Comparing Garmin and Prius GPS

I recently bought a Garmin C330 with a UK SD card to use on an upcoming driving trip in England.

I used it in my 2005 Prius to compare it to the Prius built-in Nav. The C330 is much better!

The Prius Nav will not guide me from main roads through small side streets, but the C330 does. I recently got lost in small side streets going to a wedding using the Prius Nav.

The arrows for upcoming turns are much easier to see while driving than are the separate turn screens on the Prius Nav.

The colors choices are better on the C330. Even though the map is about half the size of the Prius Nav map, it is easier to read for me.

I am really looking forward to using the C330 in navigating between ancestral villages in Suffolk, England in October.

Dave Roper

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Canuck @ Jan 21 2006, 08:55 PM) [snapback]195021[/snapback]</div>

I had the 2620 before I bought the Prius, but I opted for the integration and got Package 8. It's nice having it interfaced with the car's speedometer. In large cities where buildings block the GPS signal, the Garmin loses positional awareness, unless you bought and installed a separate package for your car that results in the same thing the Prius has.

The Garmin is a lot better on street names. If you blow up the display, you can read every little alley in the picture. The Prius doesn't have this detail. My home street is a little cul-de-sac that contains 4 houses. The Prius doesn't allow this street name to appear until I am on it. Its harder to "case" a neighborhood for a particular street.

The Garmin display is smaller and my wife complained about that. When I got the Prius, I gave it to her and now she doesn't complain anymore. (At least not about that.)

The world class PITA restrictions Toyota gave us 2006 buyers make the Garmin a hands-down winner in ease of use while underway. When I'm driving, my wife likes to put it in her lap to set up or play with. Not possible with the Prius.

In all honesty, for most of my life I find the GPS just tells me where I am, as if I didn't know. I'm usually pretty much aware of how to get to where I am going and don't use it. It's an expensive toy for me, but then I like toys! It, like so much about the Prius, reminds me of my flying days. I'm back in my poor-man's 757 cockpit!

 

I am using a Garmin Nuvi 350.

I am powered from the cig lighter power port in the center console.

I also use the MP3 built in with the AUX IN in the center console.

I mount the Nuvi with the standard suction cup, but I attach it to the front smooth plastic of the front tilt front cup holder. THe cup holder is open when I attach the Nuvi.

THere is just enough room for the Nuvi Suction Cup to hold. Other Suction cups like those from RAM Mounts are too big.

With the Nuvi attached, it appears "factory" and like an extension of the center console.

I would post a picture here, but for some reason I can not figure out, I can not post here.

This is highly recommended.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Proteus @ Jan 21 2006, 11:43 PM) [snapback]194987[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roperld @ Sep 23 2006, 12:13 PM) [snapback]323871[/snapback]</div>

The c330 is very nice. Where and how do you mount it?

I note that the c330 is hard disk based. That is why I bought the Nuvi 350.

If I had a c-series, I would get the c320 (and I had ordered one before I came across a very good deal on the 350...) The c320 uses it's small internal memory and the SD slot SD memory card to hold maps. With a 2gb SD card, you can hold all of Canada and the USA. AS you already learned with the 330, you can then get a different card for Euorpe. I just think that long term the c320 will be more reliable than the c330 since it uses flash memory instead of a hard disk.

That said, I find the Nuvi 350 very reliable and accurate. Mounted on the front of the center console front cup holder, It has no problems with gps reception.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Twiddles @ Jan 22 2006, 07:33 AM) [snapback]195143[/snapback]</div>

Lowrance is a very good GPS. It is hard disk based and like the Garmin c330, is slower to display than memory based units.

I am very happy with the Garmin Nuvi 350.

If you have a low end Prius without Bluetooth, consider the Nuvi 360. It has mp3 player and a bluetooth interface that acts as a dialer and speaker phone for a bluetooth cell phone.

Mounted to the front of the front cup holder it makes the package 3 the equivalent in funtion to the package 8.

I compared the built in GPS in a package 8 to the nuvi and found the nuvi easier to use with better map information.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Sep 24 2006, 01:39 PM) [snapback]324307[/snapback]</div>

Can you please post a pic of your mount? You can use www.imageshack.us to host the photo and then direct link it. I just bought a c320 from Costco online for 269, and am awaiting its arrival. I'm concerned as to where I'm going to mount it, but for that price....... I bought a 1 gig high speed SD card for 20 dollars and it should hold all of the US and Canada on it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Oct 3 2006, 01:35 PM) [snapback]327340[/snapback]</div>

I will make an attempt to post a picture tomorrow afternoon.

THe 320 is a great unit and I prefer to the 330 since it does not have any moving parts. YOu will probably need the 2 gb SD card for the USA and Canada.

I have a new mounting idea... It will work for the Nuvi and the c320.

1) from Proclip, get the Garmin Nuvi specific device mount (This works with the c550, don't know about the c320)

http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=143...id=&p_year=

2) You have several options now...

a) For a near dashboard mount, use either the proclip or panavise mount.

http://panavise.com/f/comm/indash/indashvi...921496568147570

http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=144...amp;p_year=2006


For both of these options, have a 12v power source wired behind the dash near the cig lighter and run the auto power adapter to either the right or left of the MFD depending upon if you use the proclip or panavise mount.

Mount the Proclip device mount to the vehicle mount.

B) take the device mount and mount it to a RAM Mount tat works for you. I am thinking about the RAM A Can to make a Cup holder mount. You can then use the front cup holder.

There are flat plates that convert a vehicle mount like the proclip to a T slot to use with a T mount system used by the docks for Satelite radios. You can then use the XM version of the Belkin TuneDok cupholder mount...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Oct 3 2006, 01:35 PM) [snapback]327340[/snapback]</div>

Here are three pictures of the Nuvi 350 attached via suction cup to the front of the front cup holder. You will note in one picture the satelite reception screen...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Oct 3 2006, 10:29 PM) [snapback]327650[/snapback]</div>

I too mount the Nuvi 350 on the iPrius cup holder cover. It works great. The free Mapsource v8 update has the more recent streets. "Jill" the Nuvi voice graciously announces turns and other guidance. If you deviate "Jill" says "recalculating" and continues to guide you. In about a year "Jill" has been wrong four times out of over 200 routes drawn. I take the Nuvi with me to help cab drivers (no more professionals you know) when I travel. The Nuvi also lets me see where the plane is and how fast and high its going on Southwest an airline that permits gps. The Nuvi I find is far superior to the gps units in rent cars so I am guessing it would be better than any Prius would package. Of course to update a Nuvi you plug it in your PC and don't have to program it in the car.
Jill also sings if you put mu3 or mp3 files on an SD card and let her at them.

 

PriusInsight-

I really like the way you've mounted the Nuvi. If the c320's suction cup is as small as the Nuvi's then I'm going to go the same direction.

How did you run your power cable and aux cable into the center councel without keeping it open? Or do you simply keep it ajar.

Thanks a great deal for the photo's.

 

I too mounted my nuvi 360 on the center consol. However, I had trouble with suction cup falling off when mounted on the outer side.

So I have attached a dash board mont disc inside the front cup holder, (you can still close the cup holder). Then I attached the suction cup on the inside of front cup holder (keeping the cup hoder open). The nuvi covers the open cup holder and it is hardly visible that the cup holder is open.

The wires can easily be slipped through small gap in the back side of the console, so no need to keep the consol ajar.

You may experience a disturbing humming when you connect the nuvi to Aux in, while the power cord is connected to 12V. To remeady this, you will need to use a 'ground loop circuit" eliminator, which you can buy for less than 20 bux. I bought mine from Radioshack, but you can buy it from crutchfield on line.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Oct 3 2006, 11:15 PM) [snapback]327675[/snapback]</div>

I run the power and audio (you may need a ground loop isolator) out the back of the console near the hinge. The cables then drop down to the floor. I tuck them under the platic edge of the console hiding them. I run them forward and they exit the console near the front drawer. I then connect to the mount.

To protect the wires, I covered the cables with some spiral wrap.

The suction cup needs to be placed with the slightest overlap to the finger notch of the cup holder front.

Any larger suction cup will not work.

You can probably also rig a cup holder mount using various parts and adapters...

The idea of using the adhesive pad to provide a better suction surface for the suction cup in the fron cup holder either on the bottom or the inside front is also a very good alternative.

 

I mount my Nuvi on the dashboard below the center vent away from the driver. I only use the suction directly on that surface, not the plate. I mount it sideways so that it slightly blocks the radio controls. (I use the steering wheel controls anyway). You can see it without looking down as far.

My technololgically challenged wife loves the Nuvi and hated the PriusNav.

 

I was unimpressed with the Prius navigation and I already had a Garmin Quest II so I use that with a dashboard friction mount - soon to be modified to a regular dash mount.

I like the Questt II much better AND I have the added benefit of being able to bring it for use in rental cars, etc - AND it's battery operated so I've even used it for some Geocaching!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(twdusa @ Jan 21 2006, 11:35 PM) [snapback]195010[/snapback]</div>

Same here, love it!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusInsight @ Oct 4 2006, 06:14 PM) [snapback]328136[/snapback]</div>

So there is no "pinching" of the wires when the exit the back of the console?

If my suction cup is the right size, this is the setup I'm going to go with. I like it because the unit is not so visible that it is a security issue, yet it's a clean setup that seems user friendly and practicle. Costco shipped my unit yesterday, so I'll keep you all posted.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Oct 5 2006, 11:21 AM) [snapback]328414[/snapback]</div>

There has been no pinching (yet) of the wires exiting at the rear of the console near the hinge.

Consider covering the gps with a cap if you need to leave your prius and do not disconnect the gps unit... out of sight makes less of a temptation...

 

My husband's bd is on the 13 and he bought, a month ago a Prius. I want to buy him a GPS system. Our son has the garmin street pilot c330 but he says the c340 should be good also. I found a site called Epinions.com and FactoryOuletStore.com found several good buys. At Circuit City online I found the Garmin StreetPilot c330 GPS for$224.99. My thing is that according to consumer guide the best GPS are the Garmin Street Pilot c580 and the Magellan Crossoveer GPS but according to comparisons at FactoryOuletStore.com the Garmin C 550 has better features and at FactoryOuletStore.com I can get it for $424.99 (with the rebate) I am running out of time. need to buy it soon. Have read comments from everyone and I'm still undecided what and where to buy the best GPS for the money (under $500) Sock it to me with your wisdom and advice... Please

 

This is biggest complaint about the factory NAV. My old eMap does this, so why not my 2007 Prius NAV?

 

I would like to provide a different perspective.
That is, any loosely mounted object in a vehicle is a hazard in case of crash or panic stop.
The object may fly around and hurt occupants inside. Please consider this aspect.
Also, thieves are targeting vehicles with GPS mounts showing through windshields.
They would break in the vehciles to hunt for
GPS units hidden in the glove compartments. There is no way they would steal factory units since they are
diffciult to sell in black market.

 

I only played with the Prius GPS for a few minutes on a test drive, but that was enough for me to not be at all interested in one. The usability and displays were clearly inferior to what Garmin offers. (Why doesn't Toyota put a Garmin in there?) I needed a GPS anyway for flying, so I got a Garmin 296 for less $. It works for flying and driving (and boating for that matter, which I've never used).

By the way, I had to buy my Prius 500 miles away in order get the package I wanted that did not include the GPS! For some reason that package (#4 for the 2005 models) was not available or even orderable in Southern California. I had to buy it in San Jose and drive it back.

Another problem with an integrated unit, besides an inferior interface and the difficulty of upgrades, is that it's integrated. I take my GPS on trips for use in rental cars. That's pretty hard to do with the integrated unit. Naturally, the GPS is much more beneficial on travel than on the familiar roads at home.

Overall, I get more functionality when using it in the Prius, plus I can use it in other cars when on travel, plus I can use it flying, all for less money.

Yes, there is the issue of the GPS projectile in the cabin in the event of a crash. I'll just take that risk. The airbag will be between me and it if it's a hard enough crash.

As for visibility to potential thieves, I stick the thing inside the center console when I park.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(marta @ Sep 9 2007, 10:58 PM) [snapback]509906[/snapback]</div>

Froogle the Garmin Nuvi 660 and goto about page 14 it is a bit more expensive but Consumer Reports rates it the best and I agree. The only thing the Prius Denso unit has over most handheld/portable units is that you can input up to 5 addresses into the system at one time. View a map of the five numbered (ie. 1,2,3,4 and 5) addresses and then reorder them manually (i.e. 2,4,5,3 and 1) for the best route. This is a must have in my line of biz, Real Estate Appraiser. But as so often happens the unit won't give you turn by turn instructions to get to your location so what use is it? Grrrr, I called Toyota on this and they explained to me that it was a safety feature so that the unit wouldn't route you down a street that may have been changed from two-way to one-way. Since the refusal to give turn by turn instructions most often (99.9%) of the time happens in small towns or rural areas I thought to myself BULLSH*T!! Anyway my .02 cents don’t waste your money on the Toyota unit.

Wildkow