Is there a decent GPS for $200 or less?

[Shytheed Dumas]

My boss gave me a thumbs up for a gps for my car, but I've got to keep it under $200. I can get a USB antenna version that works with Microsoft Maps (or whatever MS makes) with auto route calculation, realtime scrolling maps and voice prompts for $120, and it's supported by our IT department. Thing is, I will have to have my laptop open wherever I go.

I can get approval on a unit for up to $200, but it's not much to work with. Does anybody have any personal experience with any of the portable car units I could find for this price? I missed the black friday deals that were worth it, but if there's a decent one out there for that price I will pass on the PC version.

EDIT: I'm willing to pay up to $100 out of my pocket, so if there's something out there for $300 I might jump on that, too.

 

[Fletch124]

Buy notebook then either use Google Earth or Delorme.

 

[Boost Lee]

Heeeey, I sell Navigation systems for a living.

For under $200, Unless you can find something hot or find a reallllllly good friend that gets a hell of a discount, I will have to say no.

The cheapest plug n' play GPS units out right now that are worth a darn are $350 for a Garmin c330 or a Magellan RM-2000. I prefer Garmin, always have.

On another note, I can get them for pretty cheap, , but I don't think it will quite fit under a $200 belt.

Jeff

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

I'm looking up the C330 now. What's the best you can do on price?

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

What about Blackberry based GPS's? I have an older one through work now that doesn't support GPS, but it's not a stretch for me to ask for a new 8703e and subscribe to the GPS service.

EDIT: Never mind. Verizon doesn't support it.

 

[killarb634]

http://www.buyersedge.com/Product/prodDesc.asp?XOS=3408668&pageView=1

 

[JMDigital]

400.00 Is the cheapest I have ever seen. I did look for one for my sister for her present. The TOM TOM ONE is 399.00. LINK

If you wanna use your laptop I can sell you my Earthmate USB gps. I dont have a laptop anymore so I cant use it. Its the new small one. I think I even have the map software it came with. Street Atlas. I have used it with MS Streets too it works great if you can deal with the laptop. Is this going in your supra? or a work truck?

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

400.00 Is the cheapest I have ever seen. I did look for one for my sister for her present. The TOM TOM ONE is 399.00. LINK

If you wanna use your laptop I can sell you my Earthmate USB gps. I dont have a laptop anymore so I cant use it. Its the new small one. I think I even have the map software it came with. Street Atlas. I have used it with MS Streets too it works great if you can deal with the laptop. Is this going in your supra? or a work truck?

I will use it in my Supra now and then, but for the most part I travel throughout the eastern US and cover a lot of road in rented cars. My laptop's always with me, but it seems like it's going to be a serious PITA to have to pull out, start up and stow my laptop wherever I go, and I'll have to buy a power converter on top of it. It's not all that bad, but I think a portable car unit would be better, and I'm sure I would use it more for personal use, too.

 

[JMDigital]

I will use it in my Supra now and then, but for the most part I travel throughout the eastern US and cover a lot of road in rented cars. My laptop's always with me, but it seems like it's going to be a serious PITA to have to pull out, start up and stow my laptop wherever I go, and I'll have to buy a power converter on top of it. It's not all that bad, but I think a portable car unit would be better, and I'm sure I would use it more for personal use, too.

Yup it is a PITA . I did it for a while in a van, There was room for the laptop. but in a supra would be a pain. Portable one would be the best. The ones with the suction cups like a radar detector. Then it would be easy to move around.

 

[Facime]

I bought the Microsoft Streets and trips version with the included USB GPS locator and have used it a couple times. Not as convienient as a stand alone thats for sure. And I dont like leaving my $2000 laptop sitting in my car all the time. What I did was bought a real cheap used older laptop, loaded the software on it and not much else, made sure I have enough ram and its now my GPS laptop. I would like to get a swing arm for it so that it can sit up and withing reach when Im alone in the car. Something like the cops use. that would rule!

As for the GPS and software pack, I got it on sale for 99.99 and I would say it was worth every penny. I do on site tech support for most of the major hardware companies, and I have to go to peoples houses. Finding them via the GPS is so nice!

 

[ChadMKIII]

If you have a Windows-based Pocket PC, Pharos makes some awesome GPS units. Bluetooth receiver and mapping software and mount and cables all for like $200. I love mine, never have any trouble with it, gets pretty good reception (not perfect, I'm sure dedicated units are slightly better). Plus, the software it comes with is pretty darn good, and I love that I can always have maps w/ me wherever I go (you can get directions even w/o the GPS receiver)

 

[jason7mgte]

nextel phone with gps works perfect no matter what you drive.

 

[RedDogOIF]

Tom Tom is the fancy GPS, don't need it. Garmin got me through the desert without fail, I recommend that one. Check Ebay for discounts on them.

 

[Satan]

nextel phone with gps works perfect no matter what you drive.

Verizon has the VZ Navigator service for about $10 a month, plus airtime. We've used it a few times and it's very good. I dunno if maybe your GPS needs are for tracking your travels etc, but as far as address/route navigation, this is the deal. No need to spend alot of $$ up front, if your phone already supports it (like Vcast, etc).

Good luck!