Getting a portable navi system...
#1
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
Getting a portable navi system...
After my misadventures through Boston I realized how important it is that I have a navigation system in my car. (I was in the TL and the Navi ultimatly saved my ass, plus I have never had any sense of direction, I have been to my grandparents house over a 1000 times and still can't get there).
Anyway, my mother agreed to meet me half way on the price of a portable nav system since she travels around some of the time for her job, when she gets her next car(hopefully within 6-8 months) she will get it with an OEM nav system, and this one will be all mine.
Anyway, my grandparents have the Roadmate 700 and though they had a handful of problems(but I think it was there fault, I didn't really bother to mess with it to see what was actually going on) but since they got the unit replaced it has been working perfectly.
I found a sale on Amazon for the Roadmate 760 with the Nav-traffic module for 489 Shipped, New and available. A warrenty(which we would get) is also available. I thought that sounded incredably fair, all said and done its still over 1K as per Magellans web site. I would also be getting myself the permanant mount kit which has a cradle which attatches "permanently" to the dash as well as a power cable run from the fuse box under the dash, and an external antenna.
What are your thoughts? We would likely order within a day or so.
Thanks,
Mike
Anyway, my mother agreed to meet me half way on the price of a portable nav system since she travels around some of the time for her job, when she gets her next car(hopefully within 6-8 months) she will get it with an OEM nav system, and this one will be all mine.
Anyway, my grandparents have the Roadmate 700 and though they had a handful of problems(but I think it was there fault, I didn't really bother to mess with it to see what was actually going on) but since they got the unit replaced it has been working perfectly.
I found a sale on Amazon for the Roadmate 760 with the Nav-traffic module for 489 Shipped, New and available. A warrenty(which we would get) is also available. I thought that sounded incredably fair, all said and done its still over 1K as per Magellans web site. I would also be getting myself the permanant mount kit which has a cradle which attatches "permanently" to the dash as well as a power cable run from the fuse box under the dash, and an external antenna.
What are your thoughts? We would likely order within a day or so.
Thanks,
Mike
#4
Hi Mike
I spent about two months researching different GPS/nav systems from various manufacturers. Magellan seems to offer excellent products with many good features. The one I finally decided on, however, was the Garmin 2720. I chose this particular model because of the touch screen, 3D viewing, voice instructions, preloaded maps of Canada and the US, and over six million points of interest. Although it is primarily a car based unit it is waterproof and can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. I purchased a motorcycle kit at the same time for use on trips. During the past three weeks I have owned it it has performed flawlessly. I really enjoy the voice instructions and the 3D viewing. I live on a farm, and one night I drove to the other side of the closest city, keyed in my address, and followed the screen and spoken instructions right back to my home. It had no problem navigating through both a large city and the surrounding rural roads. It may be a model you also wish to consider.
On the dash of the Accord
The speaker is part of the power cord
On the KLR with a RAM mount
Terry
I spent about two months researching different GPS/nav systems from various manufacturers. Magellan seems to offer excellent products with many good features. The one I finally decided on, however, was the Garmin 2720. I chose this particular model because of the touch screen, 3D viewing, voice instructions, preloaded maps of Canada and the US, and over six million points of interest. Although it is primarily a car based unit it is waterproof and can be moved from vehicle to vehicle. I purchased a motorcycle kit at the same time for use on trips. During the past three weeks I have owned it it has performed flawlessly. I really enjoy the voice instructions and the 3D viewing. I live on a farm, and one night I drove to the other side of the closest city, keyed in my address, and followed the screen and spoken instructions right back to my home. It had no problem navigating through both a large city and the surrounding rural roads. It may be a model you also wish to consider.
On the dash of the Accord
The speaker is part of the power cord
On the KLR with a RAM mount
Terry
#5
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
On amazon it is about 150 more, which I did not realize, so I will look further into it. I had heard some great things about it but I figured it would cost a fortune(even online) after seeing the price in bestbuy.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
#6
Engineer
navi will help in boston but dont always trust it... you can get bad reception on some of the smaller streets near tall buildings and it isnt always correct since it might be impossible to get from one point in the city to another the same way more than 2 days in a row...
my buddy was lookin at the sony unit... 400-500 and it looks pretty nice...
my buddy was lookin at the sony unit... 400-500 and it looks pretty nice...
Trending Topics
#9
Senior Moderator
Mike,
The current issue of Consumer Reports has ratings on portable Navi systems. While I do not have it in front of me, I think a Garmin unit (non-Street Pilot model) came in first place.
The current issue of Consumer Reports has ratings on portable Navi systems. While I do not have it in front of me, I think a Garmin unit (non-Street Pilot model) came in first place.
#10
Drifting
Originally Posted by crazymjb
After my misadventures through Boston I realized how important it is that I have a navigation system in my car.
BE CAREFUL IN BOSTON!!!
Because the big dig is changing roads every day, it's almost impossible to use nav systems in the entire city, because it'll often guide you in a street that doesn't exist anymore.
#11
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Louisville
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by F23A4
Mike,
The current issue of Consumer Reports has ratings on portable Navi systems. While I do not have it in front of me, I think a Garmin unit (non-Street Pilot model) came in first place.
The current issue of Consumer Reports has ratings on portable Navi systems. While I do not have it in front of me, I think a Garmin unit (non-Street Pilot model) came in first place.
#12
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
Now that my grandparents Magellan is running fine I really like the unit. Also, this one comes with the traffic plug in, and I will be buying hte permenant vehicle mount with antenna, and hardwired power system for 99 bucks
Thanks guy,
Mike
Thanks guy,
Mike
#13
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Age: 40
Posts: 63,306
Received 2,811 Likes
on
1,991 Posts
all i have to say about the one that has pictures listed, not sure if theyve improved upon it since the one my parents got maybe 1 or 2 years ago, but we have issues with the plug on the back of it coming loose causing it to shut down, also the initial turn on it sometimes is sluggish and takes a long time to get satellite reception.
#14
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Age: 40
Posts: 63,306
Received 2,811 Likes
on
1,991 Posts
what i have right now that im using, is a palm based one with my palm T|X it uses tomtom software and imo its pretty good. only issue i have with tomtom is that when on the freeway it says to take a left turn to avoid taking an exit on the freeway i kinda like the features offered in the tomtom go 910
Last edited by Mizouse; 08-02-2006 at 09:47 PM.
#15
Engineer
Originally Posted by te3point5
BE CAREFUL IN BOSTON!!!
Because the big dig is changing roads every day, it's almost impossible to use nav systems in the entire city, because it'll often guide you in a street that doesn't exist anymore.
Because the big dig is changing roads every day, it's almost impossible to use nav systems in the entire city, because it'll often guide you in a street that doesn't exist anymore.
also becareful when it directs you onto a street which formerly was a 2 way street, but now is a 1 way...
#16
Originally Posted by Mizouse
all i have to say about the one that has pictures listed, not sure if theyve improved upon it since the one my parents got maybe 1 or 2 years ago, but we have issues with the plug on the back of it coming loose causing it to shut down, also the initial turn on it sometimes is sluggish and takes a long time to get satellite reception.
Terry
#17
Drinking Beer In
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Age: 69
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm looking too, and I understand that flash memory based units are not only cheaper than the ones with a HD, but also more reliable (no moving parts). Likewise, the ability to play MP3s is pretty much BS, because few of them interface with your stereo.
Teranfon - is the 2720 flash or HD?
Teranfon - is the 2720 flash or HD?
#18
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Delaware
Age: 40
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The roadmate is a great navigation unit. I have taken it on many trips and it has never let me down. The nice thing about the 760 is it has text-to-speech technology. Instead of having the unit say "right turn ahead" it will say "right turn on Madison Avenue". Takes alot of the guess work out of navigating. You will be happy.
btw...the price sounds good.
btw...the price sounds good.
#19
Originally Posted by hemhaw
I'm looking too, and I understand that flash memory based units are not only cheaper than the ones with a HD, but also more reliable (no moving parts). Likewise, the ability to play MP3s is pretty much BS, because few of them interface with your stereo.
Teranfon - is the 2720 flash or HD?
Teranfon - is the 2720 flash or HD?
The 2720 is flash memory. I prefer this as the bikes give of a fair amount of vibration and the 2720's are apparently more durable because of this particular memory type.
http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/ga...tpilot2720.htm
Terry
Last edited by teranfon; 08-04-2006 at 11:53 AM.
#21
Instructor
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Delaware
Age: 40
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by whynot
Look into TomTom 510/910 - I'm pretty satisfied with mine.
#22
X spots the mark
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Concrete jungles
Age: 42
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by billabong05
How is the window mount? I have heard people are having trouble with poor mount design.
#23
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
So I got the navi today with the mounting kit and traffic kit(free). I have it all retrofitted with an external antenna and everything. I will post pics tommorow. It works excelent and aquires sattelites with the external antenna nearly instantly.
Mike
Mike
#24
I own a Lowrance iWay 350C. I've owned a Garmin and a Magellan before it and the Lowrance has more points of interests on it than both of them combined. It is incredible the amount of information you can get about your surroundings with this unit, it even gives water bouy locations if you are into boating. If you are looking for a larger screen, spring for the Lowrance iWay 500, which is even better.
#25
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
The roadmate came with software to add additional custom POIs. I looked into the iWay but decided on the roadmate based off some reviews.
I am also really happy about the navtraffic thing which came free as part of the deal.
Mike
I am also really happy about the navtraffic thing which came free as part of the deal.
Mike
#26
Suzuka Master
Thread Starter
Here are some pics of the install... Those 3 screw holes were already there when I bought it. The cubby was pretty much usless to me so it now houses slack wire and the traffic unit. I am going to get some sort of cover for the cubby, and a tube to put around the wires to neaten it up a bit. We used the switched radio power supply and put another 3 amp fuse inline(behind the radio, so it is a bitch to get to), and ran the antenna wire through that back light, above the headliner, and down the A piller then along that metal bar under the dash.
Mike
Mike
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
08_UA7_Gr33k
Member Cars for Sale
13
02-11-2016 02:17 PM
lanechanger
Member Cars for Sale
4
10-13-2015 10:56 AM
us285126
3G TL Audio, Bluetooth, Electronics & Navigation
9
10-02-2015 02:03 PM