Favorite portable GPS nav?

[kinzli]

I'm looking to get a portable GPS navigation system for my wife's car.

So far, I think the best bang for the buck seems to be the Garmin 2730 or Cobra 4500, both $700-800 at Costco (which is where I'd like to shop given their outstanding return policy if you ever have problems with the products). They have a number of others as well:

Costco Navs

Anyone have any personal experience with any of these? Ease of use is first priority, as well as things like re-route calculations and quality voice prompts. I also really like being able to pipe the voice prompts over FM like the Garmin (and I think others) does.

Thanks...

 

[ericb445]

Well I have the Garmin Nuvi 350, I have had it for little over six months now, it is the best gadget ever. It is truley worth its weight in gold. I drive for a living and just can't say enough good things about it. It has a built in MP3 player and picture viewer. Sams Club has them for around 695. You can go to Garmins site here
http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi/

Here is a good Blog site that talks about it.
http://www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/garmin_nuvi_350_insanely_recommended.php

 

[theocguy85]

I just recently got a Garmin StreetPilot i5 for around $340. At first the screen seemed too small, but after using it for a while, I am very satisfied. Works great, and it didn't cost too much.

 

[jhansman]

I use my Dell Axim X30 (PDA) along with an iTrek M3 bluetooth receiver. Both sit on my belt when on the trail, and both sit on my dash when on the road. Best of both worlds for about a $400 total investment, not including software. If I were to use it strictly for the road, I'd go for either one of Magellan's Roadmates or the TomTom Go 510 or 700.

 

[shootist16]

I'm looking for a navi unit. I have a few questions though. Is there a subscriber fee associated with these? How do you get map updates? Do you have to run an antennae like with satelitte radio?

Other than the models named above are there any others I should look at?

 

[rycen]

I'm looking for a navi unit. I have a few questions though. Is there a subscriber fee associated with these? Do you have to run an antennae like with satelitte radio?

No to both questions.

 

[Daniel]

Magellan Explorist XL-

I am using and I really like it. It is larger than most, but the display is easy to read and holds alot of detail. Full color and built like a tank. Uses SD cards to back up maps. Never have any problems with reception.