GPS for car

vickibocc · 11-15-2009, 02:37 PM

So I'm thinking about a GPS for Xmas but don't know much about them. I'm not looking to install anything in my dash. Just something for the windsheild or to mount on top of the dash. I definitely want spoken directions. And a budget of $200. Do you guys have any good ones to recommend?

derf · 11-15-2009, 02:47 PM

I own both a TomTom and a Magellan, and either of them are a good buy in my opinion, in fact you really cant go wrong with any f the big name GPS units, they almost all give spoken directions, and as long as the maps are newish you should never have a problem.

Any GPS that you buy for $200 is gonna be fairly basic, it will get you from point to point with no problems. The real cost comes when you want the extras, music player, sd card expansion, bluetooth, all that type of stuff.

The magellan I currently own is on sale at amazon refurbished for $100, it has most of the features of higher end units costing 3 and 4 hundred. All i did was to find a pirated set of the updated maps and I was set.

BobTheBiker · 11-15-2009, 02:49 PM

Garmin Nuvi series GPS units do very well, a 260 series will fit your needs nicely. I borrowed a friends unit once, and it was REALLY nice. they give great directions, although I couldnt hear it, but I attribute that to having both the windows down and a wicked wheel bearing humming from the car.

goof2 · 11-15-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickibocc

So I'm thinking about a GPS for Xmas but don't know much about them. I'm not looking to install anything in my dash. Just something for the windsheild or to mount on top of the dash. I definitely want spoken directions. And a budget of $200. Do you guys have any good ones to recommend?

I did some research when I got mine, but that was around 2 years ago. Things might have changed but everywhere I looked said that Garmin had the best maps and route calculation software. You shouldn't have any problem finding a Garmin Nuvi for under $200 that fits your needs. Getting one with the 4.3 inch widescreen will not be a problem. Shop the sales and you should also be able to get bluetooth (caller ID on the screen and ability to answer and dial calls from the unit assuming you have a bluetooth phone) and real time traffic capability (at a monthly cost) if you want them.

Rangerscott · 11-15-2009, 03:00 PM

Best Buy is gonna have the Garmin 205w for $99 on black friday.

goof2 · 11-15-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rangerscott

Best Buy is gonna have the Garmin 205w for $99 on black friday.

They will also have the 255WT (traffic, widescreen) for $129 with free lifetime traffic updates.

They have the 265WT (traffic, widescreen, bluetooth) for under $200 right now, also with free lifetime traffic updates.

neebelung · 11-15-2009, 06:21 PM

we've got the Garmin Nuvi 260w and love it. My parents and a couple friends have the same one, and have all been thrilled with it. Check Best Buy black friday specials for great deals on it.

Amber Lamps · 11-15-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vickibocc

So I'm thinking about a GPS for Xmas but don't know much about them. I'm not looking to install anything in my dash. Just something for the windsheild or to mount on top of the dash. I definitely want spoken directions. And a budget of $200. Do you guys have any good ones to recommend?

I just bought a Motorola TN30 from Radio Shack for $129 on clearance. It has bluetooth and all the bells and whistles so we'll see how it goes...

vickibocc · 11-15-2009, 11:28 PM

Yeah I mean I know I don't have a huge budget but I don't care about all the bells and whistles. I don't want an in-dash one because I'm planning on hopefully getting a new car in the near future so I just don't want the headache of installation and taking it out and possibly not working with the new car and things, a portable one will be fine. And because I'm not doing in dash, i don't care about backup cameras, ipod interface or things like that. Just the navigation and the bluetooth would be a bonus.

i think jarv and I will go to best buy and play around with them this week to see which one i like.

RACER X · 11-16-2009, 09:19 AM

really like our Garmin Nuvi, can't go wrong w/ that lineup.

11-15-2009, 02:37 PM	#1
vickibocc Meh Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South FL Moto: the backseat of an '06 600rr Posts: 220	GPS for car So I'm thinking about a GPS for Xmas but don't know much about them. I'm not looking to install anything in my dash. Just something for the windsheild or to mount on top of the dash. I definitely want spoken directions. And a budget of $200. Do you guys have any good ones to recommend?

11-15-2009, 02:47 PM	#2
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	I own both a TomTom and a Magellan, and either of them are a good buy in my opinion, in fact you really cant go wrong with any f the big name GPS units, they almost all give spoken directions, and as long as the maps are newish you should never have a problem. Any GPS that you buy for $200 is gonna be fairly basic, it will get you from point to point with no problems. The real cost comes when you want the extras, music player, sd card expansion, bluetooth, all that type of stuff. The magellan I currently own is on sale at amazon refurbished for $100, it has most of the features of higher end units costing 3 and 4 hundred. All i did was to find a pirated set of the updated maps and I was set. __________________

11-16-2009, 09:19 AM	#10
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	really like our Garmin Nuvi, can't go wrong w/ that lineup. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

11-15-2009, 02:49 PM	#3
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	Garmin Nuvi series GPS units do very well, a 260 series will fit your needs nicely. I borrowed a friends unit once, and it was REALLY nice. they give great directions, although I couldnt hear it, but I attribute that to having both the windows down and a wicked wheel bearing humming from the car.

11-15-2009, 03:00 PM	#5
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Best Buy is gonna have the Garmin 205w for $99 on black friday.

11-15-2009, 06:21 PM	#7
neebelung Ornery, scandalous & evil Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Moto: 2004 Scarlet R1 Posts: 5,962	we've got the Garmin Nuvi 260w and love it. My parents and a couple friends have the same one, and have all been thrilled with it. Check Best Buy black friday specials for great deals on it.

11-15-2009, 11:28 PM	#9
vickibocc Meh Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South FL Moto: the backseat of an '06 600rr Posts: 220	Yeah I mean I know I don't have a huge budget but I don't care about all the bells and whistles. I don't want an in-dash one because I'm planning on hopefully getting a new car in the near future so I just don't want the headache of installation and taking it out and possibly not working with the new car and things, a portable one will be fine. And because I'm not doing in dash, i don't care about backup cameras, ipod interface or things like that. Just the navigation and the bluetooth would be a bonus. i think jarv and I will go to best buy and play around with them this week to see which one i like.