Satellite Navigation Systems

[Paxton]

I have decided to bite the bullet and get a Sat Nav for the Territory. I don't want the Factory Set-up, as I want something portable, for when I have to take the Wife's car, but I would also like something for travel, as I am heading over to the East Coast USA in October, and plan to do some driving over there.

What would you guys recommend for a Sat-Nav, that is <$1,000, with a 3 Inch+ Touch Screen, with the ability to install US, European and Other Maps onto it? I have been shown a Garmin ICN 530 however a Mare of mine has a Garmin, and believes that they are better than the Navmans, and has tried to talk me into The Garmin Nuvi 310. I have no idea about either, and would appreciate some pointers. At the moment, it looks like I am heading towards the Navman. I must admit that the GPS Navigators are something that I don't know much about, so your help us greatly appreciated.

[Matty4]

I just borrowed a Garmin Streetpilot C320 (I think that's the model) for a trip to QLD and back, worked flawlessly. Its maps are loaded via an SD card so you could get overseas maps on another card for it. It's probably 18 months old now and has come down in price, but for the money it's a pretty good unit and has all the features you specified.

Cheers,
Matty

[schmidty]

Spend the extra $100 and buy a NAVMAN ICN 720. Very happy with mine. Very easy to use, and well layed out.

Or there is an equivalent model tom tom out now for the same price, has some extra features as far as interaction with your mobile phone, will read your text messages to you and works as a portable hands free. Also flays mp3's. All via bluetooth. When i looked around, there are definate advantages in spending up to the $1100 mark. most stuff under say $750 is really just a compromise in my opinion.

Good luck with the purchase.

[Silver Ghia]

I would look at the Road Angel that also warns on "safety" camera and black spot locations, as well as showing the speed limit at these locations. Also a highly accurate speedometer. Not sure how they compare with the others around the $1000 mark however.

[Mechan1k]

Have been using my Garmin StreetPilot 2610 for the past 12 months ... it has been great.

Most GPS unti will lose reception in Sydney CBD ... but that's a given though (good thing I know my way around there).

But interstate it was great ... especially in areas you don't know ... made travelling less stressful.

The new Garmin Nuvi is meant to be a top unit as well. There was a recent review in the NRMA Open Road of the most current GPS units. Was a decent write-up as well.

[FORDEBV8]

my mate has 1 there really good he uses it all the time to find petrol stations.