Garmin c320 over the c330???

As long as you've got a PC to do the initial download of the maps, get the c320. You can probably do even a little better than $25 for the 1GB flash card ($12 plus shipping on NewEgg).

Another advantage of the c320 over the c330 is that you get a DVD with the maps on it, which you can use with the MapPoint application on your PC. Even if you don't get the app in the box, just download a MapPoint updater. When the updater sees the maps on your hard drive, it will go ahead and install the MapPoint application.

 

The C320 works well for me. I also like the fact that everything is on a flash card instead of a hard drive. I think that in the long run the flash versions will be more reliable [less moving parts to fail]

 

Johnfried: Where did you see the $259 price? Thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(johnfried @ Jan 3 2007, 12:20 AM) [snapback]369907[/snapback]</div>

The difference between the 2 units is that the 320 comes with a CD while the 330 comes with a hard drive & no CD. I bought a 2GB chip at www.frys.com for a low price & free shipping. I prefer the 320 because it is completely portable. Try to get the specs on the receiver. There is a new receiver that does a better job of acquiring and keeping a signal--most useful in the city.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jan 21 2007, 10:50 PM) [snapback]378888[/snapback]</div>

The new receiver chip is the SiRF Star III and it is not available in the c3x0 series. You have to spend a bit more to get a GPS with the SiRF III (c530 and TomTom One for example).

 

Choices, choices, choices . . . I'm in the process of determining the features I want and the items that offer them. One example: what I think is called text-to-speech (i.e., "Turn left on to Main Street" vs. just "Turn left."). It does not appear that the c320 and c330 (and Tom Tom One) have it. Others do, but for a bit more money. Is it worth the difference?

 

A larger flash card will allow you to put more map sections on it. If you are planning on a long trip, it can be handy. If you take a laptop anyway, not necessary, as you can update the files each night of the trip.

I find it entertaining how the Garmin software uses and chooses where to get the map files as you drive. For awhile as you approach the "edge of the universe" (blank screen) you get worried, then suddenly map data appears. One of my Garmin units has very basic map data built in, so it shows that until I cross the boundery, then it loads the files that I put in the memory.

I currently have three, a GPS III+ (my first), a Streetpilot III, and now a CF Que, which I use plugged into a Toshiba PDA with a 640X400 color screen. Small but very nice detail.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jan 22 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]379023[/snapback]</div>

There is no reason to not load all the map data into your GPS these days, IMHO. All of the US and Canada is just a hair over 800MB using the "NT" (New Technology) version of City Navigator, and a 1GB flash card can be had for $12 or less. You must really put a low value on your time for it to be worth swapping map data around to fit on a small flash card rather than just spend the $12.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(johnfried @ Jan 22 2007, 12:50 AM) [snapback]378881[/snapback]</div>

Just shop for price. When I bought the 2GB chip it was on sale for less than the 1GB.