Portable GPS with worldwide capabilities?

I've been looking at fairly basic models, and the Garmin Nuvi 350 (or 360 if you like bluetooth connectivity) is a decent unit, pocket sized and easy to use.

I've seen it for as low as $359 from reputable dealers. It comes loaded with maps for North America, but you can buy Europe and other regions on a memory card and simply plug them into the unit when you travel.

There are plenty of sites out there doing reviews, such as this one:

http://www.gpsreview.net/

 

+1 for the Nuvi. Used it in the past. Really good unit.

 

TomTom 910... http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=268&Category=0&Lid=4

Forget all the others, this is the best, and easiest. It comes PRELOADED with North America and Europe. We use it here, and used it in Europe, it's great!

 

Guys what about the portable hand-held GPS units, does anybody have some to recommend?

I was looking at the Garmin Rino 520 and 530 model line, they also have FRS/GMRS radio or something to that extent....

Thanks!

 

I bought a Garmin Nuvi 350 for use in Italy last year on a trip. I now use it here and am taking it on a trip to Switzerland next month.

I really like it. Small, fits in a shirt pocket, and the battery lasts all day.

 

How do you find the build quality of that unit (the Nuvi 350)? It looks very fragile to me - the reason the Rino attracted me more is because it looks like something that can be taken off road/hiking/etc.

Although now that I looked at the one you mentioned it's very intriguing that it could be used both in a vehicle or on a person; it's darn small.

 

I always just keep a blue push pin in my shirt pocket with a tag that says "you are here." If I'm lost, I just pull it out, stick it in the ground, & I know just right where I am

 

Heh I thought they were not very useful either (it's not that hard to find a way in a major city/etc. plus it makes you think more), and for hiking I thought you can navigate by landmarks.

Then I took a few trips and went across a desert and a number of volcanic lava fields (miles and miles of nothing and no visible landmarks) and I wished I had one ;-)

 

Any GPS system is only as good as its mapping data base.

See here

http://p10.hostingprod.com/@www.gpsmagazine.com/2006/07/navteq_vs_teleatlas_which_one.html


As for being flimsy, I really can’t agree with that. The Nuvi seems well put together, and the satellite acquisition is amazing. I actually get some reception in my family room near a sliding glass door.

One thing I did notice was that the one way streets in Italy were not accurately mapped. It wanted us to turn into a one way street against traffic on several occasions.

I have no need for Bluetooth, massive storage, or MP3 capability, all I wanted was the mapping, directions and portability. We wanted to be able to use it on walking trips.

The additional cost for the Europe card was a put-off though I agree.

 

http://www.megagps.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1086

I ordered one of these last Saturday. The reason why I ordered it is to have a navigation that can be moved from one car to another. I really wasn't looking for one but when I was searching the web, I came across this, read it and it seemed to be pretty respectable. It has pre-loaded maps for USA and Canada plus the bluetooth which is pretty cool but what really got me going is the price.. its only $269! I can't wait to get it through the mail and I will post a review as soon as I get it.