So, tis the season and I'm thinking of a portable GPS for SWMBO for Christmas (thanks giva giva Steve).

I'd like to keep it under $200 and she is techno challenged so it needs to be simple.

What do you guys like or recommend?

 

Bill...I'm a fan of Garmin...I have a Street Pilot that I bought off Flea Bay...it was a reconditioned unit...no issues!!!

I understand you can get a NUVI 205 for <$200.

 

What are you putting the GPS in? Is it your truck?

 

She drives an Escape. But I'm looking for a portable so I assume the vehicle does not matter.

 

Garmin has a few Portable GPS units that have batteries as well as being able to plug into the cig. lighter for under $200. Amazon.Com has a bunch listed. They stick to the windshield with a suction cup BKT. as well as being portable. Easy to use.

 

What are you going to be using it for? Just for vehicles or is there a possibility you will use it hiking, backpacking and such? If you are just looking for a protable to transfer from vehicle to vehicle I have the TomTom one and it is around $200 look @ bestbuy I think they have them on sale now. It has the text to speach and they automaticaly update so you don't have to buy the CD's to update them, saves $$ in the long run. It also has a battery that is supposed to last like 3 hrs good enough for short trips.

If you are looking for something that might be used hiking/backpacking the Garmin E-Trex series would be good to look at. I have the base E-trex that has no roads just for outdoor stuff and they are around $100, you can get the models with the maps for under $200, I have never used the E-Trex that has maps. The only thing with them is that they are small screens mostly made for portability.

Good luck on your decision, I know that there are a ton of them out there and just giving my .02 on what I know.

 

I have the Garmin Nuvi 200W and I use it daily. It is a pretty awsome tool. You may want to check craiglist.org I bought mine from a private party Brand new for $160

 

Thanks to all for the comments. I ordered a Garmin Nuvi 260W last night.

 

Have a question. Does the SD Card have to be in the unit to accept maps? I want to down load some TOPO sections using the Garmin Topo USA.

 

I looked at the manual online and the Garmin site, and still don't know the answer to your question.

It looks like you have to have the Mapsource software. Do you have that?

I did not see any topo maps that were compatible with the 265, but I don't really know what I'm looking for. Do you already have the maps?

 

I have the Topo Soft Ware and was able to add maps to may other Garmin Fishfinder 172C. This new unit is suppose to be able accept addittional maps using a SD Card where the other one used a cartridge. The handbook doesn't help too much. I think I'll call Garmin tomorrow and see what they have to say.
Thanks for trying to help.

 

I just reached another level in the learning curve. There is a difference between the two. That is why my older SD Card was able to accept the maps and the new card (SDHC) would not. The new SDHC Cards are designed for large amounts of memory 2GB plus. I'm going back tomorrow and enlighten the sales clerk so he doesn't lead another newbie astray.

 

Oh, yeah that is true. The SDHC drives will read the old cards, but old drives won't handle the new cards.

Also, be careful of capacity. Not all devices will handle a 4gb SD card for example. I bought some 4gb and my camera will only recognize 2gb maximum.

I noticed Garmin sells their topo maps already installed on an SD card. For around $100. They also have nautical charts.

 

Talked to Garmin Tech Support this morning. I need to put the SDHC Card in the GPS unit and with the USB cord pluged into the computer follow the steps for downloading the maps. It needs to be in the 265WT unit so it formats properly.

 

Report back on how the topo maps work George. I might be interested in doing that with "hers". I guess I would have to take her hunting with me more often so she can navigate.