Hi all,
When I called MINI of Manhattan to buy the Garmin GPS and mounting kit, I was told they were out of stock of the GPS. So I decided to buy the mounting kit at kuda, and now I need the GPS itself.

So my question is which Garmin do you recommend for my MINI Cooper 2010? There are so many out there. Kuda told me that any Garmin would work, but I don'y know where to start?

Thanks

Lara

 

Lara,

The choice will really depend on what you are hoping to do with the GPS and the features you want. Load routes? Bluetooth capable? Traffic services? Price point? etc. You can go to the Garmin site and run some comparisons between different models.

 

so they all would fit the mount basically no matter which model I choose?

 

I just got a 1490T at Costco for about $250. Nice little machine. Compares very nicely to the two Magellans I have had previously. This model has a 5" screen, which I think is just right. The 265-series is smaller. That little diff makes it harder to read and program.

Keys for me are:
- 5" screen,
- thin profile,
- good battery (4hrs or more)
- Bluetooth,
- good sound,
- lane assist (i.e., showing which lanes go your way at a split in the road),
- power cord that connects to the unit and not into the mount,
- bright screen with auto dim for night, and
- ability to search for a point-of-interest by spelling the name. Some models make you try to guess the category of a POI. That's fine, but I like the option of typing in "Wendy's" and bypassing the maze.

Other options are negotiable for me.

 

Awesome thanks. that really helps..

 

Lara, just like with MINIs, there's some good forums out there. Here's a link to one that I like for GPS questions: http://forums.gpsreview.net/

 

Buy the cheapest at around $110 because you will need to buy a map update at least every other year which runs about $70. The basic model has everything you need. I have built in GPS in my 335i which costs at least $1500 and prefer the basic Garmin at $110 because it is so user friendly.

 

I have a 265T, mounted on the Speedo when in use. Works great, yes I had to upgrade maps last month, but with any GPS you will...I bought the 4 Year Plan.

 

I replaced my 760 with a 5000. The 5000 has a 5.2 inch screen. Most of the features of the 7xx series AND an input for a backup camera. Also it is used as my MP3 player. The biggest drawbak i have seen is there is no internal battery and no bluetooth. The battery is a minor inconvenience and the Bluetooth is no a consideration since i have Bluetooth in my car. The deciding factor for me is the size of the screen and the MP3 player.

Yes, I know there are better MP3 players out there but I like the interace it has. I like the fact I can hook up a back up camera to it and the screen size is good for me. since they are a dicontinued model, you can find them fairly inexspensive if you shop around. I bought mine new for 125 off ebay and sold my old Garmin for 90 on NAM so I had very litle invested.

The Kuda mount is the way to go in my opinion and I had quite a few compliments and queries while at the Dragon this year. The camera is probably unecessary but it is a cool little toy I can play with. If anyone is interested I can detail my camera placement and wiring set up for the 5000. I can either post it or PM you.

 

Yup.

I have the one before that. Nuvi 255T. Came from Costco with the NuMaps update service. Unlimited map updates for the life of the unit.

I have the NuMaps service for my Garmin GPSMap 478 as well. You get about four to five map updates a year. Well worth the US$99.00 you'll spend.

 

$99 per year, I presume. I have an old Magellan Roadmate 760 (talk about a tank), but the darn thing refuses to die and it works great. Have never updated the maps and over the ten years I've used it, that really hasn't been a big issue.

For me, the updates are more valuable for the little features that come with, such as lane assist, etc.

 

I love my Garmin Nuvi 755t, it comes with the 'powered' dock mount, quick release and no plugs to worry with.

Super fast processor and screen draw, 'Recalculate' is finished in less than 100' and takes pre-loaded Routes from my MapSource.

Also came with free lifetime traffic subscription, Here is a write-up that describes it thoroughly:

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2009/01/g...iew.php?page=1

They have a link to Amazon, which has the best price I have seen, ($179 delivered!) Lifetime Map Update was $84 delivered, also from Amazon.


(click image to open high resolution in new tab/window)

Although it is a 'Wide-Screen' it fits perfectly left of Tach and below ScanGauge, using a 'sticky' swivel mount.

Here is a close-up of the 'Powered' Dock:


and the 'two-ball' articulated swivel mount.

 

Look what I found at Amazon, ordered one Today!! I have to credit Kenchan over in the Detailing 101 Forum though!!

 

755 appears to be a nice system. My personal preference is not to have power linked into the mounting base. I know this is less convenient, but I've hadoccassion to travel without the base (bulky) and to use other means to position the unit. I've propped it up in the instrument panel of a rental car in CA where it's illegal to stick the mount to the windshield, held it as a passenger in the backseat when catching a ride with a friend-of-a-friend, and so forth.

Less convenient, but not inconvenient for me.

 

755 (and I assume other Nuvi's w/powered dock) has a mini USB port that will charge/power without using the dock. When I travel (by Air) I usually don't carry the dock and use its internal battery with a wall charger (or PC) to the USB port to renew the battery between drives.

Garmin is introducing a whole new Generation of Nuvi's this summer, the 3700 series; report here:

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/t...opic_id=134671

High Resolution glass screen with different (Capacitive instead of Pressure) type of Touch Screen and automatic Landscape/Portrait orientation.

If you could just wait a couple months, that would be the way to go!

 

Hmmm...very interesting...I'm very tempted, so long as it is not in the $499.99+ range!!

 

I've used the Garmin Nuvi 760 for several years. I like that you can lay in bed and plan trips. It will store up to 10 routes with up to 50 waypoints per route. You can choose waypoints by map, city, hotel, gas stops, etc. I usually spend long winter nights planning my next summer rides. I have Yosemite, Sturgis, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, and several local day and short weekend rides all set and ready to go. You can choose to stay off freeways, which is what most riders do so it finds the twisties for you.

BTW, the Nuvi is a whole lot easier to use than the Nav in the Mini. Who designed that one anyway? It pretty much sucks.

 

Garmin's MSRP for the 3750 is $350 which is $70 more than their current MSRP for the 755.

Garmin 'compare' and MSRP site:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

and press release for 3700 series:

http://bit.ly/ccVAbb

Unlike MINI street prices for Nuvi's are usually way below MSRP,
GARMIN is practicing Price Control on their Nuvi-like aera aviation portables.
__________________________________________________ ___________

I also love to pre-plan routes (especially after seeing what Garmin comes up with at times)
and I use Garmin's MapSource Program to do it, (when you update the map, it is also onstalled on MapSource).

3700 series has upped the Route Storage from 10 to 100 Routes In 'Custom Routes'.

 

Didn't know this. That would make a difference.

 

I am in the market for a GPS and the specs I am looking for are:

1. Mainly domestic US with an occasional trip to France to flag a 24 Heures Du Mans or to Belgium for a Spa Francorchamps race.

2. Priced around $250 or less (for main unit)

3. USB Charging or 12v (prefer USB or wall outlet travel adapter)

4. At least 4" screen

5. Something that isn't going to be outdated in 3 years (upgradeable).

6. Bluetooth would be nice, but not me not techy enough to know wtf it would help me with. lol

I found this deal on Dell's site today for a Garmin nuvi 1390t ($180 after $70 off):
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...2&sku=A2912204

Or there's the 255W for $180 (I really don't think I need the traffic feature, I usually go with the flow):
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...2&sku=A1739647

Which one will I be happier with, you think?

BTW, I have to buy it from Dell, because I have $125 worth of gift cards to use.

 

The Nuvi 760 has US and Europe maps. I've turned off the EU maps so it boots quicker. I like the 7xx series Nuvi so far.

 

760 discontinued :(
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=37420

Oh well.

I went ahead and bought the nuvi 1390t...I'll let you all know how I like it.

 

General comment on Garmin v. Magellan:

Garmin's 'Where Am I?' gives a street address and a "nearest intersection". I find Magellan's system to be preferable. M gives you the distance forward to the next intersection/Interstate exit and the distance past the last one on the road you are travelling.

When I rolled my first MINI, my Magellan made me able to describe my location as State Hwy XXX, 9.4miles North of Hwy YYYY. No doubt. No interpolation.

It's not enough to make your whole purchase decision on, but it is a factor. As you can see, however, I bought a Garmin, this time.

 

I bought a Garmin 765T several months ago a love it. It is currently $216 on amazon with free shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-765T-4-...5171614&sr=8-1

It has more features than I need, but the price was so good I couldn't resist. The "T" means it uses an FM signal (free) in the power plug to get traffic updates and overlays it onto the maps. Some newer units require you to pay a monthly fee (forget it!). I recently purchased the lifetime map updates for ~$85. This, in my opinion, is quite a deal. It is only good for one Garmin unit though. I had my last Garmin for years, so I expect this one to also last a long time. So far, so good, it works wonderfully and is easy to use.

 

And I just bought the Nuvi 775T so I can use it on vacation in Europe this summer.