I have a new 09GT without the factory Nav. I would have gone for it
if the car had it but only the At's on the lot did.

So what would be a good unit to have AND where on the car do you put it.
I have a a Garmin III on the del sol right in front of the spedo on the steering
wheel shelf. Its small and fits well there.

The newer units are bigger and I don't want to junk up the dashboard.

Just wondering what others do.

Thanks

Jim

 

Garmin

I used to put it on the left side low on the windshield, but with a rash of breakins a couple years ago I moved it to the front cupholder area, plugged into the switched aux port in the console. Obviously not a good place to look while driving, but the turn-by-turn audio is generally all I need/want anyway. With the volume turned up full I can even hear it fine with the console cover closed. Stealth navigatin'. Amazing how good the reception is thru the roof of the car, but then it's a Garmin.

 

I've got a Delphi, 4x3 screen. Bought this particular one because it came with lifetime traffic.

I mount it with the windshield suction cup, in the middle, down low so it's just above the dash. Does not block line of sight. I only put it up on trips where I'll actually need it, and stash it in the trunk otherwise. The "What a GPS thinks" video at GPS Lodge cured me of any thought of keeping it on for every drive.

For functionality and afordable updates, you're better off with a separate GPS. The factory GPS does not have traffic alerts, and you're stuck with their map updates. Mazda's had only one so far, for $200. You can buy name-brand GPS's with lifetime sponsored traffic alerts for less than that these days.

Ken

 

TomTom Go 930

Euro maps are excellent

 

 

I use google maps on my blackberry. Granted, I can't set it to scream at me like Samuel L. Jackson. Then again, it's free with my service and I'm generally able to read a map especially if the GPS sensor tells me where I am at. Some day, maybe I'll rig up a real gps.

 

LOL Good point kersh. I almost always engage my brain housing group and pre-plan a trip even tho' I have a capable GPS [btw: it served me well in ol' Corps Basic School Land Nav, aka orienteering]. For me the GPS is more backup than primary nav tool.

BAMCIS: Begin the planning, Arrange for reconnaissance, Make reconnaissance, Complete the planning, Issue the order, Supervise

 

Garmin Nuvi (I believe the model is the 670).

For about $250 it does pretty much what most factory in-dash units do, but for 1/8 of the price (plus I can move it between cars). I suction-cup it to the windshield, low, close to the dash, below the rear-view mirror (and I never leave it there when the car is parked - it just takes a minute to pack it away, and there's too much risk of theft leaving it in place).

 

http://www.rednecknavitudes.com/index.html

 

navigon 5200 for 125 bux
free traffic alerts
but the screen is too small for my eyes,
want a larger screen, 5 incher or bigger
only use it on trips out of town
navigon has gone belly up in usa markets

 

I use a navigon too. But navigon supports the app. for the iphone. I used the euro version when I was over in Amsterdam and London. It was pretty good.
I use a light version for the US and its ok. I really don't want to buy the Tomtom version for the iphone, since it costs $200 for the app and windshield mount
Someday, I'll get a double din unit for the dash-but it has to work seamlessly with my bluetooth and audio controls on the steering wheel and sat. radio.

 

If I had a GPS, I'd have a Navigon. Free map updates and free realtime traffic reports for life = FTW.

 

Garmin 1200 works just fine only got me lost once

 

VZnav from verizon on my phone

 

That's why I consider real time traffic to be the most important feature of a GPS. Primary route finding comes from maps, Mapquest, Google Maps. The GPS's routefinding capability does come into play finding my way home after the traffic alerts have diverted me fom the pre-plan.

Most Christmases we make the journey from Northern Virginia to NYC and Connecticut. Traffic alerts have saved us from some monstrous traffic jams. Re-routing has gotten very interesting at times.

Ken

 

Or wait and get the Droid phone. Has a freaky cool turn by turn Google maps app that looks solid IDK, unless u travel a shitload, i think independant GPS devices in ur car are just clutter. You can do pretty much everything from a phone nowadays....

 

i just use my Iphone.

 

Rand McNally......ATLAS.....gps sucks
imho

 

Sprint Navigation on my Palm Pre. It works great in my car w/ a windshield mount.

 

Garmin Nuvi for $99 hasnt let me down yet

 

I can get by suprisingly well with my iPhone and Google Maps.

Has not failed me yet.

 

tomtom one version 3

I need to update my maps....

 

I use Garmin nuvi360. Works like a charm!

 

Sticky notes, usually.

 

iPhone. Apps store has a ton of GPS apps with turn by turn navigation and traffic.