Navman N40i NavPix 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
I've now tried the icn550, replaced by the icn530, and now the n40i. They're all physically similar, with slightly different buttons. Big new hardware feature on the N40 is "navpix" (1.3 mpixel camera to associate a picture with the current GPS fix). Personally, I could not care less about that. What's amazing to me is that the map data around my house got WORSE this year (it's got the 2006 maps). Also, I find the user interface even less intuitive than its predecessor the icn-530. I can say at least that it gets a GPS fix pretty quickly. I had to reach for something nice to say. Go with Lowrance or Garmin or something.
Navman N40i NavPix 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
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Garmin nьvi 1350T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) (Electronics)
Pros:
- great size: not too big, not too small
- great image
- recalculations works fast and easy
- tells you the next move well before it comes and not just as it comes
- user friendly
- fun uploads for free ([...]; the custom voice thing only works on a Windows operated system, though)
- great price for what you're getting
Cons:
- no carrying case
- buttons are hard to the touch (I used an old stylus from a Palm Piolet I no longer use and that worked PERFECTLY). But who wants to carry a stylus around?
- no blue tooth (I'm still waiting for this to bother me, but it hasn't thus far; I can only imagine, however, it would bother a lot of other people)
For now, buy it here on Amazon.com. The free shipping and tax free makes it the best bargin on the market for this particular GPS. A week ago, it was quite a bit more, and Costco was a better deal even with taxes. But now Amazon has a seller that lowered their price (oh yeah, I'm pissed, but I'm getting over it).
But if you like the security of buying it and being able to return it just in case something goes wrong or you don't like it, I'd go through [...]. Otherwise, Amazon is your friend. =)
Garmin nьvi 1350T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished) (Electronics)
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Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator (Electronics)
Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator (Electronics)
I purchased the 60Cx to replace a Lowrance H2Oc I received at the beginning of the year. The Lowrance is a nice unit, but lacked trip routing, which I initially thought I didn't really need, but turned out to be wrong.
The 60Cx has an excellent feel in the hands, the buttons are surprisingly firm and responsive, where my Lowrance unit's were a bit mushy. The screen is excellent, highly visible in bright light, and the backlight is effective. The factory settings for turning the light off are a bit conservative, most likely to prolong battery life. As with most anything with a screen these days, the screen itself seems like it would scratch or scuff easily. I suggest putting some kind of protector on it. I cut a protector for a Sony PSP screen to fit.
I have not yet had to test the waterproof claims, but these were important to me, as one of my intended uses for this is mounted on my motorcycle while I'm out and about. I've used it all last season for this and it was great! If you are going to be using the unit for navigation etc you absolutely must acquire City Navigator North America, or whatever is appropriate for your region, or the pre-loaded cards. Base map detail is not enough for more then good sized city routing on highways. I also took the unit to New Zealand and it worked fine there, although Garmin's map availability is laughable, I had to purchase maps from a local shop. This is an advantage though, as apparently it's possible for 3rd parties to create compatible map data, so you are not completely reliant on Garmin.
RAM mounts are probably not your only option for this device but I'd imagine they are among the best. For cars or other vehicles, the suction cup mounts are excellent. For motorcycles there are specific handle bar mounts usually.
The unit also supports external antennas, although I can't imagine needing one, the reception and lock times are excellent, it it sports the well regarded SiRFIII chip. I was able to get solid locks even under thick tree cover while in New Zealand. I can also get a fairly good lock in my home without being near windows(but my house is also not one that would tend to block signal as much as many others).
Realistically, unless you buy preloaded cards, you will also want to purchase an additional microSD card to load maps on to, microSD memory is cheap these days, don't get less then 1GB. There's a great deal of discussion as to if a 2GB card will work or not, but as far as I can tell from said discussion it will. With a 1GB card, I can load full detail and POI data for about 1/2 the continental US.
Another bonus, the unit can be powered from it's USB port. I highly recommend you get some sort of power source for it if you will be using it in a car. This will allow the backlight to stay on while in use, which is very useful.
While in New Zealand, my friend had an older model dash Garmin (color touch screen, voice prompting, the works) and we found that other then the touch interface and voice prompting, my handheld was nearly identical in function. My lock did seem to be faster and better though, which was expected.
I highly recommend this unit. At least 2 people I know have purchased the identical unit after using mine, primarily for geocaching. The 60CSx, one step up, includes a barometric altimeter and electronic compass, which could be useful in certain situations, but I don't think justify the added expense.
Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator (Electronics)
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Telespial TrackStick - GPS tracking logger - 1 MB (Electronics)
I love it! A Trackstick is just useful to have, especially on vacation! I took it with me diving in Belize and kept it on the diveboat the whole time. Every day I'd plug it into my laptop so I could see the areas I missed or still needed to go. Granted, I couldn't take it in the water, but that didn't stop me from using the geotag feature to tag all the pictures I took with my underwater camera and sync them to the areas where Trackstick was recording. I can literally see all the spots I dove in, and with Google Earth I can put little pins on the red Trackstick route to my favorite (and secret!) spots.
I have to agree with with the review mentioning rechargeable batteries, definitely a good idea to have, especially when traveling, but from what you get out of a Trackstick, they are more than worth it and always come in handy for other things.
Telespial TrackStick - GPS tracking logger - 1 MB (Electronics)
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Mio C320 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
I just bought it today and the product works great. I updated the system and added TTS into it and unlock it with several programs. It just like a pocketpc...working great...love MIO...But one thing that i seem be annoyed with this c320 is the time/date...it seems to be a delay on adjusting the time/date when you are using MioMaps...it always go back to default when you shut down the MIO...
But overall it works great...love my new GPS and love how it allows you to load windows operating system into it...
Now i can watch video, view MS word, Excel, and PDF with this little handy-system...
Mio C320 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
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Garmin Foretrex 101 Hands-Free GPS Navigation (Electronics)
I wanted a small lightweight GPS with some basic navigation features at an affordable price. I've had the Foretrex 101 for almost a year and am very impressed. I use it hiking, mountain biking, xc skiing, and in my canoe. It's small size and the fact that I can just strap it to my wrist, my pack, the handlebars on my mtn bike (with a small piece of pipe insulation), or the thwart of my canoe, means I actually take it with and us it.
I had purchased another GPS about a decade ago and it was almost useless (heavy, couldn't keep a signal, drained the batteries). The foretrex 101 is a world of difference from the older devices. It grabs a signal pretty quick, holds it well under most conditions, and takes 2 AAA batteries that I find last for 8 to 10 hours (I use rechargeable).
The biggest downside is it doesn't come with a cable to connect to your computer or any software, but I purchased a separate cable online for about 10 or 15 bucks and downloaded the free version of EasyGPS that I use to download my track and waypoint data.
For those wanting maps, this device isn't designed for them. But it does do a great job of keeping track of where you are in relation to where you were (very useful on a some of the trail systems I use) as well as tracking distance traveled. You can't really compare it to a full featured GPS with maps, but then again, you're not going to find a full featured GPS with maps in this small lightweight design in this price range.
Garmin Foretrex 101 Hands-Free GPS Navigation (Electronics)
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Garmin nьvi 1250T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic (Electronics)
Purchased mine at Best Buy during an unadvertised clearance. So far, knock on wood, mine has been fully functional and I have not experieced the problems the other reviewers have mentioned. This GPS will get you to your destination with ease and is very user friendly.
The only cons I can see with mine is that it appears to have only 1 voice setting and the speaker volume is very, very low. If you go above 60% it starts to distort. The max you want to go in volume on this unit is 70%.
Overall I would recommend this unit if you are searching for a budget GPS that offers Text to Speach and Traffic.
Additional Notes:
2 months into using this unit I experienced it randomly powering down and the screen going black when in use. Also the maps started blinking prior to this on a long trip. Highly annoying! Further research on Garmin's support section showed that you need to d/l the "Web Updater" app and check to see if there is a new verison of software for your unit. Apparently these need a software update right out of the box as there appears to be a known bug so I would recommend that anyone who has this unit check for a software update as soon as you start using it. It should also be noted that they do not give you a USB cable for the unit but a standard mini USB cable will work.
[...]
Garmin nьvi 1250T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic (Electronics)
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Magellan Triton 400 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)
I bought this unit because I was in a large local retail chain and they were selling this unit for $99. I bought it without doing the usual reserach. Before I opened it up, I went online and ran into a bunch of bad reviews and some ok reviews. Well I am here to say that my Triton 400 works perfectly well. I bought the adventure pack which also includes the Topo software. I am only using it to mark locations of remote surf spots so i can't really say how well it works for hiking or other applications. I am not experiencing a lot of the issues that others have. It connects to my PC with no problem. I have used both software packages, Vantage point and Topo. They both work and I have transferred maps to the Triton and Waypoints and Trails out of the Triton. I will say that the user interface takes some getting used to and I did have to read the manual to figure out how to do the various operations. The buttons are a little small and a tad hard to press as others have mentioned. I don't know about it being inaccurate as som e have said. I recorded some points and put them in Google Earth and it looks pretty good to me. I do not see any bugs or operational issues. I don't have experience with other similar units so maybe some other unit is better. Maybe they used to have software bugs but mine works fine.
Magellan Triton 400 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Electronics)
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Mio C310 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigation (Electronics)
ok, so i got my unit on black friday. but even if i had paid twice as much as i did, i would still give it 5 stars.
i have a 2005 infiniti g35 coupe, with a factory-installed GPS system, which was around a $1000 option. i have stopped using it in favor of this little gem of a unit. i have also played around with a tom tom go 700, and a garmin c320, which are also great systems, but cost much more and aren't nearly as portable as the Mio.
PROS:
-- the screen is beautiful with extremely sharp resolution.
-- although the interface is a little complicated at first, once i played with the unit for an hour, it now seems quite intuitive. there are a lot of customizable options. one thing that is difficult to figure out was how to save my address book. you actually have to do it under 'My POI'.
-- it locks on quickly and gets a strong signal even inside my apartment.
-- the small size, and the fact my system came with a AC adapter. also the rechargeable lithium battery lasts a pretty long time between charges. this is one of the few GPS systems that i would not be embarassed to carry around while touring a new city on foot, because it is so thin that it looks like a PDA. It seems like that Mio designed this unit with this in mind because there is a "on foot" setting which takes into account the slower speed, and avoids freeways, etc. This is unlike most of the other units i have seen (Garmins, Magellan, Tom Tom), which are way too bulky to carry around. i have been carrying my Mio around on my waist in a PDA case. i plan to use it when i visit a new city to get around--it will also be extremely helpful to find stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations (see next comment)
-- the Points of Interest function is awesome. i can search for nearby businesses by 'category' (for example, nearby japanese restaurants, or nearby gas stations, or nearby shopping malls), OR i can search for nearby businesses by 'name', for example, the nearest Best Buys, or Targets, or Disneyland. this is awesome, and is my favorite feature because in my Infiniti, i can only search nearby businesses by 'category'. (in my infiniti, if i want to find the nearest Best Buy, i have to choose 'shopping', and then scroll through tons of stores before i find it.)
-- the rerouting is almost immediate once it senses you have passed the suggested turn.
-- as the last reviewer mentioned, the zooming function also works wonderfully smoothly and quickly.
-- i have been using it in Los Angeles, and i have had no problems at all with the TeleAtlas maps. it has consistently chosen the best routes all over Los Angeles.
CONS:
I have to think long and hard to think of some cons...but there are a few
--when i turn on the unit, it sometimes freezes and becomes unresponsive while it is searching for the satellite signal for 15-20 seconds. at first i thought the system crashed. but just be aware of this.
--although there are 15 or so voice languages, there are two voices for English and they are both male! (one is an american accent, one has a english accent) it would be cool to have a british lady accent.
--the mount is a bit on the larger size, but it does work extremely well, so i guess i shouldn't complain.
--no bluetooth, but i don't think any GPS systems less than $300 have bluetooth.
all in all, an awesome little piece of equipment. i couldn't be happier with this baby.
Mio C310 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigation (Electronics)
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Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
Initially, the battery for my mother's Navigon 7100 would not hold a charge. After playing with the GPS for a day, I realized that my mother was not turning her Navigon 7100 off when she was not using it. She was inadvertently placing the GPS in standby mode. Once I told her to hold the power button for 7 - 10 seconds, she no longer had problems with her battery.
I prefer to use my stylus only when necessary. However, there are times when the Navigon 7100 will only operate when I use the stylus. I'm not sure what that is about, but I simply take my stylus out when my Navigon 7100 is being temperamental.
My only complaints concern the bluetooth operation and the difficulty obtaining a satellite signal when the sky is cloudy or I am in the city amongst tall building. I have read the manual from cover to cover, but still do not understand why I must set up my handsfree cell phone operation every time I restart the Navigon. All in all, I am very satisfied with my Navigon 7100. My family and friends have called me on several occasions to tell me how much they like the Navigon 7100 and how it saved them time on trips.
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Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
I love my Navigon 7100 so much that I bought one each for my mother, sister and several friends as gifts. Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Its ability to show which lane to drive in to ensure you don't miss your exit is a handy capability. With other GPS systems, the GPS had to constantly recalculate because I would miss a turn due to the directions being unclear. With the Navigon 7100, if I don't understand the directions, I always have the screen to show me where to go. I live in a heavy traffic area so the free traffic routing is what made me switch from my Garmin Nuvi 660.Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Initially, the battery for my mother's Navigon 7100 would not hold a charge. After playing with the GPS for a day, I realized that my mother was not turning her Navigon 7100 off when she was not using it. She was inadvertently placing the GPS in standby mode. Once I told her to hold the power button for 7 - 10 seconds, she no longer had problems with her battery.
I prefer to use my stylus only when necessary. However, there are times when the Navigon 7100 will only operate when I use the stylus. I'm not sure what that is about, but I simply take my stylus out when my Navigon 7100 is being temperamental.
My only complaints concern the bluetooth operation and the difficulty obtaining a satellite signal when the sky is cloudy or I am in the city amongst tall building. I have read the manual from cover to cover, but still do not understand why I must set up my handsfree cell phone operation every time I restart the Navigon. All in all, I am very satisfied with my Navigon 7100. My family and friends have called me on several occasions to tell me how much they like the Navigon 7100 and how it saved them time on trips.
Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator Its ability to show which lane to drive in to ensure you don't miss your exit is a handy capability. With other GPS systems, the GPS had to constantly recalculate because I would miss a turn due to the directions being unclear. With the Navigon 7100, if I don't understand the directions, I always have the screen to show me where to go. I live in a heavy traffic area so the free traffic routing is what made me switch from my Garmin Nuvi 660.Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Initially, the battery for my mother's Navigon 7100 would not hold a charge. After playing with the GPS for a day, I realized that my mother was not turning her Navigon 7100 off when she was not using it. She was inadvertently placing the GPS in standby mode. Once I told her to hold the power button for 7 - 10 seconds, she no longer had problems with her battery.
I prefer to use my stylus only when necessary. However, there are times when the Navigon 7100 will only operate when I use the stylus. I'm not sure what that is about, but I simply take my stylus out when my Navigon 7100 is being temperamental.
My only complaints concern the bluetooth operation and the difficulty obtaining a satellite signal when the sky is cloudy or I am in the city amongst tall building. I have read the manual from cover to cover, but still do not understand why I must set up my handsfree cell phone operation every time I restart the Navigon. All in all, I am very satisfied with my Navigon 7100. My family and friends have called me on several occasions to tell me how much they like the Navigon 7100 and how it saved them time on trips.
TomTom ONE 140-S 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
Well lets start this with the good stuff.. This is one of the first GPS systems I have had or used.
It is small compact and portable.
Ideally suited for people who do a lot of car rentals or change from one car to another in their household.
It is bright and easy to see even with this smaller size. Night veiw is good as well.
It was very easy to start and set up my first trip and the size of the numbers and letter of sufficent size to not make it a struggle to see what you are doing.
It would work nicely if you wanted to take it while walking as it is small enough to fit easily into you pocket or purse.
Now for the issues :
The prime function of a GPS to give you accurate map info ..Well that is all well and good if you could UPDATE the unit without it wiping out the whole of its memory. AFter logging into the TOM TOM HOME a message was given that I needed to UPDATE the unit.. When I attempted to do that the unit tells me IT DOESNT' HAVE SUFFICENT MEMORY TO UPDATE... I was stunned.. NO ENOUGH MEMORY to update as the site says. Well lets just say after many frustrating calls and emails I am no closer to UDPATING this unit then I was when I took it out of the box!!!! It also would not allow me to BACK UP the unit also telling me it doesn't have that FUNCTION!
Conclusion: As long as you don't want to UPDATE the unit it is fine but beware.. If you plan to do map updates you might want to look at different unit than this one. Disappointed
TomTom ONE 140-S 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
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