GPS Suggestions

[NJFred]

Hi all... I am interested in puchasing a GPS largely for use in an auto for standard navigational purposes. Also interested in Bluetooth wireless/speaker option for handsfree phone in car (some of these devices have this... but how well do they work?).

Beyond basic driving directions and blue tooth what other options have you found valuable. (e.g. those which run topo maps??)

Any thoughts or suggestions on make and model number would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[JW1970]

For car, I'd get a Garmin Nüvi that speaks (annoying but useful). I'm not familiar with the full-line and there are a bunch of models now. Get something with lots of memory (or expandable memory), a good base map, autoroute (they might all do that) and that you can load additional maps into (I think you can with al the Nüvi's). I've used one and they're great. They're small enough that you can pop it in your pocket too for foot travel.

 

[onemorecast]

For car, I'd get a Garmin Nüvi that speaks (annoying but useful).

Funny you should mention that. My sister, my niece and her two kids and I went to Letchworth State Park today and used her Garmin to get there. Now I just have to have one.

The voice was that of a British woman. A little boring but not as annoying as it could have been. I think I'll wait for the Antonio Banderas version.

 

[Scott]

Garmin makes very good GPS units. I have an E-trex Legend, but it's not the best for auto use, although I certainly use it for that. On long trips I made a portable mount system to put my Lowrance 334C sonar/gps unit in my truck. It doesn't talk to me, but it shows me where I am, and I might as well get some use out of it besides on the boat.

 

[podobed45]

not an auto based model. but i recently purchased a magellen ex. 400 hand held. great addition

 

[AKSkim]

Not an auto based model. But I recently purchased a Magellen ex. 400 hand held. Great addition

First I heard anything good about that one.
What in your humble opinion makes it such a "great addition?"

As always, more than willing to learn from the unwashed.

AK Skim

 

[sandfly]

I have a Lowrance I-Finder i use in the van and on trail...have had it all over the U.S., no complaints works great and they let me know of up grades...I even have a external antenna that plugs in the back for on the road...great reception...can put it on a boat too....

 

[flyin]

Fred,

Can't give you specific advice on a "regular" GPS, but I have a Verizon Wireless Samsung A-930 phone that include speaker phone and purchased a jabra bluetooth headset.

Verizon provides a GPS service for enabled phones for $10/mo which includes all updates, and which can be purchased for a day @ $2.99 if you don't want the monthly service... which I've done on several occasions since I have no need for continuous road GPS. The phone/service does an excellent job with turn by turn instructions...including the usual talk-ahead features (turn right and move to the left lane in order to turn left in 300 yards.. or some such thing). This service is all I could possibly want including "find-me" and "follow me" options as well as their extensive database of local businesses.

The jabra headset was inexpensive ($30) and works as well as I could possibly want, lasting over 10 hours talk time per charge. I've used the headset for the phone as well as VOIP through my computer and Yahoo messenger's phone service... particularly nice when in a mostly-listen mode on a never ending and boring conference call.

 

[patgiacomo]

You need to get a Garmin Nüvi. I had a minimum of 5 of them and they are the best. But you should get bluetooth tech it's great, and if you like music mp3 players are built into some of the units. Now on some models you can get the web if you need to, do E-mails and they also have traffic updates that will re-route if there's a problem on the road.

 

[NJFred]

Thanks ALL!

 

[NJFred]

Hey Guys.. just thought I'd let you know that I went with the Garmin 660. It had all the features both my Wife and I wanted.