[drtrcer]

I am ready to purchase a portable (not handheld) GPS for our :ssr . Have narrowed it down to the Garmin 2630 or the Magellan 700. They are both very close in the $$$'s, but haven't been able to find both at one place to compare side by side as in screen clarity, etc. And, as with many other items, the members here seem to have the better "consumer reports" for actual use of many different items, more honest and accurate than the vendors.
Any and all comments, pro and con, would be very much appreciated,
thanks in advance,
Duke :flag

 

[JeffDBFl]

I have the garmin 2620 and am very happy with it. It has a little smaller screen than the magellan 700. I like the idea that garmin can be updated from the internet

 

[dougnc]

I've had the Garmin 2630 for years. I was so happy with it I bought one for most of my family. I really don't understand how anyone could live without a GPS.

However, it's pretty small. I used to put it on top of the steering column against the speedometer. Now I just carry it when I'm flying somewhere, so I can use it in a rental. I bought a larger Garmin street pilot model. It has a little mounting thing with sticky stuff on the bottom where you can just stick it on the dash.

What people don't realise about these GPS's is that they act more like super compasses than maps. When you turn it on it shows you exactly where you are in relation to the nearby city and major roads. I carry that little Garmin around when I'm in a strange city, so I can always find my hotel.

Like I said, I can't imagine living without a GPS. That's why I have two!

arty

 

[drtrcer]

I've had the Garmin 2630 for years. I was so happy with it I bought one for most of my family. I really don't understand how anyone could live without a GPS.

However, it's pretty small. I used to put it on top of the steering column against the speedometer. Now I just carry it when I'm flying somewhere, so I can use it in a rental. I bought a larger Garmin street pilot model. It has a little mounting thing with sticky stuff on the bottom where you can just stick it on the dash.

What people don't realise about these GPS's is that they act more like super compasses than maps. When you turn it on it shows you exactly where you are in relation to the nearby city and major roads. I carry that little Garmin around when I'm in a strange city, so I can always find my hotel.

Like I said, I can't imagine living without a GPS. That's why I have two!

arty

Thanks, because actually I am leaning towards the Garmin Streetpilot 2630. Also, the newer Streetpilot c330 has a very clear screen, and is smaller in overall size, so I do believe it's going to be one of these.

And as far as GPS, the systems used in construction on the equipment, is amazing. No need for surveyors other than to set three points to let the machine know where it is ( long. and lat.), and the operator just drives, following the screen in front of him. It holds line and grade to within a 1/4"( the higher $$$ one's) vertically and horizontially. And the models for the jobs are getting very reasonable is cost also.

Thanks again, Duke

 

[RSHottel]

I have the Magellan and it is great for me. Screen is good and clear. It will talk to you to tell you where to go. I move it between 5 different vehicles and love it. I work construction and look at a lot of jobs and it helps me a lot. The Magellan comes with a CD and it can also be updated via the internet.

 

[redssrloaded]

What is Garmin 2630? I can't find any info on the 2630 on their website. Is it an older version? I just ordered one yesterday from Amazon. I did a lot of research and Garmin is the one to get over Magellan. The one big difference appears to be that you can program the 26xx to take you to multiple locations without needing to program it. For example, if you are seeing a bunch of houses for sale you can program all the addresses in there and then it will take you from the first house to the second one and the third and so on... That was the deal maker for me.


I got the 2610 and ordered a 2GB CF card to load the whole US and Canada in there. This will effectively make it like the 2620 (internal hard drive). I have heard that it performs better this way. Faster and better in cold weather than an internal hard drive. Price wise the two (card and 2610) come out to be the same. Amazon has the 2610 for $620 and the cards you can actually pick up for less than $150. The 128 MB card that comes with it is fine for most one city trips. You need the 2 GB card if you are going around to different states. Also the CF card allows you to upgrade more readily in the future than an hard drive.

Here are 2 cool sites:

http://gpsinformation.net/

http://forums.gpscity.com/

 

[dougnc]

What is Garmin 2630? I can't find any info on the 2630 on their website. Is it an older version? I just ordered one yesterday from Amazon. I did a lot of research and Garmin is the one to get over Magellan. The one big difference appears to be that you can program the 26xx to take you to multiple locations without needing to program it. For example, if you are seeing a bunch of houses for sale you can program all the addresses in there and then it will take you from the first house to the second one and the third and so on... That was the deal maker for me.


I got the 2610 and ordered a 2GB CF card to load the whole US and Canada in there. This will effectively make it like the 2620 (internal hard drive). I have heard that it performs better this way. Faster and better in cold weather than an internal hard drive. Price wise the two (card and 2610) come out to be the same. Amazon has the 2610 for $620 and the cards you can actually pick up for less than $150. The 128 MB card that comes with it is fine for most one city trips. You need the 2 GB card if you are going around to different states. Also the CF card allows you to upgrade more readily in the future than an hard drive.

Here are 2 cool sites:

http://gpsinformation.net/

http://forums.gpscity.com/

What I found out was that it's too much trouble trying to load these things with waypoints and directions. It was easier just to hit Yahoo maps before I went anywhere and print out the directions. You can usually match the directions to the GPS. Also, too much detail gets too confusing on these small screens. It takes you five minutes to go five miles, you normally want to go out to about an 8 to 10 mile view. Obviously seeing every cross street in an 10 mile view is going to be too confusing.

You want to make sure you're getting one with the entire U.S. loaded in when you buy it. That, I believe, was the probelm with the Magellan, even tho I haven't looked at them for a while.

These things work best as a sort of super compess. It's hard to explain, but it's really amazing to always know where you are in relation to the towns and major highways.

If you really want the directions and more detail you need one that's hooked to a CD rom and with a big color screen. But even tho I'm a programmer, it seems like a lot of trouble for the possible gain. Where a GPS comes in handy is in those unexpected situations, where you have to take a detour or you've been driving around and need to know your way back. It's easy to mark a waypoint for your house or the hotel you're staying at, and it's really easy just to aim yourself in that direction.

Oh, the 2630 hasn't been sold for a few years. The last I looked they were selling mostly the same thing but in more stylish colors.

 

[drtrcer]

sorry

What is Garmin 2630? I can't find any info on the 2630 on their website. Is it an older version? I just ordered one yesterday from Amazon. I did a lot of research and Garmin is the one to get over Magellan. The one big difference appears to be that you can program the 26xx to take you to multiple locations without needing to program it. For example, if you are seeing a bunch of houses for sale you can program all the addresses in there and then it will take you from the first house to the second one and the third and so on... That was the deal maker for me.


I got the 2610 and ordered a 2GB CF card to load the whole US and Canada in there. This will effectively make it like the 2620 (internal hard drive). I have heard that it performs better this way. Faster and better in cold weather than an internal hard drive. Price wise the two (card and 2610) come out to be the same. Amazon has the 2610 for $620 and the cards you can actually pick up for less than $150. The 128 MB card that comes with it is fine for most one city trips. You need the 2 GB card if you are going around to different states. Also the CF card allows you to upgrade more readily in the future than an hard drive.

Here are 2 cool sites:

http://gpsinformation.net/

http://forums.gpscity.com/

Sorry, I meant the 2620 by Garmin :confused

 

[RickSSR]

My friends had 2 Garmin units with them on our Hawaii Trip, they work great, one unit had a remote control. Don't know the model number, but I would get 1.:thumbs

RickSSR :cool

 

[drtrcer]

What is Garmin 2630? I can't find any info on the 2630 on their website. Is it an older version? I just ordered one yesterday from Amazon. I did a lot of research and Garmin is the one to get over Magellan. The one big difference appears to be that you can program the 26xx to take you to multiple locations without needing to program it. For example, if you are seeing a bunch of houses for sale you can program all the addresses in there and then it will take you from the first house to the second one and the third and so on... That was the deal maker for me.


I got the 2610 and ordered a 2GB CF card to load the whole US and Canada in there. This will effectively make it like the 2620 (internal hard drive). I have heard that it performs better this way. Faster and better in cold weather than an internal hard drive. Price wise the two (card and 2610) come out to be the same. Amazon has the 2610 for $620 and the cards you can actually pick up for less than $150. The 128 MB card that comes with it is fine for most one city trips. You need the 2 GB card if you are going around to different states. Also the CF card allows you to upgrade more readily in the future than an hard drive.

Here are 2 cool sites:

http://gpsinformation.net/

http://forums.gpscity.com/

Thanks, I did find gpscity while looking on Tuesday. They have the best prices so far of any I have seen.

 

[WOW_FCTR]

Garmin

I have the Garmin Ique3600. I don't know about the others you are talking about but the Ique is about $400 and is a PDA as well. You can load other programs on it just like a reqular PDA. It's hand held and you can get a car kit. You can also get golf, fishing, and other 'maps' as well. I did have one issue where is seemed to lose all my addresses once, but since it syncs up with your PC, I just downloaded it again.

 

[JeffDBFl]

The Garmin 2620 comes with the remote.

 

[steve]

Questions

You all probably know me by now.....The guy that knows nothing about computers, gps, or any thing that has to do with electronics. Help me out, The gps you are speaking of, are they portable or installed in your vehicle. How small is the screen, my eyes are not real good.
steve

 

[Marc NY]

slightly off topic

Where does one go to try to update a street name change? I have tried emailing Yahoo Maps and Mapquest and still NO changes have been made to those maps. It is frustrating as heck to get lost because of the old name streets! :confused :cuss :boxing

 

[wildcat66]

I am ready to purchase a portable (not handheld) GPS
Duke :flag

What is the difference between portable and hand held??? I know next to nothing about the GPS, sorry can't help you here.

 

[drtrcer]

What is the difference between portable and hand held??? I know next to nothing about the GPS, sorry can't help you here.

I think, and most likely wrong, but my understanding is the portables are strictly for vehicles, and the handhelds are more towards the hikers, bicycles, etc. and are more like pda's ( my computor ignorence is starting to show).
I know the portables can be moved from car to car,etc., including the mounting device.
Much more than that, I can't really say.

The information link listed in one of the replys has been very helpful, more information than I had found before, and the advise from the members is very helpful, as usual.

 

[JeffDBFl]

The Garmin 2620 screen is about 3"x2". Hope this helps.

 

[ricardo]

the garmin 2620 comes with the entire US fully loaded so there is nothing to do but turn it on. i have used it all over the country and love it.

it is a bit pricey ($900) but it is worth every penny.

 

[drtrcer]

Thanks to all, it's the 2620

the garmin 2620 comes with the entire US fully loaded so there is nothing to do but turn it on. i have used it all over the country and love it.

it is a bit pricey ($900) but it is worth every penny.

I agree, enough reading ( 2 1/2 days ), it's going to be the 2620. Like you say, it has more than enough information stored, for me anyway, will cover anywhere I decide to take the SSR.
And as far as price, anywhere from $799, inc. tax and shipping, to $1515, inc. tax and shipping, and many prices in between.

Heading to local store to see what their price is going to be.

Thanks to all that replied, a lot of helpful and truthful information,
Duke :ssr

 

[dougnc]

You all probably know me by now.....The guy that knows nothing about computers, gps, or any thing that has to do with electronics. Help me out, The gps you are speaking of, are they portable or installed in your vehicle. How small is the screen, my eyes are not real good.
steve

Here's the Street Pilot 2620. The little mounty thing has sticky to stick to your dash, and then the street pilot slides in. It's protable but not something you want to carry around.

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp2620/


Here's the handheld. It's a good starter model, I've had two. It's only around three hundred, so you can try it before buying the $1000 Street Pilot.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gps5/

These are nice because they don't have to ever be hooked to a computer. You turn them on, wait for the satelites, and that's it.

The writing isn't too small. All they have is the cities and major highways, so there's not a lot of reading needed.