Best of the portable GPS systems
 

I am taking a shortcut from my usual due diligence in researching a product I'm interested in and going to you guys who have probably researched this already. What is the best of the portable GPS navigation systems? I don't want to spend more than $500 because my next car will have navigation and the portable one is more for my work car and occasional navless X5 use.

Thanks for any advice.

The new Garmin Nuvi 350 is the best I have ever used. However, it is somewhat pricey...retails around 800-900. But you can easily get one off ebay for around 700. I have had many Garmins and others, and this is by far the best yet. It is exceptionally easy to use, has a great screen, and is super portable.

That Nuvi is very slick! Pricey is right though. :( Some of the features are also redundant or not going to be used. How about the Magellan Roadmate 300? I found it refurbed by Magellan. for $340 with a bunch of accessories. Link

One of the little Garmin's (Street Pilot I series) would probably suffice for your needs. The Street Pilot I2 is black and white, the I3 is color, and the I5 is color and has a hard drive. You can pay anywhere from $250-$500 for this range of models.

But you'll have to do your due diligence if you're going to get your best deal.
CNET.Com has some good reviews, but the best site is run by a couple of ham operator guys who branched off into GPS. These guys have some really comprehensive write ups.

http://gpsinformation.net/

There's new models coming out - the Nuvi350 which was only a couple of months old is already being replaced. You could not find a Nuvi350 for less than $800 a month ago, now they've dropped down to $700. Maybe you can catch a higher end model on a price drop.

Good luck.

You might be able to find a left over Garmin Streetpilot 2610. I've had 1 for about 4 years, works great.

http://gpsnow.com/gmsp2610.htm#order

I agree w/ Gresch, I have a Streetpilot also. Works great.

Garmin
 

I have a Garmin system for my PC it has problems:

1) The routes are not the best

2) Hard to find a location/ address

Hey Kev,

I thought you installed an aftermarket BT GPS iPAQ deal, back in the day? :dunno: Time for a change?

i love my NAVMAN ICN 510, got it for xmas 2 yrs ago, works great!
http://www.pocketnow.com/index.php?a...reviews&id=578

My wife, a big Hello Kitty fan, has a TomTom. The graphics are way better than those on my E53, and you get to have an English, French, Russian, Australian, or American girl speak to you. You can also sit at home, plug in the route, and watch the whole route in fast-motion.