I want to purchase a GPS navigation system for my wife's car since she has started traveling a lot. I have seen many of you mention such systems so please advise. What would be a good, easy to use (for a non-techie type), system that would not break the bank??

Your input is much appreciated.

Any cheap garmin will do

If all you want is the Nav system, I recommend Garmin, as it is plug and play, and you can add your own custom Icon and POIs to it.

However, if its going to be installed in a car, depending on what else you want to do, the ones designed for the car to replace a radio can host a whole lot more features, such as backup camera, digital radio, traffic info, hookups for IPOD, sirius/xm, CD changer, phone interface, for handsfree, etc. The high end garmins can do most of this too, (except the backup camera, disc changer and A/V interface). There is a bit of satisfaction to having it all built in, where you don't have to worry about it.

I have the Garmin 550 for my bike, and I removed the out-of-date Nav system from my 2001 Mercedes, and added the JVC 7000 combo nav/radio/kitchen sink. Its got everything above and more, and it is the only one made for the car that also has a detachable face that you can take with, or lock in the glove compartment to deter theives if you wish.

Only downside to this unit is you can't download into it your own POIs.
But with 12 million POIs already installed, I haven't missed anything.

Dan

I have a Garmin 650 (which I think has now been replaced with a 655). I move it back and forth between my car and my Swing. My husband found it on the web, and bought a pair of reconditioned units for the price of a single unit. I'm pretty sure he got it on Ebay.

This model has traffic alerts, can play music and, believe it or not, has navigaton features! I can hook it up to my computer, and move stuff between garmins. I don't know if I can download points of interest, but that's b/c I haven't tried.

As to the ease of use, my mom can figure it out, which means it's very user friendly.

Mandy

Here's a TomTom One XL-S 4.3" Touchscreen Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigation System w/USA & Canada Maps & Text To Speech and it's only $92.99 on GEEKS. They say it's easy to use.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=TOMTOM-ONE-XL-S-R&cpc=HPM

So many GPS's out their...just take your time. They might just have this as the DEAL of the DAY soon.

DennisB

I'd recommend buying the least expensive unit you can find that has text-to-speech. A lot of them say they have voice guidance but don't actually speak the street names for an upcoming turn. It's a big advantage to have one that speaks the street name because you may have your eyes busy looking for traffic and no time to spare to watch the GPS screen. It doesn't pay to spend too much on a GPS, the bells and whistles aren't all that useful, you can add POIs to most of the GPS made today. Buy an inexpensive one because in a couple years there will be much better ones available because these things are improving rapidly. If you don't spend much you won't feel bad about buying another improved one in a couple years.

Thanks for all of the good suggestions. There are so many units out there I didn't know where to begin. Let the research commence.

I definitely want something that would fall into the category of "GPS navigation systems for dummies".

Definetely get a Garmin. All GPS are relatively unexpensive nowdays. You just need to decide which options are important to you. Unless you care about Bluetooth or built-in MP3 player, any one that pronounces street names would do. They all are easy to use. Check Garmin website, they have comparison tool. Also, Costco has been having good sales on GPS's. Otherwise, buy on-line once you decided which model you want. I like newegg.com and buydig.com. Miro.

Robin, I was exactly where you are once. The thing I did was to make a list of features I wanted... then just go to the Garmin, Magellan, Tomtom and any other manufacturer site and get some model numbers that match your features list. Then go to a retailer and shop. Take your time and get what you want. If you choose a particular model and still have questions, ask here if someone has had experience with that guy. GPS models are changing so fast now the one you pick might be obsolete by the time you make up your mind. Just be sure you choose what you want and live with that. I have a Garmin 680. Out of date now, but works great. Has more features than I had on my list. There are many out there that are just as good. Find yours and good hunting.
Gary

WOW...Geeks just ran out of that TomTom. Just Sold out. 2 days later now....They are back in stock.

Never rely completely on your gps cause sometimes it will take around in circles.

You only get outy what you put in I found out I couldn't spell very well!!! once I spelled correctly it was fine


2007 S/W tow pac trike kit GIVI top box 12V power outlet ISO grips, clearview wind screen C/B mount, GPS mount Magellen 1250, Arm rest, Butler cup holders rider and Passenger, Driving lights D/B

Yes, spelling helps, but as Tank says, sometimes the GPS can lead us astray. I would never follow a devise that is sending me down a railroad track that it thinks is I55. With all the stimulus funds being spent on highways in my area, lots of the roads are not on the map yet.
Gary

I purchased a nuvi 40 LM and plan to use it on my Swing. If it looks like rain, I will cover it or take it off the mount. Is anyone else using one of these?
Old Dave

All you smart phone users .... Give this free GPS/Interactive network app a try. http://www.waze.com/

you might consider a ram-mount aqua box. completely waterproof and has a touch-through screen cover.

http://www.ram-mount.com/Products/AquaBoxMounts/tabid/125/Default.aspx

Jesse

Jesse,
Thank You for the link. I just wasn't smart enough to figure out which mount and water proof cover would work. I have a Garmin now but it is an older model and I upgraded to a Garmin 40LM. What I have now is a mount that comes off the left brake reservoir. It is designed with two 1 inch ball clasps. The ball mount on the 40LM is about 5/8" so will have to bridge the two. I think I can do that and make it work. Will just put a plastic bag over it or take it off in wet weather. That is what I do now. It works good just old like me. The new GPS's are must easier to read and use.
Old Dave

So I don't believe RAM makes a direct mount for that smaller ball, but if you want to go the cheap route Ram-mount makes a cradle for your model http://www.ram-mount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045072079076045071065052057085/Default.aspx

Then look under compatible parts and find the 2-hole ball and the arm that best suits your needs.

or did you see this? http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Diameter-Handlebar-Mount-Garmin/dp/B005TKH2PC/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324403072&sr=1-5

The according to Ram-mount the nuvis fit in the Medium/Wide Size Aqua Box. http://www.amazon.com/RAM-Mounting-Systems-RAM-HOL-AQ6U-Medium-Wide/dp/B001RTOSRY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1324402547&sr=8-2
Then you need the ball mount that goes to the back of the aqua box

Went to the plumber shop purchased a Stainless Steel ball for a Delta Aquasourse and Glacier Bay and a ball pop up for a sink. Put the two together and with my existing mount works perfect with my Garmin 40LM.