what is the best GPS unit out today, or coming

[2manytoys]

Magellon or Garmin. I am looking to get a GPS unit for my dad as he wants to head east from Cali and hit all the good spots along the way to Niagara.

I hear that both have maps built in for both and bigger screens available, but which unit is the better. Costs are about the same for comparable units as far as i know.

How does the service work? costs?

Thanks. Hey I could borrow it and tour California for the track with the closest to sea level reading,....oh it's been done.

[jrice]

Patrick,

I use a Garmin and its easy to operate and follow..

For what its worth 

It may help you clear up the confusion 

Jeff

[Eric Ellis (57HotrodVW)]

I've been looking at a couple different models of Garmin and Magellan units that have rec'd good reviews. They both have different strengths and weaknesses, as well as features that I can and cannot do without.

I'm considering the Magellan Maestro 4250 and a couple of the "Nuvi" models from Garmin. Other than optional live traffic update services or maps for other countries, you should not have to pay anything to use your GPS device.

Costco has the Garmin 650 for $299 now -- http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11237450. It's a good deal, and does offer "text to speech", but doesn't speak the street names (ie, "Turn left in 50 feet" versus "Turn left on Main Street in 50 feet"). See this link for a number of other deals that Costco has going right now (like the Nuvi 200W and Nuvi 250W).

You can find quite a bit of info, and comprehensive reviews at http://gpsmagazine.com and http://www.gpsreview.net

--Eric

[Marty]

You want one that speaks the street names - trust me.
I have the Magellen Maestro 4040 and LOVE it! I use the hell out of it.

[brian rogers]

I have & use the Garmin rino120 hand held for camping and hikeing it has a topagraphy mapping available to download into it, covers about half the state of Utah. But the nice thing is it has the interstate and state raods embeaded into it. Used it several trips. Mostly used for Geocaching and travel. Local street maps can beloaded with the proper software.

[2stroke]

not the most expensive but i have two TOM TOM's and love them

[Eric Ellis (57HotrodVW)]

not the most expensive but i have two TOM TOM's and love them

I'm not sure of the routing directions that you get from your TomTom GPS devices, but in the reviews that I've seen, TomTom GPS devices gave accurate directions, but often via the longest route.

--Eric

[2stroke]

havent noticed that

[Kafer_Mike]

You want one that speaks the street names - trust me.
I have the Magellen Maestro 4040 and LOVE it! I use the hell out of it.

Like Marty say "You want one that speaks the street names ".  I have a Garmin Nuvi 350 and can't imagine traveling without it.

[oly29]

I have a Garmin 2720 Street Pilot. Changes between dark and light for day and night time use. The only problem is the location of the speaker which is tied to the power plug. It is great for finding locations for lodging and dinning while you are traveling.

[so67vw]

We have Garmin GPS in three of our vehicles.... My wife depends on it to take her all over for work.... She travels all over Louisana.... I use mine to get me to customers homes.... I'm not sure if they all use NAVTEC maps or not.... I know my $1500 Alpine system used NAVTEC maps.... I yanked it out and got a new Garmin.... The ole CD ROM NAV systems are quite outdated now....

[Gas Cap]

So do all GPS require a monthly fee? I havn't looked into it to hard but a few people I talked to had to pay monthly for the service. I'm not about to spend 300$+ and have to pay to use it. -Jacob-

[Marty]

So do all GPS require a monthly fee? I havn't looked into it to hard but a few people I talked to had to pay monthly for the service. I'm not about to spend 300$+ and have to pay to use it. -Jacob-

Only if you want the live traffic updating.
My Magellan always shows an alternate route (if available) if you run into traffic and you just select it if you need to. It does not know if there is traffic ahead however unless you subscribe for the live service - no thanks.