I'm considering buying a GPS system for my car

[Koko Ed]

After getting lost a whole lot the last time I went to Indianapolis and the increased amount fo travel I have been doing recently I have decided to buy one of those GPS sytems for my car before I go to IRI.
Any suggestions?

[John Gutmann]

My brother has the Mio. He got it for like 180$ at circuit city. It works really good.

-John

[Joe Matt]

One of my buddies has a Garmin, it's awesome. Speaks clearly, well done, and compared to TomToms, VERY fast.

[skimoose]

I bought my wife a Garmin C340 last year and she loves it.

Most units have all of North America loaded from the factory. Most have USB capabilities to download newer map information. Most offer 2D and 3D views.

The main difference between the cheaper and more expensive systems is in the turn by turn information given. The less expensive unit will say for example...

"in 200 feet turn right" or "in 200 feet bear left onto exit ramp"

where as the more expensive units will say for example...

"in 200 feet turn right onto Main Street" or "in 200 feet bear left onto exit ramp number 29, I-91, downtown Hartford"

The more information given, the better my wife liked it.

If you can get by with simple directions great, but sometimes at complicated intersections some extra confirmation is helpful. Also, don't let the GPS unit override your common sense. GPS units generally have two algorythms for computing your travel route, fastest route (tries to maximize highway use), and shortest route (shortest travel distance from point A to B). The route calculated might not be your preference or may cause you to back track out of your intended route to reach a highway quicker. If you know a better route, disregard the GPS unit's instructions until you reach your intended route (the GPS will continue to recalculate new routes, and eventually it will figure out which way you intend to go), or learn how to add way points to your travel route with your system so you can program your route via any highway, city, or street you want to travel.

The GPS is a great tool, I see them becoming a standard item in new cars more often soon.

[Steve W]

I have done a lot of checking out myself. I have decided that I will get the Garmin Nuvi 350. Lots of features, good price and good reviews.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Steve W

I have done a lot of checking out myself. I have decided that I will get the Garmin Nuvi 350. Lots of features, good price and good reviews.

That's the one I'm leaning towards.

[Gamer930]

Originally Posted by Steve W

I have done a lot of checking out myself. I have decided that I will get the Garmin Nuvi 350. Lots of features, good price and good reviews.

The Nuvi 350 is very nice. . . We have one, our neighbor has one, our friend, and each firetruck and ambo in our city has one. Never had a problem and always gets good reception. The maps are pretty current also. I believe version 8 is the most current at this time. I would watch if you get it off of EBAY that it is Version 8 because there is still a lot of Version 7s floating around

[Rich Wong]

I used the Microsoft Street & Trips with the USB GPS for a couple of years before I purchased a portable GPS unit.
The Microsoft had great features; better than my present portable GPS BUT I had to carry a laptop around (a pain in the neck) so last year I got the Tom-Tom One which is very easy to use, portable and lots of features.

I do missed the tracking feature on Street & Trips, the BIG map and the free traffic updates off the internet.

Back to the Tom-Tom, I have used it from Canada down to Florida and had no problems.
The touch screen is good, the size is good for most pockets. I even used it for walking around a cities and for founding food & gas stations.
I rely on the voice feature more and more to guide me to my destination.
The "Alternate route selection" feature has help get me out of traffic jams on unfamiliar roads.
Tom-Tom's night mode is not too good. The default colors are hard to read.
The battery life should be better.
Over all Tom-Tom One was a great investment.

Good Luck!

[Koko Ed]

Well I finally gave in and bought the Garmin International nuvi 350 GPS Portable Navigation System today.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, guys.

[Tim Delles]

Ed,

The Garmin Nuvi 350 is a great system. (I sell these for a summer job... well and many more things lol)

It has the enhanced voice commands so you get the actual street name ... something i like but at times it can be annoying...

[Jeff K.]

My mom also has a Garmin Nuvi 350. She drove my car for a bit, and loved the Lexus nav system, and so she wanted to find something similar to it. I haven't played around with it, but she hasn't gotten lost since, so she's happy.

[Wayne Doenges]

I have a Garmin Quest II on my motorcycle. I like the small size and color screen. It also has all the roads in the USA and has 140 meg of memory for waypoints, POI's etc...
This is my third GPS I have owned. I've had a Garmin GPS III and a GPS V. I've loved them all.
The Quest II has a problem with my 2004 Vibe windshield though. GM puts metal in it for UV protection and the Quest gets jammed by the metal.
I would rather have a portable GPS than one permanently mounted in my car. I can take the portable anywhere.

Ed, just out of curiosity, what did you pay for the Nuvi 350?

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

After getting lost a whole lot the last time I went to Indianapolis and the increased amount fo travel I have been doing recently I have decided to buy one of those GPS sytems for my car before I go to IRI.
Any suggestions?

You could just take me to IRI with you! I am an amazing navigator when I'm not sleeping in the car!

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Well I finally gave in and bought the Garmin International nuvi 350 GPS Portable Navigation System today.

Yay! Now you have a week to learn how to use it! And I can play with it when I'm not sleeping in the car!