Just purchased a 2004 Honda Accord for wifey that has the GPS navigation system in it. This thing is great if your like me and can get lost in your back yard, I would like to have this in my truck too. Do they make an enexpensive hand held GPS that can be used to map a route? I would like to be able to enter an adress and have the GPS help me get there.

I don't plan on using it anywhere else but in the truck and maybe while on the boat to see how fast I'm going.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

I have an older GPS III handheld, they sell for around 100, but you can't enter an address like you can on yours.

 

Go to Best Buy. They have several GPS units made by Garmin and probably some others. Personally, I have a Magellen portable unit that cost around $1900.00. Actually it belongs to the company I work for. It's great. No more maps for me.

On a sad note, there was a terrible accident close to here on interstate 66 yesterday where a child died. It involved 3 cars which all caught on fire and the driver of the car that caused it all was a teenager who was reading a map while driving...

 

We have already decided that our son probably won't be driving the Honda for just that reason, he can't leave the toys/technology alone...(typical teen)

I am hoping to find a GPS that is affordable 100 bucks or so.

 

If you have a PDA like an IPAQ or so you should look into a GPS mouse for it. Easy to use, cool map software available, navigate to contacts in your address book, driving journal etc.

I think that with all the buttons and gizmos in todays vehicles lots of people can't concentrate on the road and traffic anymore. With sad results as above.

AlpineRAM

 

You can get a Garmin eTrek Basic online for 99 bucks. There are no street maps or navigation aids. It's strictly a pointer, "tracks" and waypoints.

 

You're not going to find a GPS that you can enter in an address for anything under probably $700. But for car and boat use, I use a Garmin GPS 76S Map; its a black and white model.

You could probably find a good deal on them at gpscity.com because they're being replaced by a color screen model.

There is lots of selections for software for auto and boat use and you can plug it into a laptop in the car/boat for a larger real time display if you desire. I map my trips on the home pc ahead of time and upload the maps/charts, waypoints, and routes into the GPS. It does have a real time re-mapping feature if you deviate off course.

Whatever kind you get, try and get one with the most RAM you can afford so you can load in more data/maps.

 

Actually, I think the Alpine-manufactured DVD-based OEM navigation system in my Acura 3.2TL-S helps in that regard. Once I load an address, I really don't have to touch it or even look at the screen again if traffic conditions make checking the screen unsafe. The voice commands routed through the car's stereo system give me plenty of notice of upcoming turns and distance to them and then confirm it with another command when you approach the intersection. It really beats trying to follow a Key map in your lap in Houston traffic!

Wish I could find something that works as nice to retrofit into my truck!

Rusty

 

For a number of reasons I don't think you will be happy using a small handheld GPS for road navigation, especially if you are comparing it to the OEM system in your Honda. At least get a Garmin Streetpilot or GPS V unit, they are available on Ebay for low prices now that the next generation of units has come out. But even these won't come close to the higher end systems. If you can afford it go with the Garmin 2610/2620 or the Magellan units... these are not cheap (although the Garmin 2610 is a relatively good bargain at around $730) but they will equal the performance of OEM units and are easily portable between different vehicles.

 

smiller,

Thanks for the input - I hope it's as good as you say since, based on your recommendation, I just ordered a Garmin 2620 package off the Internet. I'm planning on using it in my truck as well as my wife's Durango. It certainly looks good insofar as the ad copy is concerned.

Rusty

 

On my recommendation... wow... that's a lot of responsibility!

I really think you'll like it. I purchased mine on a lark with the intention of just returning it if I didn't find it all that useful... but as you know these things sure grow on you. Here is a detailed review you might find interesting: http://gpsinformation.us/sp26xx/sp2610rev.html.

Hope you like it as much as I do. Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

I have one of the handheld Garmin units. It is excellant for hiking and such. I have a bar mount on the dirt bike that makes riding out into the boonies nice. One of its features is a track-back that gets you back to where you started along the same route. You can load lat/long info into it if you know where you're going and it will display the direction to get there and even time to arrival. It sure isn't up to the options offered in vehicles or the one you've ordered. But it is fun to use for its intended purpose.

 

Take a look at the Garmin iQue 3600. It's a PDA with integrated GPS that has voice command built in. It shows your location on a downloadable map layer and will take you to any address you store in it. I think they run about $450. Do a search on Mysimon.com.

GPS units that are close to $100 will not have map layers and will only be able to show straightline directions to a coordinate. They will not be able to calculate a driveable path.

 

I have a couple of GPS units and the one I use the most is the handheld Garmin e-trex legend. I have multiple mounts and use it on my bike (super when biking in unfamiliar areas), my sailboat, hiking in strange places, kayaking, etc. It would not be suitable for auto navigation but the portability makes the unit really useful. I have the waterway maps loaded in it and it gives me navigation data.

 

As many of you know I make my living on the lake with my charter boat. I have run many GPS units and with out a doubt the Garmin is the unit I rely on to get me home. I also run Lowrance but not as my main unt. Stick with Garmin.