Garmin Nuvi 200w - $199 shipped from Costco

[Corporate Thug]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...tHome&pos=8&lang=en-US

 

[FP]

I was really tempted by the 650 they had for $299 but I have decided to wait it out until the new models come out.

 

[Odeen]

The only real knocks against it are:
No Bluetooth
No traffic
No Text-to-Speech (i.e. it speaks "Turn right in 500 feet" but it does NOT say "Turn right onto Broadway Ave in 500 feet")
No way to permanently avoid a given street (i.e. if it's closed for construction for 6 months, or if you don't want to drive it, ever)
Slow satellite acquisition (has that been fixed in a firmware update?)

Otherwise, simple interface, good Navteq maps, solid routing.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Odeen
The only real knocks against it are:
No Bluetooth
No traffic
No Text-to-Speech (i.e. it speaks "Turn right in 500 feet" but it does NOT say "Turn right onto Broadway Ave in 500 feet")
No way to permanently avoid a given street (i.e. if it's closed for construction for 6 months, or if you don't want to drive it, ever)
Slow satellite acquisition (has that been fixed in a firmware update?)

Otherwise, simple interface, good Navteq maps, solid routing.

I played around with it actually. The initial acquisition took a bit of time.

 

[coffeecandy]

Originally posted by: Odeen
The only real knocks against it are:
No Bluetooth
No traffic
No Text-to-Speech (i.e. it speaks "Turn right in 500 feet" but it does NOT say "Turn right onto Broadway Ave in 500 feet")
No way to permanently avoid a given street (i.e. if it's closed for construction for 6 months, or if you don't want to drive it, ever)
Slow satellite acquisition (has that been fixed in a firmware update?)

Otherwise, simple interface, good Navteq maps, solid routing.

I would also agree with this unit being like this. A co-worker got this for xmas and i got a cheapo Pharos GPS. Honestly they works the same with some differences that the Garmin takes a longer time to have the satellite acquire the location I was at currently. i was pissed off waiting 2 mins for the satellite to acquire my location. The garmin does not come with a stylis and I honestly think the pharos is better than that garmin. Feature per feature.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Odeen
The only real knocks against it are:
No Bluetooth
No traffic
No Text-to-Speech (i.e. it speaks "Turn right in 500 feet" but it does NOT say "Turn right onto Broadway Ave in 500 feet")
No way to permanently avoid a given street (i.e. if it's closed for construction for 6 months, or if you don't want to drive it, ever)
Slow satellite acquisition (has that been fixed in a firmware update?)

Otherwise, simple interface, good Navteq maps, solid routing.

slow satellite acquisition the first time or every time you boot it up?

 

[Alternex]

Costco also has the Magellan Maestro 3225 for the same price and I'm not sure which one to get. The 200W has a larger screen and a nicer UI. The Magellan acquires satellites faster when you turn it on, has Text-to-speech, and contains maps of Canada (200W only has continental US). The Magellan has less POI but those can be downloaded online.

I'm not sure what I'll be annoyed with the most, the slow startup time of the 200W or the bad UI of the Magellan (UI is very important to me).

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Alternex
Costco also has the Magellan Maestro 3225 for the same price and I'm not sure which one to get. The 200W has a larger screen and a nicer UI. The Magellan acquires satellites faster when you turn it on, has Text-to-speech, and contains maps of Canada (200W only has continental US). The Magellan has less POI but those can be downloaded online.

I'm not sure what I'll be annoyed with the most, the slow startup time of the 200W or the bad UI of the Magellan (UI is very important to me).

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to automotive GPS, mine are accurate maps and excellent GUI. Fast lock on a signal and 1000000000000000 POI aren't important to me.

Garmin nuvi 260 here I come.

 

[996GT2]

Okay deal, but IMO the Mio C320 for $150 on BF (and $170 recently AR) is still king of the hill in terms of best GPS deal. In addition to a quick SirfStarIII receiver, big 4.3" screen and SDHC capable expansion slot in addition to 1 GB integrated memory, the level of user-added functionality is almost endless.

Adding TTS requires only a firmware update from the company site and adding more comprehensive maps (over 10 million POI) is simply a matter of replacing a few firmware files and map downloads (both posted on Mio AIO forum). Plenty of add-on applications are available as well, from a VLC like video player to a word editor, to a full fledged Windows OS (see below).

Also, if you don't like MioMap, it is apparently possible to load Garmin or Tomtom firmware on the C320 instead of the original MioMap 3.3...pretty amazing stuff

Oh, and its firmware can be completely hacked to reveal the underlying Windows CE...see below video for a demonstration (video is for C520, but C320 is almost identical hardware wise and can do the same)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJzhakF_VlI

I don't think any other brand of GPS has these extra capabilities...Garmin and Tomtom units, as good as they may be, lack the extreme level of readily available customization that is possible with these Mio units. Basically, once you pop in a 2 GB or 4 GB SDHC and add on some of the extra applications, it truly becomes more than just a GPS.

 

[d3n]

The wife got me a 360 for Christmas. It is the small screen style which is kind of neat if you want to carry it around. Its a great unit. If I was more hard core about hiking I would get a dedicated unit for outdoor use (compas functions and way-points, not necessarily street routing) and the wide screen 6xx series for the car.

As it is the 360 is great. I can download custom POIs to fill in outdated ones that come with the generic map. I can also download up to date Redlight/speed cameras with the ability to sound audible warnings when I am getting close. Good stuff. Im really happy with the blue tooth features. I'll ad that it calulates and routes faster than the TomTom units or even the Alpine blackbird. Not sure about the Mio

 

[cheap]

Originally posted by: Alternex
Costco also has the Magellan Maestro 3225 for the same price and I'm not sure which one to get. The 200W has a larger screen and a nicer UI. The Magellan acquires satellites faster when you turn it on, has Text-to-speech, and contains maps of Canada (200W only has continental US). The Magellan has less POI but those can be downloaded online.

I'm not sure what I'll be annoyed with the most, the slow startup time of the 200W or the bad UI of the Magellan (UI is very important to me).

Stay away from Magellan Maestro. I got myself their top of the line unit 4250 from constco on BF for $350. Big mistake. I'm a long haul truck driver so I get to really test these babies out. I loved the unit at first, it's slick as hell, fast satelite, snazzy UI and neat voice features. But it quickly became apparent that these Maestro units are just not finished and were released way too early. There's a reason why they are that much cheaper than Garmin. Bluetooth is not finished, unit has to be paired with phone every single time it's turned off or if you get outside of the range, bluetooth lacks a lot of features, for example it doesn't download your phone book to itself and lets you dial your contacts like garmin units do. Power button acts funny sometimes. Navigation makes some horrible mistakes, like one time in NJ it told me to keep right at fork to stay on I-80 when I actually had to keep left and right lane was for a highway. That kind of mistake is inexcusable where it can't even keep you on freeway. Voice menu almost never recognises a keyword. It's just a gimmick at this point that almost never works. Overall this unit had a lot of features but most of them are done half assed or are just plain not finished (like bluetooth). It locked up on me once too. Furthermore, Magellan outsources their customer service to India, that alone made me want to return their unit. It's been like at least 3 months since Maestro 4250 came out and still not firmware update to address all the bugs and incomplete features. At that point I didn't want to deal with them any more and hope that they will fix their stuff with possible firmware update and if not to have to speak someone in India. No thanx. I returned it and got myself a Garmin 680 for $475 from Costco and I love it. It's not as slick looking as Maestro series but it totally kills it with features. You can never go wrong with Garmin. They came from aviation and if there's one thing they do well it's GPS. Magellan has one slick unit lineup on their hands but they released it unfinished, still haven't patches up bugs, and their customer support stinks. Magellan you really dropped the ball on this one.

 

[BurningDog]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Okay deal, but IMO the Mio C320 for $150 on BF (and $170 recently AR) is still king of the hill in terms of best GPS deal. In addition to a quick SirfStarIII receiver, big 4.3" screen and SDHC capable expansion slot in addition to 1 GB integrated memory, the level of user-added functionality is almost endless.

This is the post the finally convinced me that I need a GPS.

Is the C320 the best one for price/hacking performance ratio?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: BurningDog

This is the post the finally convinced me that I need a GPS.

Is the C320 the best one for price/hacking performance ratio?

It really depends on what is important to you.

There is a Porsch which main purpose is its performance.
And there is Toyota w/ all the gadget, sound system, 4 doors and big trunk.

Now, if you are looking for GPS performance-wise ONLY, then Mio w/ TeleAtlas still not up to the par.

 

[BurningDog]

I'm more interested in which would make the best windows CE computer that would also just happen to function as a GPS.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: BurningDog

This is the post the finally convinced me that I need a GPS.

Is the C320 the best one for price/hacking performance ratio?

It really depends on what is important to you.

There is a Porsch which main purpose is its performance.
And there is Toyota w/ all the gadget, sound system, 4 doors and big trunk.

Now, if you are looking for GPS performance-wise ONLY, then Mio w/ TeleAtlas still not up to the par.

I really like my Garmin 200W. The 4.3" screen was very important for me, as was the quality of the Garmin maps and the interface.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: BurningDog
I'm more interested in which would make the best windows CE computer that would also just happen to function as a GPS.

No doubt, MIO will be the best choice for you.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


I really like my Garmin 200W. The 4.3" screen was very important for me, as was the quality of the Garmin maps and the interface.

I like to point out NONE of wide screen GPS I tested (Nuvi 200W, Nuvi 650, TomTom 510, TomTom 720, Omnitech, Harman Kardon GPS500, Sanyo 4050) provide actual more useful information while Navigating. (except map browsing mode, or data input mode)

here is a quick review I have on Nuvi 200W.
http://www.gpspassion.com/foru...pic.asp?TOPIC_ID=95930

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


I really like my Garmin 200W. The 4.3" screen was very important for me, as was the quality of the Garmin maps and the interface.

I like to point out NONE of wide screen GPS I tested (Nuvi 200W, Nuvi 650, TomTom 510, TomTom 720, Omnitech, Harman Kardon GPS500, Sanyo 4050) provide actual more useful information while Navigating. (except map browsing mode, or data input mode)

here is a quick review I have on Nuvi 200W.
http://www.gpspassion.com/foru...pic.asp?TOPIC_ID=95930

Can't say I've ever really said that these units need more info on the screen. That's the beauty of the large screen, to display a large map.

It's easier to select options on the screen with the large real estate. I have small hands and still typing in a street name or 2 were sometimes difficult to select on the 3.5" screens. I feel the 4.3" helped quite a bit here.

In addition, being able to read street names further R/L of your position is useful to me. There have been times where I just want to know where I need to go to get to a street that is not my destination. Instead of typing it into theGPS I prefer just finding the road on the map if I can and driving there. Wider screen means less time spent zooming out.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Can't say I've ever really said that these units need more info on the screen. That's the beauty of the large screen, to display a large map.

It's easier to select options on the screen with the large real estate. I have small hands and still typing in a street name or 2 were sometimes difficult to select on the 3.5" screens. I feel the 4.3" helped quite a bit here.

In addition, being able to read street names further R/L of your position is useful to me. There have been times where I just want to know where I need to go to get to a street that is not my destination. Instead of typing it into theGPS I prefer just finding the road on the map if I can and driving there. Wider screen means less time spent zooming out.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't trying to trash wide-screen GPS.
I simply like to point out it might not be a bad idea to either save money on the Nuvi 200, or little extra on Nuvi 260 w/ TTS.

 

[jasonja]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


I really like my Garmin 200W. The 4.3" screen was very important for me, as was the quality of the Garmin maps and the interface.

I like to point out NONE of wide screen GPS I tested (Nuvi 200W, Nuvi 650, TomTom 510, TomTom 720, Omnitech, Harman Kardon GPS500, Sanyo 4050) provide actual more useful information while Navigating. (except map browsing mode, or data input mode)

here is a quick review I have on Nuvi 200W.
http://www.gpspassion.com/foru...pic.asp?TOPIC_ID=95930

Can't say I've ever really said that these units need more info on the screen. That's the beauty of the large screen, to display a large map.

It's easier to select options on the screen with the large real estate. I have small hands and still typing in a street name or 2 were sometimes difficult to select on the 3.5" screens. I feel the 4.3" helped quite a bit here.

In addition, being able to read street names further R/L of your position is useful to me. There have been times where I just want to know where I need to go to get to a street that is not my destination. Instead of typing it into theGPS I prefer just finding the road on the map if I can and driving there. Wider screen means less time spent zooming out.

I got the Nuvi 200 for Xmas for $169 on Amazon and love it. I looked at the 200W but when I saw the map view of the two side by side it didn't appear to show anymore info than the 200. It simply stretched the same info. Are you sure yours is actually showing you more streets right and left than a non WS version?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: jasonja

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: PurdueRy


I really like my Garmin 200W. The 4.3" screen was very important for me, as was the quality of the Garmin maps and the interface.

I like to point out NONE of wide screen GPS I tested (Nuvi 200W, Nuvi 650, TomTom 510, TomTom 720, Omnitech, Harman Kardon GPS500, Sanyo 4050) provide actual more useful information while Navigating. (except map browsing mode, or data input mode)


here is a quick review I have on Nuvi 200W.
http://www.gpspassion.com/foru...pic.asp?TOPIC_ID=95930

Can't say I've ever really said that these units need more info on the screen. That's the beauty of the large screen, to display a large map.

It's easier to select options on the screen with the large real estate. I have small hands and still typing in a street name or 2 were sometimes difficult to select on the 3.5" screens. I feel the 4.3" helped quite a bit here.

In addition, being able to read street names further R/L of your position is useful to me. There have been times where I just want to know where I need to go to get to a street that is not my destination. Instead of typing it into theGPS I prefer just finding the road on the map if I can and driving there. Wider screen means less time spent zooming out.

I got the Nuvi 200 for Xmas for $169 on Amazon and love it. I looked at the 200W but when I saw the map view of the two side by side it didn't appear to show anymore info than the 200. It simply stretched the same info. Are you sure yours is actually showing you more streets right and left than a non WS version?

Pretty sure, but I haven't directly compared them. One thing for sure is that the buttons are large which is handy for entering street names and locations. I'll compare the maps some other time. I got my 200W for $200 shipped so The cost difference was worth it in my opinion.

Its an excellent GPS though! I like the windshield mount as well

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: BurningDog

This is the post the finally convinced me that I need a GPS.

Is the C320 the best one for price/hacking performance ratio?

It really depends on what is important to you.

There is a Porsch which main purpose is its performance.
And there is Toyota w/ all the gadget, sound system, 4 doors and big trunk.

Now, if you are looking for GPS performance-wise ONLY, then Mio w/ TeleAtlas still not up to the par.

I second the Teleatlas sentiment.

I tried out the Mio C520 (briefly), and I have spent a lot of time with the TomTom Go920, which is pretty much the premiere Teleatlas-based GPS on the US market.

While the Teleatlas maps are not WRONG per se (at least in the San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area where I drive), both devices overestimate the travel time on freeways (by as much as 30%) and make inefficient routing choices because of it.

(like, say, routing me from Santa Clara to San Francisco via I-280 or, worse, up I-880 and over the Bay Bridge, when heading straight up the 101 is faster, shorter, and requires less travel time on surface streets)

I LOVE a lot of things about the GO920 (like the city/street entry system that remembers my previously used choices) but I am likely to return it due to routing issues.

 

[Odeen]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: BurningDog
I'm more interested in which would make the best windows CE computer that would also just happen to function as a GPS.

No doubt, MIO will be the best choice for you.

The problem is that the Mio makes for an iffy GPS. There are some great things about it (like the fact that it lists the next 4 turns to the right of the map, really taking advantage of the widescreen form factor), but some UI quirks and lousy routing are, to me, deal killers.

 

[a125002580]

um..if its me, i would rather buy the 650 one for 200 bucks more..otherwise it will be too old to use soon...but still thank you for your information

 

[Jawo]

My parents got the Garmin Nuvi 650 in Dec and couldnt be happier with it....even my technophobic step-mom likes it! It has a very easy to use GUI, large POI database, and lots of other features.