I am looking to buy an aftermarket Navigation GPS unit.......Any suggestions? I heard the Garmin 1490t was good?

Thanks

 

Garmin is probably the best of the bunch, they've always worked well for me. I had one TomTom and had terrible luck with it, but I know all kinds of people that swear by them.

The 1490 is good, so is the 1350 or 1390. If I could make 2 suggestions:

1) pay the extra money and get the LMT model (lifetime map updates), it's well worth it. It's only $40 more (on the 1490 model) and it gives you 4 updates a year for as long as you own it. I single update to purchase off Garmin's site is around $85.

2) Don't buy it because of the Bluetooth, the speaker just isn't that good. You will find yourself asking the caller to repeat themselves quite a bit. It doesn't matter which model or which company (TomTom is the same), the speakers just aren't that good. If the bluetooth was one of your reasons for looking at the 1490, skip it, get yourself the 1350LMT and then pick up Motorola's new T215 Bluetooth speaker (it's inexpensive and works much better).

 

I've got the 1390LMT, this size is perfect for the MINI, I had the 265T, but decided to upgrade the 1390 because of all of the extra features it has.

 

I have an oldish Tom Tom 540 Live, which works well for me, mounted thus: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1884327...57626019236648 - using the standard suction mount and an adhesive disc on the dash.

Battery life is about 2 hrs so I only use the power lead for longer trips.

 

Tom Tom- Wal-Mart for 179 when I bought mine and I bet they are cheaper now. Best part is that it comes with free traffic and map updates for life. Traffic part works really well taking you the fastest route.

 

I usually goto www.gpspassion.com for my GPS queries...a lot of information there.

 

I bought the 1490 LMT and a KUDA mount (The Proclip is also nice)
The 1490 LMT was under $200. "LMT" means lifetime maps and traffic which gets you free map updates for the life of the unit. This IMHO is a very worthwhile option. The 1490 has a 5 inch screen, bluetooth, FM traffic, and all the "jazz" you could ever need.
The KUDA mount puts it right where you need it and it is not in the way of anything in my 2006 vert.

One thing I need to mention. The MINI has a very small windshield. Mounting a gps on it WILL impair your vision. (Mounting a GPS on the windshield of your full size pickup is fine)

The point: Buy a sutable mount when you buy a GPS

 

I opted for the Garmin 1490T. I got it mainly because I could also get the Garmin EcoRoute HD module that transmits computer data from the car to the GPS through the OBD port via Bluetooth.

So, in addition to being able to read, diagnose and clear codes, I can also set a screen on the GPS to show gauges giving me information that just isn't there on the standard Mini gauge cluster. Essentially, it's a Scangauge AND a GPS AND a Bluetooth telephone, if the built-in one ever dies.

Got the Flexpod Fixie mount for it, too.

 

Thank you for all of the great input,,,,,,heading to Best Buy and Costo to pick a winner!

Thanks again for the quick info! Loving this forum!

 

Check out www.thegpsstore.com before you go, they have great prices and you can compare units as well.

 

Not meaning to give a plug to Costco RJ, but they are usually cheaper than even the online stores, the only thing of course is that they don't have the selection that thegpsstore does. I just checked both online stores and for the Garmin 1300 LM Costco was $30 cheaper: Costco 1300 LM $129.99 - thegpsstore $159.95

 

Ok Just picked up a Garmin NUVI 1390 LMT with lifetime map updates (169.99).......Had to have one for tomorrow so I was forced to abandon the online purchase idea. Got it at Costco......I will let everyone know my review after a few days of using it at work.

 

IGOT, I've got the 1390 LMT and love it. Like I said above, I found that the bluetooth speaker was useless, but the GPS itself and related features (lane assist, etc) work flawlessly. It's a good unit, I think you'll like it. Don't forget to do a map update right away.

BTW, I use one of these mounts ( garminfrictionmount ) and when I don't feel like having it up on the dash, the whole unit including the mount will fit in the little cubby hole behind the cigarette lighter. It looks like it belongs in there and I still get a great signal.......just something to keep in mind if you decide you don't like the window mount

 

That's ok, Costco used to take too much of our $$ so we gave up our Membership, if we could just stick to "Lists" and had the room to store "Stuff", then we'd probably go back to them!!

 

LMAO, isn't that the truth. My wife and I try to only go once a month or less, for the same reason you mentioned, we were coming home with more crap that we didn't need. They have some great prices (I haven't seen anyone come close on tires as an example, except maybe Tire Rack), but how many of us really need a 10 lb box of Corn Flakes

 

I still have 4 Comet Cleanser from an 8-pack bought more than 3yrs. ago...Can you beat that??!!