I have a Garmin eTrex Legend CX. I paid about $225 and I really like it. You can pay less than $100, but I like the color display, more memory, etc. Garmin is a good brand.
We use it for GeoCaching and when we travel. My husband told my I am not(!) taking it with me to Disney!
We have a Garmin iQue. It's a PDA with a GPS built into it. We've had it for about 2 years and love it. It can sit on the dashboard and talks us through our directions. I highly recommend it!
We are also geocachers (www.geocaching.com). We started 4 yrs ago with a Garmin eTrex Legend (blue) - black & white screen.
About 1.5 yrs ago, we upgraded to his & hers Garmin GPSmap 60CS. I like these better. They respond faster. Screen is in color. Holds more memory (more maps). Electronic compass. And easier to use in the car than our previous one. It gives directions such as "turn left 1 mile ahead onto Main St" instead of just following an arrow on the Legend.
If you are JUST using a GPS for directions in the car, their are models more suited for that. Just check Garmins website.
I just got a garmin c330 IOt works great and it can be moved from car to car. What ever model are brand that you get compare prices. I usehttp://slickdeals.net/ It pays to check your prices. We where able to get it for $399 after best buy price matched it. This saved me over $100. It is easy to use right out of the box.
I have a Magellan Meridian Gold, right after I bought I found out they were going to discountinue it, all the software and accessories.. If I had to do it all over again I would have bought a Garmin... Everyone has Garmin, looks like here, friends at home and at work.... except me...! But, it works ok...
I don't know much about these little darlins at all, yet. But I've been searching and if you are at all interested in a Magellan RoadMate 800, AAA is offering a 30 day test-drive of this version to see if its something that would be suitable. Through AAA you can purchase outright, rent, or lease one. I don't have any details other than that, but in their magazine they list a phone number: 1-800-AAA-4GPS and an online address (but I don't know if I can post web addies yet). I would love to try one, but DH says we do just fine on our own. (I happen to be the one who figures out the routes and worries about the correct directions! LOL).
We have a Garmin iQue. It's a PDA with a GPS built into it. We've had it for about 2 years and love it. It can sit on the dashboard and talks us through our directions. I highly recommend it!
We are also Geocachers and started with a very old Garmin Emap (which we then used strictly for travel), then on to a borrowed Garmin Etrex Legend C from my DSis, which was a great little unit. My DDad just bought me and DH a very early Christmas present of a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx and it is awesome! Within my family (including parents and Sibs) we have a total of EIGHT Garmin GPS units and we love each and every one. If you want to keep cost down and get a dependable, easy to use unit I would look at the Legend C.