Portable Navi advice needed

[blackpony04]

I've decided to buy a portable navigation thingamajig but I haven't a clue what to look for. Please post up your thoughts and suggestions. I know there's a $100ish Tom-Tom/Garmin one but I don't know if it's missing important features. Here are my criteria:

Must include Canada
Under $200
Updatable (if that's possible for under $200)
Vocal directions not necessary
My electronically handicapped wife wants to use it so the simpler the better (her words, not mine)


Thanks guys! Never thought I'd ever buy one but they've dropped so much in price they're now worth it. I'm gonna miss maps however. Damn I'm old....

[SonicGT]

Don't believe the cheaper ones include Canada, but I could be wrong on that one. As far as updateable I know the ones around $100 usually are not, have to get closer to the $200 range for that feature, but then again may only be us maps included.

[ford9050]

I do not have one but I have seen my friends Garmin and I guess they make instruments for airplanes so it can't be bad

[SlickStang]

Garmin nuvi ftw!!

[SonicGT]

Garmin nuvi ftw!!

I got my dad a cheaper garmin nuvi the 205 and it looks like a real nice unit for the price. Was 105 with the xmas sales, think its normally around 150 or so. It doesn't have canada and isn't upgradable maps though. The nuvi 255 did have an sd slot for new maps but it was 190 or so on sale.

[blackpony04]

Thanks guys. I'm going shopping today and that helps. I know the cheapest Tom-Toms have Canada but the Garmins are model specific so I'll have to pay attention. We're going back to my home town in the Niagara Falls, NY area for Spring Break and we'll be going to Canada so it's important I have it in the Navi I buy. As for the updates, that's not important at all considering the atlas in my truck is from 1998! Thanks all.

[Mustang Shar]

What did you end up with Mark? I also have Garmi nuvi you can update maps on their web sites via a cord...my camera cord fits in it. I'm sure Tom Tom is the same way??

[blackpony04]

I still haven't bought one yet. I found that they're a ton cheaper on the internet but I still need to settle on one. I found a kick butt Garmin Nuvi 260W for $190 that has lifetime traffic updates and CNET gives it a decent rating but I don't know if it's worth the extra 90 bucks over the cheapest one. Here are the specs so please someone let me know if it sounds like a decent one:

Product Description The nuvi 260W personal navigator boasts many updated features. In addition to the features found in the nuvi 250W, the nuvi 260W will provide turn-by-turn directions with spoken street names. The text-to-speech feature prompts you to "Turn right on Main St" instead of "Turn right in 500 feet". The nuvi 260W offers full coverage mapping for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Preloaded map data features over six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.


Product Features and Specifications

Sleek, ultra-slim design
Easy, touchscreen interface
Wide, 4.3" diagonal color display; 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA touchscreen display, with white backlight
Preloaded with City Navigator North America NT - includes detailed maps of U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico
Offers a three-dimensional mapping perspective, or 2D overhead view
Turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance: text-to-speech feature prompts you to "Turn right on Main St" instead of "Turn right in 500 feet"
High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception
Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more
Includes travel features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency & measurement converters and calculator
SD memory card expansion slot
Includes Garmin Lock anti-theft feature
Configurable vehicle icons - users can download additional choices from http://www.garmin.com/vehicles/
On-unit help - access the quick start manual and more directly from the unit
Unit dimensions: 4.8"W x 2.9"H x 0.8"D
Weight: 6.1 ounces
Built-in lithium-ion battery
Battery life: up to 5 hours depending on usage
Includes sturdy suction cup mount that allows for easy adjustment and quick release
Simplified PC connectivity, similar to a digital camera, using USB mass storage with access to either the SD card slot or to the unit's internal memory directly from your PC desktop
With the POI loader program, users can set up proximity alerts for school zones, safety cameras, create custom POIs and more

[Mustang Shar]

Wow...Mark that unit has it all. I believe the traffic updates are part of a service that you would subscribe to but that unit is capable of receiving it. I don't know what to tell you....I know I don't need the street names spoken to me. I do know the windshield suction cup did not work well with this extreme cold weather, so I bought the "friction mount", like a bean bag..have to try it out.

So you have some decisions to make. : )

[91WhiteGeeTee]

I have a Garmin Street Pilot C330 that I love paid about 200 for it a year and a half ago. I love it! It is able to have the Maps upgraded but didn't come with Canada. Very Easy to use.

[blackpony04]

Well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought me a GPS. After being stopped dead on I-80 for 90 minutes 5 miles from home last Wednesday I decided to drop the extra hundo and bought the Garmin 265wt with lifetime traffic. It has more frills than I really needed but I really hate traffic and this one had some great reviews so we'll see if it's worth the extra dough. After price-shopping for weeks now I finally bought it from Newegg who kicked everyone's ass by 30 bucks. Sweet.

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/nuvi265WTcf.jpg

[SonicGT]

Well, I finally pulled the trigger and bought me a GPS. After being stopped dead on I-80 for 90 minutes 5 miles from home last Wednesday I decided to drop the extra hundo and bought the Garmin 265wt with lifetime traffic. It has more frills than I really needed but I really hate traffic and this one had some great reviews so we'll see if it's worth the extra dough. After price-shopping for weeks now I finally bought it from Newegg who kicked everyone's ass by 30 bucks. Sweet.

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/nuvi265WTcf.jpg

The Garmins are nice, and newegg rocks for alot of stuff. I get all my computer stuff from them and even my last digital camera.

[ford9050]

that's awesome. Yea I wanted a GPS but I got a new phone with that stuff on there and I love it.