GPS Units that provide Voice Prompts (A voice will say things like "Turn right in 500 ft.)
~~Garmin StreetPilot c330~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: 5mil
Maps: All 50 states, Canada & Puerto Rico
GPS Type: ???
Pros: Basic design might be easier for the non-tech-oriented user.
Cons: Reasonably "old tech" -- release date was Spring 2005. Only the most basic of options are available on this.
$128.88 @ Circuit City
http://reviews.cnet....7-31288776.html
http://www.pcmag.com...,1849760,00.asp
http://gpstracklog.t...n_streetpi.html
http://www.time.com/...adget/20050406/ (review date of 3/6/05, yeah, this thing is OLD)
~~Garmin Nuvi 200~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: 6mil
Maps: 48 contiguous states, plus Hawaii & Puerto Rico (No Alaska or Canada)
GPS Type: ???
Pros: Picture viewer (if that matters to you)
Cons: No MP3 player (if that matters to you)
$169.99 @ Best Buy
http://reviews.cnet...._7-6737607.html
http://review.zdnet....6-32370612.html
http://gizmodo.com/g...able-246090.php
http://gpstracklog.t...nuvi_200_1.html
~~Garmin Nuvi 200W~~ (the wide screen version of the entry-level nuvi 200)
Screen: WIDESCREEN 4.3", 480x272 pixels,
POI: 6mil
Maps: 48 contiguous states, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (No Alaska or Canada)
GPS Type: ???
Pros: Picture viewer (if that matters to you)
Cons: No MP3 player (if that matters to you)
$249.99 @ CompUSA (Friday)
$349.99 @ L-N-T (20% off coupon makes this
$279.99)
http://reviews.cnet....7-32480172.html
http://gpstracklog.t...n-nuvi-200.html
http://www.gpslodge....ives/010299.php
~~Magellan Roadmate 1200~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: 1.3mil
Maps: 48 contiguous states, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (No Alaska or Canada)
GPS Type: SiRFstar III chipset
Pros: Very basic unit which might make it easier for non-tech people to use
Cons: Only 1.3 mil POI, no MP3 player, no picture viewer (if you care)
$124.99 @ Circuit City
http://www.mobilewha...-roadmate-1200/
http://www.ubergizmo...dmate_1200.html
http://www.engadget....w-enders-happy/
~~Magellan Maestro 3100~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: only 750K (very few)
Maps: 48 contiguous states
GPS Type: SiRFstar III
Pros: It can handle multi-stop trips (like the Mio units), "The windshield mount is long enough that the Maestro isn't too far away from the driver. Some other GPS devices ship with mounts that are too short, and place the GPS too close to the windshield."
Cons: Only 750K POIs -- are they kidding? -- no GPS being offered on BF has fewer POIs!, It's apparently difficult to remove the device from the vehicle mount., Also "While maps were readable, we thought the color was a bit washed out and wished there was a little more contrast. Lowering the screen's brightness helped slightly, but it wasn't quite up to par with some other systems we've seen."
$129.99 @ K-mart
(Thanksgiving Day Sale)
$129.99 @ Radio Shack
$139.97 @ hhgregg
$139.99 @ Staples
$139.99 @ OfficeMax
$139.99 @ CompUSA (Thursday)
$149.00 @ Target
$149.99 @ Sears
http://reviews.cnet....7-32452786.html
http://www.gpsmagazi...100_indepth.php
http://www.engadget....-gets-reviewed/
http://gpstracklog.t...n_maestr_1.html
~~Magellan Maestro 4000~~
Screen: WIDESCREEN 4.3", 480x272 pixels,
POI: 1.6 mil
Maps: 48 contiguous states
GPS Type: SiRFstar III
Pros: The 4000 series units feature “Quickspell” capability, which limits the letters on the keyboard to only those letters that can logically be next in the street name (or town/state) that you are typing. Definitely a nice feature.
Cons: Only 1.6 mil POIs
$199.99 @ Meijer
(Thanksgiving Day Sale)
$249.99 @ OfficeMax
$249.99 @ Sears
http://reviews.cnet....7-32382701.html
http://www.gpslodge....ives/010610.php
http://gpstracklog.t...lan_maestr.html
~~Mio DigiWalker C220~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: 3.5 mil
Maps: All 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico
GPS Type: SiRFstar III
Pros: Mio GPS units can be modified for additional functionality if you wish -- at your own risk --
http://hugginsnet.com/ilovemymio
One nifty thing about Mio GPS units is that they are built on the Windows CE.Net 5.0 operating system and can be modified for additional features, Red Light Camera or Speed Cameras anyone??? How about changing the "skin" to make it match your personal style? (similar to the desktop on a computer). How about watching a video file, viewing pictures, etc. on your Mio? (even though it doesn't have that feature "out of the box", apparently, you can add software to it to give it additional functionality). The Mio C220 now uses TeleAtlas maps (ver. 2006.10) vs. the Mio Map 3.2 they used to use (apparently the new ones are more accurate), The Mio also has the ability to start a route somewhere else (Advanced and seldom used, it can help you when you are armchair quarterbacking your route planning -- this can also help you guide someone else over the phone to another location)
Cons: Speaker is kinda quite from what I've read, "The screen is moderately bright, and not the brightest I have ever seen. Very passable in all but the most direct sunlight.", the power connection is on the bottom edge of the unit which may limit your mounting options, They apparently need to add “Along Route” to the POI option list. Apparently, you can search for POIs that are nearby to where you are, but you would have trouble finding food, fuel, post office, along your planned route -- the unit will tell you where the nearest POI is, but that may not be in the direction you are traveling. As I understand it, the US model Mios only have one male voice unless you add more voices to the unit (they can be downloaded). Other company's GPS units have 12+ voices to choose from.
"There are some advanced features that aren’t found in some other units at much higher prices. I’ll admit though that this can send beginners into a tailspin, but if you are up to the task, the capabilities are pretty powerful. <snip> The question of screen brightness has come up several times in various online postings, and I see it this way: The Mio C220 screen is not the brightest, but in all but the worst conditions it works well for me. To me the advantage of so many other features on the C220 far outweighs this slight blemish when comparing to other units in this price range. I see this as a pretty good value." http://www.gpslodge....ives/011571.php
$79.98 AR @ PepBoys
(here's a $10 coupon for PepBoys, YMMV) PepBoys is also giving the first 50 people in line a $10 gift card.
$99.99 @ OfficeMax
$99.99 @ Micro Center
$99.99 @ Circuit City
http://reviews.cnet....7-32422275.html
http://www.ubergizmo...220_review.html
http://www.gpslodge....ives/011571.php
~~Mio DigiWalker C320~~
Screen:WIDESCREEN 4.3" , 480x272 pixels,
POI: 1.7 mil
Maps: All 50 states & Puerto Rico (No Canada)
GPS Type: SiRFstar III
Pros: Mio GPS units can be modified for additional functionality if you wish -- at your own risk --
http://hugginsnet.com/ilovemymio
One nifty thing about Mio GPS units is that they are built on the Windows CE.Net 5.0 operating system and can be modified for additional features, Red Light Camera or Speed Cameras anyone??? How about changing the "skin" to make it match your personal style? (similar to the desktop on a computer). How about watching a video file, viewing pictures, etc. on your Mio? (even though it doesn't have that feature "out of the box", apparently, you can add software to it to give it additional functionality). An MP3 player is here (vs. the C220). The Mio C320 now uses TeleAtlas maps (ver. 2006.10) vs. the Mio Map 3.2 they used to use (apparently the new ones are more accurate), Compatible with traffic service (but at an additional cost), Split screen tabbed browsing is a big plus (go here
http://www.gpslodge....ives/013522.php and scroll down to the Tabbed Browsing heading for a full explanation)
Cons: There is a POI search for stores and places of business, which is a huge help, but the database is a bit limited. WalMart, Target, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks are all in there, but things like Old Navy and The Gap aren’t. As I understand it, the US model Mios only have one male voice unless you add more voices to the unit (they can be downloaded). Other company's GPS units have 12+ voices to choose from.
"Overall, I think that the Mio C320 is a solid GPS for Mio and offers a good entry-level widescreen GPS. Mio continues to keep price pressure on the GPS world, and in the year since they rocked the GPS market with the introduction of the Mio C310x, they have seen more competition in the value end of the market. With that said, they have not stood still and continue to innovate and drive shelf prices lower, keeping a price edge and staying competitive in features arena.
The navigation is sound, and the interface is good, but not as dead easy at a Garmin. There are a lot of very happy Mio users who come to learn the interface quickly and are confident in the navigation. I think that the Mio C320 represents a good value with some innovative features that can make your navigation life easier after you learn your way around the interface. Definitely add the Mio C320 to the list when shopping around for entry-level GPS devices."
http://www.gpslodge....ives/013522.php
$149.99 @ Radio Shack
http://www.gpslodge....ives/013522.php
http://www.vnunet.co...walker-c320-sat
http://www.gadgetspe...Navigation.html
~~TomTom One~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: 1.6mil
Maps: All 50 states & Canada (No Puerto Rico)
GPS Type: SiRFstar III
Pros: FREE, that's right, FREE MAP UPDATES!, choice of routes: such as quickest, shortest, avoiding toll roads, pedestrian and bicycling routes (most GPS units only allow choice of the quickest or the shortest), Itinerary planning: plan your trip by defining multiple waypoints and destinations, optional warning when exceeding recorded speed limit (available on most highways and major roads), car speed linked volume: volume of voice instructions will increase/decrease depending on speed of car, sign post information: exit sign info displayed in navigation mode, Built-in Bluetooth technology for TomTom PLUS services (Easy connection process to the mobile phone for PLUS Services only -- this unit WILL NOT sync with your phonefor hands-free calling -- look to some of the $300+ units for that kind of functionality
Cons: Can take a minute to get a full satellite lock. No integrated music or video player, don't want a photo viewer (again, if you care), the POI list may be a little dated (missing POIs that "should be there" or ones that are listed that are out of business)
$129.97 @ hhgregg
$139.98 @ PepBoys
(here's a $10 coupon for PepBoys, YMMV) PepBoys is also giving the first 50 people in line a $10 gift card.
http://reviews.cnet....7-32026663.html
http://www.gpsmagazi..._one.php?page=1
http://gpstracklog.t...m_one_revi.html (with links to even MORE reviews on the TomTom One)
~~TomTom One - 3rd Edition~~
Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,
POI: 1.6mil
Maps: All 50 states, Canada & Puerto Rico
GPS Type: SiRFstar III GPS Receiver
Pros: FREE, that's right, FREE MAP UPDATES!, choice of routes: such as quickest, shortest, avoiding toll roads, pedestrian and bicycling routes (most GPS units only allow choice of the quickest or the shortest), optional warning when exceeding recorded speed limit (available on most highways and major roads), car speed linked volume: volume of voice instructions will increase/decrease depending on speed of car, sign post information: exit sign info displayed in navigation mode, Built-in Bluetooth technology for TomTom PLUS services (Easy connection process to the mobile phone for PLUS Services only -- this unit WILL NOT sync with your phonefor hands-free calling -- look to some of the $300+ units for that kind of functionality
Cons: ???
The main difference with the 3rd edition over the "plain" TomTom Ones is support for TomTom Map Share™ which lets users share improvements, daily, automatically and easily via TomTom HOME – TomTom’s free software application. TomTom has the world’s largest satellite navigation community with over 10 million users. TomTom Map Share™ users can contribute and exchange all their improvements amongst each other, making the best maps available for all of them. TomTom Map Share™ means TomTom drivers can always have the most up-to-date maps and inside local knowledge at their fingertips., a new "enhanced UI," and a new "HELP ME!" feature, which apparently includes everything from directions to the nearest hospital to car maintenance information to first aid instructions. Another addition to the 3rd edition is the availability of TMC traffic (requires an additonal service, around $60/year) The 3rd edition also has maps for Puerto Rico (the "plain" does not).
$124.99 w/$20 Staples Gift Card instantly @ Staples
$129.99 @ Office Depot
$139.99 @ Radio Shack
$149.99 @ CompUSA (Thur-Sat)
http://reviews.cnet....7-32591584.html
http://www.engadget....-north-america/
http://www.gpslodge....ives/013117.php
~~TomTom One LE~~
$119.99 @ Best Buy
This is a Best Buy exclusive:
"...it will only be available through Best Buy, and for only a short period of time. The people I spoke with didn't have firm details about it. However it was mentioned that it would be similar to the ONE 2nd Edition, but without Bluetooth and an SD card. So it appears to be like the hardware of the ONE 3rd Edition, but with full NavCore 7 rather than just NavCore 7 Lite. Details are still a little sketchy at this point though."
Source =
http://www.gpsreview...opic.php?p=9110
(I would consider the "LE edition" to be superior to the standard TomTom One, maybe even the 3rd edition, but it's up to you if you want to brave BB's lines.)