Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > GPS Devices

GPS Devices
Thread Tools
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 5, 2008, 09:26 PM
 
I'm looking at getting my first portable GPS device (for travel), but know very little going in. Two questions to start ...

1. Do you have any recommendations -- brands, models, things to look for, things to avoid, etc.?

2. Anything I need to know about Mac compatibility (for updating maps in the future, etc.)?

Thanks!
     
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Polwaristan
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 5, 2008, 09:27 PM
 
Garmin is great. I like their Nuvi series and own a 660.
     
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: planning a comeback !
Status: Online
Reply With Quote
Dec 6, 2008, 12:19 AM
 
I'm a TomTom guy. Like their UI.

-t
     
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 6, 2008, 01:36 PM
 
Garmin
     
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 8, 2008, 08:08 AM
 
Looks like there are so many models. Any advice on how to narrow it down?
     
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Dec 2008
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 8, 2008, 08:23 AM
 
I have a Garmin Nuvi 660 too (they might not be making this exact model any longer). Garmin's are good and software is now Mac friendly. Just make sure you get a GPS that announces STREET names - this is a very nice feature. Older models just said "Turn Right in 300 Yards" - not easy to differentiate between 300 and 500 yards when trying to drive, for example.
     
Professional Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: The decaying ruins of Old New York
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 8, 2008, 02:06 PM
 
I LOVE my Mio DigiWalker C230. I sold my old C220 to my friend, and he loves it as well.

I've used Garmin's stuff, and I just don't like their UI as much. The Mio line is simpler, but it also means prices are lower. They're also easy to hack and get map updates without having to pay an outrageous annual subscription fee.

The C230 is $90 shipped on Amazon, and it does text-to-speech. The file system is just normal FAT32, so you can update maps from any OS.
For all the trash I talk, I sure own a lot of Macs...
Clamshell iBook Mod Community
     
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 8, 2008, 02:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by TribeLeader View Post
Looks like there are so many models. Any advice on how to narrow it down?
They definately have a ton of model bloat now. What size display do you want? Do you want bluetooth support? Realtime traffic info?
     
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 9, 2008, 03:16 PM
 
Originally Posted by TribeLeader View Post
Anything I need to know about Mac compatibility (for updating maps in the future, etc.)?
The Tom Tom software is Mac compatible.


"That plane's dustin' crops where there ain't no crops."
     
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Dec 11, 2008, 12:01 PM
 
Thanks for the responses!

Decided I didn't need a lot of the higher end features, and settled on a Garmin Nuvi 255W (reviewed here).

I just bought it from circuitcity.com (on sale for $229) through AAA.com's member website and got an 8% discount. I also got a free Verge case (which came to a little over $224 after discount, tax, and free shipping). Amazon has it for $227 (without the case), at the moment.
     
   
Thread Tools
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:39 PM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2011 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.7 © 2000-2011, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd., Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.3.2