Looking for some free advice. I am considering an "inexpensive" GPS for my travels to Crossfire meets. I have no experience with them, any suggestions? I have noticed that Garmin seems to be a favorite. what features are really worth it and which ones are just fluff? Keep in mind that what i use now is a $5 atlas from WalMart, which gets me where I need to go, I'm just ready to upgrade.
Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Look at an issue of Consumer Reports or you can join them online. They rate almost all of the GPS units. The 3 that they rate as a best buy on a budget are:

TomTom XLS $350.00
TomTom One 3rd. Edition $250.00
Garin Nuvi 200 $250.00

I'm going to get the TomTom XLS it not only verbally tells you to turn right or left like the others but also verbally tells you the street name. I borrowed my daughters TomTom One for our vacation and found it very easy to use. I'm not interested in the bluetooth or MP3 capability of the more expensive models.

comparemaster.com sells the XLS for $309.00 and theres no tax or shipping charge.

Good Luck

 

I have bought a number of GPS. I currently have a Gramin c550. It is an excellent GPS but Garmin tries to screw you over. The map data is 4 years old when you get it! If you want current maps (you need current maps) it costs $80 more! Really pissed me off.

 

Thanks for the tips and thanks for the current maps info, that is the kind of stuff I'm trying to find out before I buy one, it helps to know what to look for.

 

I have purchased 15 Garmins in the past 5 years (for my business). I currently have the one (1) Nuvi 200 and eight (8) C530s for all of my staff and both work cleanly, quickly and without hitch. The C530s we have used extensively in Europe by adding the card (SD i think) for the European maps and again, worked without a hitch - esp hand in Ireland with the "roundabouts" and such. I have never tried Tom Toms and simply stuck with Garmins because they always worked and were competitively priced. The 200 is great because of the huge screen and thin size - the only negative to the C530s has been occassionally coming loose and falling from the windshield because the suction cup broke a seal - funny though - never happens on the Xfire - only my american made fleet car - maybe too harsh...

 

I have some friends that have the Garmin Nuvi 350 and love it.
I noticed walmart.com and circuitcity.com have them on sale sometimes for $300.
I plan on getting one in the spring.

 

I got mine one year ago although it is now discontinued and replaced with a newer version. My wife and I have taken it all over the US on vacations and it is a great help. It will find virtually any place you want within 50 miles from your location. You can choose an address or lookup by selecting from a list of virtually any public place around. Malls, restaurants, gas stations, car washes, hotels, attractions and so much more.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=164&pID=362#

 

I love my Garmin 660! Sure it has it's quirks but it's been wonderful.

I have a buddy that has one of the new 200 series and he likes it as well. The big difference in the software is it doesn't speak the street names.

 

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 200W just before Xmas. It's very easy to use. I love it. The 200W is a new model with current maps. It talks to tell you when to turn, but does not say the street name. It was $223 from TheNerds.

http://www.thenerds.net/index.php

My Crossfire has the NAV built in, but I'll still take the Garmin with 5,000,000 points of interest programed into it.

Here's a link to compare all the models features.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

 

I also have a Garmin Nuvi 350, and I cannot honestly say enough good things about it. You can find them on eBay for ~250-300$, which isn't bad at all.

The best part about it is that it's very small, you might not think that a big unit would bother you, but I now know if I had boughten a bigger unit it would drive me insane.

My Garmin came up to date also with the latest maps, so I don't know what the previous poster was talking about. Just make sure if you buy it you know which maps it contains, it should say it somewhere on the box / ebay auction (if you go that route).

 

I have been useing a TomTom XL1 for almost a year. It came with USA and Canada already loaded,no extra maps to buy unless you use it in Eruope. Once a month or so you hook it up to the computer and it will upgrade to the latest maps. has a 4.3 inch screen making it easy to see,yet is slim enough to fit in your pocket so you can find your hotel if you are out shoping in a strange city??? Works OK for me. Have friends useing Garmin,Magelan they all work good it is just a matter of personal preference. Best Buy and Future shops are always running specials on them,just shop around, Lorne

 

Hi,

I have a Garmin Nuvi 200, and really like it...and wanted to know if anyone has used an aftermarket mount in the Crossfire...I believe I heard of one that clips onto the air vent.

I did not want to use a suction cup mount to the windshield, because of blocking my view.

I'm looking for something that is sucure and in good view. Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks

 

I have a Garmin Nuvi 650 and I love it!

 

I use a Navigon 2100 that has text to voice. Best $100 I ever spent.

 

I have a Tom Tom and love it... it even has a scottish voice to make me feel at home...

BAGPIPER

 

Just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 750 And so far it has been great.

 

I had the Pioneer AVIC N3 installed in my XF. The best past is that it hides the 7 inch screen in the dash out of view when not being used.

 

I'm no expert on GPS gizmos but...O.K. I'll confuse the issue. .

I have the Magellan Maestro 4040. Does everything I need and more.
It stays charged for ever, has Bluetooth. etc... These things are well worth having.
http://www.magellangps.com/

I think the Reality View feature of the Navigon is very nice too.
http://navigonusa.com/

The Navigon came out after I purchased my Magellan.

Good luck with the research Rick!

 

Yes, it seems like the more I research, the less I know what I want. I was checking out the Reality view, If I got one with that on it, I could go anywhere I want and never leave the garage

 

You really should go to a few stores and play with them all - it's like shopping for a hat, you need to find which one fits perfectly for you !