Complete novice seeks info about an automobile gps

I am thinking about getting a gps for my car. I really don't need one,
but with prices having fallen to reasonable levels, it seems to be a nice
toy to have.

Any suggestions for a unit that is under $300. I noticed the Garmin I2,
which seems to be about the cheapest. I also saw the Megellen 700, which
is more, but looks nicer.

The only timesI ever used a gps unit was on two Hertz rentals, and I did
enjoy it.

Any advice would be welcome.
--
Jerry Bank
Trenton, New Jersey
Music is the language of the gods.

Jerry, you will get all sort of opinions, most of them saying the one
they bought is the best.
I bought a Magellan 360 for my parents. $312 after rebates.
It works fine, good screen. The only minor quibble is it doesn't tell
you "Turn!" close enough to the street. It says "In 200 ft Turn on XXX
street". I think it gives you a couple of tones at the turn point, but
no "Turn right on XXX street". No big deal unless you are in busy
traffic in a congested area with lots of side streets.
http://www.gpsinformation.org/penrod/rm360/rm360.html
$400 in retail stores like Pep Boys

Today I got a Teletype Worldnav 3100, $324 after discount (code HOLIDAY)
too soon to tell about nav features, but its smaller overall than the
Magellan, and also plays MP3s, Videos, and JPG photos. It uses Windows
CE OS. Also has internal battery. I have not found as many features
for the money anywhere else. If the Nav works OK I'm good.
http://www.teletype.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?screen=prod&product_code=31002&category_code=

Next choice would be a PDA-based GPS solution. You can do that for
about $300 and have a lot more flexibility. Look at the Garmin iQue M4.

Lots of info here: http://www.gpsinformation.net/

Be aware that this market is exploding right now. Prices are dropping,
new models are coming out. This website doesn't appear to be keeping up.
My Worldnav is not listed.

If you are into forums try this:

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/default.asp?CAT_ID=2

If you are down to a choice between Garmin and Magellan, go with Garmin.

Hope that helps

Rex


Jerry Bank wrote:

Jerry Bank wrote:
Jerry Bank wrote:

Jerry,
It sounds like you can hold off, so I would. Good advice from Rex, and
I too see the market exploding (I saw four choices for dashtop units in
the 400-600$ range at Wal-Mart(!) yesterday). Right now less than 300
will get you around town but the features on more expensive units might
be worth waiting for.
One of the ways the big manufactures are getting people to buy the more
expensive units it to offer more than maps. Even if you know where you
are going, real time traffic data and entertainment features will make
your trip more safer and enjoyable.
Traffic is not a problem where I live but I have enjoyed the Bluetooth
handsfree phone feature and the audio book player built-in to the nuvi
I bought for my wife. My only regret is that the little speaker is
hard to hear and I wish I'd purchased a unit with FM transmitter that
integrades the GPS audio with my vehicle's stereo system.
I've told my wife to hold off buying me a dashtop unit. I'm probably
going to retire my PDA and cell phone and purchase a Pocket PC phone
with built-in GPS to run car navigation and entertainment
appilications. It looks like I can get a Windows Mobile device with a
good size screen for less than I paid for the nuvi. If I get it from
my cellular provider I'll have enough money left over for premium,
smartphone-based programs that Garmin and TomTom are offering.
I am convinced that being able to get maps and data on-the-fly is the
best way to go, but that's because I'm a data provider.
I hope this helps!
- Doug
More of my recommnedations at
http://www.travelbygps.com/articles/which_GPS.php

I just bought my 1st GPS recently-Nuvi 350. A bit more than I wanted to
spend but went with reviews, ease of use etc-hate to buy someting and
wish I had a better unit. Some cheaper units dont come with full maps
of the US and you have to add states and or dont speak street names
which I feel is a big plus.Traveled to Delaware, Philly and Pa area
from Ma and worked great, even when I ignored its instruction and
turned off the route it got me back where I should be headed.