Which GPS do I buy?
Updated: April 2008
It depends...The best GPS for hiking the Inca Trail is different than the best GPS for touring the streets of Paris. Will you be using it in a car, in a boat or just for walking? If you need a multipurpose unit, start by looking for a units designed for your primary use, then consider your options and alternatives.
Which GPS to buy also depends on where you will be using it. The Global Positioning Systems is truly global, but when making decisions about purchasing a GPS, you need to know if the manufacture provides detailed maps for your area of interest. Here is something to consider: Most of the email I receive is from people looking for maps that didn't come with their GPS.
Before presenting my list of recommendations, I must admit that I prefer Garmin brand GPS receivers. Garmin has the biggest share of the recreational market in the United States (where I live) and therefore the largest user base, which means that there are a lot of people with Garmin products that are willing to help a new user. Garmin also offers a large selection of nautical charts, street and topo maps for several countries. For places that are not well mapped, there is a growing group of Map Authors creating custom basemaps for Garmin receivers - which makes the Garmin brand even more appealing.
Recommended navigation units and handheld devices organized by category:
- Car Navigation for GPS Tours
- Hiking and Geocaching
- On- and Off-road, All Terrain
- Recreational Boating
Note that I do not list aviation units or specialized marine units, because professional navigators require more detail than I have chosen to present here.
Garmin nuvi Comparison Chart > Car nav units with support for GPS Tours
GPS-enabled, self-guided tours are a great application of GPS technology. These car navigation devices support multi-media tour guide content, but are not as well suited for GPS tours as the newer nuvi 700 series (see more nuvi comparison charts below).
MUST HAVEs include pre-loaded maps so that its ready to go right out-of-the-box, Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology which enables the device to speak street names, self-contained speakers with optional means of integrating with vehicle audio system, SD-card slot so that you can easily add new maps and other content.
OPTIONAL features include: wide screen, hands free phone features via Bluetooth technology, traffic and weather information on-the-fly.
| Model |
Screen Size W x H |
Map Coverage |
Car audio integration |
TourGuide Content |
Bluetooth |
On-the-fly information |
Price Check |
 nuvi 350 |
2.8" x 2.1" (3.5"diagnal)) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
no |
FM traffic compatible |
at Amazon |
 nuvi 360 |
2.8" x 2.1" (3.5"diagnal) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic compatible |
at Amazon |
 nuvi 370 |
2.8" x 2.1" (3.5"diagnal) |
"TransAtlantic" (United States, Canada, and Europe ) |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic compatible |
at Amazon |
Garmin nuvi 600 series comparison chart
Simular line-up to 300-series, nuvi 600-series have wider, brighter screen.
| Model |
Screen Size W x H |
Map Coverage |
Car audio integration |
TourGuide Content |
Bluetooth |
On-the-fly information |
Price Check |
 nuvi 650 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
no |
FM traffic compatible |
at Amazon |
 nuvi 660 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitter |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic compatible |
at Amazon |
 Nuvi 670 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag) |
"TransAtlantic" (United States, Canada, and Europe ) |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitter |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic compatible |
at Amazon |
 nuvi 680 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag)) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitter |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic |
at Amazon |
More nuvi comparison charts > Car nav units with support for GPS Tours and Routes
The nuvi 700 series is particularly sutied for GPS tours with advanced navigation features. I highly recommend these units for use with commercially available GPS tours. The multi-point routing capability of these devices provide spoken turn-by-turn directions for navigating point to point for up to 10 tour points. Read my review of nuvi 760 here.
| Model |
Screen Size W x H |
Map Coverage |
Car audio integration |
TourGuide Content |
Bluetooth |
On-the-fly information |
Price Check |
 nuvi 750 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitterr |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
no |
FM traffic and MSN Direct compatible |
at Amazon |
 nuvi 760 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitter |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic and MSN Direct compatible |
at Amazon |
 Nuvi 770 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag) |
"TransAtlantic" (United States, Canada, and Europe ) |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitter |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic and MSN Direct compatible |
at Amazon |
 nuvi 780 |
Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag)) |
United States and Canada |
int.speakers & audio line-out connector & FM transmitter |
audio (mp3) & images (jpg) |
yes |
FM traffic |
at Amazon |
| Memory Card |
nüvi Dash Mount |
GPS Accessories
Dash Mount: I highly recommend a bean bag mount for your StreetPilot or nuvi. If you use a windshield suction cup mount, it will inevitably fail and the fall may damage the unit.
Memory Cards: The units listed above do not inlcude memory cards. Using memory card is an easy way to tranfer files to your device without cables or additional software.
On- and Off-road, all-terrain Dashtop GPS
The
Garmin
Quest II is my pick for a multi-purpose unit. My brother uses Quest
II to navigate to the missile range and then takes it with him when he hops
out of the HUMV to mark the locations of impact craters. It is automatic
routing with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance for the car, PLUS
its rugged and waterproof for the trail. And it records tracks and store
routes where most car units do not. The Quest II comes pre-loaded with US
and Canada street maps with you can also load optional
topo maps.
Hiking and Geocaching
For
hiking, I recommend the eTrex
Legend HCx. New for 2007 the (H) Highly Sensitive, (C) Color, (x) x-series.
This highly sensitive receiver is your best bet for maintaining signal lock
in canyons and under dense canopy. Color maps are easier to read. And the
x-series feature expandable memory via microSD card slot. Like its legendary
predecessor the Legend HCx comes with basemap, which includes major roads,
political boundaries, oceans, rivers and lakes. For street and topographic
detail you must choose from a variety of optional maps. Optional maps are
loaded on the microSD card (not included) or you can purchase microSD cards
with maps preloaded.
Click here for links to Optional Maps and Blank microSD cards.
Thru-hiking?
For
through-hiking, the expandable memory via microSD card slot enables you
to carry vast amounts of map data. A 1-Gig
microSD memory card will hold topos for the entire AT or PCT. And another
advantage of using the eTrex
Legend HCx on long trails is that it uses rechargeable AAs giving you
flexible power options.
Multi-stage
geocaching?
I recommend a GPS with built-in digital compass, which will maintain bering even when you are standing still. This is helpful when seeking multi-stage caches like my "River Bluff" cache which requires you to navigate from stage one to stage two by distance and bearing. It is also helpful when pattern searching the cache proximity. So, of the Garmins designed for Geocaching, my pick is the GPSMAP 60CSx,
Recreational Boating
I
consider the Garmin
GPSMap 76Cx the best (mount optional) handheld for land and sea, especially
for use on canoes, kayaks and runabouts. It is autorouting for use in the
car and comes packed with nautical data for open water. More than once,
the tide prediction feature of the GPSMap 76 has saved me from getting stuck
in pluff mud while navigating the marshes of the South Carolina low country.
It has a large color display and best of all it floats. I prefer the 76Cx
over the 76CSx because the built-in compass and altimeter of the "S"
model tends to drain batteries.
For detailed coast and shore line maps, you will need to purchase either Garmin Blue Chart or Recreational Lakes.
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Feel free contact me if you have questions.
- Doug
