Advise for a newcomer to GPS

Even though I can usually get around pretty well, the lower prices of
gps units make them an attractive toy for me to get. However, I am
faced with too many choices.

I don't want to spend much money (no more than $200, preferably less),
I would like text-to-speech and I would like a unit that is both
reliable and easy to use.

I have seen MIO units for prices that are acceptable, as well as some
Pharos, though I missed out on Amazon's big Pharos sale. Of course,
these are not the most famous or popular brands. What suggestions can
you out there with knowledge and experience make. I don't much need
POIs, though I may later find them useful.

I also have another question. Where do you mount the unit. If it
would be on the windshield, it would have to be above the mirror,
since I couldn't reach it otherwise. What about the dashboard. Do
the mounting things attach securely to the textured plastic of the
dash.

I thank you all in advance for your advice.

Jerry Bank wrote:

Walk up to the display in the store and try out a few of the GPS units.
Make sure you like the display and if map/"3d" is important to you, make
sure it has that.

In my personal opinion, if it takes longer than 1 minute to learn how to
operate the basic functions of "where am I" and "get me there", the user
interface design is lacking. If I want complicated, I'll dig out the
big laptop based GPS/tracking etc.



Some units have a beanbag type weighted mount that allows them to be sat
on the dashboard. The problem with windshield mounts depends on whether
you live where Smith & Wesson theft protection is available to you.
They get stolen.

Get the current model of a low end unit from one of the name brand
manufacturers. Surf their website first and see how you would like
having to use that web site in the event there is a problem.