GPS Experts Needed

[jackson6745]

You guys seem to know everything about everything

I m looking to purchase a portable unit for the car. Looking for a unit with a loud speaking voice, quick processing, and bluetooth capability.

I am deciding between the Garmin Nuvi 880 and the TomtomGo930T.


Open to any recommendations:splitspin

 

[Josh]

I don't know about those exact models, but be sure to check Costco as they have about 5 different kinds and they are REALLY cheap.

 

[Bob 1000]

I say Go with the garmin..

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Did you say GSP or GPS? Get a good skimmer the GSP will be fine GPS I have no clue about!

 

[ming]

I have a Garmin 660

Most of them have a speaker, but IMO, they're so tiny that they don't sound good. They usually have a digital out plug which I wired up to my car speakers and they sound great, loud, and as clear as a CD. Then you can play MP3's off it too.

As for quick processing, I think they're all quick, but I think the older bulkier models were quicker to acquire a satellite link. After the new ones acquire the link, they're all pretty much the same.

As for bluetooth, just because your phone and the garmin may both have bluetooth, they may not 100% work. Mine pairs up fine, but the mic doesn't appear to work for me. I think somewhere on Garmin's site has a list of phone its compatable with for bluetooth and mine wasn't on that list. I don't have the link though.

 

[aaron23]

ming got me stuck on a garmin, i wouldnt go with any other brand.

 

[jackson6745]

Thanks Ming. I did not know about the compatibility issues with the bluetooth.
Aaron, for boats I am stuck on Garmin GPS. I never tried a car unit though.

 

[ming]

http://www8.garmin.com/bluetooth/phones.jsp
There you go

 

[jackson6745]

Great, my phone is not on that list

 

[pmui]

I also have a Garmin 660, it a great unit. I think it's been replaced by the 770. I've also had the Tomtom one model. Both are good, just see what you want in features.

 

[inkblue]

GARMIN :thrash:

 

[joseney21]

try the harmon/kardon unit. it's the one i have, pretty nice if you ask me. phone syncs up great, and i really haven't had any major problems with the unit. $275 @cosco back in june

pros-
stores pictures
plays videos
plays music
bluetooth
big screen with wireless remote (pretty handy)
i haven't had a problem with the navigation

cons-
you have to buy a memory card
freezes up sometimes (hasn't done so in a long time)
you can set up the audio to be heard over your cars speakers but without
a hardwired connection you get quite a bit of static (specially with phones, but the sound from the unit is fine and loud)
harmon/kardon took about 9-10 months to fix software problems they had with their units when they first rolled them out which upset many of their customers (i got mine after they had fixed the bugs)

 

[MikeyZO]

I have a garmin GPS/chartplotter/fishfinder in my boat and I love it. My cousin also bought a handheld and I talked him into a garmin also. Personally its the only brand I would go with.