My wife and I are looking to buy my parents a GPS device for there car as a holiday present. We are willing to spend up to $325 U.S.D. What do recommend?

Thank you for your help.

I use an HP-Compaq myself. With a GPRS (cell phone) or WiFi connection, I can use Google Mobile Maps anywhere in the world without having to buy and install maps. The fact that it's also a computer that will run a gazillion applications is just gravy. I've used this one for several years - there are newer, even more capable models available now: http://h20331.www2.hp.com/Hpsub/cach...0-225-121.html

This model is available today for about $100. Here's how else I use mine: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...10&postcount=9

Basiclly you have three choices nowadays; Magellan, TomTom and Garmin. There are 100's of other contenders out there, but these three make up the vast majority of the market. Each of them has several models, from entry level units (The Magellan 3100, the TomTom ONE and the Garmin NUVI 200). These units are great for most people, have decent maps and POI databases and all come with windshield mount and car cord. The cheapest will be the Magellan and the TomTom, each at around $200 but for around $160 when on sale.

Next step up will get you larger screens and some more options, The TomTom ONExl, the Garmin Nuvi 3XX series or the Nuvi 250W or the Magellan 4000. These units run anywhere from $300 to $400. At the moment, Costco has the Garmin Nuvi 250W for $299 (here).

After this come the high end units, mostly with Bluetooth handsfree calling, mp3 players and other (IMHO useless) features). In this segment you'll find the TomTom 720, the Garmin 680 and the Magellan 4050.

One of the advanages of the high end units is traffic information, but if all you need is a good, easy to use and reliable unit, then the 250W is the one to pick.

While there is nothing wrong with the Garmin via the link, I see Costco is scaring off potential California buyers with this disclaimer:

NOTICE TO STATE OF CALIFORNIA DRIVERS: California Vehicle Code section 26708(a)(1) provides that "No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows." Drivers in California should not use the suction mount on their windshield or side or rear windows.

Problem is, this cite is not the applicable one for consumers based upon my prior research. Here is what I think is the proper cite, which does allow attachment to one's windshield:

CA Vehicle Code 27602. (a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle if a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business applications, is operating and is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver's seat, or is operating and visible to the driver while driving the motor vehicle.(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to the following equipment when installed in a vehicle: (1) A vehicle information display. (2) A global positioning display. (3) A mapping display. (4) A visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle. (5) A television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or any other, similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal, if that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive. (c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to a mobile, digital terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing emergency road service or roadside assistance.

BTW, Minnesota is alleged to have a windshield restriction also.

Costco is correct (from my "research"). Both laws are separate. You can't drive with a GPS unit on the windshield. AND you can't drive with a TV or screen in the car UNLESS it is a GPS unit.

http://www.garrett-engineers.com/mam...=182&Itemid=82

Is an example of a site. Both laws are different, but cover similar equipment.

Here is what Garmin says about it:

http://www8.garmin.com/include/produ...shieldLaw.html

I do see a lot of people driving around here with GPS on their dash (most likely with suction cup mounts); I suspect the law is enforced about as much as the tinted window law. But, it's good to be warned, none the less.

They live in the NorthEast so most of the driving will be in CT, MA and NY. I'm not to worried about legality.

...of the dashboard and hood behind it. In no way does it impede my vision of traffic. But even this isn't the stupidest law against technology enacted by the California legislature.

In the 1970s, a sport called "phone phreaking" was popular with a certain type of the nerd persuasion. It required a "blue box" (which Steve Wozniak made a lot of money building and selling) to create tones that allowed a phreaker to control the telephone network.

So California, in its wisdom, outlawed "any electronic device capable of producing two simultaneous tones whose frequencies lay within the band used by telephone DTMF signaling."

At a stroke, they had rendered illegal every electric piano, electronic organ, and synthesizer in the state.

My Garmin GPS unit came with a suction cup and a metal disk. The disk fastens to the dashboard and is to be used in states like CA that prohibit windshield mounts.

I have had the best luck with TomTom's - the new TomTom ONE VS or whatever it is does text to speech (speaks road names) which is the only way to go.

Garmin products seem to lag a bit, like if I was to exit - it would tell me to exit after I already started too. TomTom always keeps you informed and seems to have better positioning.

You also have to look at the company - GPS hardware companies are the best since they will update their products (maps) or go out of business.

When I originally got my first TomTom I first bought a Sony GPS unit on clearance. The maps where 2 years old and spending an hour or two back at the hotel I learned Sony had no plans to update them. I took it back and got my original TomTom ONE.

I now use a TomTom Go 720 and love it, although the new TomTom ONE VS (whatever) has pretty much the same features, or at least most important, text to speech.

Will it just be for the car, or do they travel, bring it with them, hike, drive rental cars, etc? If yes to those you may want to look into a smaller form unit.

My boss just went through this, and something I never would have thought of, she couldn't see the screens on most units, they were too small, so she needed a larger screen.

Just things to consider.

I have used both Garmin and now TomTom and would have no probems buying another one should something happen to mine. I have the 910 with all the maps built in already, so no downloading, swapping memory cards, etc. I've never owned Magellan, so can't comment on them.

Well, you have whatever maps they loaded in when they built it. But roads and POIs have this annoying tendency to change over time. That's what makes the idea of real-time map download so appealing. I see detours on my Google Maps that didn't even exist yesterday.

I have a Gramin Nuvi 350 and love it. It's about the size of a deck of cards, has text-to-speech so the street names at turns are pronounced. It can use an SD card for additional maps, pictures, or MP3 files. It's been very accurate wherever I try it, and I travel all over the country. A plus for your parents might also be that uses a touch screen and is very easy to use. Amazon.com currently lists it for $359, a bit above your price point, but other Internet suppliers sell it for less.

I also bought the nuvi 350 for my wife and she loves it. The difference from cheaper unit was the text-to-speech - "Turn left on Elm Street" vs. "Turn left" which makes a big difference to her.

She's now looking for one for her parents. Costco had a great deal on one, but without the name feature, it was a non-starter.

Another vote for the Garmin Nuvi (370 here). And I am in CA and affix it to the bottom left corner of my windshield as there is an exception to the CA law about affixing material to the bottom left 5 sq in of the windshield: