Which add on navigation brand is best?

I just got a Garmin Nuvi 370 from Amazon for $330. So far I like it very much. I bought a cup holder mount from Amazon (not the Arkon) because I had read so much about the importance being able to the get the mount, not just the unit, out of sight when you leave the car.
URl for that item was http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00168O3XA
It will also mount on the smooth portion of the dash above the vent using the provided suction cup. For me, the 370 was worth the extra because it comes preloaded with NavTec Europe and can be used when travelling in Europe, either in car or pedestrian mode. I bought the non-slip Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount for my husband's Camry. This unit is 3.5" but I wanted the smaller size for travelling on foot. I did find that I had to spend a fair amount of time researching this, and that prices are all over the place for many units, so some time spent searching for a good price from a good vendor is necessary.

 

I personally like the megallen units ( I currently own a 2200T). They use navteq maps and the interface is more usable especially in complex exits. Usually they lack the extras which I don't care for and do the basic navigation better at a lower price.

 

I did quite a bit of research before I bought mine including borrowing a NUVI 660 and a Megallin for a couple of weeks, I also used a friends Hybrid Camry with the Toyota unit. Fortunately he bought his Camery in 2006 so the unit is still useable with the car in motion. Garmin seems to be the best choice at this time. Better software and better maps. In the Consumer Reports ratings Garmin units are a clear leader.

I bought a Garnin NUVI 760 at Costco for $350 it works as expected. I also like the "bean bag" dashboard mount for Garmin units.

If you buy one of the Garmins be sure to connect it to your computer (it comes with a USB cable) and update your software (free) and your maps (free one time). Garmin does not have very good customer service but who does? When I finally did get through to a human I got a good answer to my question.

 

Excellent choice!

BTW, you can mount the clip on the round vent by the triangular window. Very neat place for it.

 

I've used a TomTom for a couple of days and felt it comparable to a Garmin. Recently recommended a Garmin Nuvi 250W (225?) which shows speed limits, longitude & lattitude, announces street names, and got a satellite lock from inside a building for $160 on-line. You'll have a tough time mounting it on the "vent" window and a harder time using it there. The only power connector supplied is for the cigarette lighter so you'll want to buy an AC adapter.

 

The traffic signaling takes a long time to initialize the first time you turn the unit on, but after that it should be fairly quick - provided you leave the unit plugged in via the 12V plug. Even if you power off the car, the unit continues to run on its battery to keep the signal processing. (At least that's how it works on my 760.)

Since I have mine mounted near the triangular window, it's pretty well hidden already. When leaving the car, all I need to do is pull a baseball cap over it to protect it from the sun (and thieving eyes).

I'll definitely purchase the traffic service once the trial period is over. It works really well in our metropolitan area (Dallas/Ft Worth) and has saved us on numerous occasions. Not sure how it works in the Orlando area, since I-4 is always congested anyway. (My sister lives in Lake Mary, and I used to live in Melbourne, so I've driven through Sanford many many times...)

 

Garmin has a reputation for pretty good customer service, especially compared to tomtom... but, I guess YMMV

 

I've owned both a Garmin StreetPilot c320 and a TomTom ONE v.3, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The Garmin unit is definitely easier to use and has a simpler interface; the TomTom, however, gives you a lot of information and customisation potential. It may not be an issue for the average user, but being able to install a number of voices and colour schemes and have Mario in his Kart as the icon for my car has a lot of appeal for my inner geek.

In response to that routing test linked from GPS Magazine, the Garmin is much better at calculating arrival times. This is why for a route exactly the same in distance the TomTom reports an eight minute longer journey. It's pretty spot-on for main streets, but the TomTom expects U-turns to take 45 seconds and side streets to have eight mile an hour speed limits, generally. Also, there's only been one significant difference in routing between the two units that I've seen, between my girlfriend's house and mine, and the TomTom gives the better, faster route. Your mileage may vary.

 

Regarding customer service:
I am a pilot and we have THREE Garmin GPS's in our Cirrus aircraft. I also have 2 Nuvi's for auto use and IMHO Garmin has the VERY BEST customer service I have ever encountered. I don't own any stock (wish I did) or work for them....just a very satisfied customer....
Regards from Naples Florida
Tigerpilot

 

Garmin, Garmin, Garmin.

I had a Garmin Nuvi 350 in my Explorer and now I have the built-in one in the new Prius. The Garmin is so much better. The only advantage to the built-in one is that it is built-in.

 

I didn't know that. Yet another reason to go with MSN-based units.

Didn't previous Nuvi models use TMC?

 

I have 2 Garmins and a Navigon (I have 3 vehicles) . The prices have come down quite a bit and a $200 GPS today is like a $600 GPS just a couple years ago....Also, the map updates (at least for Garmin) have come down; realize, of course, the maps are a year behind when they are released so the 2008 maps are of course based on 2007 data. The Garmin updates are $75 (depending on model) and of course, they key the map to your serial number so cannot be used on your "other Garmin".

All the GPS have their individual strong points. Oddly, they may vary even within the same maunfacter's offering. My first GPS was the low end Garmin I2 (Black and white display, and NON Touch screem) oddly enough, this little unit would give me the same route I would normally take, but the CPU is pretty slow, and sometimes the screen map was confusing (not sure if it means the immediate next exit or the one after).

The newer Garmin I have, (the C330) with the touch screen and Color! Insists that I take the on ramp that is farther from my house (I have 3 access points to the interstate all within 2 miles of my house) which the ist generation Garmin did not do (no big deal, just ignore and it will recalculate).

As for the Navigon....It is pretrty quirky. You need to wait until it locks into all the satellites before drining off. It might get confused and direct you 180 degrees the wrong direction! It also seems to want you to avoid driving by a school (good idea when school is opening or letting out) but the rest of the time, not needed. It also has crashed on me a couple of times (there is a hard reset switch you need to reboot with-turning on or off will not work). However, it's graphics are really neat-actual point of view of what the exit looks like (with the point of view road signs!) especially neat if you are unfamiliar and it's one of those complex interstates where the highway splits off into 2 or more other interstates all in a 1000 feet....

Over all, I'm happier with my Garmins!

 

why do u need so many in a plane?

i've been wondering why air traffic control uses radar instead of GPS these days.

 

if you go with msn make sure garmin or the retailer is willing to switch out your msn traffic reciever for the regular one !!!!

you will most likely find that the rds-tmc traffic recievers are more reliable then msn direct, and the msn direct antenna more suspectible to drop out

good luck