Modern Vespa

Hey All!

I am in So Cal and trying to figure out what GPS will be best for me, here is what I need (I am sure many can relate):

1. Street names
2. off freeway options
3. easy dis/mounting
4. good price >$250
5. nice backlit screen

there seem to be major pros and cons to all the majors. However at this point the TomTom seems to be in the lead from both scooter and non-scooter reviews.

I would love to hear what you all have experienced with your GPS systems.

Thanks!

I've been checking out the Garmin Nuvi 360. Been using Garmin since 1998, and have been very happy with the 2 units I have owned.

Consumer Reports reviewed GPS systems fairly recently and listed these as choices for those on a budget:

Garmin Nuvi 260W , $320
TomTom One 130S , $250
Garmin Nuvi 200 , $220
TomTom One 130 , $200, CR Best Buy

The Garmin Nuvi 760 was the top rated and the 660 came in second, but at $500 and $350 respectively those may be a bit on the high side for your budget.

Maybe a Zumo 550 if you can find one on closeout at a BestBuy. I got one a few weeks ago for $399 after coupon.

Garmin Zumo 550 for $449 - $399 after $50 coupon

awesome! thank you guys. Anybody else want to chime in before I make the purchase? hurry, hurry!

Garmin has the best customer service of any company I have ever done business with.

I love my garmin 260 with spoken street names. Much better than turn left in 200 feet, Turn left now. For a bit more money you can get blue tooth so it would work with your cell phone ear piece. Once you have one you will not understand how you lived with out one.

plus Garmin sponsors a pro cycling team.

(realise this may not matter to most, but it scores points with me .. they get my $$. love my nuvi whatever-it-is .. 350 i think?)

Hi,

I just switch from TomTom to Garmin two months ago. The Garmin routes better and has better directions. The garmin is better at getting you from A to B.

The TomTom interface is more customizable and displays more information on the screen. Such as speed and distance/time to destination. The TomTom also some better route changing options available as options on the menu. Such as avoid XXX st. I also like that you can set it to ask you each time you select a destination what type of route to plan, like fastest, walking or avoid highways routes. You can do this on the Garmin but I always forget to change it back when i move the GPS to the car, so I have to stop the route go into the settings menu and change the avoidance settings then select the destinations again.

Also map updates on the Garmin are cheaper. Only $60.00 to update the maps.

As you can see there are pros and cons to both. After having used both I prefer the Garmin slightly better. I find that the more descriptive instructions makes less confusion at complex junctions and I really like that it tells what side of the street you destination is on. The TomTom does not.

You really can't go wrong with either one. They both will get you where you want to go.

Good luck hope this helps,
Chris

If you're a Costco member, I just noticed that Costco has an online special coming up on the Garmin Nuvi 270. It will run between August 4th and August 10th. $100 off...available online only. Not sure how that model fits in with the others above and below, but it may be worth a look.

You don't ride a second class scooter so why would you want to own anything less than a Garmin. Gazillions of Pilots around the world trust their lives to Garmin every day of the week and you will never find a Tom Tom in the cockpit.

Awesome. Thank you ALL SO MUCH. I just used 43,000 credit card points to buy the worlds most expensive Garmin NUVI 260W ..... I can't wait to get it in the mail and try it out. Very excited and confident that I made the correct choice, much thanks again.

Don't forget to order the RAM mount for it. They work great.

http://www.ram-mount.com/index_files/ramb149zga25.jpg

Chris

+1 RAM Mount products are awesome.

How easy is it to hook the Garmin 270 (or similar) to be powered by a GTV, or do you need to rely on battery power?

I have in-dash nav in my car and know I will feel lost on my GTV when I pick it up this weekend, so Nav will be on the short list for a purchase.

The answer to your question is relative as I do not know your skills using a VOM and working with wire. Under normal conditions I would say that this is a VERY EASY job. If you have ever been told that you are dangerous with a screwdriver, have a knowledgeable friend do the job for ya.