What kinda navigation should I get?

I'm thinking about getting a portable navi for my gf for xmas, but I'm not sure what to look at when deciding which kind to get. I know there's a lot of deals on em on black friday for like $100ish. Is there anything that makes one better than the other? I know Garmin and Tom Tom are big names, but are there any others I should look into?

Thanks, just tryin to get a little heads up on what I should look for or recommendations you guys may have.

 

i liked my garmin did the job didnt take 2 long 2 connect to the satilight i know some of the cheaper tom toms can take awhile to initially find the satilight

 

dont get a tom tom... i ****ing hate mine... got us all sorts of lost at OFR

 

do NOT get a magellan, customer service is worthless, if you update it and screw up one thing you have a nice paper weight since customer service SUCKS.
i have a tom-tom and actually love it, nothing high tech but for 120 bucks i was happy. but yes sometimes it takes a bit for it to find the satellites but as long as you are not in a hurry it takes a min or two tops if it hasn't been on for a while.

 

i agree with bubba don't get a tom tom they suck imo....i used my grandpas to go to some snowmobile races last winter and it took me on minimum maintence roads with huge ruts I was pissed. LOL dumb thing haha

 

I have never had any problems with my tom tom before

 

Got a garmin for x-mas in July (that's what we do), didn't think I'd ever use the thing...didn't ask for it. Well, I LOVE IT!!!! My wife and I constantly fight over it. Works great, you just plug it in and GO. Its one of the cheaper models too (I think). Simply an amazing little device.

 

I've got a Garmin Zumo 550 (motorcycle) and love it, mines got bluetooth, and with the points of intrest it also includes phone numbers. So if you driving home and want to stop by the chinese food place you can punch it up and let it dial.

 

I bought a used tom tom one from a pal, and while it does work, I wish I'd have gone the Nuvi route. A recent map update cost me more than I paid for the unit.

 

I would go Garmin or cell phone. We had a garmin before someone broke into our car to take it. It was great. Currently I am using my cell phone. The benefit of the cell phone is that you don't spend as much as the garmin and you always have updated maps. There is no downloading of new maps, everything is updated right away. As well you can call any business you are going to just by hitting options. I liked my garmin a lot, but the cell phone is just as nice. plus it is always with me, walking, driving... anywhere.

My ADVICE:

If you get a garmin, be careful where you put the mounting hardware. my wife was in a parking ramp downtown, during the work day. someone saw the plate for the suction cup, broke into the car. found the garmin (and a mp3 player) stashed in the glove box and took it all. so if you go garmin, always bring it with you and don't leaving the mounting hardware out..... it was the middle of the day in a nicer downtown parking ramp!!!!

 

^True the cell phone idea would be great, but I'm getting this for my gf.

It sounds like a garmin is probably the route I'm going to go. Thanks a ton guys!

 

yea Ive been thinking of a GPS unit for myself. I know im going to get a Garmin, since i have a 60CSx works great for the outdoors but for driving not so much. I like Garmin customer service and would recomend Garmin to anyone else. let me know what you get.

 

The amount of time it takes to download the almanac depends on a great many things and can't be summed up that easy. The delay you experience is more then likely related to that (the almanac not finding the sats). I don't know about the Garmin car nav units but TomTom offers free updates called GPS QuickFix that helps cut that time down to seconds in most cases.

OP, do your self a favor and visit some GPS forums. There's camps on both sides but I think you'll see most recommend TomTom or Garmin. I myself use a TomTom GO720 for car nav and a Garmin Oregon 400T for a hand held. Each has strong points but I like them both for different reasons. Any other specific questions let me know.

 

I really like Mio's GPS units, but they don't have anything that a garmin or a tomtom can't do. Except that Knight RIder one that is

 

Get her a cell-phone that runs Google Android and skip the GPS unit. .

 

If your getting one for your gf I would make sure it's user friendly unless she is into techy gadgets. Otherwise it doesn't matter how sweet it is if she doesn't use it.

 

I've found the Garmin Nuvi quite easy to use and of good quality. Well priced typically, as well.

 

Even my 60yr old parents can work their Garmin nuvi. They love it and use it all the time even when they know where they are going just cause my dad gets a kick out of hearing the voice in a British accent, lol.

 

I personally dont leave home with out my Hudson book and my Minnesota Atlas. I never have to worry about technology not work!!! I've had 3 GPS die and dont care to use them anymore

 

lol I like this. Maybe I'll just get her a map! haha

Best Buy is having a sale on this garmin and I'm thinkin it'll be the one I get. My only problem is she says she's gunna go buy it this weekend for herself because she really wants one.

here's what I was thinkin, and $100 for a navi isn't bad!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Garmin+...8114755117&skuId=9470556&st=9470556&cp=1&lp=1

 

I agree about Magellan, my co-workers use tom-toms and nuvi's and they have pretty good luck.