Tips on Buying a Portable Navigation Device

[FrayAdjacent]

If you want to go with a dedicated unit, check out buygpsnow.com. They have many GPS nav systems available. Find what's in your price range, then read some reviews.

I'd probably go with something that has maps on a removable SD (or other) memory card, and that allows you to update maps online (preferably without paying for a subscription).

One common problem with almost every GPS unit/system/software I found is that most map sources are out-of-date in some areas. It's just a fact of life given construction and the like. So whatever you get, don't be upset or surprised if you ever come to an area that isn't on your maps!


Personally, I went with a PDA and Bluetooth GPS receiver. Buygpsnow has bundle deals if you go this route, usually with the receiver and a software package. My plan was/is to wire up the GPS receiver in my storage bin behind the seats and just leave it there. The site had a great mounting device for the PDA I bought (Dell Axim X51), which powers it, and has an auxiliary plugin for the GPS receiver.

I use the PDA for several other things... it comes in handy when I'm traveling (I use my cell phone as a modem for it), as a portable music player, as a system for copying pictures from my camera's memory, and a vehicle information database. I found a neat little piece of software called 'Vehicle Manager' that tracks maintenance and fuel usage, and can give you quick stats on your economy, cost of ownership and cost per 100 miles. There's a desktop version that can be synced with it, too.

For the software, I went with Infogation's Odyssey Mobile. It's a good navigation software that runs great on the PDA and was easy to set up. Maps are divided by state (some whole states, some large states are split, and some small ones grouped together), and are easily added and removed. This software is VERY easy to locate addresses with, and it has a HUGE POI database that is relatively easy to search through. A couple drawbacks, though: It doesn't allow waypoints, and the voice prompts do not speak street names. Infogation is working on improving it, though.


Anyway, I hope I've helped a little bit!

[Jonesy08054]

I got a TomTom G0510 last year. I think that it's a great unit. The thing that did it for me was after going into Best Buy or Circuit City and just mess around with one in the store. Whichever one you think is easiest to use and the easiest to read/understand for you is the one you should go with. Each brand will have it's little things that are special to only that brand. for instance, mine is blue tooth capable with my phone. I've never used that feature, but it's there. I'd recommend the TomTom, but then I've never had much experience with the others. The TomTom just made sense when i was messing around with it.

[NickCats]

Bill,

Check out the September 2006 issue of the Chicago Scene :

http://www.pca-chicago.org/?getpage=9

There is a good article on Page 32 regarding GPS units.


I received the Garmin StreetPilot i5 for Christmas and have been very pleased :

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

Hope this helps...

Nick

[Frank Patrick]

question- do you use an external antena?

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by Frank Patrick

question- do you use an external antena?

Newer SiRF III chipsets are sensitive enough to generally not need an external antenna.

[ChrisZang]

I have a Garmin c510 mounted at my windscreen.
The internal GPS antenna is so strong that the unit actually works in my garage (wood shingle roof), so no external antenna needed.
The Garmin c510 has real time FM traffic alerts (and calculates your actual arrival times based on delays)

[ddb]

I've had my Garmin NUVI 350 for about a year and love it. It is a little larger than a deck of cards. There's a NUVI 360 available that can be synced with a Bluetooth phone and a NUVI 660 that has a larger screen and the ability to transmit the audible directions via a RF signal to specific radio stations, I believe.

It is tough if not impossible to hear the audible directions with the top down, but that isn't a major problem once you are familiar with the display. I can use it just fine by looking at the display without any audio, and sometimes choose to just listen to the audible directions and not use the display when the top is up or in my other vehicle.

From what I've read, the NavTech maps on the Garmins, and other brands, are better in the US and the TeleAtlas maps on the TomTom models are better for Europe.

My NUVI 350 will operate for about 2 hours on battery power. For most uses this is sufficient for me so I don't have to drag around the power port cord. It can also be charged via AC power.

The small size makes it easy to throw in a carry-on bag during air travel.

I bought mine from walmart.com who had the best prices a year or so ago. I actually found some better prices at other online stores, but I wasn't familiar with them and felt more comfortable buying from a larger, known store.

Hope this helps.

ddb