[Drake]

Just looking for some input from anybody running nav systems in their vehicles. Curious as to what you guys have, what you like, what you want and was it worth it. I was just about to buy one for my X just now but the one I wanted is out of stock and they aren't sure when they will get more so I wanted to look at some more options. I know a lot of people run the Garmin Nuvi 700's but wanted to get some reviews on Magellan systems if anybody has any experience with them.

P.S. I'm just looking for navigation features btw. I don't want MP3 playback, digital media, bluetooth or none of that crap. I already have plenty of gadgets that do all that as it is.

 

[json3904]

are you looking for a nav that is capable of on road and offroad trail's that is another ? that we need to know...

 

[Tuff]

the thing I don't like about my nuvi is that it doesn't have a "breadcrumb" feature where it maps out where you have been and saves it... i.e., ability to create your own map of trails. Some of the higher end nuvi's have that ability though.

 

[Jdubbau02]

you have probably seen mine that day at mod day. I have the Nuvi 750. I wanted the 760 but then i realized like you said that the only difference was it had bluetooth and mp3 player and it was 50 bucks more. Now i believe mine does have the "breadcrum" thing tuff mentioned. I dont know if he did something to it or not but now it leave a blue trail every where i go so i can see where i have been and what not. I have never fooled around with a magellan but whit's mom has a navigon and i just dont like it. it is bulky and seems like it takes forever to start the trip. id say you would probably really like the 760 if you want man ill send it to you and you can try it out for a week or too. I let stevin borrow it to take it to tuffs and he didnt want to give it back lol

 

[Fzzt]

If all you want is a unit for highway/streets (ie not much off the beaten path) then it's hard to go wrong with this little unit from Invion
Link goes to QVC. I bought one of these from QVC for my parents before they went on a road trip and it worked great for them.

My Dad already had the whole trip mapped out and I figured he'd hate the unit but even he only had good things to say about it.

Obviously at $130 it's not going to be as feature rich as the +$500 models however it tracks spot on with its built in map.

It's pretty hard to scroll out if you want to see a large overview while your driving but really once you set up your destination you barely have to look at it. One drawback that I see with the unit is that you don't have the ability to set up waypoints. Basically if you want to make a lot of stops you have to program them into your address book and then as you reach each point, you simply pop over to your address book and pick the next stop.

All touch screen and even with my fingers (ie I can't text for crap) didn't have much trouble, if you do there is an included stylus that lives in the back of the unit.

I'm quite happy with this unit for what it does. Just make sure to select a unit that meets your requirements. I simply wanted a point to point navigation system that wouldn't break the bank but that was accurate and easy to use. This unit is all of that and then some.

 

[Tuff]

oh, one other thing I don't like about mine is that you can only set one intermediate stop... so if you're planning out a trip with 6 different stops, well you can't. Gotta do each one seperately at the time you're going there.

 

[DaveC]

I'm using the DeLorme Earthmate GPS LT-40 system with my laptop. Although I don't have the mount installed in the Xterra yet; I've been using it in my Land Cruiser and Toyota Pickup. Works excellent, has every feature you could ever want out of a GPS/Nav unit. It doesn't have any of the stuff you don't want (MP3 capability or Bluetooth). It was around $50 on Amazon, comes with Street Atlas USA 2009. For an additional $90-$100, you can get Topo USA 2009 for all the trails you want to run.

Now, that requires that you have a laptop in your X, so I'm not sure how you feel about that, or if you want to go through that trouble. But it's fantastic and hard to beat for the price.

 

[Drake]

The models I've looked at are all Garmin Nuvi's but they were the 250, 260 and like a 205 or something (all widescreens). Also looked at some of the high-end models but just didn't care for all the extra features I really don't need. I'm online now to do some more shopping but if I buy, it will be through Dell because I have a good credit line there and a zero balance at the moment.

I do want the ability to do on and off-road routes and at least be able to store 500 POI's. Would also like a "back-on-track" feature and fm traffic updates but I'm not having much like finding one that offers both of those features without also having bluetooth and a bunch of other bells and whistles.

As for going with a laptop setup, I think that would be friggin' sweet but my laptop is gargantuan and weighs a friggin' ton (dell vostro 1710) and I just don't want it bouncing around.

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

you have probably seen mine that day at mod day. I have the Nuvi 750. I wanted the 760 but then i realized like you said that the only difference was it had bluetooth and mp3 player and it was 50 bucks more. Now i believe mine does have the "breadcrum" thing tuff mentioned. I dont know if he did something to it or not but now it leave a blue trail every where i go so i can see where i have been and what not. I have never fooled around with a magellan but whit's mom has a navigon and i just dont like it. it is bulky and seems like it takes forever to start the trip. id say you would probably really like the 760 if you want man ill send it to you and you can try it out for a week or too. I let stevin borrow it to take it to tuffs and he didnt want to give it back lol

Honestly, to this day, I'm having GPS withdrawals already, lol.

Actually, Justin's GPS was pretty easy and straightforward to use. I even used it when I had to go to NC one day and it was pretty helpful. I'm definitely looking into getting one in the near future.

 

[Drake]

Just found the Nuvi 760 and read up on it. Think I may pull the trigger on this one in the morning.

 

[DaveC]

Good move. That's a nice unit.

 

[Drake]

Scratch that last post... I just BOUGHT the 750. The only difference between the two was bluetooth and I already have that and don't use it as it is. The 750 was $100 cheaper.

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Thats what Justin has and what I used. I really like it and couldnt tell much difference from 760 with 750. Congrats on your purchase!

Amazon?

 

[Drake]

Nope. Got it through Dell for $399. There might have been a cheaper deal out there but I get better/cheaper insurance if I break it with Dell.

 

[json3904]

i have had problems with dell, and once i pay it off i will never touch it again.... good luck with the new unit... make sure you take pics of the install....

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

i have had problems with dell, and once i pay it off i will never touch it again.... good luck with the new unit... make sure you take pics of the install....

Agreed. Dell was never helpful and was PITA to deal with. Finally sold the Dell laptop and got a Mac. No regrets about getting rid of Dell.

 

[json3904]

im not talking about there equipment... im talking about the finance they have... it just plain sucks.. LOL

 

[Jdubbau02]

im sure you will like it man! my only grip is that it doesnt seem to be to compatible with mac but i dont know if your a mac man or not

 

[Fzzt]

Nice. Same comment on the pics. Is that the kind that has a docking station for the X?

 

[Drake]

Not sure. I'll know more when it comes in and then I'll look through the available accessories I can get for it. I'll definitely post some pics up once I get it mounted.