hippie

Check with Garmin at,, www.garmin.com.. I have an old street pilot that I interface with my lap top.. works great..

hellotbone

Alpine has some really amazing Nav units they were one of the first to develop them so they are up there with the technology.

gadgets

Kenwood's KNA DV-3100 is their newest; it needs a separate monitor, which is good - I can't see the little monitors....

Saw one the other day; dealer will put it in with the 8" (!) screen for around $2600....great unit, if ya can afford it!

check this out:

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

Rene

y-knot

BIG "C",

I just got the GARMIN street pilot II deluxe, and it has strieghtened me out. I to was bad at directions, I usually print out the directions from the computer, but I do get messed up pretty easy. This street pilot is the nicest thing I have gotten, It is wonderful, I feel very confident with it, I know I will get there, on time, and without hassle. You just load in the area to be traveled, tell it where you want to go (give the address) and select route-it. It does all the work, plots every turn, and monitors you, if you take the wrong turn it will let you know. The best thing for me is I always know where I am, You can see your location on the screen, and also see the road up ahead. That makes things much easier, no supprises. Also the dang thing talks to you, gives plenty of warning before you get to the turn, lets you know you need to get in the right or left lane . I belive out of all the junk I bought for the truck, this is my best purchase. I never leave home without it, And this is one purchase the wife like also.

Mexstan

BIGCUMMINZ, as an alternative always take the wife/girlfriend along with you. I am sure that they will be happy to yell at you and tell you where to go.
Hmmmm, wonder which one is cheaper?

hippie

the garmin,, ;D

hotdram

But with the Garmin SP III, you can turn the volume down or off. Plus it also comes with an instruction manual and the ability to take it back if you don't like it. With the wife, I can't turn the volume down, she came with no instructions and no guarantee ;D

On topic: Something else to consider: the in-dash units (Alpine, Kenwood etc) are very slick and full featured, they have lots of "cool" factor. However, they are permanent to the vehicle they are installed in. With the Garmin SPIII or newer series (2610/2650) automotive units, you can move them from vehicle to vehicle. Just a thought.

y-knot

The factory navigation system needs to have an anual fee to work, Garmin doesn't.