GPS Systems > GPS receiver GPS Systems > $300 - $500

Advantages: very fast and quiet
Disadvantages: a bit expensive

The Garmin Nüvi 350 is based on the SiRFstarIII GPS chip, which boasts fast satellite-acquisition times and improved GPS-signal reception in areas where the view of the sky may be partially blocked by dense foliage or tall buildings. In addition to voice-guided, turn-by-turn driving directions, the Nüvi offers all the usual features we've come to expect from today's crop of in-car navigation systems, including automatic routing, the ability to save ...
...when you veer off course, and 2D and 3D map views. It also has text-to-speech directions through which the actual street name is spoken, and you can hook up an optional FM traffic receiver to obtain real-time traffic alerts. Unfortunately, the receiver will set you back another $214 for the hardware, and there's a $60-per-year subscription fee. ... Read review

Advantages: Big display, tells you street names, lots of points of interest
Disadvantages: Has trouble finding your location every once in a while

...decided to go with the Garmin Nuvi 650. It was the cheapest one with the most features we wanted. We are both very happy with it! Pros: -Nice big 4.3-inch display -Tells you street names (some other models will not give tell you street names) -Lots of points of interest and you can add more if you wanted to -Very easy to use -You can store pictures -Has an MP3 player Cons: -Sometimes you got to wait a bit for it to find your location even ... Read review

Advantages: VERY PORTABLE, CHEEP, VERY RELIABLE.
Disadvantages: LITTLE COMPLICATED TO USE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

the street pilot c580 is a really handy tool for when you are just popin out to an unfamiliar place. i used it on the way to football because i was playing somewhere 60 miles away and i got there within 30minutes and we pretty much didnt go through any traffic. it also fits on your dashboard sonits not an anoyying piece of kit it is well worth buying. it also works in other countrys so if u you want to go somewhere like france but you dont want ... Read review

Advantages: Easy to use
Disadvantages: kinda long inputing process

Advantages: Pretty Accurate Disadvantages: some steps take more time to input Recommend to potential buyers: yes Full review I just entered the job market and have attended many job interviews which require driving to unfamilar places. Before I got the Tom Tom I had to look up the address and print out maps on Mapquest everytime. But now with the Tom Tom I save time and paper. Right now I work for a temp agency which sends me to different ...
...The Tom Tom provides clear directions by voice and audio at a glance. Accurate positioning with easy access to traffic information It also calculates smarter routes which I use to remove freeway driving. I am not that great at freeway driving and I find useful that I can remove streets and highways and the news paths are mapped for me. Other stuff: 1 GB internal memory 2 hours of operation unplugged plugged in throught ciggerrate lighters ... Read review

Advantages: gets you where you need to be. you will never be lost
Disadvantages: pre-loaded data can be very out of date, uploading new data is expensive

...I was told that Garmin is the best GPS brand by the sales rep. I was deciding between models mostly based on their sleek design versus price. I went with the c330 because it was a lot cheaper and since it was only a toy for me, I decided I didn't need the extra functionality the more expensive models offered. Once I started using my GPS though, I really can't imagine how I ever lived without one. It has come in handy in countless ways that I never ...
...that everyone needs a GPS. This model is great if you just want the basics and an inexpensive GPS. My only complaint is that some of the pre-loaded maps/data are very out of date (for example, on a road trip we were trying to find a particular fast food restaurant so we selected the nearest one on the GPS and once we got to the location all we found was a bank). Therefore I really don't recommend relying on that particular feature of finding the ... Read review