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Agent☣Orange
02-15-2012, 10:04 AM
I've been looking around at different GPS's out there and there's such a bewildering array of choices so I thought I'd ask folks here what they have and why aling with any mounting photos.

DaveL
02-15-2012, 10:16 AM
I have a Garmin Nuvi 205, lower end of their range but does the job for me. Suction cup mounted lower left windshield.

Agent☣Orange
02-15-2012, 10:33 AM
Seems like it all comes down to Garmin vs. Magellan

kung fu jesus
02-15-2012, 11:07 AM
I use my phone with a custom mount in the left center eyeball vent.

I have an HTC EVO , so the screen and the Google Maps GPS works very, very well. The location of the phone is perfect for nav. With the bluetooth, it gives me turn by turn over the speaker.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/force_mccocken/2011-04-28184725.jpg

I've never been a fan of windshield mounted nav units.

Agent☣Orange
02-15-2012, 11:58 AM
I don't really like windshield mounts either. That looks pretty good what you've done there.

kung fu jesus
02-15-2012, 12:38 PM
I made it from other vent mounts I had in a box from other cars. The only thing I don't really like is the power cord, but I might add another 12v source in the blanking plate under the radio.

Small White Car
02-15-2012, 01:20 PM
http://media.merchantcircle.com/19486639/Los%20Angeles%20Orange%20County%20Thomas%20Guide_f ull.jpeg

concealer404
02-15-2012, 01:32 PM
The nicest Garmin you can afford.

I bought a refurb Garmin... something... from amazon before i took my trip across the country to pick up my Miata. VERY useful, LOVE IT.

I'll pull the model number later if you're interested. I don't think it was much more than $100.

Agent☣Orange
02-15-2012, 02:44 PM
It seems like Garmin is screwy with their numbering system. I was all set on the 3790 but inexplicably the newer 3490 comes out with more features. That one is going to be suprceded by the 3590. Why can't they have just kept it simple? A lot of people ave noticed that too. Anyway, the Garmins are certainly nice. Sooo many models. If I had a big Galaxy II cell phone, I'd probably just get the Garmin app.

Small White Car, I'm not sure what your contribution is supposed to be...

kung fu jesus
02-15-2012, 02:56 PM
my Evo is about the same size as the Galaxy 2. The Google Maps navigation app is free and works awesome.

concealer404
02-15-2012, 03:22 PM
Mine is a Garmin Nuvi 1490T. Can't seem to find out how much i paid for it, think it was $130 shipped. Originally a $400+ unit, was a refurb due to some operating system weirdness in the first run of that model.

Agent☣Orange
03-01-2012, 10:43 AM
The Garmins seem to be the nicest of the bunch. They make one that is thin and portable like a phone and prices keep coming down. I just wonder how relevant they still are when phones keep getting better.

The new Gaaxy Note just came out and it's more of a "phablet" as in bigger than a phone but smaller than a tablet and has a 5-inch screen.

smaeda
03-01-2012, 12:08 PM
You know I work for Garmin right? If you have any questions, I'm sure I can help you out.

Agent☣Orange
03-01-2012, 12:12 PM
No, didn't know that! Very cool.

Small White Car
03-01-2012, 03:18 PM
You know I work for Garmin right? If you have any questions, I'm sure I can help you out.


Will knowing you get me any $$$ off down at the Best Buy?

:teehee:

Agent☣Orange
03-01-2012, 04:28 PM
Heh heh, my first thought too but didn't want to be that brazen.

Agent☣Orange
03-06-2012, 09:00 AM
Well, the more I shop, the more it seems to come back to the Garmin 3490LMT. Basically, it has all the bells and whistles of any GPS device I've ever seen. The only thing "better" I can find is it's slightly bigger brother, the 3550 which has the same features but with a 5" screen instead of 4.3.

But, the 3490 is thin as an iPhone 4 and I suspect the 3550 is thicker but they don't mention that on the Garmin site.

Does anyone have one if these? Has anyone found something better?

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=97509

smaeda
03-06-2012, 01:32 PM
I have both sitting in front of me and the 3550 is slightly thicker. I would say about 3-4mm difference. Its still pretty thin though and doesn't feel very clunky.

concealer404
03-06-2012, 01:50 PM
Looks just like my 1490T, but probably a little lighter.

Agent☣Orange
03-06-2012, 01:56 PM
Where do the 3490 and 3550 get their power? I mean, is it an ugly plug that sticks out one side or the bottom?

concealer404
03-06-2012, 01:58 PM
Mini-USB looking thing on the back side.

Agent☣Orange
03-06-2012, 02:00 PM
Does the 3550 have the same pixels per inch as the 3490 thus making the screen look a little less high def as the 3490?

smaeda
03-06-2012, 02:11 PM
Mini-USB looking thing on the back side.

Actually this isn't true. All the new units have the power cord on the mount itself. The unit does have a micro usb on the unit itself for data and charging but that is used off the vehicle. The traffic receiver is built into the power cord as well.

smaeda
03-06-2012, 02:12 PM
Does the 3550 have the same pixels per inch as the 3490 thus making the screen look a little less high def as the 3490?
They both have the same resolution but you can't tell the sharpness difference with the naked eye. Both screens look very sharp.

Agent☣Orange
03-06-2012, 02:17 PM
Damn...decisions decisions. Thanks for the quick and clarifying answers.

smaeda
03-06-2012, 02:47 PM
I personally like the 3490 better. Its very light and thin. You can easily carry it around in your pocket as well. You won't be disappointed. The only reason I would want the bigger screen is if your windshield is far away and you want the extra readability but hasn't been an issue so far for me.

smaeda
03-06-2012, 02:49 PM
I would go to best buy or something and play with both to see which one you like better.

Agent☣Orange
03-06-2012, 02:51 PM
That's what I'm thinking too. It's like an iPhone. I like the bigger screen of the 3550 but not the added bulk. The 3490 keeps appearing like the obvious choice. I like the voice control and every feature available for a GPS. I think it blows away the competition.

Any suggestion on what retailer I can get the best price on? Costco? eBay? I see on the Garmin site that it's full retail priced.

smaeda
03-06-2012, 04:15 PM
That I'm not sure since I've never had to buy one before. Maybe look at Amazon too?