Mr friend just got the StreetPilot 2720 and now I've seen how useful GPS navigation really is, plus after getting lost in San Diego for two hours last weekend I'm now looking at options...



I'm looking for a GPS to get me from point A to point B, what are some good GPS units to get the job done? Color screen would be nice but that seems like it ups the price alot. Thanks...


I like my friends unit but it's pretty expensive...
His StreetPilot 2720

 

*Bump* how much was ur friends?
is this one that u can put an address in and stuff? touch screen maybe? I need one like the new 4runners have/any nav really. type in 2 adresses and GO!!

 

I picked up delorme street software for my laptop and a GPS mouse ... total was $90 shipped. Plug it into your laptop and your good to go.

I used it on a trip to Ct, with stop points in NY ... I'd say it was 98% accurate . some strets change, sometimes it takes a longer route .. but if you don't have anything else, I think for the price it's a kick ass program. very easy to use.

I also have alpine navigation unit in the truck, but that was close too a grand.

 

the other option is to do what i did... and get a gps/pda. it serves me quite well as a pda, keeps me in check on appointments, meetings, contact info etc... and has an awesome mapping/gps system (garmin's).

its a garmin ique 3200:



i got it cheap on ebay.. maybe you can do the same, or you can look at it as saving money by at least getting the pda part w/out paying for just a pda.

 

Thanks for the adivce Lee, that looks pefect. How is it mounted?

 

it came with a 3M sticky that says "do not use on dashboards" which makes NO sense.

so I used weak velcro which worked fine till it got hot out which lamed up the glue which makes it fall off now

so long story short, get a windshield mount, which is what I'm gonna do

 

good deals can be had if you look on froogle, ebay, etc. i got my garmin 60cs for about $100 less than most online retailers off of ebay.

windshield mounts: i've had two garmin ones now and the latest windshield mount *occassionally* falls off. nothing is worse than it falling off while driving.

on this last pismo trip, i had the good fortune to see noliwan's windshield mounted RAM mount. Man, talk about a windshield mount on steroids! he gave it a very good tug and this thing held firm. the suction part is just obscenely huge as compared to the garmin one i have. i'm still undecided whether or not i'm going to get the suction mounted RAM or a bolt-down version, but if i go the suction mounted route, its definitely going to be RAM.

bob

 

thanks for the info bob... ill look into that.

 

I have the Garmin StreetPilot-III (color) unit and it works well for me. Since it is now superceeded/discontinued, you can find some pretty good closeout prices on it on the web.

 

I have a garmin 76cs w/the maping software on my pc it is considered a marine unit, bought it originally for the MC but it works so well it stays with me in the car all the time, making hard mount for tacoma as we speak, the reason I bought this one was it is waterproof an under $400.00 checkout e-bay, and only buy acc. from the man of your unit

 

I use Delorme Street Atlas too. For an extra $30-80 you can pick up the topo software that goes along with the streets. Not going to be useful in San Diego but worth it when in the mountains.

Consider the cost difference between a dedicated GPS and the Delorme USB device and software. Huge difference. Take that difference and buy a cheap laptop to keep in your vehicle and now you have a Theatre, audio jukebox, and War-driving platform all with a colour screen twice to three times the size at the same cost of a all-in-one unit.

 

I have the Magellan Meridian color and love it. It can be mounted with a removeable mount and removed easily to take hiking. I take it every where I go...the mount uses suction cups and can be easily mounted in a rent car. VANNS.COM has them on sale for $319 right now...they are a very reliable authorized seller. You may be able to find one with the mount and maps for less than this on e-bay. Make sure the one you get has the ability to add memory.

 

If you have a pocket PC, or want to haul your laptop around in the passenger seat, the 2005 microsoft streets and trips has an optional GPS reciever. its under 100 dollars and I've had it for a while now...pretty good for the price.