Garmin StreetPilot c320

Summary: If you're looking for an inexpensive, easy to set up, easy to use GPS for the car. BUY the Garmin c320 or c330. I've owned and used both the Garmin c320 and the Navman. While the Garmin unit was more expensive (about $650 at Walmart.com) I found it later on sale at costco.com for only $450 total. I first saw the Navman unit at Fry's electronics, the price is what made it most appealing. Once I purchased the Navman my opinion quickly changed. Out of the box, the unit is simple to assemble and mount, HOWEVER loading the software is complicated, you can only load a few maps so an upgrade from the 128mb SD card is needed. The other issue is that since this is a PDA based unit (looks like a PDA, acts like a PDA) most input must be done by the included stylus. You can imagine trying to do this while the car is moving little alone driving. The Garmin on the other hand has a firm mount, large, simple to understand buttons (on it's touch screen). Although not recommended it's fairly simple to use even while driving. The Navman requires you to OPEN a file like on a computer, load it, then access it, the whole interface is far too complicated. The one negative with the Garmin was the maps, while super easy to load and figure out, some places don't appear that you know are there. For example a store or street. I think this will be solved with map upgrades that you can download today at garmin.com. My wife also complained that it took her routes that she did not want to go. I think this is also something that can be solved.

I returned my Navman which costco.com has on sale for $375 and again purchased the Garmin c320. At $450 it's worth it, normally I lug around my laptop with a plug in GPS sensor. I love the big screen however the small Garmin is great to find restaurants, hotels, postoffices etc. It even finds walmarts and targets while you travel as well as gas stations and campgrounds. A child can figure out the interface and get it working. You only need plug in a USB computer to the unit to upload the needed maps, usually 1 to 2 states will fit on the 128mb scandisk SD card. If you don't want to ever mess with a computer buy the c330, it has all the maps preloaded. ready to run