I want to get a gps for my car, but don't know the first thing about one model to another. What do the more expensive models offer that I should be interested in? Or does the lower end models provide everything a general driver would need?

Looking for insight from persons that have been using these things and what is nice to have vs it's nice, but not really necessary.

I've used one once and it was a garmin street pilot 300 or 330, something like that and it worked just fine.

Are they all updateable with new maps periodically?

Any brands to stay away from?


Thanks for all your help!!!!

this is my next GPS. full land and sea maping (has all maps pre loaded and they are highly detailed) also has an internal 30gb hard drive to store mp3's, XM radio and is fm modulated. Blows away the street pilot. this thing has tons of features,think im gonna order it this week.


http://www.davesmarineelectronics.co...OD&ProdID=7946





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That is a cool unit!!! If I didn't have one in the boat, I'd consider. Thanks GlassDave! I'm leaning more already!

Ok... so these things do all sorts of stuff. Let's see if I can narrow this down a bit based on new info from glassdave...

Main concern is with street mapping and ease of use. Not looing for mp3, xm or music usage or for use in boat.

I see there is Garmin, Lowrance, TomTom, any brand better than others, any I shouldn't consider?

I have a Garmin Street Pilot and use it every other week when I travel. It is easy and fast to look up addresses and resturants. Extremely simple to use.

That unit is really nice. Does anyone know how to tell how fast they register. I had a Navman in the 39' and now I have a Garmin 182c and they do not register quick enough for the boat. By the time i'm up to 120 it only registering 100. When I slow down it's still climbing for another 3 or 4 seconds. I don't have room for a big unit. I now have a 2010 in the 39 and that works beautiful, I just don't have the room for it in the new boat.

I have always had good luck with magellan roadmate.
http://www.magellangps.com/products/....asp?segID=354

im looking at the Garmin nuvi's and the Lowrance as well

Garmin 376 or 476. They have XM Weather in them with "doppler radar" too. They offer Steets mapping along with full Blue Charts for marine applications too. I have the 276C which is the same minus the XM Weather. I am looking to upgrade to the 476.
Good Luck...

My store sells Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, Alpine, and LG portable nav systems. The new LG is very thin and packed with features and is a fantastic value.

Call me at 813-882-8477 if you need advise.

Andy Buzz

do you need just gps or a multi use gps, xm radio, dvd, cd player