paarman97maro

Ive been thinking about getting one for a while, and I think once I pay off my tv in a couple months that Im gonna get one for this summer. Whats your guys opinion, I know Chad, you researched them for a bit, so whats everyones takes on brands, what models do you have, and how much did you pay?

ITSA6

TomTom kinda a basic model got it around $200-$250 works great only complaint is that the window stick thing does not stick the greatest. my grandpa has a garmin i will have to ask him about it

Jpcrazylegs

garmin c550, bluetooth and alot of great features.

97z2801ss

my buddy got tom tom one and he loves it

Bernotas05

Yea I might be looking into getting one soon also, I have no clue either what kind to get.

archemedes

garmin, or magelin, tom tom maps are garbage (I10 from Pensacola to New Orleans is not in them), and their customer service is horrible (had a guy buy a tom tom in april new maps released a week later they told him it was $50 for the update, he returned it got a garmin, and they updated the maps free)

paarman97maro

Yeah thats one thing I heard is that garmin has nice map updates, and theyre free.

Question, what is the software they use for the maps? is it related to google maps at all?

archemedes

similar, they may use the same base software, but each one has some differences

pentavolvo

Paar buy a garmin which ever one you can afford its your best bet nothing is better. If you dont then ill have to cut you off haha

Mike Jones

iTrader: (1)

Agreed, I did a ton of research and if you do the same you'll keep hearing about people returning their TomTom's because they keep failing. The Garmin I bought (Don't remember the model number) I couldn't find a single person complain about it or have to return one. I'm sure there were failures because nothings perfect but it is a much higher quality unit.

paarman97maro

I printed off the sheet of ones I get under accommodations, but I forgot it at work. Ill have to get it tomorrow

sman

Garmin Nuvi 350 or 360, the 350 is great thats what I bought for all the company vehicles, and for my mom. The 360 is the same as the 350 but it adds bluetooth. Both have an SD slot for viewing pictures and playing music.

code1145

I bought the base model Nuvi 200 Garmin from Amazon for $183 with shipping. I then bought a second for my wife's work vehicle. They are awesome for the price and map detail. I have been using mine every day for the last 13 days without a hitch. Free updates and free nice icons from their website. Has an SD slot and connects to PC with standard USB.

paarman97maro

Well heres what I have to choose from.. I havent looked into the specifics yet, but if anyone knows about or recommends one, let me know.

Nuvi 200
Nuvi 200 (Wide)
Nuvi 260
Nuvi 350
Nuvi 660
Nuvi 680 with MSN direct
Nuvi 750
Nuvi 760
StreetPilot c550

Also, do I need or have any necessity for the below? I thought you dont have to pay for garmin map updates?
Map Update
Garmin Mobile 10
GDB 50 MSN Receiver (680, 750, 760, c580)

And Im guessing none of these come with a friction mount since it gives me an option to buy one?

Chris Luongo

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, but I'vee been looking around this forum a lot for the past couple of weeks. Spring should be here in just a few weeks, and I'm sure I'll be here more often as I start doing more work on my '96 RS convertible.

paarman97camaro,

I've been doing some research on GPS units myself, although I've been looking at the installed models, that replace the original radio. I've found a few things:

It's not just the brand of the unit that should concern you, but what mapping software is used. There are only a few companies that do the maps, and some are far better than others.

For example, in my last car, I had a Pioneer AVIC-88-DVD installed, but I had also bought my father a Pioneer AVIC-S1 portable as a gift. For a couple of days, I temporarily stuck the AVIC-S1 in my car alongside the one I already had.............they're both Pioneer, but the routing they gave me for my trips was quite different, because the map/routing software is made by different companies.

There is a really nice message board for Pioneer users, which I'm not allowed to post a link because I don't have five posts here yet. I think if you do a search for AVIC 411 you should be able to find it. They uhave a LOT of knowledgable people there, and there's a special section for portable GPS units. I strongly recommend looking around there before making a purchase.