I use an older Compaq iPaq RX4150 with iGuidance 3.01 and a SIRF Star3 BT GPS Mouse.

A Panavise cradle mount and a no-name/generic PDA/Phone holder secures it to the dash and a small external GPS antena lives next to the XM mouse on the roof.

The 1GB SD card contains detailed maps for all of the 'local' states, a 2GB card would be required for the whole of the US - due to the details that they contain.

This is certainly the budget end of the spectrum - $100 for iGuedance, $60 for the PDA from e-bay, $6 for a USB hub to supply power to multiple USB devices in the Mini, $75 for the BT GPS device, $17 for the Panavise bracket and $6 for the cradle.

My setup is a constantly evolving one, I previously ran iGuidance on my Cingular 8125 and used a different holder, but I had issues with receiving calls when lost so i snagged the cheap iPaq.

I prefer the PDA solution over the dedicated navigation device because I can switch to (say) Tom-Tom or any number of other peices of software when something better is available.

 

I also use iGuidance 3, and so far I have no issue with it. I am running it on a carPC (full integrated installation failed on sat. 1-6-07, power supply fried and it also fried the motherboard) I have a 7" touchscreen mounted and works great.

The only complaint/issue is that I just can't take the carPC with me out of the car and use it in a different vehicle or take it on a hike or something.

But i always drive/take my mini wherever i go, and i never go on hikes, so the only complaint/issue doesn't really affect me :D

 

I was using Mapopolis on my Pocket PC Samsung i700, which worked pretty well, except for the Mapopolis software getting confused when county borders went through water, like around Seattle. It would draw some islands as water, and some water as land.
I just switched to a Palm OS Treo 680, and my TomTom Navigator 6 should be arriving today, along with a combination GPS receiver/cradle. Could have gone with a BT GPS receiver, but this way, one power connection will run both. I also like having a combination PDA/navigation device, in my case a phone as well. It's always with me, and it's nice to be able to look at the maps anytime.

Update: Fedex did deliver it today. TomTom 6 is not officially supported on the 680 yet, but I found a tweak to get it to run here
http://discussion.treocentral.com/sh...d.php?t=131615

 

I wouldn't trade my Nuvi for anything else out there. I have used several brands/models and this by far is the most versatile.

 

Actually, I find my Garmin 276c to be a lot more versatile and flexible than the Nuvi, but after getting a Nuvi for my wife, I've put my 276c on eBay and ordered a Nuvi for myself.

The Nuvi has fewer features than the 276c, but the features it does have are a lot easier to use. The biggest reason I'm switching is being able to use the touchscreen to enter addresses instead of a rocker switch.

 

That's a part of the versatility! I use mine in Europe and also when walking in unfamiliar downtown areas.

 

Yep - although the 276c has a rechargeable battery (with up to 15 hours of runtime), it's large enough that I generally don't carry it with me. The Nuvi is small enough to keep in a pocket, so I'm more likely to have it with me when I'm outside the car.

The only complaint I have about the address entry with the Nuvi is that it doesn't have a QWERTY keyboard, so none of the letters are where I expect them to be. There have been enough complaints about this on the various GPS sites and discussion groups that I expect one of the next few firmware updates from Garmin will give the option of a QWERTY keyboard.

 

I see that you're from Indiana - how are you swapping back and forth between the North America and Europe maps on the Nuvi?

Since my wife's Nuvi 350 didn't come with the Mapsource program, I'm not sure how I'd load the Europe maps if I were to buy them, and since the Nuvi doesn't come with a CD/DVD copy of the North American maps that are pre-loaded on the unit, I'm not sure how I'd get the North America maps back into the unit when I came home from overseas.

 

For all those who use the FM output to pipe audio from your GPS (or any other device) to your MINI's radio, this site can help you find unused or weaker FM frequencies, based on your ZIP Code. http://fmchannel.sirius.com

 

I have the Delphi NAV200. For the price it was worth it. In my last car, I had the Magellan 700 then upgraded to the Pioneer AVIC-N1. Both very good, but cost a lot of money. I spent $300 on Ebay (Brand new) and worth it.
http://shopdelphi.com/consumers/mobi...ls/highlights/

 

I picked up the Garmin C330 a few weeks ago. Can't go wrong with the Garmin maps (especially here in Canada, Garmin is on top) and technology. Had to design my own mount as i really dont like the suction cup option...

 

I picked up a Mio C310x on Black Friday for $100. Great nationwide nav system with a nice UI and huge POI database, plus MP3 playback from SD cards. I have it mounted in the oversized cup holder on its base angled toward the driver. No pics right now, but it looks quite good. Gonna get the auxiliary port pulled through and then have the nav directions and MP3s routed directly into the head unit. Hard to complain about a deal like that!

 

I saw that at Circuit City (same day as you I think) and wanted one for my girlfriend but they were out at all the stores anywhere around and it was not available on line.

So good for you in being one of the lucky ones.

 

In our MINI-VAN we have the factory Honda Nav which is nice. For all of the other cars we went with the Nuvi-660 which is awesome and really user friendly.

 

Hey Paulo, I like the custom mount! I just ordered a c320 for a really good price, and it's coming in next week. I'm thinking of getting a Kuda mount, but it's essentially just a flat surface. I think I'd still have to drill holes and screw in or something. Did you take the stock cradle that came with your c330 and modify it? Thanks!

 

Hey izadro, I had to take the cradle and the swivel off the arm and the suction cup bracket. I then just fabricated a wooden block to act as the pivot block that is connected to the 'charger/cradle' bracket (using the existing screws) which is then attached to my bracket using a thumb screw. I cut a slot in the top surface of my bracket so that i just have to loosen the thumb screw and slide it off to store without having to unscrew the whole thing to take it off. All this is attached with automotive grade 2-way tape i picked up at home depot. (Tape is applied on the vent trim and a sliver on on the top of the dimmer cover.)
One of these days i might switch out the wooden block for something that looks nicer, but atleast the wood is light weight.

 

I'm even more amazed. Thanks for the tip! Yeah, I was thinking about that since the cradle is shaped funny on the C3XX series. Time for me to go to Home Depot...