GPS Steals and Deals - 11/9

I recommend some upgrades as your budget allows, Text to Speech, and a widescreen in that order. Other additions such as Traffic, Bluetooth Handsfree, etc. are definitely nice to have.

Standard Screens - 3.5-inch

Garmin Nuvi 270 - $157 - Has US and Western Euro Maps pre-loaded for the same price as the US only unit (Nuvi 200) No Text to Speech, but if you are heading to Europe and need a unit, this is a great deal.

Nuvi 205 at Amazon - $150 - No Text to Speech, Continental US Maps, solid interface and routing. This is an updated version of the Nuvi 200 with faster satellite acquisition times and a better interface. For a more up to date unit, consider the extra $38 and look at the Nuvi 255. Faster Acquisition times and an updated interface.

Garmin Nuvi 350 - Still $149 this week; Down $30 - very capable older unit that has an older interface. North American Maps, Text to Speech, and 5+ Million Points of Interest. Want Bluetooth? Get the Nuvi 360 that adds Bluetooth Handsfree, for a few bucks more at - $179

TomTom ONE 3rd ed. - $134 and Free Shipping at Amazon; Entry Level TomTom with Maps of North America, no Text to Speech.

RoadMate 1212 - $169 at BestBuy this week. North American maps and text to speech for this price. A good price text to speech unit this week, but I would recommend the Garmin Nuvi 255 (above) for $20 more - a better overall product, or even the older Nuvi 350 for $20 less.

Widescreen Models

Garmin Nuvi 255W - $234 - Text to speech, improved interface, maps of North America. More Info - See my Full Review on the Nuvi 255W. Nuvi 760 - $373 - Thin design with Text to Speech and Maps of North America. Route Optimization - plug in multiple stops and let the unit optimize the route for fastest planning, adds Bluetooth handsfree and built-in TMC traffic. See My Full Review of the Nuvi 760.
Nuvi 750 - $307 - Thin design with Text to Speech and Maps of North America. Route Optimization - plug in multiple stops and let the unit optimize the route for fastest planning. Doesn't have the Bluetooth, or the Traffic capability that the 760 has.
Garmin Nuvi 780 - $442 Has MSN Direct 2, with traffic and gas prices sent to your GPS. See My Full Review of the Nuvi 780 for more information. A Special note (because this rarely happens) - BestBuy has a better price right now - $419 on the Nuvi 780.
Garmin Nuvi 260W - Skip it and get the improved unit the Nuvi 255W (above) instead.
Nuvi 650 at Amazon $199 - Down $20 in recent weeks. Older design with Text to Speech, North American Maps, See My Full Review - Nuvi 660, which is the same model with the addition of the TMC Traffic, which is the main feature not included on the Nuvi 650.
Nuvi 200W at Amazon $175 - Entry Level Widescreen - Honestly - I recommend skipping it and moving up to the Nuvi 205W for $10 more. The new interface is worth it. No Text to Speech, Continental US Maps. See My Full Review - Nuvi 205W.
Nuvi 660 at Amazon $282 - Older Design with Text to Speech, North American Maps, TMC Traffic Capability included. See My Full Review - Nuvi 660
TomTom ONE XL 330 - $202- the new Basic Widescreen for the TomTom line, Maps of North America, new Easy Port fold flat mount, and no text to speech - Move up to the TomTom ONE XL 330S for Text to Speech at $238;
Garmin Nuvi 880 - $594 - Down over $50 in recent weeks. Has voice recognition and MSN Direct traffic, gas prices and weather data feeds. Let's you say your destination and it routes you there. Very cool; love the capabilities.

Refurbished GPS units - There are a lot of Rerubs out there for consideration. Amazon has a good selection. Magellan Maestro 4250 - $129 widescreen with lots of features, including AAA database of hotel and restaurant recommendations, or the TomTom ONE XL - Widescreen with no Text to Speech, a solid navigator at a great price ($99 after Mail in Rebate must be bought by 11/14).

November 9, 2008

GPS Steals and Deals - 11/9