Topic: GPS systems explained for idiots

[SuperSlideStyle]

OK so I got this tax return coming and along with tires and full skids that I'm getting, what can you guys tell me of GPS shopping.  I'm cutting it kinda tight so I don't want to spend too much.  What features/accessorie should I be looking for and how do you updated it with the the other thread on POI's found here elsewhere? 

[Blackx]

Are you looking for handheld or one just for the vehicle?  The Garmin Nuvi 760 seems to be really popular amongst our community.  I have the Garmin 60csx and don't really recommend it because the screen is too small to see while driving.

[Paul]

Get to Frys or Best Buy where you can eyeball them.

I've been using Garmins for about seven years now and really like their user interface. My older eyes need something simple, fast to read, and a 3.5" or bigger screen. I like the voice to call out the name of the street vice just saying "turn right in 250 feet". There are locations where the streets are too close together for me to science out but when the voice says "turn right on Maple street in 250 feet" I'm golden.

I have the Garmin 660 now with bluetooth and traffic updates. If you travel LA the traffic updates are nice as it will show the locations of accidents and recommend the side streets needed to get around them. Bluetooth is now a requirement for cell phone use so I was good to go.

For off-road the thing is lacking even with the topo maps as Garmin only has the 100,000:1 maps and you really need the 12,500:1 maps to see enough detail.

[qajaqbob]

You're not limited to the Garmin Topo maps with the Garmin GPS units.  Here's a free loadable California topo map, 1:24K. 

I've loaded it on my Garmin 780.  You may want to use an SD card.   If your nuvi is updated with the latest firmware, it will accept SDHC cards as well as SD cards (so you can get more than 2GB).

I use a 700-series GPS with the Nissan GPS dock.

I'm sure the maps would be loadable on a 600-series nuvi as well.  I think the SD/SDHC card situation is the same.

[fleury123]

Get to Frys or Best Buy where you can eyeball them.

I've been using Garmins for about seven years now and really like their user interface. My older eyes need something simple, fast to read, and a 3.5" or bigger screen. I like the voice to call out the name of the street vice just saying "turn right in 250 feet". There are locations where the streets are too close together for me to science out but when the voice says "turn right on Maple street in 250 feet" I'm golden.

I have the Garmin 660 now with bluetooth and traffic updates. If you travel LA the traffic updates are nice as it will show the locations of accidents and recommend the side streets needed to get around them. Bluetooth is now a requirement for cell phone use so I was good to go.

For off-road the thing is lacking even with the topo maps as Garmin only has the 100,000:1 maps and you really need the 12,500:1 maps to see enough detail.

I can verify Paul has a good GPS. I could see it from behind when on the trail on many occassions. But knowing PAUL it is top of the line, with a back scratcher to boot

[ultrapc40]

You really have to test the unit at the store to see what you like.  What I find useful might be different than others.  The user interface is the most important.  I like my Garmin 60CSX because it was the best handed held and had great reviews at the time of my purchase.  Granted, it doesn't have sexy voices like most other units...  If you stay with a name brand, you are golden most of the time.

[XterracerX]

I second the motion on the Garmin 60CSX. For road trips, off-road, hiking, kayaking & geocaching.

Currently they have a Garmin 60CSX Bundle for an amazing price of $389 which include accessories and a TOPO DVD map ($100 by itself). Expandable with SD card and super sensitive antenna. I traveled Europe (London & Paris) with this thing in my cargo pants (polyester) and tracked the bullet-train at 186 mph with no issues.

I got the suction mount and just mount it on my RPM gauge cluster when I'm using it. Using suction mounts on your windshield is unlawful now in California (just an fyi...).

[qajaqbob]

I got the suction mount and just mount it on my RPM gauge cluster when I'm using it. Using suction mounts on your windshield is unlawful now in California (just an fyi...).

Actually, it was recently legalized in California (as of January 1, 2009).  It used to be unlawful, but now you can mount it in a 5 inch square in the lower left windshield, or a 7 inch square in the lower right.  Still not legal in the center of the windshield, though.

[Blackx]

The Garmin Nuvi 760 seems to be one of the highly recommended GPS systems and works especially well with the integrated docking system on the Xterra.

It's currently on sale for $199 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldbox/ref=pe_36550_11331620_pe_00_head

[Blackx]

I second the motion on the Garmin 60CSX. For road trips, off-road, hiking, kayaking & geocaching.

Currently they have a Garmin 60CSX Bundle for an amazing price of $389 which include accessories and a TOPO DVD map ($100 by itself). Expandable with SD card and super sensitive antenna. I traveled Europe (London & Paris) with this thing in my cargo pants (polyester) and tracked the bullet-train at 186 mph with no issues.

I got the suction mount and just mount it on my RPM gauge cluster when I'm using it. Using suction mounts on your windshield is unlawful now in California (just an fyi...).

That's a great deal.  I highly recommed the TOPO.  Without it the detail is very 1 dimensional.  I use it for hiking and tracking trails, etc.  My only complaint is that in the car the screen is too small, and I have really good eyesight.

[Oz]

I've had this one for a coupa months:
Kenwood DNX-5120 DVD Navigation Receiver



I love the unit and how its integrated w the stereo so its built into the dash (less clutter in the cockpit). The garmin is first rate and with a 7.1 display its easy to see while driving. Orig retailed for $1100 I got a great deal on ebay for 550. Some refurbished ones are around 450. Easy to d/l custom pois as well.

[fleury123]

That's a great deal.  I highly recommed the TOPO.  Without it the detail is very 1 dimensional.  I use it for hiking and tracking trails, etc.  My only complaint is that in the car the screen is too small, and I have really good eyesight.

Someone  while in Mojave Road showed me a set using this and a laptop as the display. It looked really good to say the least.

[SuperSlideStyle]

Ok, now If I was on a budget, looking for something no smaller than a 3.5" screen, what should I get?

[qajaqbob]

Ok, now If I was on a budget, looking for something no smaller than a 3.5" screen, what should I get?

What is your budget?

Costco.com has a couple of good deals right now - a Garmin 260 for $129.99 (3.5"), or a Garmin 750 (4.3") for $199.99.

Personally, I think the 750 is worth the price difference.

[FrankB]

I have a 750 and a 60CSx.  The 750 is a bargain at that price, I paid a bit more for mine last summer. It works really well, as long as you don't need to have integrated bluetooth and radio traffic reports included in the same unit.

One of the best things about the 750 is that it is the least expensive Garmin unit you can get that will allow you to build and save routes with multiple waypoints using just the unit itself (as opposed to creating a route in MapSource on a PC, then uploading it to the device, like you can with a 60CSx). With the lesser ones you are stuck with only being able to specify the start and finish points (or, on the really low end ones only the end points) and having Garmin pick the route for you. This worked great for me on our last road trip since I was carrying a MacBook instead of a PC, so I could not connect to my 60CSx.   

I am very happy with the 750 for auto navigation. The only thing I miss from the 60CSx is the altimeter. The maps are identical if you buy City Navigator and upload it to the handheld (60CSx), but much easier to see on the wider, brighter 750 screen. The voice prompts on the 750 are satisfactory. I find the American girl's voice somewhat annoying, so I use either the English girl (Emily) or the Italian girl. One time when I was not looking Heather switched it to the French guy, but that did not last long.