Just got this via Fed Ex this afternoon.

Garmin i5 portable navi. I was working on a reality show and my production assistant for the day had the i3. I was so impressed by how reliable, accurate, and affordable this unit is that I ended up getting myself one.

I had been wanting a navi unit for years now. And for me it makes sense because I am freelance and I am always working at some new place to which I have never been.

So no more stressing out over getting lost and dealing with trying to read maps while driving.

http://www.garmin.com/products/spi5/#

 

Nice... I've wondered how well those would work...

 

It works really well.

The only thing it doesnt really do is tell you the actual name of the street. But it tells you turn right, bear left, merge right, etc...along with a mileage countdown of when...and its VERY accurate. And if you glance at the screen it has the name of the street/highway you should be turning on to.

I'm just trying to to figure out the best place to put it. Right now I have up high near my rear view mirror.

 

cool

glad you didn't get TomTom cause I just hate that fuckin' commercial, so lame

 

Yeah, I hate those Tomtom commercial but with that said it looks like a tomtom nav ripoff.

 

Well, I dont know how long the tom tom has been around....but the Garmin has been around a lot longer.

The Black and White i2 unit was there first little one. And I think its a one-two years old by now.

 

You gots purdy fingers.

 

I've wondered about those myself. Mind if I ask you a question or two? Does it look like one could make a mounting plate for it for a motorcycle attachment? How does the screen look in direct sunlight?

thanks!

Terry

 

Screen looks good in daylight. It autosenses for sun and night. In theory you could mount it to a motorcycle...but i they...and tom tom makes units specifically for bikes.

 

Hard-wire it to my A-pillar, but you would need to fabricate a bracket to mount it there.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll look further.

Terry

 

thats sweet. i like the products that garmin makes.

 

Nice Sarlacc, I think I might get something like that in the future.

Nice avatar btw.

 

wow that thing looks tiny. thats exactly what im looking for, i think i might pick one up too in the near future

 

OIC didn't know that. BTW after reading the Garmin website, I think the amount of features the i5 nav has for the price is really good.

 

I bought one of these from another member here for the wifes land rover and she loves it...

 

my gf just got the garmin nuvi 350 and it's pretty good in regards to accuracy. helluva lot better than the oem acura navi in my car.

 

didn't read the product page but there is no external antenna? or is it just not in the pic?

 

damn that's a tiny garmin nav unit.

My dad bought one of their older models, that sucker was huge and heavy!

How much did it set you back? I may recommend it to my dad.

 

Neato! Thinking of one for personally...!





BTW, you have girly hands, Grumps. Real girly.

 

check the link. its $400

 

They sell for 4-500 retail.

Online you can find for about 330-350 shipped.

There is no external antenna...but there is an optional one you can buy. It doesnt need it though.

I just used it to get from glendale to a place in no where chatsworth...worked great.

 

what makes this one better than the i3 model, which costs about $100 less?

 

wow, either that thing is tiny or that chick has huge hands...

 

It has all the maps preloaded on it...which I need because the software is NOT mac compatible.

With the i3 you have to download the maps you want on to a transflash card.

And its not a $100 difference...more like $50 pending where you find it online.

I did NOT pay $400 for the i5.

If you have a PC...save the little extra and go i3.

 

Its tiny.

My treo has a larger screen.

But I like the portablity for when I travel.

 

BTW do they have those preloaded maps? do you need to load maps onto it or is it by sat? seems quite nice, great buy

garmin products are great!

 

its touch screen right? isnt it hard to navigate it?

 

No touchscreen.

There is a scrollwheel/button and a back button. Very easy to use.

There is a slighty upscale model that has a bit bigger screen, and is touchscreen...I think it was only $50 bucks more.

 

sarlacc, whats the model # on that model bro?...the bigger one that is

 

StreetPilot c series

c320,330,340

 

Wow. That is hella small and nice looking. The price is very reasonable. Too bad it dosen't come with a power adaptor.

 

Yes it does.

It comes with the navi unit, suction cup mount (really damn strong, too) an adhesive dash mount (disc to use the suction cup on) USB cable, 12 V power adapter.

It comes with everything you need to use it right of the box.

 

Wow that is a great value. I'm not sure if it's been asked already, but what's the difference between this and the $2K Garmin unit? My friend has one and she spent a lot more. I just want to know if it's worth it for the extra.

 

Here is the site I bought mine from.

scroll down and there is a big list comparing features, etc.

The bigger more expensive units start getting into all the goodies. Vocalized streets names, traffic reports, etc.

http://www.gpsnow.com/gmspi5.htm

 

I have the Magellan Roadmate 700, and recently upgraded it's software/maps so it now accepts voice recognition, as well as "nav-traffic" (like the RL), to help you get out of traffic. Great unit, but sometimes it takes 5 minutes before it picks up a signal from enough satellites in range. I upgraded the software once before, and the 5 minute delay went down to about 30 seconds. After a while, the unit told me the maps are out of date, to purchase the upgrade. This also happened while the delay went back to 5 minutes again. It's probably a scam to keep the unit updated. But it definately works great!

 

ok, so I went with the I3, mainly because my driving is normally within an area that will fit fineon the SD card. Now, about powering the unit... did you find a way to hardwire it,or are you using the batteries, or are you using the cigarette lighter?

 

^-are you mocking him cause he is banned?

I wish the Garmin model I have came with batteries instead of the damn power cord

 

I have no need

 

banned again? oh, man, where have I been? there really does need to be a 'banned' list.