Would like to purchase a gps for my truck. any suggestions.

 

The best?....Hands down, a laptop with DeLorme mapping software and GPS receiver.

Next best.... Garmin Street Pilot

Next best..... Garmin GPS V

Next best..... Good 'ol paper maps ;D

 

Depends what you want to do. If you want it for streets, probably the Street Pilot. If you want one for off road and portability with a FRS radio integrated, probably the Rino 120.

Mike

 

Here's another possibility:

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/excelon/excelonNav.jsp

These things are pretty good, if you can buy one!

Rene

 

I think Marine asked the right question - - what do you want to use it for? Do you want a stand-alone unit so you can track yourself and also, stick it in your pocket so you don't get lost in the woods? Or, are you going to couple it to your laptop?
Hands down - - the easiest system to couple to a laptop is the DeLorme. The USB unit does not even use batteries, rather pulls its power from the computer (which does shorten computer battery life unless attached to the truck), nothing to setup, plug and play. Their software is pretty good. If you don't mind a little more fussing, still want to couple it to laptop, and still use it in the woods standalone, Commotoze gave you a couple of the best. However, if your computer does not have a serial port, you have to buy the adapter from Garmin for the sweet sum of about $55 - - it comes with serial port connector only. If you want a small unit to couple and take in the woods and has USB connector, go the Magellan route. I like mine quite well plus use it in the boat.
If all you want are directions, you could spring for a Garmin Streetpilot III for $1000. Or, if that is not rich enough for your blood, go for the Pioneer NAVKIT 900 at about $3500. :'(
There is a new one I have not used called Copilot 2003. It is a simple GPS about the size of the DeLorme for your laptop. It includes two way voice communication, automatic re-routing if you miss a turn, lane change warnings, and even tells you what side of the street the address you are looking for will be on. Sure sounds good if it works. It is about $375.
Lot's of stuff out there. Have to determine how you will use it and how deep your pocket is.
ILuvToysBob

 

Isnt there anything cheap that works? I was thinking of getting a GPS for a few things: dualsport motorcycle rides, boat, hunting, carrying around, ect. but I havent got to the looking into prices stage yet. WOW! I didnt think I would be looking at $1000+, according to the dollar amounts you guys are saying. Is this just the BEST or is there nothing else out there that works good enough to buy. If so thats kind depressing.

 

The rino 120 is about 250.00. It is a good unit, and when other 120's or 110's are used with it, it will send them your POS and vice versa. It will transmit and receive with any FRS radio, is easy to use, and there are plenty of accessories you can get. It is also compatible with a computer to download area maps. It has 8MB of extra storage in addition to info already programmed. It is more for off-road use, as it does not follow streets, but will give distances city to city. It has a hunt/fish table and a bunch of other good stuff. Look at the link. http://www.garmin.com/products/rino120/

Mike

 

How big is your budget? Screen size and color displays make the price go up. Portability has its benefits too.

I like my Garmin GPS 76S MAP. Take it with me in the truck, car, boat, hiking. Its got 24 MB RAM to store all kinds of maps and charts; compass and barometer. The screen size is ok for the truck and car, but pretty useless if you want to follow a route/arrow at 60 in the boat. About $300 or so. It floats too!

Bought mine at gpscity.com

 

[quote author=KATOOM link=board=10;threadid=20867;start=0#msg196045 date=1066008510]
Isnt there anything cheap that works? ...........[/quote]

Sure!, the Garmin GPS V Delux is what I've got. It's got a smallish B&W screen, but it can navigate like heck! ;D It's gotten me just about anywhere I've wanted to go; towns, eaterys, lodging, etc. Also gives speed, ETA, altitude, calculates fuel mileage, etc. A tad over $400 at gpscity.com or gpsnow.com. Both have the best prices on the net.

 

Honestly, you can go to gpscity.com and get a referb for about $130. Very standard basic. I use mine for geocaching - and it works just right for the use. Also comes in handy on roadtrips...

that's where I would direct you to....

 

Here is something you might want to take a look at.
It's called "CoPilot Live Laptop 7" It seams to have a lot of features for the money.More info at: http://www.alk.com/products/consumer...op7/index.asp.
This is their new stuff I think this replaces a product called "CoPilot 2003"
Good luck in your search.

 

I use a Garmin eMap on my road trips, and think it works well, although its not the best on the market. The maps include lodging, eating places, and what sort of fuel is available in each town along your route. Do yourself a favor, and buy the computer software for routing (I think its about $89), as the GPS interface is a little clunky and slow to program routes. I paid $400 Cdn (about $250 USD) for mine.

 

You can buy a Garman for under $100, or you can buy one for under $200 - - this one will also couple to the serial port of your laptop. Or, you can buy one for under $300. Or, you can buy a Magellan for under $400. Or, or, or, well, you get the idea. How much do you want to pay and how many toys do you want on it?