Guys, I am going to MTTS for several legs and need a nav system to get back to California. I kept reading posts, haven't found anything usefull. Is TomTom the way to go, or Garmin, or something else? Please be objective!

Thank you in advance!

 

If i were to get a handheld GPS I would go for the Garmin:
Nuvi 360http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi360/

Read a real world user review of a guy who uses it on his motorcycle and it sounds good. It is not inexpensive though; you can shop it around as the street price will vary but it will never be cheap, however it seems to have a lot to offer and work well.

 

Have a laptop?

I use and Love Streets and Trips GPS hooked up to my laptop in the passenger seat connected to the power supply in the rear via inverter.

Shows all main roads back roads and will udpate for construstion.

Not to mention the easy to read 17'' truebright screen

 

My wife has the Magellan Roadmate 760 and loves it. But I think its like debating whats better "Coke or Pepsi", everyone has there own opinion. I'd set a budget, then see which models in that budget have the most POI (points of interest).

If it's a one time trip kinda thing and you don't have anyone sitting shotgun, then the laptop idea for about $100.00 might be something you want to look into.

 

You want the Garmin Nuvi 350 or 360:

- The map data is more accurate in North America (unless TomTom has started using Navteq data, but I don't think they have)
- It's super light & portable - you can slip it into your pocket & take it with you when you park the car

Other things I like about it:
- the UI is brain dead simple
- the graphics are nice, the text to speech is good
- Garmin is very responsive in updating the OS, fixing bugs etc -- they've averaged a software update almost every month or so, in the six months that I've owned it (adding some features, improving satellite lock times, & bug fixes)

Anyway, don't take my word for it, do your research... the nuvi gets consistently high ratings in reviews. www.gpspassion.com is a good site if you want to do some more reading on GPS systems.

Whatever you buy, you want Navteq maps & the SiRF 3 chipset (better/faster lock on the satellite signals).

 

OK! Everything was very helpful. Yesterday while doing research I encountered to Pioneer AVIC-N3. Does any of you have information how well it performs as navi and iPod integration unit? It looks very interesting to me. I really consider something like this now, since I was going to install HK Drive+Play for iPod and buy a navigation system. This unit combines both in much advanced solution, plus more. I think several of our guys have it installed, just need a better feedback. Do you have any other suggestion for in-dash iPod and Navi head unit?

Thanks!

 

I also highly recommend the Garmin Nuvi 350 or 360.

My best advice is to physically try each of the units that you are considering. The UI (user interface) can only be experienced in a hands on evironment. Go to a brick and mortar store and try them.