Porable GPS Navigation Units?

kenchan · 08-20-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilsonp

For that kind of money, I would get an iPad 3G (but I have all three

).

pls dont install ipads on the dash cause it looks terrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Nanh...can't do that...it's against my religion to use Apple products!

you're like me rob! anti-steve jobs.

JvKintheUSA · 08-20-2010, 06:33 PM

Don't by any Kenwoods etc - just get a portable TomTom - they are the best and not too expensive. That way if something better comes out in a few years, you can buy something else.

errett · 08-21-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleks

I've been debating between the TomTom XXL 540TM ($179.99 off Amazon) or just installing an AVIC-X920BT ($575 after discounts, tax, etc. on Amazon). I dislike futzing with cables and would like A2DP iPhone functionality, but the portable GPS units seem to be ahead of the in-dash units in terms of bundling lifetime map and traffic updates. Pioneer wants to ding you $120 for updated maps, and their traffic services is going away in a year.

Honestly the TomTom looks to be one of the best at it's price point. You start to get add-on features that don't matter for navigation once you go above that price. The TM at the end of the model means it has lifetime maps and traffic updates too.

Mine has the lifetime maps, but not the traffic. Bring it in the house, connect the USB to your PC and it will check for new maps automatically.

Nice device.

E

travisjb · 08-21-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Nanh...can't do that...it's against my religion to use Apple products!

+1 ! same for the old Garmin PNDs

For the price you're talking about you could afford one of the new android based tablets like the dell streak with 5" display and turn by turn nav
http://en.community.dell.com/dell-bl...id-tablet.aspx

If you happen to be a pilot or for any reason you need XM graphical weather data, I'd recommend the AV8OR

Lug · 08-21-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Nanh...can't do that...it's against my religion to use Apple products!

DroidX or if you are on a buget, the original Droid.

6MT · 08-21-2010, 11:02 AM

Portable units are in the range of $75 and up. You're a wee bit over budget I think.

mdbrich · 08-21-2010, 11:09 AM

Garmin FTW on this one. I also use my droid a lot of the time

TongMan · 08-21-2010, 11:21 AM

I'm really happy with my garmin nuvi 260w.

Robert_Nash · 08-21-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MT

Portable units are in the range of $75 and up. You're a wee bit over budget I think.

Well, as I said in my original post, I'm good up up to $500-$600 range - I'm not so worried about price as I am in getting something that will work well and work all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdbrich

Garmin FTW on this one. I also use my droid a lot of the time

Maybe I'm just behind the times but with cell phone-based navigation; don't you get left hanging if you are in an area where cell service is difficult to come by or non-existent?

wilsonp · 08-21-2010, 02:46 PM

On the iPhone (and iPad) the Navigation apps store all maps in flash and don't require connectivity.

The free turn by turn with Android is Google maps based and requires Internet access, as does the Google maps included with the iPhone (without turn by turn directions).

Cmike2780 · 08-21-2010, 03:16 PM

I just got the Tom Tom XXL actually. Had to replace my old Magellan which I paid over $600 five years ago. The new GPS works really well and is packed with everything you need, including traffic, camera locations and a ton of customizations. I even have my Z as a GPS Icon. You can also hook it up to the computer and download additional maps and even celebrity voices like KITT from Knight Rider or create your own.

370Zsteve · 08-21-2010, 03:19 PM

Garmin for the win

Just got back from vacation in the UK, had a Magellan from Hertz and it just plain sucked.

elm_tx · 08-21-2010, 06:03 PM

I have the Garmin Nuvi 855. Sub $150 on Amazon these days. It's awesome has never failed to get me where I needed to go and does a fast job of recalculating the route if for some reason I don't want to go down the road it wants to. Very easy and intuitive to use/load new destinations or set points of interest along the route. Good Luck!!!

Robert_Nash · 10-28-2010, 11:50 AM

I appreciate all the great responses I got here and I had just about decided on a Garmin unit when I got an email from Escort advertising their new Passport IQ which is an integrated radar/laser detector and GPS unit. The GPS uses the same technology as Garmin (NAVTEQ). The unit is certainly pricey but this might fit the bill nicely as I have two vehicles and one detector at the moment (a Passport 9500ix).

I will be "Z-less" starting tomorrow (10/29) and my 2011 Nismo should be here in December so I've got some time before I'll need to buy anything...so...if anyone has any thoughts or if anyone buys one of these units before I will need to make a final decision, please let me know what you think!

Thanks!

kenchan · 10-28-2010, 01:40 PM

i suppose if i had bought my droidx earlier this year i would've just gotten the bracket and charger for it and used that instead of my nuvi.

i like how i can see weatherchannel radar in real time.

08-20-2010, 06:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
JvKintheUSA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 465 Drives: 2013 Shelby GT500 Rep Power: 427	Don't by any Kenwoods etc - just get a portable TomTom - they are the best and not too expensive. That way if something better comes out in a few years, you can buy something else. __________________

08-21-2010, 11:02 AM	#21 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1789	Portable units are in the range of $75 and up. You're a wee bit over budget I think. __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

08-21-2010, 02:46 PM	#25 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 16	On the iPhone (and iPad) the Navigation apps store all maps in flash and don't require connectivity. The free turn by turn with Android is Google maps based and requires Internet access, as does the Google maps included with the iPhone (without turn by turn directions). __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

08-21-2010, 03:16 PM	#26 (permalink)
Cmike2780 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 5,059 Drives: slowwww Rep Power: 28	I just got the Tom Tom XXL actually. Had to replace my old Magellan which I paid over $600 five years ago. The new GPS works really well and is packed with everything you need, including traffic, camera locations and a ton of customizations. I even have my Z as a GPS Icon. You can also hook it up to the computer and download additional maps and even celebrity voices like KITT from Knight Rider or create your own. __________________ [09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R] [ArchitTEK Photography]

08-21-2010, 03:19 PM	#27 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 42	Garmin for the win Just got back from vacation in the UK, had a Magellan from Hertz and it just plain sucked. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

08-21-2010, 11:09 AM	#22 (permalink)
mdbrich Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: ATX Posts: 171 Drives: Nizmo, DD Honda Fit Rep Power: 15	Garmin FTW on this one. I also use my droid a lot of the time

08-21-2010, 11:21 AM	#23 (permalink)
TongMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,297 Drives: 2013 Nissan GTR Rep Power: 715	I'm really happy with my garmin nuvi 260w.

08-21-2010, 06:03 PM	#28 (permalink)
elm_tx Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 51 Drives: 2010 Nismo Rep Power: 14	I have the Garmin Nuvi 855. Sub $150 on Amazon these days. It's awesome has never failed to get me where I needed to go and does a fast job of recalculating the route if for some reason I don't want to go down the road it wants to. Very easy and intuitive to use/load new destinations or set points of interest along the route. Good Luck!!!

10-28-2010, 11:50 AM	#29 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 17	I appreciate all the great responses I got here and I had just about decided on a Garmin unit when I got an email from Escort advertising their new Passport IQ which is an integrated radar/laser detector and GPS unit. The GPS uses the same technology as Garmin (NAVTEQ). The unit is certainly pricey but this might fit the bill nicely as I have two vehicles and one detector at the moment (a Passport 9500ix). I will be "Z-less" starting tomorrow (10/29) and my 2011 Nismo should be here in December so I've got some time before I'll need to buy anything...so...if anyone has any thoughts or if anyone buys one of these units before I will need to make a final decision, please let me know what you think! Thanks! __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama - Last edited by Robert_Nash; 10-28-2010 at 11:57 AM.

10-28-2010, 01:40 PM	#30 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i suppose if i had bought my droidx earlier this year i would've just gotten the bracket and charger for it and used that instead of my nuvi. i like how i can see weatherchannel radar in real time.

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