For the past few years, the Apple iPod has been the hottest holiday gadget on just about everyone’s wish list. While I still think the iPod and iPhone will be hot sellers this year, I think an even bigger seller will be portable GPS navigation units. I wrote a review of one that I bought as a gift, the Navigon 2100 and the response to that review has been overwhelming. It’s taken a life of its own and the number of comments dwarf my very popular iPhone review. Now that GPS units have fallen well below the $200 mark, they are much more attractive to casual buyers. I plan to give away at least 3 this year. Everyone I know (or at least one ones on my list) are all set with iPods. So it’s all about GPS’s.
My top picks in this category are the:
Garmin Nüvi 660 (for the one you REALLY love 🙂 )
Garmin Nüvi 200 (great entry level unit)
There are deals to be had out there! So do some shopping around.
I agree, Terry. I just bought a Garmin for myself and one for my sister and brother-in-law. Everybody in my family already has an iPod.
Having seen the nuvi in action on a 500 mile trip with a friend this summer, I wanted to get one but my friend’s unit was selling in the low $400’s, which was above my price point. I settled on a refurbished nuvi 260W for about half the price. It doesn’t display photos or play tunes but I didn’t need those features. As far as I can tell, there is no functional or physical differences between the higher end unit and the 260W in terms of map display and route finding. Also, no evidence of wear or anything that would set this apart from a brand new unit. Also, the unit was eligible for a free update over the Internet to the 2009 map program, worth about $50. To do so, you must register the unit promptly and then you have about 30 days to take advantage of the free update. I ran into problems attempting to register the unit via the Internet but Garmin support people handled that for me very soon after I contacted them by email. Also had a glitch in the download of the map update but once again the Garmin support people came through almost immediately. Refurbished does not mean second rate either in terms or performance or customer support.