Porable GPS Navigation Units?
 

I have a new Nismo 370Z coming around February of next year. As I'm sure you all know, the Nismo doesn't offer the navigation package and as every vehicle I've owned for the past 10 years has had navigation; I'm pretty well addicted to them (yes I still know how to use a map but why bother! :) )

Anyway...I'm wondering, for those of you who don't have factory navigation systems, do you have any recommendations on what works and what doesn't (the more specific the recommendation such as manufacturer and model number, etc., the better).

Please keep in mind I'm only looking for a portable unit - I'm not interested in an installed unit.

Price...up to $500-600 range...anything much more than that and I probably wouldn't bother.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

For that price, you can get something like the Clarion NX509 or Kenwood DNX6140 with built-in Navigation AND you get the included benefits of improving your audio system.

I absolutely loved my Clarion NX509's Navigation system. Touch screen, very easy to use, usually spot-on with directions/route planning/etc.

EDIT:

Ahh, I see you're not interested in installed units. That sucks. My wife has a portable GPS unit and it's a PITA. Good luck!

I bought the TomTom XXL-540 and have really liked it.

TomTom XXL 540*S - All-in-one navigation - TomTom GPS sat nav

Previous vehicles had the built-in nav, so this is my first portable.

E

I've always liked Garmin Nuvi units. All of them from the $100 stuff up to the $600 units run basically the same Nav functionality and maps (Kenwood in-dash units run Garmin software). Higher the price, the more features. Compare and contrast all of them here:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

http://images49.fotki.com/v1489/phot...MG_1436-vi.jpg

Simple mount design here: Garmin Nav holder.. album | Ttschwing | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy.

i also do the $100 nuvi, works great.

copycat to modshack dissappearing mount v2:

http://www.the370z.com/members/kensa...6-finished.jpg

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.

I have factory nav but I also run Tom Tom on my iPhone... best of both worlds.

TomTom is the best, got one a few years ago and never regretted buying it.

:iagree: I love garmins. Very easy to use and quick calculating. Even my Kenwood DNX6140 navi is powered by Garmin. Kenwood actually reached out to Garmin to make the nav part of the HU. :tup:

+1. Garmin's are great!

I appreciate the feedback so far...I've known about both Garmin and TomTom for some time but as I've never had a portable unit, I've had no experience with either.

I've thought about just relying on my phone and while that would likely work most of the time, that might be more of a distraction than a help.

battery and convenience would be the concerns I would have with that...

for the most part my bb can work fine running googlmap but as dan mentioned above, it eats battery power and the bb's screen blacks out if i dont touch the keypad from time to time so it's kinda annoying.

with the nuvi it's hardwired so i start the car and it's ready to go...plus i can type in the addresses at my desk instead of inside the car. also i can have the nuvi and my HU's screens fully functional without having to flip between stereo/nav screens so very convenient. for $100, can't go wrong. :p

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

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

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

you're like me rob! anti-steve jobs. :tup: ;)

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.

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

+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

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

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

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

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

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.


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?

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).

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.

Garmin for the win

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

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!!!

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!

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. :D

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

My BlackBery gives turn by turn (by the way, my 370ZR provides weather forecasts for both currentllocation or destination and weather maps as well).

So...I could get by on my BlackBerry alone I suppose...my concern with depending on getting info through a cell signal is that I drive in a lot of places where the isn't one!

Where is your radar detector plugged into?

The one I have is plunged into the receptacle that's sort of "under" the glove box.

But the cord in his picture is going down the drivers side

Well...don't know about his unit...my guess would be some sort of hard-wire but difficult to know from a picture. :)

Its hardwired.

U might also notice that the socket is missing on the passenger side. :p

Both of my 370s have had the outlet on the passenger side and inside the center console (as did, if memory serves, all of my 350s as well)..why would your Z not have one there?

it's RHD but converted to LHD. :tup:

jk, it's only held on by 2 screws. i just removed it and using the power to do better things than cigarette lighter socket. :p

I see.

Isn't going through all that sort of making your point the hard way??? ;)