nuvi questions

[Firefighter]

I have never owned a gps. Have been looking and reading and trying to fit in but I am computer challenged. Would probably buy an expensive Zumo but they seem so hi tech, probably don't need 90 % of what it does, and figure I would be frustrated trying to operate it. Not crazy about the cradles either. Do you have to use the cradle on a zumo? On zumo or nuvi, can you turn off the voice on these units? Can you use an adapter to hard wire without a power outlet? Why are there so many different units? Oh! and Valkers, I do know about road maps too.  Thanks for any input,,  Firefighter

[Moonshot_1]

I have a wife with a smart phone and data plan.

Seems like the phone knows where it's located at any given time. When we have to, we'll stop to get our bearings and info updates.

With the smart phone you can get your location through GPS, get weather, weather radar, nearest restaurant, rest stop, hotel, etc.

Probably get a lot of that info with some not so smart phones too.

I got a reg. cell phone and I can access weather radar and virtually any internet site with the appropriate data pkg.

[Patrick]

I may not be much of a help. Our bank sent us a Garmin Nuvi 40. I've never had much need for a GPS while on the ground so never had one before. I am partial to Garmin products, I find them more user friendly. The Nuvi works well and you are able to shut off the voice. Thats kinda nice, I've never been able to quiet a woman before ! 

[Farther]

I too am shopping for a GPS to replace my stolen Nuvi and have the very same concerns as you.  I keep coming back to the Nuvi 50LM and Nuvi 54LM.  They are about the simplest that I can find. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057OCDQS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3EVT9YFBXS6IW&coliid=I2JT1UFKOU3ZDC

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AY7NUYC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3EVT9YFBXS6IW&coliid=I3LCQCW8FTBVJB

For what it's worth, the paper maps and dry erase directions on the windshield really worked well for me on the last trip I took from NorCal to South Dakota last August.

[sandy]

I have never owned a gps. Have been looking and reading and trying to fit in but I am computer challenged. Would probably buy an expensive Zumo but they seem so hi tech, probably don't need 90 % of what it does, and figure I would be frustrated trying to operate it. Not crazy about the cradles either. Do you have to use the cradle on a zumo? On zumo or nuvi, can you turn off the voice on these units? Can you use an adapter to hard wire without a power outlet? Why are there so many different units? Oh! and Valkers, I do know about road maps too.  Thanks for any input,,  Firefighter

Yes the Zumo needs the cradle. The voice can be turned off by going into settings and reducing the volume to zero. If you unit has a 12 v plug, it could be cut off and extend the wire and hard wire it. Some units come with both power supplies.(Plug and wired)

[Toledo Mark]

Here is a picture of my Garmin Montana 650T with built in camera.  It will do most everything the Zumo will and it is portable. 



Physical & Performance:
 
Unit dimensions, WxHxD  2.9" x 5.7" x 1.4" (7.48 x 14.42 x 3.64 cm) 
Display size, WxH  2"W x 3.5"H (5.06 x 8.93 cm); 4" diag (10.2 cm) 
Display resolution, WxH  272 x 480 pixels 
Display type  bright, transflective 65k color TFT, dual-orientation touchscreen; sunlight readable 
Weight  10.2 oz (289 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack; 11.7 oz (333 g) with 3 AA batteries (not included) 
Battery  rechargeable lithium-ion (included) or 3 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended 
Battery life  up to 16 hours (lithium-ion); up to 22 hours (AA batteries) 
Waterproof  Yes (IPX7) 
Floats  No 
High-sensitivity receiver  Yes 
Interface  high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible 


Maps & Memory:
 
Basemap  Yes 
Preloaded maps  yes (topographic) 
Ability to add maps  Yes 
Built-in memory  3.5 GB 
Accepts data cards  microSD™ card (not included) 
Waypoints/favorites/locations  4000 
Routes  200 
Track log  10,000 points, 200 saved tracks 


Features & Benefits:
 
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads)  Yes (with optional mapping for detailed roads) 
Electronic compass  Yes (tilt-compensated 3-axis) 
Touchscreen  Yes 
Barometric altimeter  Yes 
Camera  yes (5 megapixel with autofocus; automatic geo-tagging) 
Geocaching-friendly  Yes (Paperless) 
Custom maps compatible  Yes 
Photo navigation (navigate to geotagged photos)  Yes 
Hunt/fish calendar  Yes 
Sun and moon information  Yes 
Tide tables  Yes (with optional Bluechart) 
Area calculation  Yes 
Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest)  Yes 
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units)  Yes 
Picture viewer  Yes 
Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data)  Yes 

[PAVALKER]

Here is a picture of my Garmin Montana 650T with built in camera.  It will do most everything the Zumo will and it is portable. 



Physical & Performance:
 
Unit dimensions, WxHxD  2.9" x 5.7" x 1.4" (7.48 x 14.42 x 3.64 cm) 
Display size, WxH  2"W x 3.5"H (5.06 x 8.93 cm); 4" diag (10.2 cm) 
Display resolution, WxH  272 x 480 pixels 
Display type  bright, transflective 65k color TFT, dual-orientation touchscreen; sunlight readable 
Weight  10.2 oz (289 g) with included lithium-ion battery pack; 11.7 oz (333 g) with 3 AA batteries (not included) 
Battery  rechargeable lithium-ion (included) or 3 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended 
Battery life  up to 16 hours (lithium-ion); up to 22 hours (AA batteries) 
Waterproof  Yes (IPX7) 
Floats  No 
High-sensitivity receiver  Yes 
Interface  high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible 


Maps & Memory:
 
Basemap  Yes 
Preloaded maps  yes (topographic) 
Ability to add maps  Yes 
Built-in memory  3.5 GB 
Accepts data cards  microSD™ card (not included) 
Waypoints/favorites/locations  4000 
Routes  200 
Track log  10,000 points, 200 saved tracks 


Features & Benefits:
 
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads)  Yes (with optional mapping for detailed roads) 
Electronic compass  Yes (tilt-compensated 3-axis) 
Touchscreen  Yes 
Barometric altimeter  Yes 
Camera  yes (5 megapixel with autofocus; automatic geo-tagging) 
Geocaching-friendly  Yes (Paperless) 
Custom maps compatible  Yes 
Photo navigation (navigate to geotagged photos)  Yes 
Hunt/fish calendar  Yes 
Sun and moon information  Yes 
Tide tables  Yes (with optional Bluechart) 
Area calculation  Yes 
Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest)  Yes 
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units)  Yes 
Picture viewer  Yes 
Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data)  Yes 

I have a NUVI 660 that I bought new years ago, and have been very happy with it.  It has an MP3 Player that I can play my music via the Aux port on my IS radio. It will stop music and give directions then start music again where it left off.   I initially had put it in the trunk and used FM transmitter mode... until my RAM mount arrived.   I now have lifetime maps and it still works great.  Oh yea, Bluetooth to connect to phone as well. 

You should figure out which features you would like, or can't live without and go from there.  If you can find a used one to check out first, that might be an alternative to save a few bucks and give it a shot to see if you really want/need a GPS.