GPS Advice

[WisconsinRailfan]

Good Day All!

It seems I am always getting lost. So, I guess it's time to break down and buy a GPS. Can anyone recommend a unit to buy? Looking to spend $150 - $200 or cheaper. If not a specific model, what should I look for in a GPS, what features are a must have? Which features are gimmicks? A friend gave me a copy of TravelPlus for repeaters, so it would be nice if I was able to use it with the GPS, but not really a big deal if I can't.

Thanks in advance,

73,

Steven

 

[Justin220]

My advice

Good Day All!

It seems I am always getting lost. So, I guess it's time to break down and buy a GPS. Can anyone recommend a unit to buy? Looking to spend $150 - $200 or cheaper. If not a specific model, what should I look for in a GPS, what features are a must have? Which features are gimmicks? A friend gave me a copy of TravelPlus for repeaters, so it would be nice if I was able to use it with the GPS, but not really a big deal if I can't.

Thanks in advance,

73,

Steven

Within your budget, maybe these 2 Eonon portable GPS can be your choices:
eonon - 3.5 inch TFT LCD PORTABLE CAR GPS
eonon - 3.5 inch TFT LCD PORTABLE CAR GPS + USA-Canada
The factors you should consider is screen size, Map, USB & SD card support, ect, they're depending on your needs. But within your price range, Do you need a map included? If so, I recommend you the second one, since it has a USA map in it. It's much more convenient, you don't have to buy a additional map from other places

 

[K2QI]

Garmin is one of the best. Make sure whatever you buy uses the SIRFStarIII chipset or equivalent.

 

[iMONITOR]

Check out Garmin's Nuvi 265WT. Costco was selling them for about $200, Best Buy $219.

 

[mike_s104]

Good Day All!

It seems I am always getting lost. So, I guess it's time to break down and buy a GPS. Can anyone recommend a unit to buy? Looking to spend $150 - $200 or cheaper. If not a specific model, what should I look for in a GPS, what features are a must have? Which features are gimmicks? A friend gave me a copy of TravelPlus for repeaters, so it would be nice if I was able to use it with the GPS, but not really a big deal if I can't.

Thanks in advance,

73,

Steven

We have a Mio C520 and it was good for a while until the mpas got outdated and no updates are available from Mio. I since got an iGo version and updated maps for the Mio to use with MioPocket which makes the unit more usable and easier to use.

I bought a TomTom for my wife's parents and I liked it a lot more then the Mio and updates were free. I eventually bought a refurbished TomTom 720 for us and it's a LOT better then the Mio. Only issue I had/have with it is since it was a refurbished unit, the maps were only able to be updated for 30 days after you first connect it to TomTom's site. I got the v8 maps for a little more and can get updates for it now.

So, I would suggest maybe a TomTom with version 8 engine and maps. You might pay a little more, but you won't have to worry about updating it in the future. I'd stay away from Mio since their site is bad and unreliable for updates.

If you're not in a heavily populated area with traffic issues, I would not look at the traffic reports features. If you're looking at a TomTom, the 720 is nice. The 930 is the same as the 730 (updated 720), but adds some features like knowing which lane in a multi-lane road you're in. It might be a good feature if you're planning on driving through some large cities on some major roads (in this case, the traffic feature might be good too).

TomTom 720 on Amazon (I think it has v7 maps which is one version back):
http://www.amazon.com/TomTom-4-3-In...TCUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249146045&sr=8-1

TomTom 730 on Amazon. I think this one might have v8 maps. I believe its just an updated 720.
http://www.amazon.com/TomTom-GO-730...R6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1249146045&sr=8-10

 

[gewecke]

Thankgoodness for good old army compass! (Whew)!

 

[poltergeisty]

A female car navigator, or a GPS? :lol:

 

[JnglMassiv]

Any of the newest Garmin Nuvis are great. Look for one with a W in the model (the 4.3" wide screen) and with a model number ending with a 5. These recently came out and are packed with the latest stuff.

Tigerdirect/Comp-USA/Circuit City has some good pricing:
link

MicroCenter isn't bad either:
link

 

[mike_s104]

I think everyone has their favorites. For me (well, wife and I) we want no fancy things, updated maps, easy to use and one that plain works. I think all the GPS units have matured so they all meet our needs. You'll have to see what's best for you.

 

[WisconsinRailfan]

I went with the Gamain Nuvi 255w. It's a basic model, but has worked outstanding on all the trips I took this summer. I found it does an excellent job at recalculating, if the is a detour. A big plus for me was the larger screen, and it is easy to see no matter what the conditions, bright sunlight, or at night.

 

[mymman]

How do You Connect you GPS to your Uniden?

We have a Mio C520 and it was good for a while until the mpas got outdated and no updates are available from Mio. I since got an iGo version and updated maps for the Mio to use with MioPocket which makes the unit more usable and easier to use.

I bought a TomTom for my wife's parents and I liked it a lot more then the Mio and updates were free. I eventually bought a refurbished TomTom 720 for us and it's a LOT better then the Mio. Only issue I had/have with it is since it was a refurbished unit, the maps were only able to be updated for 30 days after you first connect it to TomTom's site. I got the v8 maps for a little more and can get updates for it now.

So, I would suggest maybe a TomTom with version 8 engine and maps. You might pay a little more, but you won't have to worry about updating it in the future. I'd stay away from Mio since their site is bad and unreliable for updates.

If you're not in a heavily populated area with traffic issues, I would not look at the traffic reports features. If you're looking at a TomTom, the 720 is nice. The 930 is the same as the 730 (updated 720), but adds some features like knowing which lane in a multi-lane road you're in. It might be a good feature if you're planning on driving through some large cities on some major roads (in this case, the traffic feature might be good too).

TomTom 720 on Amazon (I think it has v7 maps which is one version back):
Amazon.com: TomTom GO 720 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator: Electronics

TomTom 730 on Amazon. I think this one might have v8 maps. I believe its just an updated 720.
Amazon.com: TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator: Electronics

What GPS units have the cables available to connect to the out-of-date serial port in the back of my BCT15? All I can find are discontinued units. The portable GPS devices I now own do not have a serial output.The GPS system built into my car has no output ports at all. Even the brand new Uniden BCT-15 X uses a serial port and the Uniden unique 4-pin connection - that fits nothing else - on the front of the unit. I hope someone can connect me (pun intended) with a good GPS unit that just fixes my position and sends the data to the Uniden - I already have an excellent factory installed GPS complete system.in my car with no way to connect to my scanner. I hope Uniden will soon realize computers no longer have those old serial ports, they were phased out, beginning a decade ago. They are even more rare on a GPS.

Any suggestions and points I overlooked are welcome!

 

[mike_s104]

What GPS units have the cables available to connect to the out-of-date serial port in the back of my BCT15? All I can find are discontinued units. The portable GPS devices I now own do not have a serial output.The GPS system built into my car has no output ports at all. Even the brand new Uniden BCT-15 X uses a serial port and the Uniden unique 4-pin connection - that fits nothing else - on the front of the unit. I hope someone can connect me (pun intended) with a good GPS unit that just fixes my position and sends the data to the Uniden - I already have an excellent factory installed GPS complete system.in my car with no way to connect to my scanner. I hope Uniden will soon realize computers no longer have those old serial ports, they were phased out, beginning a decade ago. They are even more rare on a GPS.

Any suggestions and points I overlooked are welcome!

Thread was specific to GPS for navigation and not how to connect a GPS to a Uniden scanner. You might want to either start a new post under the Uniden Scanner area or better yet do a search for others that may have asked the same question. Also, you may want to refer to the user manual. I believe a copy can be gotten from the Wiki or Uniden's site.