I'm looking at buying a GPS. I liked lowrance iway 600 and now that i looked at the garmin nuvi 660, i dunno. I may be missing better gps systems that are out.

What should I get? The biggest things I want are quick re-routes, quick acquisition, large touch screen (sunlight readable) and voice enabled. I'd prefer flash memory over hard drive if possible based on heat/weight/shock issues. I'd like it to use the new satellites that are available. Somewhere around 6-800 bucks cost. Wouldn't mind being less.

So what's out there?


ps...a remote would be nice too. i have a full size truck and leaning up to the windshield to touch screen all the time would be a pain.

I just bought my first one after going through this web site - GPS Information.Net (http://gpsinformation.net/) They have reviews, buyers guide and forums.

YMMV

what did you get? i've been looking at garmin, lowrance, and now tom tom's 910. it's hard to find the nitty details like auto zoom and re-routing in the background like garmin DOESNT have. makes deciding a pain. so far i think the tomtom has the features, but their other models (using the same map database) doesn't seem as accurate as the garmin or lowrance.

anyway, i'll check out the site and see if i can narrow anything down.

I just bought the TOM TOM 910 and I'm pretty happy with it. It's my first GPS unit.

I bought a Nuvi 350. If my skills and needs grow, I may get another more advanced unit. The GPS site I mentioned said good things about the Garmins vs. TomTom in the price range I was willing to consider for this first buy.

YMMV

Yea...from what I read, I MUST go with NavTeq instead of the TeleAtlas (rules out the TomTom which has excellent features).

The Garmin nuvi are highly regarded and top selling in most online stores. I dunno if I want to go with the 660 or 350. Or wait to see what lowrance is doing...they have a kickass gps with the highest rated screens/viewability and lots of functionality, but they aren't using the new SiRF satellite tech. Doesn't make sense, really.


edit: can someone explain to me why multi-segment route capability is important? isn't that what waypoints are for?

i will be receiving the Magellan Maestro 4040 soon. similar specs to a nuvi 360, but with a bigger screen and text-to-speech. i am also currently using a tomtom go 510 which i like except for the lack of a true-north map orientation.

i think i'm going to go with the garmin 660. i found it for 630'ish, and if i can sell the fm transmitter cord for 120 on ebay, and buy a regular car adapter for it, it'll end up being 530 or so...which is not bad at all.

thoughts?

Garmin has the best North America maps hands down. I have a C530c but hacked it so that it still says the street names...great gps unit.

Yea...from what I read, I MUST go with NavTeq instead of the TeleAtlas (rules out the TomTom which has excellent features).



I'm not sure what you read, but I've had no problems with TeleAtlas maps. I've used the TomTom 910 and ONE and I've really had zero issues with the maps. They've done a really good job with correcting the errors that are reported to them.

I read a pretty cool feature on the TeleAtlas map machine from wired. It's pretty informative.

link (http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/05/photos_the_geek.html)

Tried the Tom Tom Go 700 and it was much too dim in daylight. After a week, returned it and now have a Lowrance iWay 500c and loving every second of it. Of course, it has been replaced by the 600. On my 500, I have lots of routes and over a thousand songs in it.

I use it on the motorcycle, in the car, and in the RV.

That large screen is really nice for these eyes.