inexpensive mapping gps

[Soundguy]

I'm wanting to get my feet wet with a small gps.. say.. something with about a 3.5" screen, and preferably one that will speak the directions.

I'd like to find an econoy / entry model one in the ? 99$ range.

I have looked at a navman.. F15 model .. it fits that bill pretty close.. but wonder if anybody else has any suggestions.

i'm not looking for something that has a subscription service.. etc.. Just something to throw in the car with the wife. I had suggested one of the more $ ones like a garmin or magellen.. but she's not sold on them yet.. so i figure an entry model may start the ball rolling...?

soundguy

 

[WVBill]

Soundguy,

I bought a Magellan 4000 for me and my wife for Christmas and we love it. She's quite "techno-phobic" but she learned to operate it quite quickly. I would be concerned about two things in the economy models: 1) Technical issues - things like: ability to recieve the gps signal in all conditions, position/route calculation speed, map accuracy, etc. and 2) user-friendlieness of the user interface. These are the reasons I shied away from the low-cost off-brands and went with a magellan.

I frequent another board that is dedicated to gps discussions so check out this link and you may find more detailed reviews of gps units.
GpsPasSion Forums

Either way, DO get one they're alot of fun.

Oh, by the way - once you get it, NEVER leave it in the car. They've been the #1 target for car break-ins.

WVBill

 

[dgl24087]

Oh, by the way - once you get it, NEVER leave it in the car. They've been the #1 target for car break-ins.

WVBill

Amen to that statement, local rescue squad has had 2 GPS units stolen and one ambulance rear ended by a drunk driver, all in 2 days time!!

 

[kennyd]

I have a TomTom ONE XL, it's very user friendly-even my wife can figure it out The touch screen works extremely well, and the directions given are pretty accurate. Good deal can be had on them if you search around...

 

[Soundguy]

Does tomtom use a service / subscription?

soundguy

 

[shvl73]

The Garmin Nuvi 200 is on sale at Staples for $149. I've got a 2 year old Lowrance and I think the Garmin is nicer. I was real tempted. I'll wait till I'm back in NH and go look again. I'll save about $7.50 in sales tax.
One thing I look for, in addition to user friendly interface is, points of interest. Some of the budget ones will have 1-1.5 million. The Garrmin has 5 million. That's alot more options when you want to find a place to eat, restrooms, stores, etc.
I believe Garmin may update the maps for free. Maybe someone with one can comment. My Lowrance has software updates but, you pay for map updates.
Another thing is text-to-speech. Some have it, some don't. without it, you won't hear the actual street names, just "turn here". You will still get route #'s though.

 

[CurlyDave]

My wife & I have two Garmin units between us.

She has a c320, and I have a Nuvi 350. I Have read reviews of GPS units and I think the Garmin ones are some of the best.

If you buy one and it has old maps on it, Garmin will send you the current mapset free -- once. After that you are on your own to update.

I just got the 2009 mapset for my Nuvi and it was $70 at Wally World. The usual list price is in the $90-100 range.

If you buy one mapset you can not use it on a second unit -- you need a second mapset.

I also have one of their hiking/outdoor units. While it is theoretically possible to use a car unit for hiking, and vice versa, it is so inconvenient as to be not useful.

Last Christmas a friend got a c330 (older design) at Wally World for $129. I don't know if they have any more of these left.

Be sure to get one that speaks directions.

It is really good to have one where you can add your own points of interest. Even 5 million points of interest leaves out many gun stores, tool stores, and tractor supply houses.

 

[Wombat125]

Nuvi 200 is on sale at Cabelas for $139.

It speaks directions (turn left in 3 miles), but not street names. It's a great unit for the price and always ranks high in the reviews.

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks for the info guys.

soundguy

 

[RollingsFarms]

Thanks for the info guys.

soundguy

i'm glad you decided to start this thread because i have also been thinking about looking into getting one of these. i just am clueless about them, but am trying to learn. i'll be following this thread closely, so keep us posted on what you find out and if you purchase one!