GPS Suggestions???? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Wdhitch · 08-03-2008, 06:01 PM

I'm planning on getting the wife a GPS for her birthday and I'd like to know what your advice/suggestions on a system. My plan is to have it located on the left most air vent (Exactly like Cubefx's setup). I have absolutely no idea when it comes to these things so any advice would be helpful.

Thanks!!

Mods - I started this here with the thinking that it would be considered an interior modification... If it needs to be relocated please do.

Wdhitch · 08-03-2008, 06:22 PM

Where/how to mount it wasn't the point of my thread... I already have made that decision (secondary outlet is already installed next to the steering wheel)

My request was to get suggestions as to brands and models that would be recommended or advised against... Also what features should I look for or for that matter stay away from.

Oh... and I don't need quick help... her birthday isn't till the 26th so I have time...

Kermit · 08-03-2008, 06:26 PM

What are you CRAZY!? You never saw the WHAT GPS SHOULD I GET? thread?! Why didn't you use the SEARCH FUNCTION!? JUST KIDDING

though there is actually a thread on that from a few months ago.

I mounted mine exactly like Cube did as well. I also have an old Garmin Nuvi350 - Garmin is my personal favorite and I've had a Tom Tom as well. The latest top of the line Tom Tom does look appetizing. Not sure how to take apart a Tom Tom mount to make it clean and permanent.

MikeDCop · 08-03-2008, 07:30 PM

I have a Magellan Roadmate 1200 that I paid $150 for. It works great.

Last week I used my Dad's Garmin (I don't know what model) and it worked just as good.

Six one, half dozen the other.

I just wish the GPSs had a "pit stop" button that you can press to tell the GPS that you are just stopping for more coffee or to return the rental coffee and you don't need your trip rerouted.

GASHOG · 08-03-2008, 07:54 PM

I have been a GPS user for a little over 5 years. I got a Garmin Street Pilot III for my motorcycle for my first GPS, and then last year as I prepared for a cross country Cannonball Run in an antique truck, I bought a new Garmin. The SP3 had minimal memory and couldn't hold a lot of data compared to what's out there today. I bought a NUVI 650. I am STUNNED at how much information store this thing has and how great it is compared to the original SP3.

Since then I got my brother a NUVI 680 for Christmas last year. Its hard to believe that there can be so many improvements in just a short period of time but the differences are significant.

The NUVI 680 is an upgraded model from the 650 for sure. The 680 has blue tooth (handy if you have a blue tooth phone since the GPS now works as a HF phone setup AND it will auto dial waypoints, it has a subscription feature to avoid traffic delays and jams. That uses a MSN radio signal I think. The subscription is about $100/yr but if you live in a very congested area where traffic problems are common, it is DEFINITELY well worth the investment when coupled to something as powerful as the 680.

The information store in these GPS units today is overwhelming. Every street in the US is now in the NUVI high end models right out of the box. Easy to hook up to your computer through a USB connection, they can update with newest maps and waypoints.

How you use the GPS is a big aspect of which one to buy. If you are simply looking for telemetry such as a very sophisticated trip odometer, then the low end units for less than $200 are actually all pretty good. If you want blue tooth, and a list of restaurants with addresses and telephone numbers all organized by proximity to where you are right this minute, or movies with movie times, hotels, theater, attractions, and much more, then the higher end units will deliver large.

Decide how you will use the GPS and what features you want before buying then match your budget to your desires. If you have friends with portable GPS units, then talk to them.

The current max speed on my GPS is 724 MPH. I flipped it on while on a transcontinental flight a few months back when we were being pushed by 200 mph tailwinds just to see how fast over the ground we were going. I got stopped in my smart recently by a curious cop who looked at the GPS and his eyes bugged out of his head when saw the 704 MPH max speed. He asked if that was an error and I told him "no, but I was going down a long hill with a strong tailwind in the smart when I recorded that speed" and then laughed. He didn't think it was funny but I still do.

So to me, features are the driving force behind what you buy. List the features you would like to have and then go from there. It is amazing the places you will find within a few miles of your home that you never knew existed if you get one with pre-loaded points of interest such as restaurants, hotels, parks, etc.

They are EXTREMELY handy when you travel and frankly, I think a GPS is now as much a part of automobiling as a radio and heater are. Mine is either in my car or in my rucksack everytime I travel anywhere other than around town.

Good luck!

GASHOG · 08-03-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeDCop

...I just wish the GPSs had a "pit stop" button that you can press to tell the GPS that you are just stopping for more coffee or to return the rental coffee and you don't need your trip rerouted.

The Garmin NUVI models have exactly that feature, plus detour if you have an accident ahead or need to jump some issue on the road ahead.

MikeDCop · 08-03-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GASHOG

The Garmin NUVI models have exactly that feature, plus detour if you have an accident ahead or need to jump some issue on the road ahead.

Then my next GPS will have that feature. You don't know how grumpy the little woman inside my GPS gets when she has to reroute my trip. My wife is supprised that I would take directions from a female voice.

**jwight** · 08-06-2008, 02:37 PM

GPS Navigation Manufacturer - Mio Technology USA

Best bang for the buck out there IMHO; however, you may not find all the high end features on their products.

SylenThunder · 08-06-2008, 02:50 PM

I also have a Garmin... got the Nuvi 660. it has been absolutely priceless. and the best part of it is the traffic feature. subscription is about $10 a month IIRC, but it is more than worth it. follow it gets me home 15 minutes faster than I did before the Nuvi. A friend of mine and I tested it out. he followed the usual route, and I followed the Garmin. this was done at 5p.m. during heavy traffic. the drive was from work to school, and under good driving conditions is about a 15 minute drive, half hour in really bad traffic. I got to school 5 minutes before he did. It was amazing. Plus it does MP3's, audio books, video, bluetooth, and has the FM transmitter.

shack01 · 08-06-2008, 10:39 PM

I second the Nuvi 660. Excellent resource. Get it thru BuyDig or other internet site to avoid sales tax.

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