Portable GPS system

[ryanbph]

Due to some upcoming heavy traveling I will be doing, I was looking into getting one of the portable GPS systems. Anyone have one, or have a recommendation on which one to get. Looking for one that can get/dl the local traffic reports. Price isn't much of an issue as I will be using it as a tax deduction, I have a bunch of best buy gift cards and my bday is coming up. Thanks for any help

[Michaellvortega]

Im a professional Road warrior and I love my TomTom 300 unit. This by far was the best $300 I have ever spent. It shows me where ATM's/gas stations/restaurants/malls are, most importantly it tells me how to get to where I want to go visually and verbally. Not to mention easy to use. I recommend finding a store with a lenient return policy so you can try out some GPS units.

[JohnnyDrama]

I've been thinking of getting a TomTom unit for my car, sounds really good

[Michaellvortega]

I also use it to mark on the map, locations of people who have their Wireless networks open, so when I need to check the web I'm never too far from free net access.

[A7las]

For now I'm using my RAZR phone with VZ Navigator. I'm holding off on buying a standalone GPS system until I see how well the PSP GPS accessory works.

[ryanbph]

thanks for you thoughts Michaellvortage....anyone have any other opinions or is the tom tom the way to go?

[ryanbph]

afternoon bump

[Serpentor]

i got the MIO on Black Friday from Staples for $160 taxed. It plays mp3 and do the GPS thing (yes, it can play the music in the background). I used it for directions and no problems... Under the tunnel no signal though. And it tells to you make illegal (suicidal) u-turns on the big blvds so be careful...

Overall, not bad for the price... You don't have to upload the map, just open the thing and use it. Of course, if you want the mp3s, you have to install the software to transfer the songs (the software sucks!)

[GuyWithGun]

I've also been thinking of getting one of these, at least for a present if not for myself. I've talked to someone else who had a Tom Tom and they said they loved it.

They have a few TomTom's online that have mp3 capabilities too.

I have to say though, that PSP GPS thing definately has me interested. I can't wait to see what it can do and how it compares to other GPS navigators.


So I don't see any buttons or input devices in the pictures for the TomTom's... Do you have to have a computer to program in the destination and such? What happens if you decide to change destinations and don't have a computer?

[kaw]

I've always had good luck with Garmin GPS systems. I'm currently waiting for a good sale on the Garmin Nuvi 360:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Vehicle-Navigator-Personal-Assistant/dp/B000EXS1BS/sr=8-1/qid=1168022303/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8449350-2907206?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

[specialk]

may be a dumb question, but the tom tom doesn't have a monthly fee or anything does it? also, do you have to load maps or is it ready to go to show the restaraunts, wireless networks outta the box?

[ryanbph]

may be a dumb question, but the tom tom doesn't have a monthly fee or anything does it? also, do you have to load maps or is it ready to go to show the restaraunts, wireless networks outta the box?

you don't pay a monthly fee, unless you subscribe to the traffic updater. I believe it is a 3rd party that will send info to your gps to tell it where the traffic is so you can avoid it.

I am not sure about the loading of the maps, I believe they come either preloaded or with a recent cd to load all that info. The restaurants and other items on the cd/preloaded software should be there

[ryanbph]

I've always had good luck with Garmin GPS systems. I'm currently waiting for a good sale on the Garmin Nuvi 360:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Vehicle-Navigator-Personal-Assistant/dp/B000EXS1BS/sr=8-1/qid=1168022303/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8449350-2907206?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

I don't know how low you want to go, but major nelso had been talking about picking that one up, and when I looked at the price of it when he was talking about it, they were around $450 at walmart....this weekend best buy has the 10/12% off sale for reward zone memebers. Not sure if it applies to gps systems.

[chemical]

you don't pay a monthly fee, unless you subscribe to the traffic updater. I believe it is a 3rd party that will send info to your gps to tell it where the traffic is so you can avoid it.

I am not sure about the loading of the maps, I believe they come either preloaded or with a recent cd to load all that info. The restaurants and other items on the cd/preloaded software should be there

Another vote for TomTom...

Any of the recent TomToms all come with the maps and points of interest pre-loaded on an SD card or internal HD.

No monthly fees but you will pay data charges if you use your cell phone to download weather/traffic data.

[specialk]

how about the wireless points? with the RZ coupon this looks nice...and you can get handheld ones?

also what about updates? i noticed they take SD cards and have USB ports

[bulldog93]

I've had luck with Garmin's. Get a GPS unit with a SIRT III chip inside. Much more sensitive satellite chip that will not drop out in big cities, in tunnels, bridges, etc. Many different brands have GPS units with the SIRT III.