.

This doesn't bother me too much, unless it detracts from the much larger culprits. Texting/e-mailing while driving should be punishable by hanging.

I have the simple Magellan Maestro 4250, 2 years old.
It cames with Voice Command and Control (sometimes it'll turn on in traffic while I'm cursing and I don't know why?), AAA assistance Point of Interest @ lest 5 million or so, 4.3" screen, Bluetooth use?

That would be a hard one to enforce. A cop would have to see you actually pressing the screen. Not to mention the cops in our area all have GPS units on their dashes as well as the Taxi Cabs. They might as well make it illegal to change the channel on your radio or adjust the AC. Don't forget about setting the cruise or reaching for that hazard lights button when the cop pulls you over.:D:rolleyes:

The enforcement really needs to focus on existing laws first.

LOL +1.... so glad i don't live in the Armpit of America...... :twisted: