OK. I want a Garmin or a TomTom and want a larger screen (like 4 inches in the Tom Tom 510 and 910).

Which brand has easy to use and affordable ipod integration from your experience?

Which one can accommodate a wide range of affordable phones with bluetooth?

Which brand has a model that does not charge for updates downloaded from a computer?

Thanks in advance for your consideration. Steve

 

Mmmm-k. I've got the TomTom GO 910; had it for a couple years now.

As far as feature sets go, I was/am really impressed with what it can do in terms of navigating, itinerary planning, points of interest, re-routing, etc. I can't speak about the ipod integration, simply because I have yet to own one , but it does have a MP3 player and picture viewer built in FWIW.

I've got an older Blackberry phone (a 71xx series), and it works (via Bluetooth) with the 910 just fine. The microphone that comes with the 910 is "okay" (you've basically gotta be wearing it pretty close to you for anyone to hear you really well).

Software updates to the 910 are free, and come out on a fairly frequent basis (mostly GPS "quick fixes" as they call them). In the two years I've owned the 910, they've come out with one map update DVD, which since I was a fairly new owner at the time, cost me $6 to get (normally something like $60).

The only dislikes about the 910 is that a lot of their extra features (that you have to subscribe to) focus mainly on european interests and markets (i.e. safety camera locations, live traffic information, etc.). They keep mentioning that they're going to expand this to include north america, but I haven't seen it yet. Also, the 910 is a fairly heavy device compared to others on the market, so the windshield mount has a pretty difficult time (from my experience) keeping the 910 looking straight at you (the device tends to sag down). I've already received one replacement windshield mount free from TomTom (without me even asking for it), but that current mount seems to be wearing out now too.

All in all, on a scale of 5 thumbs up, I'd give the 910

Hope this helps!

 

I have the Garmin Nuvi 660, bought specifically for it's larger screen. The bluetooth and other things came as nice add-ons. I have a Treo 650, and it works fine with it, people say they can hear me just fine when I use it for the phone. Updates from Garmin are free, and are done by USB cord from your computer directly into the device. It also displays pics and has an MP3 player built it with (I think) a 20 gig HD.

One feature I like about the TomTom is the ability to buy and download celebrity voices for the directions - Garmin doesn't offer this. I think it would be a hoot to have John Cleese or Darth Vader telling me where to turn!

The Garmin does have a variety of MINI icons you can add and use, mine has the Union Jack on it's roof!

I had a TomTom Go before, and it sent me down the wrong road more than once, one time it sent me 16 miles the wrong way down the right road, so I think that because it's a European based company, it's database is less refined than the Garmin. Also, I could not add locations into the TomTom, I can with the Garmin, along with a whole host of other features I haven't quite figured out how to use yet!

I think either is very capable and an amazing device, but I liked the Garmin better overall.

 

Read the reviews here

 

I think the iPod integration (that is, being able to control an iPod using the GPS) is probably going to narrow down the choices more than any of your other criteria.

All of the GPS companies give free software/firmware updates, and they all charge for map updates.

It doesn't really matter how many different phones a GPS unit will work with if it won't work with *your* phone, so I would save that criteria for towards the end. Find a unit you think you might like, and then do a Google search to find discussions about how well it works with your phone. Al you have to do is type both the model of your phone and the model of your GPS in the search box, and you'll probably find several results that will help you out.

As much as I love our Garmin Nuvis, I don't think there's anything in the Garmin line that offers the iPod integration you're interested in. How does the TomTom 910 look to you?

 

the 910 is very much thicker than the nuvi.

 

Nuvi 660 here...Have not owned any of the others, but can't think of a thing I would change....Does everything on your list with ease and a whole lot more!

 

Everything except the iPod integration (controlling the iPod from the GPS). If my Nuvi 660 could do this, I'd plug the iPod into the Nuvi, connect the audio-out port on the Nuvi to the AUX input on the stereo, and control the iPod via the GPS.

 

Don't hold your breath for this update. I doubt Apple and Garmin are working together on this at this moment in time.

 

Steve,
Order your new mini with MINI nav and be done with it. ;-)

 

Where do you download these Mini icons from? Do you have a link?

 

http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/wa/default?user=hunter99&templatefn=FileSharing2.html &xmlfn=TKDocument.2.xml&sitefn=RootSite.xml&aff =co nsumer&cty=US&lang=en

 

Boy, you don't quit do you?

 

I was feeling the same thing. birdman needs to understand the oem option isn't for everyone. the guy should get an 'official OEM navigation' badge in his signature.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with Birdman's support of the OEM NAV. He likes it and is passing along it's virtues. Yes, it is a bit expensive but if you can afford it, it is a very nice feature to have.

We have a Nuvi 360 for my wife's R53 and I have the OEM NAV in my R56. Each unit has its pluses and minuses but of the two, I prefer the OEM NAV due its integration with the rest of the system.

Is the OEM NAV worth the price tag, probably not if you are thinking of it as just a nav unit. But when you also consider the PDC display, the integration with the stereo system (multiple lines of text display instead of only two) especially with the SAT radio and playing an MP3 disk, the user interface with setting up vehicle options, etc.. Then yes, I'd say it is worth the cost. If was a standalone nav unit, no, it wouldn't be worth it. Should it cost less, most definitely.

 

I have the same opinion on this one too. I sat in a demo at the dealer with the satellite system. I played with it for about half an hour and decided I didn't want to spend the money. It was definitely nice, but so expensive. $2100 and not even a touch screen? Come on. I've used handheld and automobile GPS for over 10 years. The OEM nav is lacking many features that I've become accustomed to, which are standard in a lot of handheld GPS. Tracklogs, customizable menus and screens, etc. Pre-programming a route on the exact roads I want to take.

I ordered my car and had to wait a few weeks for my dealer to get in their allocations. In the weeks I was waiting, after researching the OEM system more, seeing how well it integrates into the car, the voice recognition, the extra lines of display for mp3s and satellite, I changed my mind and ordered my car with the Nav. One key thing for me was that I didn't really like the non-Nav setup in the car but thought I would get use to it. The big speedometer just seemed like a waste of space. It looks nice, but not that functional. A smaller one with more gauges (water temp, etc) would have been excellent.

I plan to continue to use a handheld GPS in the car along with the OEM. The handheld (I have a 76CSx) will do all the trip logging.

The OEM Nav is super expensive. Compared to the other options available for the car, it's right in there. Every option is overpriced IMO. When the available options nearly doubles the MSRP, they are expensive. But that is the price you pay for the ability to have so many options I guess.

 

I spend quite a bit of time on the road so upgrading my GPS after I bought my 07Sa was a must. One of the most important things on the list besides getting me there was bluetooth capability. I cant stand those silly things that people stick out of their ears and Connecticut is cracking down on phone usage while driving. After spending more time than it was worth researching this subject on the net I came to the conclusion that the Garmins street pilot c550 seemed to be the poison of choice for me. I still couldn't get anyone to tell me if my LG8300 would hook up with the GPS. I finally had a revelation and headed down to my local Electronics Store to do a little research. I set my phone on find bluetooth compatible device and in about one minute I was able to hook up with everything bluetooth within 30 feet of where I was standing. A young and eager salesperson came to my rescue and shut down every device except the Garmin. Within seconds they mated like a match made in heaven. The $599 price tag was too steep but I had a net deal for $349 that was a better match. I sold my Magellan to my neighbor. He's always getting lost on his way home from work so his wife says.

 

I have been happy with my Garmin NUVI. Updates to it are free, but maps cost a fee. I have yet to update the NUVI's builtin maps though.

As to IPod, the NUVI plays mp3 files as does Itunes. It depends on how you store your music. I have a Treo 680, Sonos Music System and a Zune... all read my music library and the Zune system updated my music files with album art, so now, the NUVI displays it!

One thing I will give TOMTOM credit for is internet access. The last unit I look at recently could pair with a phone and go online to do updates and a variety of other things. I wish Garmin would have the NUVI do that... at least run a microbrowser and maybe have a little IMap email client that could read your email to you as it arrives...

 

I think Garmin's iQue line did this. It was a PDA. They have been discontinued though. If you have a PDA, Garmin now offers software and a bluetooth GPS receiver to make your PDA a GPS. I guess that's why they discontinued the iQue line.

 

I bought the Garmin c550 and am thrilled with it and the bluetooth, mp3, and ipod integration option.

 

What is the "iPod integration option" for the c550? I couldn't find anything about it on Garmin's site or in any of the reviews.