For those with Portable Nav units...

BlacknTan 335i · 04-10-2009, 03:12 PM

So I wanted to pick up a window/dashboard mount Portable GPS/NAV unit...any suggestions/recommendations?

TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, etc? Specific models that work great?

Thanks!!

STE92VE · 04-10-2009, 03:17 PM

I use Garmin (I'm on my 3rd, other 2 passed down to kids) and each one was purchased with the portable friction dashmount associated with the particular model. It's great that it doesn't move from where you place it but can be picked up and allows you to program your GPS when needed. It also allows you to not have a little "ring" on your windshield that is a clear signal to thieves that there might be a GPS unit in the car.

Check out the Garmin website and see the friction dashmounts that are available.

BlacknTan 335i · 04-10-2009, 03:19 PM

I was leaning towards Garmin products so I will check them out when I swing by Best Buy today...thanks!

av8thor · 04-10-2009, 03:55 PM

Ugh, Best Buy will only have units that are two or three tiers down from top of the line.

I would strongly recommend that you cruise the Garmin website to get a good idea of all the options and bells/whistles available. If you pick from what's on the shelf at BB, you will likely miss some important feature.

Best Buy: Your first choice for second rate electronics!

SteveMD · 04-10-2009, 04:32 PM

Garmin. I have had two and both have worked flawlessly.

I used a borrowd Tom Tom while in the UK last summer and the maps are crap compared to my Garmin. You can get funny/celeb voices for Tom Toms though. John Cleese is quite amusing.

E90330iS · 04-10-2009, 04:37 PM

tom tom is cheap but you should invest more in a navi unit

Mazen · 04-10-2009, 04:37 PM

i would recommend Garmin. When i first moved i had no idea where to go and some houses don't have numbers on em or they're really hidden, garmin was the best in locatin the exact address i was looking for unlike tomtom or magelan, that's IMO

str86diesel · 04-10-2009, 04:45 PM

I take my Garmin Nuvi 660 every where I go. I travel a lot for work and it has always been reliable and accurate.

Paddy · 04-10-2009, 04:57 PM

Garmin, also purchase from Costco, they have a lifetime return policy on Nav units.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1

Nuvi 780 $250

doc1911 · 04-10-2009, 05:14 PM

Garmin Nuvi

Dwill335i · 04-10-2009, 05:24 PM

Another vote for Gamrin Nuvi w/ friction mount.

Saintor · 04-10-2009, 06:12 PM

NUVI is great but unlike Tomtom you don't get continuous free upgrades on internet. If I'd buy again, I would go with Tomtom.

Marioman · 04-10-2009, 06:17 PM

Tomtom is cheaper, garmin is usually the best and also makes it easier to update software/maps vs. tomtom. TOm toms are ridiculous to update the firmware and software.

Hope this helps...

BlacknTan 335i · 04-10-2009, 06:26 PM

Going to buy a Garmin for sure and already discovered they know NOTHING at Best Buy about these units so I will research specific Garmin models and buy online soon...thanks a lot for all the info!!

diablo2112 · 04-10-2009, 07:37 PM

Garmin. Unit below is 255W. Cable routing through the mirror wasn't as easy as it looks. LMK if you want details.

Vastly superior to the OEM BWM Nav.

purespin52 · 04-10-2009, 08:06 PM

Navigon 5100 129.99 on amazon with free shipping and it has free lifetime traffic updates and free lifetime Zagat ratings.....

i did alot of research and thought this was the best b/c of the free traffic and zagat and the reality view and lane assist feature is sick

i think the 7100 is only 169.99 and it has a bigger screen and bluetooth as well

i like Navigon alot

r!der · 04-10-2009, 08:14 PM

I have a buddy that sells most if not all portable navi units.
Send me a PM if you want his contact info. He'll prob be able to answer all your questions.

twinturboa51 · 04-10-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

Garmin, also purchase from Costco, they have a lifetime return policy on Nav units.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1

Nuvi 780 $250

+1000000000000000
Get a garmin from Costco. Best prices and Garmins are the best portable navs and i have used almost every other brand.

freshwhite335 · 04-10-2009, 09:19 PM

used a tomtom in DC this weekend. im throwing it away... literally. took at least 5 min to get a gps signal, was slow to recalculate, and the garmins voice prompts use street names where as the tomtom doesnt.

mike-y · 04-10-2009, 09:49 PM

The newer Tom Toms are much better than the previous models. I recently got one as a gift and was quite impressed with it so far. The newer models route much better than the old ones and have better maps. Also, it updates every time I plug it into my computer. It connects to the Tom Tom website and downloads the updates and map corrections (if any).

Mine locks in seconds, and also has text-to-speach, so it says street names. Not all do, so if this is important to you, check the options for each model.

ontopofm · 04-10-2009, 10:46 PM

get navigon 2100 and you can hack it to put different maps in there. Im running Igo 8 which is pretty sick with many nice skins. For less than $100 you cant go wrong. Check out the skins from here http://artwork-igo8.blogspot.com/search/label/colormap

John 070 · 04-10-2009, 10:57 PM

I got the nuvi 660 for $299 a while ago, and I think the 760 is even cheaper at $225 on amazon? Seems to work great and as I've mentioned I love the red light camera and speed camera alerts that I loaded as POIs.

04-10-2009, 03:12 PM	#1
BlacknTan 335i New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6 speed Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	For those with Portable Nav units... So I wanted to pick up a window/dashboard mount Portable GPS/NAV unit...any suggestions/recommendations? TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, etc? Specific models that work great? Thanks!!
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04-10-2009, 03:17 PM	#2
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 226 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I use Garmin (I'm on my 3rd, other 2 passed down to kids) and each one was purchased with the portable friction dashmount associated with the particular model. It's great that it doesn't move from where you place it but can be picked up and allows you to program your GPS when needed. It also allows you to not have a little "ring" on your windshield that is a clear signal to thieves that there might be a GPS unit in the car. Check out the Garmin website and see the friction dashmounts that are available. __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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04-10-2009, 03:19 PM	#3
BlacknTan 335i New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6 speed Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I was leaning towards Garmin products so I will check them out when I swing by Best Buy today...thanks!
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04-10-2009, 03:55 PM	#4
av8thor Private First Class 3 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i [0.00]	Ugh, Best Buy will only have units that are two or three tiers down from top of the line. I would strongly recommend that you cruise the Garmin website to get a good idea of all the options and bells/whistles available. If you pick from what's on the shelf at BB, you will likely miss some important feature. Best Buy: Your first choice for second rate electronics! __________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________________________ There are a number of mechanical devices which increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief among these is the BMW 335i. (with apologies to P. J. O'Rourke)
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04-10-2009, 04:32 PM	#5
SteveMD Colonel 201 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	Garmin. I have had two and both have worked flawlessly. I used a borrowd Tom Tom while in the UK last summer and the maps are crap compared to my Garmin. You can get funny/celeb voices for Tom Toms though. John Cleese is quite amusing. __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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04-10-2009, 04:37 PM	#6
E90330iS Major General 147 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	tom tom is cheap but you should invest more in a navi unit __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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04-10-2009, 04:37 PM	#7
Mazen First Lieutenant 8 Rep 380 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Lee, NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i would recommend Garmin. When i first moved i had no idea where to go and some houses don't have numbers on em or they're really hidden, garmin was the best in locatin the exact address i was looking for unlike tomtom or magelan, that's IMO
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04-10-2009, 04:45 PM	#8
str86diesel Private First Class 33 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i Alpine White Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	I take my Garmin Nuvi 660 every where I go. I travel a lot for work and it has always been reliable and accurate. __________________ 2020 Z4 M40i - Alpine White
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04-10-2009, 04:57 PM	#9
Paddy Captain 74 Rep 664 Posts Drives: 18' M2, AW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Garmin, also purchase from Costco, they have a lifetime return policy on Nav units. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...lang=en-US&s=1 Nuvi 780 $250
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04-10-2009, 05:14 PM	#10
doc1911 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 361 Posts Drives: Sold my 335i and looking Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pinehurst, NC iTrader: (0)	Garmin Nuvi
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04-10-2009, 05:24 PM	#11
Dwill335i Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2012 535i White/Beige Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: FL, USA iTrader: (0)	Another vote for Gamrin Nuvi w/ friction mount. __________________ 2012 F10 Alpine White/Venetian Beige ZPP/ZTP/Sat Radio (previous 09 335i E92)
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04-10-2009, 06:12 PM	#12
Saintor Banned 89 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada iTrader: (1)	NUVI is great but unlike Tomtom you don't get continuous free upgrades on internet. If I'd buy again, I would go with Tomtom.
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04-10-2009, 06:17 PM	#13
Marioman New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Manhattan, UES iTrader: (0)	Tomtom is cheaper, garmin is usually the best and also makes it easier to update software/maps vs. tomtom. TOm toms are ridiculous to update the firmware and software. Hope this helps...
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04-10-2009, 06:26 PM	#14
BlacknTan 335i New Member 2 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6 speed Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Going to buy a Garmin for sure and already discovered they know NOTHING at Best Buy about these units so I will research specific Garmin models and buy online soon...thanks a lot for all the info!!
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04-10-2009, 07:37 PM	#15
diablo2112 2024 M440i GC (G26) 286 Rep 511 Posts Drives: 2024 M440i Gran Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (3)	Garmin. Unit below is 255W. Cable routing through the mirror wasn't as easy as it looks. LMK if you want details. Vastly superior to the OEM BWM Nav.
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04-10-2009, 08:06 PM	#16
purespin52 Private First Class 3 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 2006 SG 330xi 6MT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Newark iTrader: (3)	Navigon 5100 129.99 on amazon with free shipping and it has free lifetime traffic updates and free lifetime Zagat ratings..... i did alot of research and thought this was the best b/c of the free traffic and zagat and the reality view and lane assist feature is sick i think the 7100 is only 169.99 and it has a bigger screen and bluetooth as well i like Navigon alot
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04-10-2009, 08:14 PM	#17
r!der Private First Class 12 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	I have a buddy that sells most if not all portable navi units. Send me a PM if you want his contact info. He'll prob be able to answer all your questions.
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04-10-2009, 09:19 PM	#19
freshwhite335 Colonel 154 Rep 2,882 Posts Drives: 991/RR Sport AB Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 904 FL iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW 135i [0.00]	used a tomtom in DC this weekend. im throwing it away... literally. took at least 5 min to get a gps signal, was slow to recalculate, and the garmins voice prompts use street names where as the tomtom doesnt. __________________ 2014 Range Rover Sport Autobiography 2012.5 991 C2S 1978 Corvette
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04-10-2009, 09:49 PM	#20
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	The newer Tom Toms are much better than the previous models. I recently got one as a gift and was quite impressed with it so far. The newer models route much better than the old ones and have better maps. Also, it updates every time I plug it into my computer. It connects to the Tom Tom website and downloads the updates and map corrections (if any). Mine locks in seconds, and also has text-to-speach, so it says street names. Not all do, so if this is important to you, check the options for each model.
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04-10-2009, 10:46 PM	#21
ontopofm Lieutenant Colonel 79 Rep 1,548 Posts Drives: stock Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	get navigon 2100 and you can hack it to put different maps in there. Im running Igo 8 which is pretty sick with many nice skins. For less than $100 you cant go wrong. Check out the skins from here http://artwork-igo8.blogspot.com/search/label/colormap
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04-10-2009, 10:57 PM	#22
John 070 Lieutenant General 1725 Rep 14,825 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	I got the nuvi 660 for $299 a while ago, and I think the 760 is even cheaper at $225 on amazon? Seems to work great and as I've mentioned I love the red light camera and speed camera alerts that I loaded as POIs.
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