Best Nuvi ?????

[Carolina Drifter]

Which voice activated Nuvi is the best for the money. Leads appreciated.

Thanks

[Blade]

Do you really mean "voice activated?" There are only a couple of Nuvis that allow you to orally give instructions (I own one -- their 880).

Otherwise.... because very few here possess more than one we can only tell you what we own ourselves so otherwise can't possibly objectively tell you what is "best" for the money.

Garmin of course is and has always been the most reputable and prolific of GPS manufacturers and their feature sets are wide and varying. From their stable over the years I've purchased a venerable StreetPilot III, Nuvi 660, Nuvi 370, Nuvi 880 and Zumo 550. All were "best" to me for specific reasons at the time I acquired them.

You would be doing yourself a huge disservice letting us make your choice for you or even swaying your opinion when 99% of us have only owned one. Instead I strongly recommend that you simply visit Garmin's website, review and compare the features that you feel would be useful to YOU, then assign a personal value rating to each. You need to know what features YOU require and if you aren't familiar with them, that website will identify and educate you about them. Otherwise this thread is destined to be populated by the ubiquitous list of "I haves.[X] [Y] or [Z]..."

[Carolina Drifter]

Thanks Blade for the excellent advise.

[Blade]

You're welcome. Enjoy whichever you choose!

[GIJoeJarhead]

Blade is, of course, dead on with it being your choice and what you really need.

I am currently looking at buying my wife a GPS now, as well. She is starting a new job in Home Health and will be travelling some country roads all over West Tenn, so for a couple reasons we think it's in her best interest to have one.
I have always been a map kind of guy, still am, but for mileage and those crazy cases where the map just doesn't do what she needs, she will have the GPS.
I have researched 3 brands fairly heavily . . . Garmin, Magellian, and Tom-Tom. I have seen the Navignon Brand, but I don't know ANYTHING about it.
From what I can tell and what I have read so far . . . Garmin is number 1 of those 3 . . . which model depends on what features you need and how much you are willing to spend.
Magellian seems to make a pretty good GPS, but they are like the NY Yankees, some people love them and others despise them.
Tom-Tom also makes a pretty good GPS, but pretty basic and doesn't have some of the better features of the other two.
I will tell you it's worth your time to look at TigerDirect.com before you buy one . . . they have most retailers beat by $25.00 to $75.00 on almost every model I looked at.
Good luck!

GIJoe

[Blade]

Blade is, of course, dead on with it being your choice and what you really need.

I have researched 3 brands fairly heavily . . . Garmin, Magellian, and Tom-Tom. I have seen the Navignon Brand, but I don't know ANYTHING about it.

Magellian seems to make a pretty good GPS, but they are like the NY Yankees, some people love them and others despise them.

You had lots of good info in your post. I just want to comment on the three bits I partitioned above, respectively:

1. Thanks for the support.

2. Those three brands are in fact the top three and would be recommended.

3. I LOVE the Yankees analogy (hehehehe!). Otherwise I'd like to add that a Magellan was the first GPS I ever used (in a rental car). I was amazed but that amazement was tempered down once I acquired my first Garmin GPS. whose operation was exceedingly more intuitive and comfortable than Magellan's.

I kind of feel sorry for anybody shopping for a GPS these days. There are so many good ones, bells and whistles for any liking, dead-on competitive prices, it's almost mind-boggling. I would definitely stick to one of the top three (ESPECIALLY Garmin), but each is an individual choice and today there's no reason to limit one's thinking. Still the best advice, research all features - READ independent (CNET, Epinions, GPSLodge, etc.) reviews and pull the trigger.

Lastly, remember: there's always what I call the CLL (Costco Lending Library): ;) You may purchase a unit WITH FULL INTENTION of keeping it; but hey -- if after you've given it a 30-day or reasonable amount of time trial you don't like it, bring it back for a full refund.

[GIJoeJarhead]

Those were the three that were recommended to me . . . and like you said there are SOO many models and bells and whistles available, you could drive yourself nuts doing the research. Eventually you just have to take the knowledge and go buy one, see if you like it . . . we are about to that point.

We have narrowed our choices down to the Magellian 1430, and the Garmin Nuvi 205W . . . my wife wants the wide screen GPS.

From what I can tell, the Garmin doesn't have quite all the features of the Magellian, but she probably doesn't need half those features anyway!

I'll stick with getting whatever we decide from TigerDirect.com, I have not found either of those models for less than $175.00 at any local stores here in Memphis, and both of them are $139.99 at TigerDirect.

Thanks Blade, I like that Costco Lending Library deal, that's the good part about buying local . . . it's easier to return it.

[Blade]

You're totally right -- you COULD make yourself nuts. In any event (to you and the OP), ENJOY your new GPSs!

BTW, just for ducks I went to Amazon and saw they had the 205W for $139 also. I just say because I've bought tons of stuff from them over the years but I also know TigerDirect is reputable.

[Poison]

FYI - Amazon has the Garmin Nuvi 765T ("lifetime" traffic included) for $200 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Navigator-Refurbished/dp/B002RWJHGW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1257885880&sr=8-2

Excellent return policy - don't like it - ship it back.

[1800 spec 3]

I got my NUVI 720 (I think it is discontinued though) for $139 at Amazon.com. If it is for the bike, you will probably need a Ram Mount also. JMHO

[GIJoeJarhead]

DEFINITELY need the RAM Mount if you are putting it on a bike . . . my wife is getting hers for her truck, so she's a little different.

Thanks to all for verifying Amazon is about the same price!

[BLURBN27]

Which voice activated Nuvi is the best for the money. Leads appreciated.

Thanks
could not be happier with it. It is a gem of a GPS. Good luck in your search.
Safety First
Blurbn:lol:

[1800 spec 3]

Had this email alert when I got home-- it is a pre-Black Friday sale at Staples. May want to check into it.


We just received details on four products that Staples will be offering this Black Friday. The products include a Garmin Nuvi 255W Portable GPS for $119.99, an eMachines 21.5" Widescreen LCD Monitor for $89.98, a HP 8GB Portable Flash Drive for $12.99, and a HP Laptop w/Windows 7 (unknown specs) for $299.98. We are hoping to have the full Staples Black Friday ad within the next week or so.

[Mathwiz]

Hey GIJOE,
If I may, let me offer my .02. I own a Garmin 200W and a Garmin 255W. So that is the only brand I can comment on. I bought 2 because I have a wife and 2 daughters. We keep them where whoever needs one, one is available. It only took one time for my daughter calling me from downtown Memphis (she was going to a wedding) crying because she was lost, for me to get them at the house. I agree the wide screen is a must for obvious reasons. The reason I have low end units is because I didn't see the need for the bells and whistles. The basic function of giving my girls voice as well as visual directions is all that is required.(ala keep it simple) . With that being said, the 255 is still low end but has some features that the 200 does not such as it speaks street names instead of just "turn left". Also, when entering the address, the screen is laid out in the qwerty mode instead of abcd....(which is very hard to type since we are programmed).

OK, here is the part that I must have a disclaimer with. I got the 255W from memphis craigslist for $80. But you have to be smart and careful as I am sure you know. There are some really unbeatable deals on craigslist just make sure you are in control of the meeting place and take someone with you. After talking with the dude on the phone I felt ok and when we met in a Walgreens parking lot (I got there first and parked at the front door and motioned him to park right beside me) I knew it was cool. The unit worked perfect and it even had the latest map on it. He had registered it and told me he would unregister it so I could reregister it which I did. Works perfect. The craigslist is just an idea.

Good luck on getting a good one wherever you get it, and if I can get a weekend off, I look forward to riding with ya. One more thing, agreed, the Ram mounts are great.:doorag:

[Greybeard]

I bought a refurbished Garmin (from the Garmin website) with a three year extended warranty for less than what I could get a new one for ANYPLACE else (and believe me, I pinch pennies and look everywhere).

I don't remember what I paid for it, but I've had it two years now with no problems.

The only problem might be they don't have all the models all the time.

Might be worth checking out.

[TennX]

I have a 250w with an extra cradle for the truck, I use a mount similar to this one and after 2 years no problems. I like this type of mount so much Ive been hesitant to upgrade the unit for fear of loosing the use of the mount.:dontknow:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh255/bt_marie/open2.jpg

[Greybeard]

TennX,


I can't tell what size ball is on the end of your mount (sounds gay, huh?),

anyway, if it's a standard size, you can go to the RAM website and get an adapter that will fit just about anything you have and keep the mount.

http://www.ram-mount.com/

[GIJoeJarhead]

Lisa got off work early on Wednesday . . . went by Kroger on Summer for some stuff and figured she would pop into the Pawn Shop across the street JUUUST in case they might have something . . .
they had just received a Garmin 205W still in the box, all the cables, plus the suction cup mount, the sticky mount AND the Bean Bag mount . . . for $70.00!!! Needless to say, we now have a Garmin 205W for her when she starts her new job. Played around with it a little on Wednesday, this thing is COOL!!!

[Mathwiz]

Well there you go GIJOE, great pickup. I also have the beanbag mount and it is definitely an extra accessory that does not come with the unit. Smart & thrifty Lisa. :thumbup: FWIW, when I bought the Ram mount for the Garmin Nuvi wide screen, the plug in hole in the back made it difficult to plug the cord in completely so I took a dremel and modified it and now it works perfect. The mod is no big deal so dont let it make you not get the Ram because it works great. Just had to grind a ridge down a little.:doorag:

[TennX]

TennX,


I can't tell what size ball is on the end of your mount (sounds gay, huh?),

anyway, if it's a standard size, you can go to the RAM website and get an adapter that will fit just about anything you have and keep the mount.

http://www.ram-mount.com/

Many Thanks :thumbup: oh and the ball is 17mm (size use to matter)

[HDKLR]

I've pretty much decided on the Garmin 255W, which is on sale at Sears for $119 (regularly $199). My question is, have any of you mounted any of the non-cycle specific GPS units (like the 255) on a motorcycle and if so, how do you make it waterproof or don't you worry about it?

[Mathwiz]

I've pretty much decided on the Garmin 255W, which is on sale at Sears for $119 (regularly $199). My question is, have any of you mounted any of the non-cycle specific GPS units (like the 255) on a motorcycle and if so, how do you make it waterproof or don't you worry about it?

I have the 255W and it is plenty adequate for the scooter. Google Ram mounts. As TennX noted, you must realize the difference between 1" ball mount and 17mm ball mount. As for waterproofing, some talk about a sandwich baggie, putting it away in wet conditions, or mounting it where the moisture is minimized. As they are not sold as being even water resistant, I would put mine in one of those zip up hard drive cases for a 3.5 inch computer hard drive sold at wal mart if I were to get caught in the rain. Just my $.02

[Greybeard]

I made a mount out of sheet metal and attached it under a bag I have mounted on the handlebars (have the power cord inside that).
I keep a couple of ziplock bags that I put over the top of the unit, but being the whimp that I am, my bike rarley gets wet from rain.