comparing garmins, losing my mind

[kristilew]

Okeydokey, techies, I need you.

I am going through all the black Friday ads to get the best deal on a garmin gps. Problem is, garmin has about 25 that are similar. I found a great comparison chart that helped me narrow down to at least figure out that, at the under $200 price point, I am choosing between:

3.5" screen, speaks street name (nuvi 260, $149.99 +tax)
4.3" screen, doesn't speak street names (nuvi 205w, $149.99 + tax)

However, it looks like Best Buy has the nuvi 260w for $189.99 + tax, which is widescreen and speaks street names.

I am not allowed to go over $200 total, which I just barely make with the Best Buy deal. (and thus couldn't get any extras to add to the gift)

My questions:
first, in searching for a better price on the 260w, I've found many offered for less because they are refurbished. I'm wondering why so many are available for refurbishing? Is this is a bad model that people constantly trade in?

second, how important is the widescreen vs the speaking the street names?
I have an old garmin that is small screen and doesn't speak street names. Every once in awhile I can't tell exactly where it wants me to turn, but 98% of the time it's perfectly clear. However, this is for an older driver, so maybe more important?

If anyone has any input, I'd be most grateful!

 

[Bojo]

Let me start by saying that I do not have a dedicated GPS; I use my smart phone whenever I need GPS. Having said that, I really like the spoken street name feature; I get notices starting @ 1 mile & continuing up to the turn. I can also see the benefit of a wide screen. So, I say go for the $189 Best Buy 260 if you can snag one.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Barb D]

Can you give a link to the chart? I'm going through the same thing.

We're getting one for DS17 for Christmas, and I do want one that says the street names.

 

[LoraJ]

I would get the street names over the wide screen. We have the Garmin Nuvi 360 and love it. It doesn't have wide screen but it does have street names. Ours also has bluetooth which is great because it hooks up to the cell phone. I refuse to talk on my phone while driving, so having the phone come over on the GPS speaker is the only way I will answer if DH is calling.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'd say go for the street names over the width of the screen. We have an old Garmin C330 (I think that's what it is)...doesn't say street names, and that feature would be really nice.

I wonder if there are so many refurbs because people trade them in for an upgrade. The technology, as always, improved so much in a short period of time. However, refurbs make me nervous. Oh...just remembered...we had trouble with ours (one out of 3 that we have in the family) and sent it back, and they sent us a new one, so maybe our old one ended up being a rehabbed one?

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have several, and the 360 is wonderful. I would say spoken is much more important than widescreen. And smaller is more 'pocketable'. I also have this one, real time traffic is important for me. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=164&pID=297 and do use mostly, though the 360 also.

Buydig has it for $175, delivered. I have purchased often from them, many different things, service is SUPERB!!

http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/garmin-nuvi-360/4014-3430_7-31789580.html?tag=mncol;rnav

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product....dium=cpc&utm_campaign=GRNUVI360&sku=GRNUVI360

Also, take a look at what comes with it......

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=164&pID=31943#inTheBoxTab

BOTH AC and car charger, and a nice basic leather carrying case.

It is a discontinued unit, but I still think it is a great unit. I always purchased one for each of my kids.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I am having the same problem as you are with the Garmins. AAAWWWW , which one should I buy, too many to choose from.

By the way, I love the Garmin commercial.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Can you give a link to the chart? I'm going through the same thing.

We're getting one for DS17 for Christmas, and I do want one that says the street names.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134

 

[crz4mm2]

I would get the street names over the wide screen. We have the Garmin Nuvi 360 and love it. It doesn't have wide screen but it does have street names. Ours also has bluetooth which is great because it hooks up to the cell phone. I refuse to talk on my phone while driving, so having the phone come over on the GPS speaker is the only way I will answer if DH is calling.

Me too, for all those reasons

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Happy Thanksgiving Dan!

I just said to DH that he should get a GPS, and he said "Why???" Um...because you're always taking MINE?! And then bringing it in the house, instead of putting it back in my car and when I need it I don't have it? How about THAT for a reason?

 

[Christine]

Costco is now offering their Garmin 750 for $199. I think that's a phenomenal deal. I bought my DD the Garmin 650 last year. It was running around the same price at Costco as others were selling the 200-series Garmins.

 

[monkey68]

I have a Garmin, not sure which model. But it speaks the street names, which is great for me. I love knowing which street to turn on. My only complaint is that it doesn't work that great in NYC because of the tall buildings, it can't get a good signal all the time. Not sure if other cities have the same problem, but if you're not driving in NYC, it works great.

 

[IDoDis]

I could only guess that people are trading them in and using their cell phones instead. Don't most of the newer cell phones have the GPS navigation on them now?

 

[kristilew]

Thanks,everyone. This http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_comparisons/garmin-nuvi-comparsion-chart.html is the comparison chart I found.

hard to believe we ever lived without these things, isn't it?

 

[Chris2597]

We love our Garman 260 widescreen. I think DH paid right around 200.00 six months ago.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Happy Thanksgiving Dan!

I just said to DH that he should get a GPS, and he said "Why???" Um...because you're always taking MINE?! And then bringing it in the house, instead of putting it back in my car and when I need it I don't have it? How about THAT for a reason?

Almost the same reason I bought a second for my wife. She did not borrow mine, she just called me and I had to find out how to get her unlost....

Mikeeee

 

[golfgal]

I could only guess that people are trading them in and using their cell phones instead. Don't most of the newer cell phones have the GPS navigation on them now?

Ok, maybe this is a silly question but do you have to 'subscribe' to something to use a Garmin? I know with my cell phone it is an extra charge to use the GPS feature.

 

[Christine]

Ok, maybe this is a silly question but do you have to 'subscribe' to something to use a Garmin? I know with my cell phone it is an extra charge to use the GPS feature.

For the most part, no. I do think some of the higher level features (like live traffic or something) might require a subscription of some sort. We don't use that so I don't know.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Bumping for my husband

 

[EdiePA]

I have the Garmin 360 and use it more than I ever thought I would. My first thought was that I'd use it on trips, but I use it to get around my new hometown, too!

I'd suggest a bean bag friction mount, too. Seems if thieves see the mount stuck to your windshield, they figure the GPS is inside the car, too.

Here's an example:GARMIN mount
I know, I know it looks obscene, but it really works.
No affiliation, just a satisfied customer. Oh, and no, that mount has never flown off of my dashboard during a quick stop.

Edie