[woodsyi]

This promotion got me thinking...

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=205583800&adid=17070&dcaid=17070

[Philistine]

I bought a Garmin Street Pilot 111 seven years ago, and still going strong.  This look a great deal, not sure how they handle map upgrades with this model?
The technology has moved on and all manufacturers look good today, but I would steer clear of add on navigation systems for other devices (for example I wouldn't consider the nav system for my Nokia tablet).

[BradJudy]

I recently bought a Garmin Nuvi 650 and really like it. 

When researching the buy, what I learned is that there are two companies making maps for these devices: Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ.  These are also the same companies making maps for web-based map/direction services.  NAVTEQ seemed to be considered better and it used by folks like Garmin and Magellan as well as the major online map sources (Google, Yahoo, MapQuest). 

I borrowed a friend's Garmin Nuvi 660 (the 650 plus Bluetooth) and tried it around town.  I liked how well it recovered from wrong turns. 

When visiting Atlanta a couple of months ago, we also used it as a kind of radius phone book (looked up closest restaurants, bookstores). 

The only complaint I have is that the map has been updated since a nearby ramp was reworked, so it gets confused while I'm taking that ramp, but keeping up with road changes will always be an issue with these services and devices.  Hopefully there will be some faster processes in the future. 

[koiman]

I have a Garmin 2720 that i bought 2 yrs ago and it still works perfect with the computer downloads for up grades.

[TheChairGuy]

After using NevRLost systems in Hertz rentals for a couple years, I bought a GPS a few months ago after a long search.

Consumer Reports had a test about 5 months ago that was very helpful 

Most of them have many more features than most (not all, of course) will ever need.  There are differences in mapping, chipsets, and LCD screen size - these things help you get somewhere.  The rest for the features  are oftentimes vast overkill (not for all of course, but for most).

The Garmin and Magellen (US makers) models have the best navigation (that is shortest route mapping on average).  The Tom Tom is 2nd best in this regard...but it's good enough that you will get to where you're going (good enough for me).  The Tom Tom XL (the one I bought) goes for only $249 now, has a good enough mapping strategy and chipset and works fine (the voice guidance and mapping is not as exact and intuitive as the Garmin's and Magellen's) and it has eye pleasing 4.3" screen.  The XL-S is $50 more and has street-by-name feature (a nice bonus for still under $300).

TomTom still has some teething pains in the US market, they are a Dutch company, but in only 2 years have grabbed mucho market share from the others. The 'final straw' reason I bought the TomTom was that it had maps of both US and Canada pre-loaded....where the others made you pay extra for Canada (I'm in Canada 2-3x yearly for business and will save $8 a day renting cars without NevRLost now).

I bought the TomTom even tho good friends of mine make the Nextar GPS units and I could have bought for $150.00 from them.  Nextar makes everything electronic photo albums to car radios.....I wanted to trust my guidance system to specialists in that arena. I want to get home or to somewhere...it's worth $150 for that peace of mind 

Lotsa' good choices out there - the trick is to not spend a whole lot and get the best choice for you.

John

[slbenz]

I currently own the Garmin C550 which is like the C330 but with the traffic report functions.  Having gone through several GPS units which include Lowrance, Magellan and TomTom, the Garmin C330 that you are looking at is a very good unit.  I had hard drive failures with the other manufacturers and TomTom which uses TeleAtlas as their mapping of choice is not as good as NAVTEQ which is found in the Garmin and Magellan units.  My Garmin C550 is over two years old and hasn't had a problem.  Updates are very easy to do with their update program included with the Garmin.  The only thing I don't like that much on the Garmin is that the voice turn by turn is not as clear as the TomTom.  TomTom seemed to get the pronounciation of street names more right than the other manufacturers.  Other than that, the Garmin I have has gotten me to my destinations many times without a problem.   

[bluewax]

I get lost going to the bathroom in my own house at night.

Garmin has changed my life... though completely robbed me of spatial learning.

[BradJudy]

The XL-S is $50 more and has street-by-name feature (a nice bonus for still under $300).

I forgot to mention, I consider the spoken street names to be a big feature.  I highly recommend it as it helps you to certain you're making the correct turns, particularly when there are two very close streets. 

[Wind Chaser]

After using NevRLost systems in Hertz rentals...

That system rocks!  Is it commercially available or is it exclusive to Hertz?

[nature boy]

Bought my brother a Garmin Nuvi 350 last Christmas, it is highly rated by CNET and
Amazon purchases.  He never goes anywhere without it.

You can now find these for around $250-270 online.  Amazon has them for
$249.95 w/ free shipping and 1833 customer reviews with a 4.5 star rating.

NB

[TheChairGuy]

After using NevRLost systems in Hertz rentals...

That system rocks!  Is it commercially available or is it exclusive to Hertz?

It's a Hertz only system....I believe it's provided by Magellen to them.  They've probably had it for 6-8+ years now in a good many of their vehicles.  The main plus'es over bringing a portable one with you is that the NevRLost is tucked out of the way from the front window (a portable unit is normally affixed to the front window and it's a little irritating there) and the voice portion of the NevRLost is hooked up to the vehicle's audio system (so vocal delivery is a little cleaner).

Anyway you use a GPS, it's such a stress reducer.  Especially when I get in at night somewhere I am barely familiar with, my drive is stress free to the hotel from the airport, for instance.  Really, nearly 100% stress free using a GPS.

I rate the GPS up there with the calculator on the list of first-rate technological advances (I'd rate it above the PC as I'm not so certain my life is better or easier using 'puters everyday). They are simply great to own and use...especially for a travellin' guy like me.

John

[woodsyi]

Looks like the least expensive Garmin unit that will call out street by name is Nuvi 350 at $249.95  shipped as Natureboy pointed out. 

My question:  Nuvi 360 is available at $275 shipped.  The only difference is bluetooth capability.  Is this feature worth the extra $25?

Magellan Maestro 3225 - North America with spoken street names is $199 at Costco.  Is this comparable to Nuvi 350?

[Wind Chaser]

Anyway you use a GPS, it's such a stress reducer.  Especially when I get in at night somewhere I am barely familiar with, my drive is stress free to the hotel from the airport, for instance.  Really, nearly 100% stress free using a GPS.

I rate the GPS up there with the calculator on the list of first-rate technological advances (I'd rate it above the PC as I'm not so certain my life is better or easier using 'puters everyday). They are simply great to own and use...especially for a travellin' guy like me.

They sure make it easy to get around somewhere you've never been, but I still prefer a chauffeur. However if isn't an option, a GPS can literally be a lifesaver.  They are an indispensable tool that can give anyone the confidence they need to go anywhere without the fear of getting lost.  I wouldn't rent a car without one unless I was intimately familiar with the area.

[IronLion]

Do you think Dan Modwright can hook you up with a tube power supply for one of these? 

[Tim S]

If you get the TomTom you can download extra voices to have Mr. T explain how he pities you if you don't turn left (and of course inform you that you are in fact a fool) . There are a lot of other voices but that's the only one I've heard and really, who wouldn't want Mr. T ordering them around?

Tim

[woodsyi]

Do you think Dan Modwright can hook you up with a tube power supply for one of these? 

Only if that will make the street name sound more clear with magical midrange.     BTW, I want female voice.  Which company uses female voice?

[Wind Chaser]

I want female voice.  Which company uses female voice?

NevRLost.

[woodsyi]

I want female voice.  Which company uses female voice?

NevRLost.

Magellan uses this?

[BradJudy]

    BTW, I want female voice.  Which company uses female voice?

Garmin (at least my 650) will let you pick male, female, US, British, Australian, and lots of other languages.  I think I have mine set to British female. 

CostCo currently has the same deal I got running again, Garmin Nuvi 650 for $299: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11237450&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1

It's a great price, but more than the lower model you mentioned.

[TheChairGuy]

I've chosen the Irish lass, Katherine, as my voice guide.  Very hot little accent, that Gaelic one....helps on those long drives to have some sultry sounding in the car with me 

If you get the TomTom you can download extra voices to have Mr. T explain how he pities you if you don't turn left (and of course inform you that you are in fact a fool) . There are a lot of other voices but that's the only one I've heard and really, who wouldn't want Mr. T ordering them around?

Tim