NAV revisited- Portable

[gizzer777]

Was just curious....We had a few threads a while back on NAV units. I finally burned up my NUVI 350 portable and replaced it with a Nuvi 265wt portable which came with Garmin's 2010 maps installed (probably has about 2007-2008 info) In case anyone has tried, replacing the battery in a Nuvi is sort of like an Ipod...Next to impossible without beatin the crap out of it.

Impressions: You get lots more for your $$ (as in Bluetooth...about $200) and wide screen to name 2. I like it even more than my Nuvi 350 but needed an excuse to buy a new one and the oem one is way too expensive and too basic for my own taste.

NOW TO TIE 2 THREADS TOGETHER. age and nav threads......... You know you've gotten older when you use a visor mount more for NAV than for radar detector mounting.
Personally I use a bean bag mount for the Nuvi and the visor gets the Radar mount.

It's an econo box, but it still grabs tickets! Granted, White hair tends to get the cops to pay less attention to you Besides, I live too close to Calif where suction cup mounts are illegal!

[wchin]

Originally Posted by gizzer777

... I live too close to Calif where suction cup mounts are illegal!

California just passed the law that allows the suction cup mount. I think it came into effect in January 2009. You're only allowed to stick it on the lower 12 inches in the center of the windshield if I remember correctly.

[Sheargenious]

The NUVI Rock! I just got one. Spoken street names etc.. Love that thing.

[cabur]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11333736&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eC at=BC|79|4843&N=4040228&Mo=13&No=13&Nr=P_CatalogNa me:BC&cat=4843&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

Above is link to a vent mount for portable GPS. Have to copy/paste to your browser.

Unfortunately it can only be delivered to a US address.

I use a Magellan Roadmate 1412. Very satisfied with it.

[Patt]

I have the passport escort 8500 and the Nuvi 260wt both payed for them selves on my trip from Florida to Michigan. The only thing i don't like is the cords going every where.





Any suggestions are welcome.

[gizzer777]

Originally Posted by Sheargenious

The NUVI Rock! I just got one. Spoken street names etc.. Love that thing.

I definitely agree, Garmin really outdid it self with the Nuvi's. However if you remember, they were $1000 when the 350's first came out. ( I waited until they dropped below $500 before pulling the cord) The newer 265wt was $300 at Costco after the current $20 rebate. (includes 90 days of map updates from date of first registration...but mine already had the 2010 maps. I doubt there will be another update until latter next year. The 265 is standard with the traffic receiver built in....unfortunately There is no traffic transmitter where I live!

The Nuvi 350 that finally died on me and was replaced last week by the newer Nuvi 265wt was a unit that I thought could not be made any better...I was wrong.

Again I have only had this Nuvi 265wt for about a week but it definitely is better than the 350 was in a few respects. I like having bluetooth on the Nuvi instead of having to use my ear unit. 2) obviously the wide screen 3 )saved over $40 + bucks since my bean bag friction mount fits both units and I did not have to replace the new Garmin's mounting (the suction is poor on all externals IMHO...Better POI's for me at least on the 265. A few more polishing items.

On the negative side. I relaize the 200 series is the "cheaper" units than the 350 was, but I miss being able to plug in the new Nuvi into the car's stereo for both MP3 and "surround" NAV. 2) I still can't figure out where some of the Nuvi picks up some of its wierd routing.

4) I SURE WISH THESE MANUFACTURERS WOULD PUT REPLACEABLE BATTERIES IN THEM! Too expensive to throw away every 4+ yrs or so.
5 Garmin and the others...stop cheaping out on the supplied assessories like the AC power supply (another $30)...again you have to download a manual but the Nuvi is so intuitive it almost doesn't need one!

[toyweb]

Originally Posted by Patt

I have the passport escort 8500 and the Nuvi 260wt both payed for them selves on my trip from Florida to Michigan. The only thing i don't like is the cords going every where.





Any suggestions are welcome.

Does anyone have any other ways of mounting a Garmin Nuvi that doesn't involve using suction cups and is very easy to mount and unmount and leaves no telltale signs of a GPS when it is not in use?

Is there a power port under the center armrest? If so, I think you could leave the GPS permanently plugged in and pull the GPS out when you want to use it. Maybe a cupholder mount with a gooseneck? If it is compact enough to fit under the armrest, that might work well.
Is there anyplace suitable to Velcro the GPS when in use, like shown is this video?

You Tube

You Tube

[gizzer777]

Originally Posted by toyweb

Does anyone have any other ways of mounting a Garmin Nuvi that doesn't involve using suction cups and is very easy to mount and unmount and leaves no telltale signs of a GPS when it is not in use?

The Garmin beanbag mt also fits the Nuvi 265w.....

[OkSlim]

I usually like technology but I travel my state and I know just about every place in it that I will need to go.
My wife an kids are bound and determined to get me a gps for work and I was looking over units and decided to get the garmin Nuvi 235 or 245. All of a sudden I realized I could just go ahead and get the kenwood double din with 50x4 watts, that has the garmin nuvi technology but can also play my ipod,dvd,cds,will still work with my steering wheel controls and still have xm.

I told them not to buy anything and I would get the kenwood after the first of the year.