can I still get navigation for my car?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jul 6 2007, 12:22 PM) [snapback]474047[/snapback]</div>

The only reason I mentioned "hiding" the suction cup (disc) "mount" and using a bean bag mount is that there have been a rash of thefts in the big USA cities, even with the actual GPS unit and all cables "hidden" in glove box or in trunk. Thieves see the suction cup and then s-m-a-s-h.... there goes the side window, looking inside for the GPS. :angry:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jul 6 2007, 12:22 PM) [snapback]474047[/snapback]</div>

The Garmin beanbag mount (separate purchase) is very stable and doesn't slide around at all.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 6 2007, 01:31 AM) [snapback]473857[/snapback]</div>

I just did a quick search on shopping.com and found a NUVI660 for $566 (free shipping)

Craig

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tsaxman28 @ Jul 6 2007, 03:27 PM) [snapback]474180[/snapback]</div>

Might want to check that vendor's (PC Nation) ratings-not so hot...

 

$599.99 and FREE shipping at COSTCO (2 days left !!):
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...g=en-US&s=1

$649.99 for the 7200 (7" monster screen) plus FREE shipping:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?...g=en-US&s=1

 

Is the anntenna detachable? Where does it need to be? I am wanting one of these, but I am to lazy to do any research.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Elephanthead @ Jul 6 2007, 04:22 PM) [snapback]474210[/snapback]</div>

On the Garmin nuvi 660 it "flips up" from the top rear....
[attachmentid=9469]
I have read on this PriusChat forum that nuvi 660 owners mounted the unit "low" and it still picks up great....

 

If you have reception difficulties you can plug in an external antenna. They are tiny, about 1" square, on a small cable, and come with double sided tape and magnetic. Your choice how you mount it. It plugs into the gold coloured spot on the picture above on the side of the flip up antenna. It's an amplified antenna (to compensate for the loss of the cable).

 

Interesting, I have my prius all torn apart doing stupid things to the radio, I should install one of these anntennas now, which is why I asked.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Elephanthead @ Jul 6 2007, 05:11 PM) [snapback]474242[/snapback]</div>

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Garmin-Remo...roductDetail.do

[attachmentid=9477]

Obviously it would be best to ask one who used this model antenna where is the "best" place to mount it in the Prius. They also make a few other kinds of mounting antennas, just make sure the end connector mates up to the nuvi 660 !!

 

I have NAV in my Accord, but my Nuvi 360 beats the heck out of it. Go with an aftermarket unit.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(busyrosy @ Jul 6 2007, 07:30 AM) [snapback]473965[/snapback]</div>

My favorite mounting location is right next to the rear view mirror, but this is not legal in CA. To me, it is a lot safer to glance up there and less strain to read than down on the dash somewhere. Of couse, my 360 is smaller than the I 660 (wude screen). I run the cables behind the headliner and down the window pillar. So much easier to use than the Toyota system, which I have, and reget paying extra for.


Yes, you do want to remove it and hide it away when you leave your car. But I usually just leave the suction cup on the window. Here, you can see how it attaches, and that lever releases tension on the suction cup.


It is very easy to take with you on foot, and run on the internal battery. Shown here in my hand.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(busyrosy @ Jul 6 2007, 07:30 AM) [snapback]473965[/snapback]</div>

My favorite mounting location is right next to the rear view mirror, but this is not legal in CA. To me, it is a lot safer to glance up there and less strain to read than down on the dash somewhere. Of couse, my 360 is smaller than the I 660 (wude screen). I run the cables behind the headliner and down the window pillar. So much easier to use than the Toyota system, which I have, and reget paying extra for.
[attachmentid=9495]

Yes, you do want to remove it and hide it away when you leave your car, but there is a quick release to remove from mount and disconnect electrical connections quick as can be. But I usually just leave the suction cup on the window. Here, you can see how it attaches, and that lever releases tension on the suction cup.
[attachmentid=9494]

It is very easy to take with you on foot, and run on the internal battery. Shown here in my hand.
[attachmentid=9496]

 

The Nuvi 660 was on sale about 6 weeks ago at Costco for 499.99 so I ordered one. If you get on Costco's e-mail list, you can get some really great deals. I wasn't sure about the model, so I asked my cousin in NY who owns an RV parts/repair shop and he said to buy 5 of them at that price and sell them on e-bay! I thought that it was a bum model or something being so cheap for the larger screen. So, I bought it and what a nice nav system it is. It was purchased to use in our Tundra as the Prius already has one. After figuring out the Prius, I never had to read the instruction for the Garmin. It's so easy. Surprisingly, the bean bag mount works great on the dash and having bluetooth in a car not equipped with BT is another plus. If you are traveling ouside of the US, you can get additional software. It's very portable and comes with a nice little leather case. I was thinking about the laptop, but too bulky.

 

Is the only difference between the Nuvi 3xx series and 6xx series, the screen size? And what distinguishes a -50, -60, etc.?
On the Garmin site comparison tool, I see no other differences between 3's and 6's, 50's, 60's, etc.---though one of the 3's doesn't have Bluetooth (which I don't need anyway...)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(busyrosy @ Jul 6 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]473965[/snapback]</div>

Another option if your laptop has bluetooth is a Bluetooth GPS receiver. I used to use one with my PocketPC. I would just toss the receiver on the dashboard and I used a program called iguidance on the PocketPC.

If you want to see a ton of options for your laptop in one place, I highly recommend the site www.buygpsnow.com

They have options to let you build your own bundle of software and hardware so you can choose the receiver and software that best suits your needs.

And there is no reason that the laptop solutions won't work while you are walking.

 

350 and 650 would not have blue tooth, and I don't think they have the MP3 option either, but you had better confirm that part. 360 and 660 have the blue tooth.

The external antenna will be a plus when driving through forrests, deep canyons or skyscraper type landscapes. Otherwise, the flip up antenna on the unit is adequate.

The traffic antenna is a nice extra, and I think it may be built in on the new 660, but there is not enough resolution between light, medium, and heavy traffic. For instance, the normal daily slowdown and two lanes blocked would give the same alert.

 

I tried a laptop option. It was a real pain in the butt to use. I'll stick with the NUVI for sure. I've had my 360 almost a year, and I wonder how I ever survived without it. When I travel and rent a car, it's priceless!

 

When comparing Garmins models as well as other manufaturers, another difference to look for is whether it will speak street names. Some do, some don't.

On Garmin's site I can't tell if the 7200/7500 is SIRF or not. Anyone know? I like the 7500s ability to do "dead reconning" using a built in gyro. I'm just building a "mockup" to visualize the size of the thing and see if it will be practical size wise in the Prius. The larger screen is useful to those of us with "old eyes".