ameneses54

I'm going to dive into buying a GPS (under $150) but the great question arises. Which one should I buy?
I'd really appreciate comments comparing Garmin, TomTom and Magellan units in my budget.

HumVee

Hello, ameneses54. Are you buying strictly for personal use, or for using with your business as well? I'm guessing you're talking about a road navigation GPS unit for use in your car, rather than a handheld GPS navigation unit meant more for pedestrian use? Without knowing more how you intend to use GPS, it's hard to recommend GPS units. I found 8 models of Garmin automobile GPS units for under $150 on Amazon (and a whole bunch just over $150 as well). Naturally, I saw Magellan and TomTom models in those price ranges as well.

ameneses54

Thanks for your reply.
It's for personal automotive use.
By the way, do you know what's the difference between the Magellan Roadmate 1440 and the M Roadmate 1445T. As far as I've researched they seem identical.

Thanks

HumVee

The 1445T includes a traffic update receiver. You can see it in the picture...it's the silver block inline with the power adapter. Garmin's "T" models also come with traffic update receiver, and an ad based free traffic subscription (occassional adds, none while driving above 25 MPH). If even that level of advertising is too much for you, you can opt to purchase an add-free paid annual subscription from Garmin instead. Magellan's "Traffic Link" service that comes with the 1445T just says "free," but I don't know if it's ad based or not (my guess is that it is).

marbles

I was looking at the orgeon 200 by garmin,the only short coming I could see is it did not haVE a compass could you add one in with a new 4 gig MicroSD card ????

HumVee

No. The digital compass is actually a microchip that must be present on the system board of the device. It's not just software, so adding storage capacity does nothing for you. Have you considered the Dakota 20?

Of course, you could always carry a separate compass!

marbles

the dakota 20 looks Like a real nice gps,I assume it can
have city maps added so you could use it for driving too

HumVee

Yes, absolutely. The main difference between the Dakotas and Oregons is the screen resolution. The Dokotas have much lower resolution, at 160 x 240, versus a resolution of 240 x 400 of the Oregon's. The Dakota's have the same resolution as my GPSMAP 76CSx, but as a touchscreen. Yes, all of the Dakota's and Oregon's can have City Navigator NT roadmaps, and can do turn-by-turn directions. A quick look at the specifications and perusing the Maps tab on Garmin's website for the various models can confirm this. They can even take the nautical charts. In fact, almost all of the various Garmins models are cross-compatible with maps, though they may not be optimized for the experience. It's one of the things that attracts me to the Garmins. I have Topo US 24K - West maps and City Navigator North America NT loaded on both of my Garmins. I have a zūmo 660 in addition to the 76CSx, and can use the same software to manage both of them.

marbles

they have the
Garmin Dakota 20 for 400.00 at cablea Im really considering this unit

HumVee

Is that $400 Euros? US Dollars? It must be in US Dollars...It's still seems a little bit high to me, but might be right in line if you're talking about retail store prices. I find the Dakota 20 listed for just under 200 Pounds (GBD) on Amazon UK. £199.71, but I'm guessing that's without VAT? You're in Surrey, southwest of London, yes?

I'm an ignorant American, so I don't don't know my world geography nearly as well as I ought, and don't know how much about value added tax (I think we call it Luxury Tax here in the USA) adds to the transaction. I'm not familiar with a seller called "cablea," but I'm guessing it's a local retailer... Unless you actually meant Cabela's, online retailer of sporting goods? I see the Dakota 20 on that site for $350 US, which I consider a little too high. Amazon.com has it for $325 with free shipping (200 pounds with free shipping from Amazon UK, in the above link).

Please be aware that the number one complaint of any of the new touch screen Garmin handhelds is that they are hard to read in broad daylight. It's a flaw with the touch screen LCD technology. You may wish to actually hold one in your hand and experience it yourself before you commit your funds - or at least make certain that you understand and like the seller's return policies....

marbles

oh sorry Im surrey british columbia canada,I seen thast on cabelas web site

marbles

actually this place in calgary alberta has them for Garmin, TomTom & Lowrance GPS; Ram Mounts and Accessories. BlueFox Tracking Service. Factory Authorized Dealer - GPS Central Canada 329.00 canadian

HumVee

Ah, yes! $330 Canadian at GPS Central is a much better price! And their 15 day return policy seems reasonable. Since the Dakota 20 doesn't come with mapping software on disc (the basemap is preloaded), it should qualify for return if you aren't happy with it. I didn't read all of the return policy details - but be sure you do before you make the purchase. Let me know what you think of the Dakota 20 once you get a chance to put it through some paces!

HumVee

Thanks for the input, unit731! I think marbles has already settled on the Garmin Dakota 20. Have you received it yet, marbles? What do you think?

HumVee

LOL...I completely forgot that amaneses54 had started this thread! amaneses54, have you come to any decisions yet, or do you have any more questions that will help you decide?