Garmin GPS

[Gary H NC]

Looking at buying a Garmin Nuvi 750 and noticed the 660 that is an older version is about the same price.The 660 has Bluetooth that i really won't use and the 750 does not.They do say the 750 has a better map software on it.
Another thing the 750 has a built in antenna that does not have to be flipped up like the 650.
Has anyone got a 750? How do you like it? Does it perform well?

For about 20 bucks difference in price the 750 seems to be the one to get.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Garmin GPS

My experience with Garmin has been favorable except for the lack of support on older units. By buying a newer model you will get another year or two of support if anything goes wrong.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thanks EC, Do you know if you can update them with the USB connection?
Just bought my GF a Megellan for Christmas and it was a pain to update over the net.It seems to do i good job so far.
Being that i travel most of the year i wanted a higher end unit.I want one that i will be able to update for a couple years at least.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Garmin GPS

hello,
i fly with a garmin. sure do like it... so much info...
regards
lakester

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thanks Lakester, I know the Garmin products have the most respected name in GPS. I was hoping that 750 model would come down in price after Christmas.They have dropped to 450 so thats not bad.I think i'll wait a couple more weeks and keep watching them.

 

[EMM]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thanks EC, Do you know if you can update them with the USB connection?
Just bought my GF a Megellan for Christmas and it was a pain to update over the net.It seems to do i good job so far.
Being that i travel most of the year i wanted a higher end unit.I want one that i will be able to update for a couple years at least.

I have a Garmin 60CSX and I update it whenever there is a new update on the website with my USB cable. It takes no more than a couple of minutes.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thats good info! Thanks EMM. The Magellan i updated took over an hour with a hi speed connection.Think i will go with a Garmin.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Garmin GPS

Whoa! What type of update your are talking here? Are you talking the unit update which include the unit os or are you talking updating base maps and extended maps?
Unit os is updated over the net and it takes mere minutes. If you are talking about updating maps that is a total different story. Actually, that I am aware off, Garmin does not update maps via net other than ordering the update software that will be delivered via mail. I do believe they have units that update maps via the satellite itself but those require a subscription.

 

[EMM]

Re: Garmin GPS

I was refering to the os of the unit. My unit came with a basic map, I put a topo map in it that I ordered from garmin. The map is good for what I do with it so I wont need to update for quite a while.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thats interesting.The Magellan i updated over the net for my GF said the update included OS updates and map and POI updates.It added 75k more POIs.After the update it did show a new Steakhouse and gas Station near us that was not in the list at first.
I wonder What Garmin charges to get map updates every year or two?

 

[vess]

Re: Garmin GPS

Hi Gary- I bought the Garmin GPSMap 76CSx, similar to the 60, in May this year. I had to buy the Charting maps for the boat, and the City Navigator maps for the car, each about $100. I recently wanted to update to the latest City maps, but they want $75 for that update. I haven't figured out a way around that, and am not going to buy maps every year to stay up to date. I do like the Garmin software, however, but they will lose me if I have to pay for updates constantly. I haven't seen anyone else offer charting like they do, so for the boat I will stick with them. I hear the TomTom offers free updating, so maybe for the car I will purchase that one. I keep scanning ads and reviews to learn what the best option is, but I still am confused. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thanks Vess, I have been reading all the info and reviews i can find.Thats kind of expensive for the map software.I have read that the TomTom is not the greatest as far as performance.I may check in further on the higher end Magellan,the only negative to them is they are running the windows OS on them.
No rush,i'll keep reading and figure out what to get.The prices are slowly dropping too.
I did notice some you can update and add maps if you buy it on one of their SD memory cards..

 

[Nandy]

Re: Garmin GPS

You have to pay is you want the best. Also, you dont really have to update every year. Their website tells you which cities were updated. I was not going to update to the last city navigator cuz the updates were not attractive to me. But they sent me the update when they returned my Quest after I broke it. BTW, they did send me a new unit for free even thought I broke the unit myself and I told them I did.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Free replacement was a good deal Nandy! After reading a zillion reviews and all the GPS forums i think i will still go with a Garmin Nuvi 750.
I did use the GF's Magellan today going to the lake near Troy and it did a good job for a lower priced unit.
I'm holding out and saving my money for the fancy unit...

 

[vess]

Re: Garmin GPS

Let me know how you make out with it, as I would like to purchase a car-only unit, and I was going to do so on price only (as in CHEAP). I was disappointed to learn that the Garmin recognizes your unit, so you can't use the maps to load onto several of them at once. Bummer. That will open up the door to other units like the TomTom. And I see the Magellen is very low priced right now.
Also, I am hearing more about theft of these units. Article in the paper yesterday said that a guy was stopped by a cop on his bike carrying several packages and bags. After looking at the GPS he was carrying (and claimed was his own), the cop hit "home" on the unit, and a nearby address popped up. He arrested the guy and was able to return the unit to the owner. I think these things are easy to steal, and good targets, so be careful. Like any electronic gizmo, I guess.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Garmin GPS

Gary, it is apparent to me that Garmin has a "every customer leaves happy" policy. I know they can't make everyone happy, they are a business and people will try to take advantage, but in all these years I have only hear one complaint about their customer support. Most of the complaints I hear from the equipment is someone getting the wrong equipment for the job or someone buying without understanding the technology.

Vess, If you buy a garmin GPS you can load any locked map to 2 units. You call Garmin and they will provide you the codes for the units as long as they are registred in your name. The other non-locked maps can be loaded to as many units as you want, but you only have a license for 2 units.

As far as stealing, the units can be very easily removed from their dash location. Actually, I don't generally have mine on unless I need to use it. It picks satellites wicked fast so I don't worry about a long wait like other units. It goes back to the locked glove compartment when I am done with it and the particular trip is over.

Another good thing about garmin is that if you register your unit, no reason not to, you can call them if the unit is stolen. If anyone call the company to get an update they call the police.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Garmin GPS

Good info,Thanks Nandy.
Everything i have read about the support for the Magellan is that you get someone in India when you call and they are not much help.
Garmin all the way now....

 

[joseph L]

Re: Garmin GPS

Hi Gary,

I have the Garmin GPS 192 with the United States Coastal Water chart built in the unit. It works great. I've had it for three years. If you buy the unit without the built in chart map you have to buy the chart map for each area you boat in and they run about $290 to $300 each. I am thinking about upgrading the chart for all the new changes. Garmin charges you $75. You also could buy different chart chips and install them too. I do not have the built in atenea but if I had to buy another one for my boat I would get the built in and it would be one less thing in the way.

Joseph L.

 

[vess]

Re: Garmin GPS

Thanks for the info Nandy- I wasn't aware that you could load up to 2 units. That helps a little. I kept seeing complaints from other people saying they weren't able to load maps onto multiple units. That may keep me with Garmin, as do like the unit I have. And I am used to the software, so I wouldn't have to learn a whole new system.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Garmin GPS

Glad to help!