stoltz

Buy an iPhone 3g when it comes out. It'll have GPS. $199 plus you get a phone. I leave my Jeep open with safari top and like the idea of being able to take my expensive equipment with me. Since it's a phone, you would take it with you anyway and not have to lug around yet another gadget. My blackberry has built in GPS but that iPhone is tempting.

cmh2001

I have a $100 DConnex bluetooth GPS unit that I velcro'ed to the dash. Then I use my Windows Mobile Smartphone running the free Microsoft LiveSearch. It gives me both map and aerial imagery views, quicklinks to movie showtimes, and cheapest area gas prices.

It also has speech recognition, so you can ask it to show all Wal-marts with in 5 miles.

Only issue is that sometimes that maps load a little slow as they come in over the cellular network. I can cache some maps on my storage card, but in new areas its a little troublesome.

If you already have a Smartphone this is a pretty cheap way to go.

jwetzel

If you really want cheap and only use it occasionally, all of Verizon's cellphone have a gps program. It's pretty slick, and since it pulls its locations and maps from their servers, it's always up to date. Plus, you're carrying around a phone anyway, so there's no install, or extra hardware sitting on the dash.

The subscription is 10 bucks a month, which if you were gonna pay a couple hundred for a gps unit, that's 2 or 3 years of the subscription.

But if you're like me, you only need it when going on trips. (I know where my house is.) For that, they have a short-term subscription that gets you a couple days of use for 3 bucks. That's what I do when I travel. GPS for when I need it, no expenditure or hardware sitting around in my jeep when I don't.

ElovesC

Get a cellphone with GPS! It is easier. I got the Harmon Kardon 300 and it sucks. It would be great if only they would update the maps! There is only restaurants from like 2001. haha

ThinkMud

cheep and awesome is what i use, a Garmin Nuvi 200. under 200 bucks and has everything i need.

riverzendz

This is the route I'm taking. I have a feeling I'll end up with a Garmin 7 serires too though.

YellowToy

You are exactly right. For those who have not used a GPS regularly, you cannot beat it when you are traveling out of town (which I do as part of my job).

I have a Garmin C230 now (just a bigger blockier version of the Nuvi) and it work great for road travel. When I'm hunting, or traveling in the state parks, many of the roads are not on the GPS maps. It's simply not made for that.

It would be nice to have something with the ease of use of the Nuvi, but can work off-road like the Garmin eTrex (the little hunting GPS I have).

rwamf

I run a Lowrance XOG and it does the "Bread Crumb" tracks, but unlike the Garmin units it will not only save full resolution track files to your SD card, you can import them back into the unit without a computer, it will hold up to 100 of your favorite tracks all at once and each track can be up to 9999 points not the limited 20 tracks @ 500 points each in a Garmin. You can save all 100 into one file, so you can have files for different areas, Like MOAB, Idaho, Colorado etc.
I added Topo to the SD card so have both up to date Nav-Teq street maps and Topo for off road, very cool.
I also carry the Benchmark Topo books for each state I travel to, they are very nice.


XOG about $200 (Comes with complete US and Canada maps built in, Car cord and mount)
Full Topo with reader writer about $100
2 gig SD card about $25

YellowToy

Thanks. That sounds like what I'm looking for.

Geeper4x4

GARMIN . I have the Nuvi 200W.. W= widescreen and it does help with looking at it on the windshield. $250.00.

Physical & Performance:
Unit dimensions, WxHxD: 4.8"W x 2.9"H x .8"D (12.2 x 7.4 x 2.0 cm)
Display size, WxH: 3.81"W x 2.25"H (9.7 x 5.7 cm); 4.3" diag (10.9 cm)
Display resolution, WxH: 480 x 272 pixels
Display type: WQVGA color TFT with white backlight
Weight: 6.1 ounces (172.93 g)
Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion
Battery life: up to 5 hours
Waterproof: no
High-sensitivity receiver: yes
RoHS version available: yes
Maps & Memory:
Basemap: yes
Preloaded maps: yes (regional)
Ability to add maps: yes
Built-in memory: internal solid state
Accepts data cards: SD™ card (not included)
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 500
Routes: 0
Features:
Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft."): yes (internal speaker)
Speaks street names (e.g. "Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.") : no
Speech recognition (navigate with voice commands): no
3D map view: yes
Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route): no
Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation): yes
Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road): yes
Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.): yes
Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest): yes
Hands-free calling with Bluetooth® wireless technology: no
FM traffic compatible: no
XM® Navtraffic (includes basic weather) & Radio for U.S. compatible: no
MSN® Direct for U.S. compatible: no
Where Am I? feature (find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection): no
Car locator feature (marks position when removed from windshield mount): no
MP3 player: no
Audio book player: no
Picture viewer: yes
Configurable vehicle icons (select car-shaped icons for map navigation): yes
World travel clock, currency & measurement converter, calculator: yes
Touchscreen: yes
Qwerty or ABC keyboard (choose keyboard layout): no
Remote control: no
FM transmitter: no
Headphone jack/audio line-out: no
Dead reckoning: no
Garmin Lock™ (anti-theft feature): yes
Motorcycle-friendly: no
Additional: This USB mass storage device is compatible with Windows® 2000 or later and Mac® OS X 10.4 or later.