Aftermarket GPS system,

When I looked at the Honda Ridgeline back in the middle of March, I wanted the NAV system but my dealer couldn't find one semi-locally and the price of it was rather steep I thought. But still ...
Now with my up-coming move to a "strange" area soon, I was still interested. Ordered the Garmin "StreetPilot" c-340 series and mounted it on the dash right below the rear-view mirror running the power cord down along the side of the dash between the radio and glovebox (help in place by black wire-ties thru black stick-em tabs).
So far, very impressed and happy with my purchase (and a heck-of-a-lot cheaper). Another advantage is that it is moveable to another vehicle if so needed. Thru the internet, this system was priced at $639.00.
Just wanted to share this information with this forum in case others might be interested. :)

I'm on my second Garmin product, a Street Pilot 2610. I have had very good luck with Garmin products and like not only the portability, but the ability to preprogram multiple routes on my PC or notebook.

Nicholas: I was wondering about convenience of operation. I have gotten electronic gagets in the past and found them too dificult to operate.

On long trips, I map my route on the computer and take hard copy with me.
I would assume a Navigation system would be easier to follow, especially if it has voice instructions.

Your comments would be greatly appreciated.:)

This system couldn't much easier to use ... touch screen and when set-up, it gives voice prompts (a woman's voice ... just like being married except this system doesn't get excited if you miss a turn ... it just automaticly recalculates a new route0. Wonder if she is single ... damn the looks!!! LOL ;)

Nice choice, Garmin rules :)

Do you have the XMnavTraffic per chance?

This system couldn't much easier to use ... touch screen and when set-up, it gives voice prompts (a woman's voice ... just like being married except this system doesn't get excited if you miss a turn ... it just automaticly recalculates a new route0. Wonder if she is single ... damn the looks!!! LOL ;)
How about a picture of how it looks installed?

Will have to wait until my son comes in on leave for a picture and nope, don't have the XM nav addition.

Will have to wait until my son comes in on leave for a picture and nope, don't have the XM nav addition.

My son bought the TomTom and is pretty happy with it. Is the Garmin that much better in your opinion?

TomTom Go-700. Bluetooth, changeable voices, free year of XM Traffic, rebates.:D

I've been looking myself for a few years now...mostly for the palm pilot version...TOM TOM Nav 5.... but haven't seen it rated high or low. I've only read that the processor are slower on handheld compare to dedicated units.

The other day while I was in Sam's Club... I found the TOM TOM 700 @ a decent price (approx. $ 789). I've seen other electronic stores offer the 300 series for about $100 less. My wife has even suggested me to pick this up after x-mas. Not sure I want to....because my palm pilot is my bible....with me all the time. Another nice feature about the palm version, it's very portible...take it with you while you're out of your car. Still can't make up my mind.

Any input might help me.

Have the Tom Tom that's one generation old. Great unit. Rated best by one of the PC magazines about a year ago or so. You can do better on pricing. Just use one of the internet search tools. Not promoting any one place, but I've seen the Tom Tom 300 for well under $600.

Nothing wrong with Garmin, but if you check out tomtom before buying, you may change your mind.

Nothing wrong with Garmin, but if you check out tomtom before buying, you may change your mind.
I did and I did.;)

I also have the original TomTom GO and it's an excellent unit, much better than those Neverlost units that Hertz uses in their rental cars.

I also have the original TomTom GO and it's an excellent unit, much better than those Neverlost units that Hertz uses in their rental cars.
A well educated carrier pigeon is better then Neverlost...thats just not right to compare that to modern day gps systems :(. Yes I realize it's Magellan - but, like I said - modern day gps systems ;)

Really don't know if one brand is that much better the other ... never found a site comparing the systems. I like the fact that mine actually tells me the names of the upcoming intersections and the price was in my price range. Just hope it holds up over time ...

I think I am going to buy my wife the Tom Tom 700 after Christmas since her jewelry was WAY TOO EXPENSIVE... funny it was almost 2.4 times more than what we agreed on... and then I need to get her other things so she doesn't just open two boxes ... man she better be good next year :rolleyes:

I have heard good things about the Garmin too

... man she better be good next year :rolleyes:
Did Santa change the rules? Our deliveries were always based on the past year's behavior. ;)

Did Santa change the rules? Our deliveries were always based on the past year's behavior. ;)
There is a little known division of Santa Inc. called Re-Pole. If good behavior credit is borrowed and the contract is later broken the Re-Pole department can take back gifts and either return them or attempt to recover any value they may have. This is of course in the small print in article 12 subsection 25.

I wanted a GPS something fierce and had shopped for months. As well here in Raleigh, I couldn't find a Ridgeline with Navi. I had decided on the Garmin 2730. It has XM NavTraffic and you can receive the traffic info to include regular XM programming through your current FM radio. The 2730 offers Americas Auto Route as opposed to Americas Lite in the "C"-series Garmin, which displays smaller town info. 2730 is also an MP3 player. Garmin has a real neat product comparison page on their site.

TL

There is a little known division of Santa Inc. called Re-Pole. If good behavior credit is borrowed and the contract is later broken the Re-Pole department can take back gifts and either return them or attempt to recover any value they may have. This is of course in the small print in article 12 subsection 25.
You forgot to mention its written in Elfish. :D

That's a great Christmas gift idea, A GPS for the wife. It has to be attached to a "girlie" gift to go as a pair or I can see hell to pay. Like buying a toaster or a blender for a gift - a definite NO-NO - if a future good "pay back" is expected. 27 years experience talking here.

That's a great Christmas gift idea, A GPS for the wife. It has to be attached to a "girlie" gift to go as a pair or I can see hell to pay.
Attach a gift card to her favorite store or salon. Then pre-program the route into the nav unit. :D

I just bought the wife a Garmin 2720 Streetpilot for one of her Christmas presents. $725 on the Internet. Completely plug and play as described by research I did the last couple of days and this unit comes on top in many different catagories and also has a real-time traffic interface that is important around where I live. Going into her Volvo SUV but totally portable and can be borrowed when we take our winter trip to Florida in the Ridgeline. Now that's the type of present that makes sense in many ways. Of course there will be multiple "girlie" gifts under the tree to offset this "functional" present.

Good purchase, BillB. I've had my 2610 for about 4 years and love it. If you get tired of the American English voice try the British one. As far as being a "girlie" gift, it is a "gem" of a GPS. :)

Thanks webwader, always good to get confirming voice on purchase of something never owned before. My wife is the navigator on all trips and she will probably like this gift as almost a "girlie" gift anyway. I get lost in a 2 room house.

Just wondering if anyone has tried the new Cobra NavOne? It got a great review at CNet: http://reviews.cnet.com/Cobra_NavOne_4500/4505-3430_7-31615666.html?tag=cnetfd.sd
Looks like a great product, but it's always nice to hear from actual users. It's on the net for prices similar to the nicer Garmins (high $700's to low $900s)

I've been looking myself for a few years now...mostly for the palm pilot version...TOM TOM Nav 5.... but haven't seen it rated high or low. I've only read that the processor are slower on handheld compare to dedicated units.

The other day while I was in Sam's Club... I found the TOM TOM 700 @ a decent price (approx. $ 789). I've seen other electronic stores offer the 300 series for about $100 less. My wife has even suggested me to pick this up after x-mas. Not sure I want to....because my palm pilot is my bible....with me all the time. Another nice feature about the palm version, it's very portible...take it with you while you're out of your car. Still can't make up my mind.

Any input might help me.

I used a Garmin iQue 3600 (combo gps and palm) for about 4 years. I used to travel on business and is was so great. Once the maps are loaded up it gives
I used a Garmin iQue 3600 (combo gps and palm) for about 4 years. I used to travel on business and is was so great. Once the maps are loaded up it gives very detailed maps and like others, it talks to you. Nothing like getting off an airplane in the middle of the night and just putting the address in for my hotel and letting the gps do the work. I've used it Indiana, Washington state, Phoenix, and Colorado. At about $500 it's cheaper than a lot of the alternatives. I especially like it because I can put a clients info in it and then just tell it to route me there. You can expand using an SD card.

I've always worried about theft and because it's my palm I never leave it in the car. I found that when I need a gps, I need a gps but 90% of the time around my home town; I don't. I've always been unable to justify the cost for an in dash unit given how often I would use it. I had one in our previous car (a Bimmer) and once the fascination subsided … My iQue3600 works every day as a pda and when necessary as a very good gps. The car craddle both recharges and amplifies the voice. I do feel it's a little bulky.

Now if they’d get a phone gps combined with a palm and blue tooth … that would be very good!

I just purchased the Magellan Roadmate 700 "Ive got an Rt ,didn't want to pay the extra for the RTS or RTL with the Nav "I drove Approx. 180 miles to pick this unit up for 399 at an Electronic outlet store ,it usally sells for almost twice that much ,it's refurbished and the only thing is they upgraded the firmware.Does every thing I need it to do.

I just purchased the Magellan Roadmate 700 "Ive got an Rt ,didn't want to pay the extra for the RTS or RTL with the Nav "I drove Approx. 180 miles to pick this unit up for 399 at an Electronic outlet store ,it usally sells for almost twice that much ,it's refurbished and the only thing is they upgraded the firmware.Does every thing I need it to do.

I have the same one and I love it. We paid nearly $1200 for ours a year and a half ago :eek: You got a deal!!!

Thanks Cal, your comments about traveling with your palm makes sense...and I do agree...never leave your palm pilot in your car. During the summer the car can get very hot and ruin the unit. I already own a Palm Zire72 and I'm sure the Garmin iQue3600 is a nice unit, but I really don't want to spend for a new unit. I'm still considering on getting the TomTom Navigation 5 system. It's considered one of the better units out there that will work with the Palm Zire72. I never gave a thought to the cradle unit, so I'll have to check into getting something that works well in the RL.

Thanks Gretchen Thats Why I Drove Almost 178 Miles To Pick It Up At That Price It Does Work Great,my Wife Know Really Believes It When I Say" Were Not Lost" :)

I purchased the Street Pilot C340 and I luv it. Very easy to use rite out of the box and you can hook up an an optional fm antenna type gadget(189.00) to recieve real time traffic reports in most major cities. If you don't "need" that feature, or use you cell phone a bunch wile drivin I would suggest the tom-tom 700 w/ bluetooth. I plan on getting one for my wife, she uses her cell more in a couple days than I do in a month which would justify the extra 120$ or so for the tom-tom

I love the tomtom and I might suggest getting a PROCLIP mounting bracket. It's really nice. ( I don't work for the company)

have you consider using a PDA with GPS attatchment? I have a dell PDA with a 1gig SD chip and GPS attachment, its transferable to other vehicles and you can get a cig lighter plug to charge it while using it in transit. its an option if you have a PDA already and don't want to buy another toy.