My girlfriend wants a GPS. She is getting a new car next year but I checked on the packages for the cars she wants and they charge are crazy amount for the in dash gps units. She will use it occasionally but it is not something that will be an every day use. I want to get her a reliable one but on the cheap. Any help? Thanks in advance.
Need to find a decent GPS for cheap
- Thread starter DomLando
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Yeah, I wouldn't get an in-dash one. Updating the maps will be very expensive (on my dad's 2005 GS430, they were asking $250, not including labor) compared to mounted units. And, also, there's more convenience and flexibility with a mounted GPS. Updating the maps usually just requires purchasing a disc. The unit can also be used in other vehicles and even while walking.
You can wait until the end of September or beginning of October when Garmin usually releases their new models. Their older models will go on big discount. I'm sure the same goes for the other brands like Magellan, TomTom, etc.
I like the Garmin brand and have a Nuvi 660. 2 years and no problems.
And, there is always Black Friday!
You can wait until the end of September or beginning of October when Garmin usually releases their new models. Their older models will go on big discount. I'm sure the same goes for the other brands like Magellan, TomTom, etc.
I like the Garmin brand and have a Nuvi 660. 2 years and no problems.
And, there is always Black Friday!
[quote name='parKer']Yeah, I wouldn't get an in-dash one. Updating the maps will be very expensive (on my dad's 2005 GS430, they were asking $250, not including labor) compared to mounted units. And, also, there's more convenience and flexibility with a mounted GPS. Updating the maps usually just requires purchasing a disc. The unit can also be used in other vehicles and even while walking.
You can wait until the end of September or beginning of October when Garmin usually releases their new models. Their older models will go on big discount. I'm sure the same goes for the other brands like Magellan, TomTom, etc.
I like the Garmin brand and have a Nuvi 660. 2 years and no problems.
And, there is always Black Friday![/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info. I am trying to get one soon though.
You can wait until the end of September or beginning of October when Garmin usually releases their new models. Their older models will go on big discount. I'm sure the same goes for the other brands like Magellan, TomTom, etc.
I like the Garmin brand and have a Nuvi 660. 2 years and no problems.
And, there is always Black Friday![/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info. I am trying to get one soon though.
Malik112099
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I picked up a Garmin 255W from Best Buy not too long ago on sale for $160 and 2 weeks later got my wife a Garmin 255WT (or was it a 265WT?) for $180 from the same place. The lifetime traffic is nice and the ads dont really get in the way when they pop up. We had Magellans before that and the Garmins are MUCH better
I'd look into the Garmin Nuvi 205 or 205W. The W is for "widescreen." This model has the "Where Am I" function, which is good for emergencies. Because it is entry-level, it doesn't have text-to-speech, but it does have turn-by-turn voice.
text to speech - "Turn left on North Ridge Parkway West"
turn by turn - "Turn left"
The 255W that Malik mentioned is like a 205W with text-to-speech, which is why the 255W more expensive. Even though the 205/205W is one of Garmin's low-end models, it still has some nicer features compared to other brands' models in the same price range. Makes a great starter GPS.
Did a quick search and Amazon has the 205 and 205W for $120 and $140, respectively. Good luck!
text to speech - "Turn left on North Ridge Parkway West"
turn by turn - "Turn left"
The 255W that Malik mentioned is like a 205W with text-to-speech, which is why the 255W more expensive. Even though the 205/205W is one of Garmin's low-end models, it still has some nicer features compared to other brands' models in the same price range. Makes a great starter GPS.
Did a quick search and Amazon has the 205 and 205W for $120 and $140, respectively. Good luck!
m0rningbreakfast
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I bought a refurb TomTom 130S for about $50 after a $20 MIR from Amazon.com
It has text-to-speech on a 3.1" screen, comes with a dashboard mount, USB charging/data cable and cigarette lighter adapter.
Being a refurb, you are not entitled with the free for life updates like you would if you bought one at full price, but they do offer like 30-40% discounts for each year's maps. Luckily for me, my TomTom came formatted, and I talked to customer service and they allowed me to have the 2009 maps instead of what should have been last year's maps.
It has text-to-speech on a 3.1" screen, comes with a dashboard mount, USB charging/data cable and cigarette lighter adapter.
Being a refurb, you are not entitled with the free for life updates like you would if you bought one at full price, but they do offer like 30-40% discounts for each year's maps. Luckily for me, my TomTom came formatted, and I talked to customer service and they allowed me to have the 2009 maps instead of what should have been last year's maps.
Malik112099
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yeah..i suggest getting a widescreen....makes a huge difference and it is amazing how much more convenient text to speech is..works better than i thought it would....i also like my garmins over some other brands i have used because on some the distance to a turn only goes down to .1 miles while the garmins actually show feet once you get closer
[quote name='parKer']I'd look into the Garmin Nuvi 205 or 205W. The W is for "widescreen." This model has the "Where Am I" function, which is good for emergencies. Because it is entry-level, it doesn't have text-to-speech, but it does have turn-by-turn voice.
text to speech - "Turn left on North Ridge Parkway West"
turn by turn - "Turn left"
The 255W that Malik mentioned is like a 205W with text-to-speech, which is why the 255W more expensive. Even though the 205/205W is one of Garmin's low-end models, it still has some nicer features compared to other brands' models in the same price range. Makes a great starter GPS.
Did a quick search and Amazon has the 205 and 205W for $120 and $140, respectively. Good luck![/QUOTE]
COSIGN ON GARMIN 255W!!!!! TEXT to speech makes all the difference!
text to speech - "Turn left on North Ridge Parkway West"
turn by turn - "Turn left"
The 255W that Malik mentioned is like a 205W with text-to-speech, which is why the 255W more expensive. Even though the 205/205W is one of Garmin's low-end models, it still has some nicer features compared to other brands' models in the same price range. Makes a great starter GPS.
Did a quick search and Amazon has the 205 and 205W for $120 and $140, respectively. Good luck![/QUOTE]
COSIGN ON GARMIN 255W!!!!! TEXT to speech makes all the difference!
If you can wait until Black Friday these are always one of the most popular and most highly discounted items. We have a Magellan and I can't say I'd recommend it. Works great, but very short battery life and very infrequent updates. Garmins and TomToms sounds very reliable.
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