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The BEST entry level GPS in your opinion

daventura

daventura

Wishes He Coud Still Ride
Joined
Oct 27, 2003
Location
Port 'O' Lake
Moto(s)
are inherently dangerous.
Name
David
I need a GPS.
I don't need mp3 capabilities or video or bluetooth.
Text to speech would be nice.
I'm looking at something like the Garmin NUVI 200 or the Magellan Maestro 4000.
This is for a car or truck so size is irrelevant.
The Magellan has a nice big wide screen.

Ideas and opinions?

TIA

:teeth
 
When I bought the NUVI 350, it was the entry level model for Garmin at the time, but in the year that I've owned it, I've got no complaints. It's accurate, quick, colorful, easy to use, easy to mount, just great.

It does play mp3's along with a bunch of other functions that I don't really use, but as an EMT on an ambulance, it's become one of my most useful tools at work.

Since you mentioned the voice feature, this is one of the newer models that is actually able to pronounce actual street names. Instead of saying "turn left at next street", it'll say "turn left at MAIN street". But truthfullly, shortly after using the navigation for a while, I turned the feature off all together because it quickly got annoying.

As you can see from this unpaid testimonial, the NUVI 350's my suggestion. I was in the same boat that you are, in the position to buy a navi unit, about to spend big bucks, so I did a lot of research on my own before settling on the 350. Haven't been disappointed yet!
 
Got my wife the Nuvi 350 last year. We both love it.

My Dad has a Magellan. Its about two years old and we both thought it sucked.
 
Garmin 2610

Still one of the best. Refurbs are cheap. Used even cheaper.
 
I've always been partial to the Garmin 276c -- don't know if it's still available.

The screen is fairly large and bright, the screen colors are brilliant, and the buttons are easily navigable. The unit is versatile for driving/riding, marine use, and hiking in the wilderness. Works via external power (plugs into a cigarette adapter) or rechargeable battery(ies). It also does voice prompts (but I think you have to buy something extra for that feature). Plus if you're a sailor, you can always find other sailors who're willing to let you download some maps. Or so I've been told.

As I recall, Garmin tends to have rebates on certain units at certain times of the year. I think West Marine is very good about keeping the coupons handy for customers, REI sometimes.

Some people are happy with the smaller Garmin units (like Rhino and eTrex). It just depends on how much you want to spend, how you intend to use it, and the unit's size. Now that car thieves look for GPS units to steal, I'd also consider size and portability along with the other considerations. (And don't forget to take it with you!)
 
Good reviews.

I'm torn between the Garmin nuvi 200W and the Magellan Maestro 4000.
These two both have the larger 4.3 screen.

An external volume control would be nice, but neither has that.

Thanks for all the help everybody, keep it coming.

:teeth
 
to access the volume controls is pretty easy, simply tap the single button on the upper right (the power button), which takes you to the volume control screen, slide the volume control tab to whichever level you want, and tap the power button to go back to navigation.

i was initially put off by the lack of buttons, but the touch screen actually gets the job done pretty well.

oh yeah, i got my nuvi on ebay for $430 shipped. it was a refurb, but out of the box it looked (and even smelled) brand new. at the time I would've had to pay $599 in stores, so don't overlook ebay as a place to pick one up.
 
Okay...they both have basically the same features.

Which one do you like better?

This one...

magellan-maestro-450.jpg


Or this one...

nuvi250W.jpg


They have the same size screen...pictures are different sizes.
They are close to the same price.

:teeth
 
daventura said:
Okay...they both have basically the same features.

Which one do you like better?

This one...

magellan-maestro-450.jpg


Or this one...

nuvi250W.jpg


They have the same size screen...pictures are different sizes.
They are close to the same price.

:teeth
Click to expand...

Those cartoon 3d maps blow huge chunks. :wtf

I'll take a normal 2d map anyday.

Oh, yeah, get the Garmin. Magellan's suck too.
 
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