I'm in the market for one finally. Which ones are user friendly while driving. I haven't done any research on them yet, so any advice will be given a big thanx.

 

my dads got cobra its kool

 

I went with a garmin street pilot after much debate of getting the A2(edge), an indash unit or something else. I liked the street pilot for portability to take out of the truck or to other cars. It works great. You can find them on ebayfor 3-400 cheaper than at the stores.

 

Will you be replacing the radio or just getting one of the portable units?

 

I just put in a Pioneer D1 indash.. I didnt want an external due to smash and grab rates around here. I suggest the pioneer, it is the most widely used navigation system out there.

 

Well, more of a FYI than suggestion, I have TomTom using it with my PocketPC....its alright....definitely not as "cool" as they make it out to be on the commercials. I think the indash systems have better looking displays (the Alpine module was a lot more than I wanted to spend though)

 

I have the Magellan Roadmate 760 and love it ... portable between vehicles. I have a new Laramie dually on order and decided to not put the Dodge Nav system in the truck. The reason is that the built-in (Dodge) isn't touch screen. While that may not sound like a big deal, it is much much easier to program a touch screen while driving that trying to play with ***** and buttons. I know you aren't supposed to do that while driving but everyone does.

Say you're whipping down the interstate at 75 and you want to find the nearest gas or rest area. Much easier to touch the screen and do the programming.

I've rented literally hundreds of Hertz cars with NeverLost (Magellan) that required you to move the cursor around to enter addresses or make changes. Royal pain the butt.

Just my opinion of course.

Bryan

 

I have a Lowrance iWay 500c that works awesome. Large and bright 5" touchscreen, turn by turn audible directions, can be programmed on the road (not saying you should, though), extensive point of interest database, and just an all around good portable unit.

 

Palm E2 w/ navigation package is great. If you ever want a MP3 player, and full MS excel and word. Its a great unit paid around 350 for it. portable between all vechicles and easy to upgrade. Just buy a 1 gig SD Card and you are good to go.

 

I know it's a little bulky...but if you have a laptop you can buy Microsoft streets and trips with GPS locator for roughly $100, like I said it's just a little bulky having a laptop on the seat beside you. Streets and trips can also be used on any PDA that is windows based....

 

I've been using the Garmin Street Pilot 330c for a while now. It is a very small portable unit. I can take it in any car or truck. it all tuch screen and very simple to use. It is extremely accurate and has tons of features. In any given area or even in an area you pick you can locate fuel, shopping and food. It provides address and phone numbers and of course directions. We travel a lot. My wife is very fond of it. How we ever lived with out it???????

 

I also have the 330c. On the way back from MA I ran out of gas in the Bronx on the cross bronx expressway. I had enough gas to go maybe 5 miles with an 8000 lb boat in tow. I just pushed the gas station button and had all of them there with their phone #s. I called them all and finally found one with diesel. Hit the go to button, again, all touch screen, and it pointed me in the right direction.

 

Garmin is the way to go. They are THE standard of the industry for aviation, street, and marine navigation. Resale is OUTSTANDING on any used Garmin.

 

I just bought a used Garmin StreetPilot 2610 on eBay for $400. It came with a 2GB compact flash card and all of the North America maps loaded. So far I love it, and it seems like a really well built unit.

 

They sell a magellan roadmate 800 which is awesome, they are coming out with the 860 in mid may. You should take a look at them. Pretty neat little device.