I am looking to get my Hubby a portable GPS for his Birthday. Anyone have any recommendations? He will probably use it in his truck most of the time but it might be nice to take it on a hike or use it in another vehicle.
Thanks for your help!!
I have GPS in my car but it is built in and it is so nice on long trips.
I think I will get him a Garman but I will go to Best Buy and try them out first. I got the costco coupon book and there is a Garman in there this time ... Yay!
I have the cheaper model of a Garmin Nuvo and it is great for the car. The gal talks and you can see where you are. However, she does not talk the street names. It has saved us many a time.
My husband wondered why I bought it until we used it the first time and it got us out of a jam!
I got mine at Sears online... I think it was around $200.
Hi Jenette!
I have been using Garmin GPS systems for a while now, and I love them! I would really recommend the Garmin nüvi 1300T. Not only can he use it in his vehicle, but it can also be taken out of the car, for hiking and such, and still be used. It also comes with lifetime traffic. Good luck with your searching!!!
J.
My husband and I both have Garmin. We both are really happy with them. The best thing to do is go to Fry's or Best Buy and look at the different sizes/models and pick a few you like and then compare them online. My husbands model has a wide screeen where mine doesn't (my choice), Mine has an antenna that I can connect to get traffic reports/updates immediatly and his you have to buy a separate kit for that.
Hope that helps!
We use a Garmin - http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us -
and are very happy with it. I used to think there was no way I would use such a "new fangled thing" but now I don't go anywhere new without typing the address into the GPS. =)
I have a Garmin 265 and love it.
Hi Jenette,
After making your purchase, make sure to educate your husband on the fact that these GPS/Navigation Systems are the #1 item being stolen out of cars.
If you purchase one that attaches to the windsield with a suction cup, make sure to remove it when leaving your car & DO NOT leave it in the car! Keep a baby wipe handy so you can remove the suction cup mark off the glass. People look specific for this mark on the glass, when they see it they break in knowing you probably hid it in the center console or glovebox.
They are an easy item to smash your window & grab.They may also find your Ipod etc in the center console?? Or some people keep $$ or thier wallets in the center console.
The reason I know this is.....I work in the auto glass replacement industry & see it ALL the time.
Thief's walk up & down parking isle's(say at a mall)from the front of the cars, it looks less suspcious,like they are trying to find thier car, and they spot cars with GPS systems, they prefer the portable type (not traceable, easy to resell, easy to grab).
I deal with this every day! More around the holidays, then now but.....other items they look for, purses,backpacks,laptop style bags. You would be shocked how many people STILL leave valuables in the car! More & more we get reports of cars getting hit while parked at gyms,malls & this one blows my mind BUT CHURCHES! The thief's know where you are & that no one will be coming out for the duration of the service so....easy target!
Just be CAREFUL!
Good Luck.....
Just make sure you research to find a good one. I got one as a gift, and it's ok, but not user friendly, so it can be frustrating. for example, my parents have one that says the actual street names instead of just saying "turn left" like mine does, which sometimes makes me turn in the wrong street if they are close together.
My in-laws have a Garman and they love it. They've raved about if for awhile now and use it all the time. I think you can get one of those at Costco.
The Garmin is great. It has both a car adapter and batteries.
I bought my husband a TomTom1 two years ago, then he won a Harmon Kardon one from work.. so I get to use the TomTom now.
I prefer the TomTom, and he prefers the Harmon Kardon, though admits the TomTom has some features he prefers (sorry I cannot recall what he prefers about each).
I agree that you should go down to Fry's or Best Buy (or somewhere else that has them out so you can touch them and play with them) and see what the differences are and try to imagine what you might like while you're driving.
Do you want something that says street names or doesn't. What do you want the image to look like, directions etc.
Do you want it to tell you what speed you're going, or just how much further to the next turn.
If you know anyone who has a GPS, see if you can borrow it (or even just ride along with them) to see what it's like.
