portable GPS for a car, suggestions?

[7960]

Originally Posted by thomez

I want a GPS for hiking... it will be on the Christmas list

are you getting one like I've been asking about or a handheld navigator model?

GARMIN eTrex Vista HCx Handheld Navigator : Buy the GARMIN eTrex Vista HCx Handheld Navigator at Eastern Mountain Sports

[thomez]

handheld

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by thomez

I want a GPS for hiking... it will be on the Christmas list

I have the Legend/C (color). It's perfect for hiking (water proof) and it works really well in the car too. Mine only has 21 meg of memory built in so I have to input different sections of the country depending on where I will be. But the newer model has an SD slot so you can put everything on it. I might need to upgrade.

[7960]

Originally Posted by Roonie

What I find really cool about it is it gets updated traffic information constantly.

I was in best buy today and the guy said the traffic update is a fee-based service.

You're sure you didn't pay? He said it's possible to pay for a year in advance...you're sure you didn't opt for it when you bought it?

[Ardentfrost]

Sure that guy wasn't blowing smoke up your ass?

Maybe not though...

Originally Posted by Amazon

Silent FM data channel doesn't interfere with music or talk programming; requires service subscription

Also...

Garmin | Traffic

2/3 of those had links to "renew service" and the other was XM based

[7960]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

Sure that guy wasn't blowing smoke up your ass?

he said the garmin rep told him that, so it wasn't like the magellin rep was lying about a competitor

I'll check more into it.

[7960]

best buy weekly ad specials

Best Buy - Weekly Ad Specials

Dynamic content from MSN® Direct and 1 year of service included.*

*1 year of MSN Direct navigation content included. After the first year of included service has expired, visit MSN Direct to continue to receive all MSN Direct content for only $49.95 for each additional year. Some services available only in select cities where coverage exists. See website for coverage details. ©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, MSN and the MSN logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, the District of Columbia and Canada.

It's free for a year.

[motivez]

What did you end up getting?

I'm in the market for one and have been thinking about getting a Navigon.. the traffic updates (and Zagat stuff) actually ARE free and they've been getting pretty decent reviews from what I can tell..

Amazon.com: Navigon 7100 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator: Electronics

But the people who have the Garmin Nuvi's who have tried the Navigon's seem to like their Garmin better.

[7960]

garmin nuvi 650 for $370.

my wife loves it, but I really don't have much to compare it to.

[Ardentfrost]

We like our new Garmin. The voices are named, and we picked the Aussie chick named Karen, an so my wife started calling the garmin Karen. If we get traffic updates, she goes "uh oh, Karen says there's traffic up ahead."

Anyway, it's a cool device. Easy to use, pretty intuitive.

[motivez]

How much is the traffic service on a yearly basis?

[7960]

Originally Posted by motivez

How much is the traffic service on a yearly basis?

mine doesn't have the built-in receiver so that's $200, then I believe it's $15/year for the traffic service

I knew I wasn't getting the traffic service so I opted for the nuvi 650. If you're going to want traffic service, get the 660.....of course you'll pay more for it because the receiver is built-in.

Or look at the Navigon 7100...it's less expensive.

This site came in handy

GPS Review : GPS Reviews

[Ardentfrost]

The 660 is the one we got I think. It was $399.

[motivez]

How useful is the traffic stuff?

I mean, for trips and whatnot I can see it being very useful, but for just around these parts, it's really not that big of a deal.

[Ardentfrost]

I live in a city. It saved me over half an hour the other night. It goes "traffic ahead, recalculating" and it said there was some 36 minute delay on the interstate. It redirected me to another route.

Of course, it's dependent on your area supporting it (mine does on all interstates, which we have 4). Because of where I live and where I work, I mostly take surface streets, so it's only good when I'm visiting someone or something like that.

I like it, I've already decided to buy the service once my 3 month free trial is up.

[motivez]

How can you find out whether or not there's area support for it?

[7960]

Fuck, in post #27 I just noticed the traffic service is $49.95/year .

I've heard it can be helpful. IMO it's not worth $50. I'd rather take my chances and run into traffic, then turn off and have it recalculate the route to avoid the highway.

[7960]

Originally Posted by motivez

How can you find out whether or not there's area support for it?

MSN Direct Coverage

or this

MSN Direct Coverage

put in your zip.

I love the disclaimer: Actual coverage area may differ substantially from map graphics, and coverage may be affected by such things as terrain, weather, foliage, buildings and other construction, signal strength, customer equipment and other factors. Microsoft does not guarantee coverage. Coverage areas subject to change. Not all content is available in all coverage areas.

[Ardentfrost]

Oops, we actually got the Garmin StreetPilot c550 which comes with the FM TMC traffic service. I didn't realize the service was that much either.

Anyhow, here are the coverage maps of NC

[7960]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

Oops, we actually got the Garmin StreetPilot c550 which comes with the FM TMC traffic service. I didn't realize the service was that much either.

Anyhow, here are the coverage maps of NC

I believe they all use the same traffic service so the website I listed above would show you based on zip.