Car navigation systems

[rickyp]

I am looking to get one of the car navigation system. I am looking at the tom tom and novi the ones that are less then $200.00
what is best Or is there  smoother one that  better for under the set price?

I was going to get one built in to my new truck but decided this would be a better way to go so I can move it from truck to truck.

[Siskiyou]

Suggest that you take a look on the Net for pricing.  Magellan, Garmin, and TomTom make good automotive gps units. Depending on the features you want or do not want will control the price. 

Features that were important to me:

1.   Built in battery.  My Garmin has a battery rated to last five hours.  The logic is that if I am out beating around on back roads and I get stuck.  I can use the unit to guide me while hiking out.

2.   Bluetooth.  I chose a unit that has Bluetooth and I can use my cell phone hands free with it.

3.   The ability to add waypoints to the unit.  My unit has a SD card slot, and I took a number of stored waypoints from my computer and put them on the card and installed them in my automotive unit.

4.   Mounting.  At least two States have laws prohibiting windshield mounts.  My Garmin has a dash mount.

5.   High sensitivity receiver 

6.   Plug for external antenna.  Last week we took my wife vehicle to the City.  I am not allowed to put a base on her dash so the unit set in the back seat.  This is not an ideal location for a gps but under less then idea conditions the voice gave us turn-by-turn directions to were we wanted to go.

From what I have seen Magellan automotive manuals are not to bad.  I have no idea about TomTom manuals.  My son loves his older TomTom.  A friend purchased a Magellan in a higher price range then what you are looking for.  I am impressed with his Magellan.  The Garmin manual for my c550 was nothing to write home about.

I have done business with  both these vendors:

http://www.tigergps.com/?GCID=C19426X001&keyword=1

http://www.gpsnow.com/garmin_nuvi_gps.htm

[Old English]

My wife got me the Garmin 255 for Christmas, she paid less than $200 for it online. This thing is awesome!! It does all the speaking the street name thing and is superbly accurate. Should you decide to change the route it also recalculates from where you are. There are all kinds of menus for finding bars, churches, more bars etc. When you're driving it shows the speed limit above your speed, has all the trip stats etc.
I didn't even have to read the manual, so simple a caveman could use it. I like the fact that you connect up to the net and get all new downloads as well.
The map is first rate, totally up to date. I live just South of Nashville and we grow sub divisions over night round here, they are already on the map. I just wish they'd stop building 

Anyway, the GPS unit is awesome, buy with confidence. 

[OLDHandgunner]

I've had a Garmin 260 for 6 mo. now. I'm no genius with electronic gadgets. But this unit got this old country boy from the backwoods of VT in and out of NYC & Manhatten several times this fall without an incident or delay. I'm a believer in this Garmin.

[doc_kreipke]

When one drives solo, it's really useful to have a unit that actually speaks the street names such as Old English mentioned. Apparently, not all units have that technology and just say something like "in X feet, turn L/R." Without it, I find myself tempted to look a lot at the display, which isn't safe, of course.

[OLDHandgunner]

The Garmin 260W talks to you & gives street names. It very helpfully when your by yourself, like was said before.

[Siskiyou]

Doc_kreipke:  I live in two or three GPS Worlds.  One of them is a gps designed for handheld use on the trail.  But the unit also serves other purpose if need be.  That is automotive, and marine navigation.  I have installed software designed for automotive navigation on a Garmin 76C and 76Cx along with Topo software. City Navigator software came installed on my automotive c550 Street Pilot gps unit.  One of the big differences is the c550 gives me verbal directions and I can have it in the back seat and take advantage of the verbal directions.

The 76C and 76Cx sound a tone, and directions show on the screen when a turn is coming up.  I can change the distance this happens by selecting different options in the menu.  The down side was I was tempted to check the screen every once and while.  This can lead to driver distraction.

Knowing the pros and cons if I had only one unit I would stick to the handheld with automotive software in it.  My wife is going to tell me where to drive for many years.

 

[OLDHandgunner]

  My wife is going to tell me where to drive for many years.

 

The good thing about the Garmin 260W verses the wife is that the Gramin has a MUTE button, the wife don't.
Hopefully the wife isn't reading these post.