For us Maxima owners who opted out of the GPS Navigation system... I recently bought a Garmin portable GPS, and have to say... This is a better way to go than the inboard one sold for $2,000!!

Garmin GPS

Pros:
1. Totally portable, can be used in any car anytime.
2. Gets you there just like the $2,000 unit.
3. Maps for the entire USA (and parts of Canada) are included.
4. 128MB Memory card allows you to program the maps you need.
5. Maps can be reprogrammed anytime. (going to Dallas.. Program the maps. Going to New Orleans.. Program the maps)
6. When you sell your car... You still have a GPS unit!!

Cons:
1. Screen is smaller than OEM unit.
2. Map redraw is slowww.
3. Programming destination is a major chore!!
4. Dash mounting tape is not going on my dash!! (must use beanbag mount)

All in all for $650, I like this unit better than the OEM that comes with the newer Maximas.

 

Care to fix your link? I'm interested in reading some more info.

 

 

Oops.... sorry guys

Streetpilot lll Link

 

the problem with navigation is the cost involved...the more fancy you want to go, the more you need to spend....you can go indash touch screen TV and GPS device with dvd navigation discs but plan to spend $2000...

for $2,000 I'd sooner pull out a map and navigate myself...

 

You can get the best deals on the Garmin Street Pilot, Street Pilot Colormap and the Street Pilot III on Ebay.

 

ebay is the place for the best deals on ANYTHING..from GPS to HIDs to even ghost **** in a jar...

 

If you're into that sort of thing.

 

i considered it and am still sorta considering it,

problem is eventhough it is portable, i would still have it on my max about 90% of the time, and it looks really visible on the dash. and i think that wouldbe thieves are looking for that sort of thing, al they have to do is bust a window grab it and run, no waste of time

i am still looking for a good aftermarket in dash alternative
though

 

Another alternative I have considered before is the PDA with a GPS receiver. It looks cool and have some advantages over the regular portable GPS devices such as Garmin. You can get the latest iPaq with NAVMAN receiver and software for around $600 and be happy

 

1. Screen is smaller than OEM unit.
2. Map redraw is slowww.
3. Programming destination is a major chore!!
4. Dash mounting tape is not going on my dash!! (must use beanbag mount)


If these cons don't bother you, than nice find. Me on the other hand, don't have to worry about messy tape on the dash, map redraw is good, and reporgramming is as easy as touching the screen 2-3 times. I also don't have to squint to see where I am going. *shrug*

Not to mention that there's a girl in my dash that likes to talk to me from time to time when I get lost..

 

I hear ya!

 

If it's any consolation... The Garmin has a speaker with a girl who tells you when to turn as well.

 

oh..

 

$100
Mapopolis
http://www.mapopolis.com
or
Routis
http://www.deluo.com/Merchant2/merch...tegory_Code=GA

Get any 64Meg Ipaq (any including the older 3765 and up, but SD card is recommended for maps) or Dell Axim X5
$250 if shopped right

$5 vent clip

$159 for CF GPS... you really want this one and this place is great to get it
http://www.semsons.com/holuxgps.html

You will have the SAME if not alot newer NAVtech data. (mine is alot newer than the Zenrin OEM data) You will not have as many Points of Interest that the DVD OEM Nav will have, but you'll have all the hotels, restaurants and parks you need.

You'll love it.. it works, routes and reroutes *FAST* but usually almost instantaneous, alot faster than the Garmin I just sold.. Plus, you can have PDA plus phone, or any number of things a PDA will also do. The PDA addresses about all the 'cons' listed. Fast input with touchscreen, easy map management, destinations in your contacts, and so on..

 

For the money, the Garmin is great. It gives turn by turn instructions and an easy to read map. Map redraw isn't THAT slow. The bean bag mount fits nicely in the area in front of the clock, and it doesn't budge. I'm a Realtor and use the crap out of my Street Pilot and love it. Plus, when I use the wife's 4Runner, I can bring the nav with me.