Best portable nav?

[soareyes]

My newer Garmin unit speaks the street names ("turn right on Main Street"), which I find is much easier to follow if you are in a congested area, where "turn right in 100 feet" may be confusing if there are several roads ahead that are close together. Garmin's web site lists which of their units have this function.

[BimmerDob]

Picked up a Garmin nuvi 270 for a recent Europe trip. Worked like a champ.

[ck_az]

TomTom led the way in personal navigation and Garmin has tried to catch up. I would say at this point Garmin may have passed TomTom. I own the TomTom 920 but be sure to check all of them out. Again personal preference goes a long way with these things. I have used my TomTom in the states and Germany and it works pretty well. Battery life is terible though. They advertise up to 5 hours and that is complete BS. Be prepared to have yours plugged in most of the time.

[buellwinkle]

Most navs are the same and they all use either the superior Navteq maps or ones from TeleAtlas (TomTom and Mio, although I heard they started using Navteq on their newer units) yet they all will find a different route to your destination. When you pay for a fancy model you will get features that have little value to many. For example, bluetooth, waste of time because it's not a good BT and they are not loud enough or another one is the ability to store and play MP3 files. The most useless feature is the one with wide screen display, woohoo, bigger screen but it's bigger sideways, not the direction you are going. If anything you would want a tall screen. About the only slightly useful feature on more expensive units is that they speak the name of the street that you are turning at vs. saying turn in 300'.

The way I look at it, portable GPS are rapidly changing and getting better. Maps are obsolete by the time you buy a unit, a few years later they become annoying. So I buy cheap, the least expensive unit that will do the job. If I get 2 years out of it I'm happy and when it breaks or gets too out of date I buy another. I travel with mine so it may get more abused than one permanently mounted in your car.

[MsJoanne]

While on topic, does anyone have experience with the relatively new Navagon? I really like the view it offers.

And geosat dude (sorry, I forgot your full name), does your post make XM a better choice over Sirius? Your post was a bit over my head.

[scdaf]

Not a lot of experience with GPS units, but the TomTom 1 works well for us, has good maps, fits well in the smart, is very easy to use AND gives directions and road names.

Think I just saw a refurb at eCost for $99, which makes it a great buy!

Probably are much better out there, but value/dollar, this is pretty good.

[geosynch]

Originally Posted by MsJoanne

While on topic, does anyone have experience with the relatively new Navagon? I really like the view it offers.

And geosat dude (sorry, I forgot your full name), does your post make XM a better choice over Sirius? Your post was a bit over my head.

Comparing Sirius and XM is a bit off topic, but I will say they are both my customers. While each system has its merits and demerits, I’m simply not going there.

BUT! The Sirius/XM merger was approved by both the FCC & SEC. At this point no one knows how or if the two incompatible systems will be resolved, but in the not two distant future, you will be able to buy radios that will play Sirius or XM. Think of it as having two radios in one box, instead of one system working with the other. Ultimately, the merits and demerits of each system simply won’t matter.

geosynch

[MCMarathoner]

Which of my children do I prefer?

I've used the major brands and each has its attributes and flaws. I don't think theres a lot of difference until you start upgrading the models.

26.2

[NuBiker]

I just wanna share - why I love my portable Garmin GSMAP C60CS (I think that's the model). I can plan a trip in my computer, and load it into the GPS unit.
I use a RAM mount, I use it in two cars, and also it mounts on my motorcycle.
It's nothing fancy - it just beeps - no voice prompts.
Best regards,
Nu

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by buellwinkle

............The most useless feature is the one with wide screen display, woohoo, bigger screen but it's bigger sideways, not the direction you are going. If anything you would want a tall screen..........

Actually about 75% of the time I use the North Up versus the 3D viewing option which in my case is most useful. It always seems like we're traveling west to east, east to west and for me, I was brought up reading paper maps like most here so I find it easiest to visualize exactly where I'm at.

Seems most people prefer the 3D way though.