Gps decisions.....good deals on BF, which to choose-help?

I see alot of members have the garmin nuvi 350 which I dont see any doorbusters on black friday for that. The ones I see that have a great pric are:

Garmin Nuvi 200 for about 150
Tom Tom One 3rd Edt for about 125
Mio C330 (widescreen) for about 150
Mio C220 for 100
Navigon 2100 with Traffic for 150
Mallegon (sp) 3100 for 130
Tom Tom LE (BB only) for 119


Like the features of the Mio C330 and the Navigon but it seems like no customer service (or bad) and maps arent the best. Leaning toward the Nuvi 200. None have the text to speech feature (damn). Like the traffic and speed alert of the Navigon. Thoughts on choice?

Like the features of the Mio C330 and the Navigon but it seems like no customer service (or bad) and maps arent the best. Leaning toward the Nuvi 200. None have the text to speech feature (damn). Like the traffic and speed alert of the Navigon. Thoughts on choice?Sometimes you get what you pay for. Hence why I own a Ridgeline and not a Ford Sporttrac. :eek:

I'm sure those will all do the job, but how good of a job? I couldn't live without my GPS talking to me.

My suggestion, look at the available features on the top models and determine which you really want, then pick the (likely) mid-model that you want and just pay for what will make you happy. Sure the cheap end ones will get you a GPS, but if you are not getting things/features you want, why bother? You'll be pissed.

Ramzey,

I, too, am looking for my first GPS unit this BF. I found a couple of better prices on those listed in your post:

Navigon 2100T (with Traffic): $99.99 at Staples
Garmin Nuvi 350: $299.99 at Circuit City
Garmin Nuvi 260: $249.99 at Staples

Where did you see the Nuvi 200 for "about $150"? The best I found was $169.99 at Best Buy.

Right now, I'm torn between the Navigon 2100, Nuvi 200, TomTom One LE, and TomTom One 3rd Edition. The Navigon has some great features not found in others in this price range, but they are new in the US and the reviews are sketchy. The Nuvi 200 seems to be a top performer, but is expensive for the features given (BUT, Garmin seems to be #1 in the US). The TomTom's are something I hadn't considered since they use TeleAtlas instead of NavTeq, but they seem to offer more features than the Garmins for less money.

Have you decided yet? If so, what did you choose, and why?

Thanks,
bobpres

I love my Hacked Mio 310X.. It's now my all-In-one unit, Divx Player,MP3 Player, Nav, and with the SD slot I'm not really hurting for room. If i ever get another unit it will have to be hackable.

Just bought my wife a Garmin C330 for $190 (after taxes and rebate) from PepBoys. Seems to have enough features and talks. Pretty easy to use (required for the wife) as well.

WalMart will have the Garmin c330 for $128.88 (vs normal $178.88) on BF. good unit for that low a price.

fyi, here are the GPS models that just won the prestigious "Innovations Design & Engineering Award (http://www.cesweb.org/attendees/awards/innovations/rd_2008honorees.asp?category=896071)" for 2008 from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), producers of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest trade show, held each January in Las Vegas (I'll be there - for my 38th year - with about 145,000 of my closest friends! :eek: ):

Magellan Maestro 4250 (http://www.magellangps.com/products/product.asp?segID=408&prodID=1959)

Mio DigiWalker C720t (http://www.mio-tech.com/us/gps-navigation-products-c720t-overview.htm)

Panasonic CN-GP50U (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Audio/Mobile-Electronics/Strada-Mobile-Navigation/model.CN-GP50U_11002_7000000000000005702?cm_sp=Consumer-_-Strada-_-Product%202)

NOTE: Each awards category is judged by a three-member panel consisting of an independent industrial designer, independent engineer or industry analyst and a member of the trade press. I was a judge this year (for the first time since, in previous years, I always had one or more products entered in the competition) in a different product category.

I have the Magellan Maestro 4040 and really like it. They just came out with a software update and it was easy to download and had a load of improvements which made it even better.

Ramzey,

I, too, am looking for my first GPS unit this BF. I found a couple of better prices on those listed in your post:

Navigon 2100T (with Traffic): $99.99 at Staples
Garmin Nuvi 350: $299.99 at Circuit City
Garmin Nuvi 260: $249.99 at Staples

Where did you see the Nuvi 200 for "about $150"? The best I found was $169.99 at Best Buy.

Right now, I'm torn between the Navigon 2100, Nuvi 200, TomTom One LE, and TomTom One 3rd Edition. The Navigon has some great features not found in others in this price range, but they are new in the US and the reviews are sketchy. The Nuvi 200 seems to be a top performer, but is expensive for the features given (BUT, Garmin seems to be #1 in the US). The TomTom's are something I hadn't considered since they use TeleAtlas instead of NavTeq, but they seem to offer more features than the Garmins for less money.

Have you decided yet? If so, what did you choose, and why?

Thanks,
bobpres

Wow, I didnt see the Navigon for 99, thats seems like a deal. The Nuvi is 169 but they have a 10% coupon that floats around on the internet I would use. From the research I have done I think the Garmin Nuvi 200 and maybe the C330. I like the Navigon, Mio and Tom Tom but I hear the Navigon has poor poi, the Mio Customer Service is bad and Tom Tom has had map issues. Seems like everyone says Garmin is very up to date and has good customer service. The Nuvi 350 is nice but really dont want to spend more than 150.00. Hands down the Navigon beats all the others in this price for options. Traffic, Speed alert, widerscreen, etc but I do want accuracy. Let me know what you decide. Navteg does make the maps for Navigon and Garmin...Seems like Navigon for the price might be worth the look due to the text to speech feature. POI's might get better in the future with an update ???

From the research I have done I think the Garmin Nuvi 200 and maybe the C330.

I like the price but I don't like that they will not announce street names. I'm still looking (for my wife for Xmas).

I like the price but I don't like that they will not announce street names. I'm still looking (for my wife for Xmas).

The navigon does the text to speech...for 99 bucks, I cant see how you could go wrong.

I really want the Garmin interface. I want it to have the same interface as the one in my Ridgeline.

I think I've narrowed my search down three units at Staples on BF. I am looking at the Navigon 2100T, TomTom One 3rd Edition, and the Garmin Nuvi 260. I will only make it to one store on BF since any other store would be picked clean before I could get there. So, here's my dilemma:

I like the features on the Navigon. For the $99 price, it can't be beat. Staples is throwing in the lifetime traffic monitoring (normally $99) and there are no fees (EVER!!) for the service. I like the text-to-speech, excellent layout, route planning, and numerous other things that others don't offer in this price range. BUT, I am concerned about the smallish buttons, lack of POIs, and potential problem of customer support since they are new to the US. I wonder if their POI database is setup like TomTom or Garmin (.csv files) and could be augmented from the internet. I would like to have the Canada maps, but the price and features outweighs this inconvenience.

I had avoided the TomTom, simply due to the use of TeleAtlas maps. However, they recently updated them and the newest reviews indicate they are MUCH better than before. I wouldn't get text-to-speech (ala Navigon), but could add traffic for $130 for the first year, then $60/year after that:mad: . The interface is smoother and more refined than the Navigon, and the POI database is upgradeable through TomTom or other sources. The ability to add/change maps (Map Share) is kind of cool, too. It would come with Canada maps, which might be nice. The "Help Me" function could be nice if you need to find the nearest police station, auto repair, etc.

The Nuvi 260 is probably the nicest/slickest of the three. Unfortunately, I think 1/2 of what you pay for is the Garmin name. The interface is the easiest of the three and the POI database is the largest out of the box. There are plenty of places to add to the POIs online. This one does have text-to-speech, which would be nice. And, it comes with the Canada maps. BUT, there is no traffic monitoring. There is no route planning (ala Navigon). The support is probably the best in the industry, if you need it. Garmin is the proven leader in the US market, so this seems to be the least worrisome. It's also the most expensive (even on a great BF deal!!).

For some reason, this decision is killing me!! Do I go for the Navigon, which offers the most features for the money, but sacrifices POIs and, possibly, service? Do I get the TomTom, which is well-priced and has most of the features I want (plus some cool online ones), but uses TeleAtlas maps (still not sure about them)? Or, do I go with the Nuvi, which is the slickest interface and most POIs, but can't do traffic and costs (by far) the most?

Anyone want to chime in?:confused:

Check out WalMart.com on Black Friday for some blowout online specials. Example - Garmin NUVI 650 for $298.87.

Hey Chef,

Do you have a link to the Walmart.com BF ads (specifically the Nuvi 650)?

Thanks,
bobpres

http://www.blackfriday.info/ads/wal-mart-black-friday-ad.html

This is my favorite BF site.

They show the Garmin Street Pilot c330, but no Nuvi 650...:confused:

walmart.com is a separate business from Wal-Mart Stores. Maybe someone else has the online BF "ad". Wal-Mart is clamping down on BF by offering unadvertised in-store-only specials. Maybe this is one of them.

I really want the Garmin interface. I want it to have the same interface as the one in my Ridgeline.
Why not the nuvi 650 on sale at Costco.com for $299?
4.3 inch touch screen and text to speech, including street names.

WalMart will have the Garmin c330 for $128.88 (vs normal $178.88) on BF. good unit for that low a price.


I believe that is a type-o as if you click on it it goes to $168.88 (vs. $198.88 normal).

Cabelas is selling the Garmin StreetPilot c530 GPS (Product# 50030-861) for $199.99.

Sale ends on December 2, 2007.

I believe that is a type-o as if you click on it it goes to $168.88 (vs. $198.88 normal).

Black Friday (11/23) only. The site will be updated at 12:01am. That's how BF works.

On Black Friday from 0500 to 1100 hours, Wally World has the Garmin C-330 Street Pilot for $128.88.

I have a Garmin 2610 Street Pilot, which is an older unit. After reading this thread, I did a little research out of curiosity. I found that while most of the units can read books, play music, make phone calls, and display pictures, almost none of them can store routes. Of all the features of aftermarket GPS units, the ability to store routes is my favorite one. With the ability to store up to 50 routes, I can plan a three week trip with routes for every day, side trips from a central destination, etc. For me, a GPS without route storage is next to useless. I seldom use the GPS just to travel from point A to point B. I want to be able to go to Point F, with stops at B, C, D, and E without having to start a new route every time. I sure hope my old unit is very durable and I can continue to get map updates for it.

Webbie, what I do with my Nuvi 350 is decide where I want to do my stops and enter all those locations before I ever leave home. I decide what order I want the stops to be by selecting my first stop, when I arrive and I'm ready to leave for my next stop, I enter the "Recent Selections" screen and select my next stop from that menu. It only takes a few seconds to calculate the new route and I'm off.

What I really wish for is the ability to plan a route on my PC and download it into the Nuvi. It would have come in handy for the LI Meet. The Nuvi directed me right into the thick of NY traffic and I knew I could have bypassed some of it if I traveled a different route. One that I already had in mind, but not memorized.

What I really wish for is the ability to plan a route on my PC and download it into the Nuvi. It would have come in handy for the LI Meet.
Which is exactly what I do wiht my 2610. For a cross country trip, I may start planning a couple of months ahead. Once I decide on the general route, I research interesting stops near the route and add them as I find them. I also research good restaurants along the and waypoint them too. I also find it very helpful to be able to see a day's route on a map, which I can do with Garmin Mapsource. If I see an area that I don't want to travel, like your NY traffic, I can just drag the route to a different highway and Mapsource recalculates it. A day or two before we leave I download all the data into the GPS. Each morning of the trip I call up that day's trip and we're off. If plans change along the way, I make modifications on my laptop and reload my GPS.

I reread my post Webbie and I think I need to rephrase. I want the ability to modify the route chosen by the Navi.

Joe, do you have the ability to add via points to your route as you are driving?

Hey Chef,

Do you have a link to the Walmart.com BF ads (specifically the Nuvi 650)?

Thanks,
bobpres

No, I do not have a link. I am just reporting information that appeared in today's issue of Investor's Business Daily. I am sure if you go to Walmat.com on Friday, you will see the plethora of online only specials. Apparently, they will also be offering the Microsoft Zune for under $100. Don't know how these guys squeeze their suppliers, but it is good cheer for the rest of us.

As to other GPS units - if you need a no frills GPS, you can't beat the Garmin c330 for $130ish.

Joe, do you have the ability to add via points to your route as you are driving?
Only one via, Web. That's why I preset all of my multiple destinations before I leave and select them on the fly.

Only one via, Web. That's why I preset all of my multiple destinations before I leave and select them on the fly.
I use my unit the same way and it works well.

Only one via, Web. That's why I preset all of my multiple destinations before I leave and select them on the fly.
That sucks. Looks like technology has taken a step backward to me.

That sucks. Looks like technology has taken a step backward to me.
In this case, I agree. :(

buy.com (http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=205617006&adid=17653&dcaid=17653) has the TomTom ONE 3rd Edition for $124.95 after $100 rebate.

TigerDirect has the Mio DigiWalker C230 Portable GPS Navigation System, featuring a 3.5" touchscreen LCD, pre-loaded Tele Atlas maps with 3.5 million POI, and Text to Speech functionality, for a low $139.97. $8.49 Shipping.

TigerDirect has the popular Garmin NUVI 360 Portable GPS Navigation System, featuring a 3.5" touchscreen LCD, pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps, bluetooth, MP3 player, and Text To Speech, for a low $329.97. $15.49 Shipping

Thanks for the information.
I'm looking at the Magellan 4250 (Costo at 350 until Feb 2nd). Has anybody used this unit? How does the window mount work? and does it work conveniently? Any wiring recommendations other than the cigarette lighter? Any other recommendations? Is the Magellan worth $150 more than the Garmin 200W?

BTW-
My wife has had her RL since Christmas (present) and loves it. I bought a HitchSource hitch and harness, and running boards from Kendall in Eugene OR. Thinking about getting the door protectors..any advice on that would be appreciated also.

I previously use the Magellan RM 700 (bought in 2005) and it was the premier gps device at that time. Unfortunately, the company has under gone two ownership changes and a major outsourcing of customer service function to India.

I recently researched the market to replace my RM700. I considered the 4250 line and the nuvi 600 line. I bought the Garmin nuvi 680. Compared to the Magellan: better and faster gps chip, dumbed down operating system, much better windshield mount and according to the internet forums, a much more responsive customer service.

IMO, the Magellan OS is better but all other factors considered, the Garmin wins out.

BTW, the Magellan windshield mount is a rube goldberg invention. Totally mickey mouse compared to the nuvi windshield mount.

Thanks for the information.
I'm looking at the Magellan 4250 (Costo at 350 until Feb 2nd). Has anybody used this unit? How does the window mount work? and does it work conveniently? Any wiring recommendations other than the cigarette lighter? Any other recommendations? Is the Magellan worth $150 more than the Garmin 200W?Whatever you decide upon, if you buy online, it will be MUCH cheaper. I bought the Garmin nuvi 350.... when I bought, Best Buy/Circuit City was $499+tax... I paid $370 Fedex shipped. These are now reduced as well... here is one example
$290 + shipping: http://www.gpsonsale.com/garmin/products/Nuvi.htm

Thinking about getting the door protectors..any advice on that would be appreciated also.First you'll need to decide on OEM (2 strip look) or after market (one strip), plus the cost difference is substantial. I went the after market route and paid $110 shipped (price is still the same)

Thanks Keith-

I just heard that Costco will have a coupon for the Magellan 4250 this March for $100 off ($299). I'll wait for that. And also did you buy your door protectors from Sportwing? Where?:)

Sorry RamzeyRTX for being off topic
And also did you buy your door protectors from Sportwing? Where?:)he sells in black and chrome
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6130