Garmin GPS?

[wcjp]

Looking at buying either the Garmin 2730 or 2820. Anyone use either of these models? Any comparable competitors? Does the XM work? How is the GPS reception? Costco has a great price on the 2730. Anyone know a great place to purchase the 2820?

 

[daytripper63]

I dont know about the Garmin your looking at although I just bought a Garmin NUVI 360 and love it

I like the idea of getting my Satalite radio over the gps as well , that would eliminae having 2 things stuck to my windshield

 

[AHolt]

I have the Garman 2620, the only problem i have is it keeps telling

me to get off next exit . Then to get back on across the road

from that exit. Now when it tells me next exit will be 400 miles

I dont get off until I see next route 400 miles away.

 

[robertyoke]

have the 2620 and 60csx and I tell you ... get the 7200! the big screen is worth every $$ for your eyesight.

-robert

 

[Red Ram]

Gps

I dont know about the Garmin your looking at although I just bought a Garmin NUVI 360 and love it

I like the idea of getting my Satalite radio over the gps as well , that would eliminae having 2 things stuck to my windshield

I ALSO HAVE THE Garmin NUVI 360 IT IS THE BEST IT CAN BE USED INDOOR OR OUTDOOR DON'T NEED YOUR TRUCK IT GOES EVERY WHERE. Oo.

 

[zstroken]

I have the garmin quest and have a palm. The only think I didn't like about hte street pilot units is they have no battery. My mom just bought my dad a 330. Walmart has them for $328. I know most people don't think of taking them off road, but I use the constantly when we snowmobile. I would recommend garmin, friend has a tom tom, I have heard of difficult customer service with the tom tom. Garmin still had updates on their website for my GPSIII+ which was like 5 years old.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

So far My TomTom gets TimTim where he needs to go. I have the Go910 which also serves as my hands free for my phone ,it's an MP3 player , Picture storage , and of course it navigates. It also has text to speech which comes in handy. I am still wowed by its 20 Gigabyte Hard drive. I use it day in day out when on the road as I never know where my next address that I am going to is. I am working on getting the OzzY "voice" for it as we speak. You can download Celebrity voices , traffic , weather info as well.



No need for SD cards to carry maps on as the hard drive that is built in allready has ALL of the U. S , Europe , and some parts of Mexico and US territories as well as Canada. If you ask me that is the world in a nutshell LOL!

 

[JVantreese]

Jotto, laptop and garmin nRoute.

I have found that my old eyes do not like the itsy betsey screens on most of the car gps models.



Garmin sells the nRoute which is a hockey puck size devise that you stick on the dash. It has a USB plug for you laptop. The software is Garmin's City Navigator that covers covers 49 US states and Canada. The software cost about $150. with annual updates available for about $75. When you register, you will get one free update for any new edition that comes out within six months of your purchase. The custom jotto computer table cost about $300. These are the same computer tables that the cops use in their squad cars. I have a 15 inch laptop that I use in business so no additional cost for the computer for me. If you do not have a laptop you can find entry level units under $500. A 12 volt to 110 inverter will allow you to keep you laptop charged and cost about $20. All together your looking at between $470. and $970. to be up and running. The advantage of the 15 inch screen is fantastic. The DVD player also gives me a devise for passengers to watch their favorite movies on long trips. Do to a wireless connection I can also check my email or search the web for info. Most towns will have free hot spots at their libraries or at a college campus.



Now the bad news. While using your laptop it will sit in front of your radio and limit access to you pop out cup holder. I find that I can flip the screen down to access the radio controls. The top of the jotto table can also be removed by simply loosening one T handled bolt. This leaves you with a short vertical mounting pipe that does not interfere with any controls or passengers.



I know that this set up is not for everyone, but it works for me.

 

[Arkapigdiesel]

When I bought my GPS I researched, researched, and researched some more. I read reviews of editors, and more importantly users. I went into the research with an open mind and the more I researched the more I was led to Garmin.



I bought the c330 unit and have had it for around 6 months now. I LOVE IT and can't imagine not having it.



I think I got off topic a bit

 

[Rhinohd]

Get A Nuvi! You can go wrong. I have had a few GPS units and this one works the best. I have the 350 but have my eye on a 660. I have recomended them to about 5 friends and all of them love it!!!

 

[RustyJC]

I have had a Garmin 2620 for years - I use it in the truck and on my motorcycle. It's never given any problem, and I'm quite pleased with it.



Rusty

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I know that this set up is not for everyone, but it works for me.

I concur! I still every now and agin use my Laptop with DeLorome Earthmate GPS. I use it with a Figgy desk (One of a few) and why I like THAT setup is I can save full on files containing What type of fire damage , cleanup , adjuster stuff etc of destinations and such for work.



I mainly use my TomTom now tho

 

[wcjp]

The more I research the less I know. Didn't realize the Streetpilots have no onboard battery. Right now I'm thinking 276/376 or the Zumo 550. Still deciding. Please keep the opinions coming.

 

[donnier]

Id like to get a GPS for my vehicle,either a dash mount or laptop type.

But the better half keeps saying thats all I need. Something else to distract me when on the road.

 

[JVantreese]

Id like to get a GPS for my vehicle,either a dash mount or laptop type.

But the better half keeps saying thats all I need. Something else to distract me when on the road.

I don't think that a GPS has to be a distraction. I set up my destination and any waypoints prior to getting behind the wheel. When in the truck I fire up the laptop and call up my GPS program. The program then announces any turns a couple of miles before I get to them and repeats the audio announcement again as I get close to the turning point. With the laptop I have a portion of the screen about 1" by 15" that has the turn written out and a box that shows how many miles or feet that I have to go before making the turn. It also announces little things like "turn right on exit 121 and then stay left". This feature gets you into the correct lane for you next maneuver. The map section of the screen automatical zooms in or out to keep both the vehicle and the next turn on the screen. Try it and you will never want to travel without one.

 

[MFalkinham]

The more I research the less I know. Didn't realize the Streetpilots have no onboard battery.

True, the StreetPilots don't have batteries as they are strictly meant for dashboard duty. My Garmin is the older StreetPilot 2610, which you can still get refurbished or used on eBay. The nice thing about this model is that it will accept a 2GB compact-flash card, and doesn't have an internal hard drive like the newer StreetPilots. This means no moving parts to break or wear out, and no problems during cold-weather operation. 2GB is plenty of storage for all of the US and Canada maps, and I picked mine up used for $400. I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[swmnkdinthervr]

Looking at buying either the Garmin 2730 or 2820. Anyone use either of these models? Any comparable competitors? Does the XM work? How is the GPS reception? Costco has a great price on the 2730. Anyone know a great place to purchase the 2820?

I've been looking at these two also... I have a Harley that I'll use it on also so I need the radio function for voice... has anyone tried THESE???

 

[JDerrick]

try GPS city.com they have lots of toys and will ship all over and generaly have good prices, but still shop around for a while it might save you a bundle of $$$

 

[TJJEEPER]

I'm using a 276C and love it. I use it in the truck and on the Motorcycle.

For best prices try one of the following

TVNAV
GPS Discount
or
GPS City

Any one of the above will have the best price at one time or another. TVNAV has the absolute best customer service I've ever come across. GPS City has the full RAM Mount line so you can move it between vehicles and have them secure (as in not flying around the cab and killing you).

No intrest in any of these companies other than a happy consumer.

 

[wcjp]

I ended up buying the Zumo 550. It has onboard battery, touch screen, mp3 and water proof. The water proof option sold me for Jeepin'. Also has 6million points of interest.