BB: Garmin Nuvi250 - $299

[spotts01]

Link (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10087524&catid=23496)

Very good price for a nice GPS

Even better deal:
CdnTire sells this as well. You can PM at Cdn Tire and their policy is lower price plus 10% in CdnTire cash of lower price. So that is an extra $30 in CdnTire cash. Edit:- plus the $10 printout coupon.

I'm guessing this is due for a price adjustment as the Nuvi260 is due out any day now. The 260 is the same as the 250 but adds Text-to-speech (says the name of the street).

[Da Grape]

I am in the market for a GPS. How does it compare to the TomTom ones?

[cknewdeal]

I just bought the tom tom 510. I think it's great, its on sale at FS for 399.99 this weak. In the box it has everything to connect to your pc and the car charger.

My only complaint is that it doesn't say the street names which seems like maybe it's not a big deal but when you are in an unfamiliar city and the GPS says turn right after 100 yrds (left units empirical since I was travelling in the US), you find your self looking down and 2nd guessing "is it here or the next right"?. When a GPS says the name of the street there is no confusion. I think I'm going to return mine for a similarly priced one that has text to speech for street names.

FS has it for 449.99 so you could try to PM it there for extra savings!

[Seifer]

I bought it for the same price at FS (One day deal).

Great GPS !

[doubleA]

Does anyone know if CT's price match policy (i.e. giving you CT money) only applies only if you pay by cash? Because they don't give you CT money if you pay by credit on your purchases?

[spotts01]

I just bought the tom tom 510. I think it's great, its on sale at FS for 399.99 this weak. In the box it has everything to connect to your pc and the car charger.

My only complaint is that it doesn't say the street names which seems like maybe it's not a big deal but when you are in an unfamiliar city and the GPS says turn right after 100 yrds (left units empirical since I was travelling in the US), you find your self looking down and 2nd guessing "is it here or the next right"?. When a GPS says the name of the street there is no confusion. I think I'm going to return mine for a similarly priced one that has text to speech for street names.


This week on sale
BestBuy: $399 Magellan Maestro 4040
Dell: $399 Garmin Nuvi350
Both of these say the street name. The Magellan also has Bluetooth. Still researching..... No CdnTire deals on these though.

[jameswong]

I think Garmin tells you at the end of the journey whether the destination is on your left or right side. Other GPS does not do that (correct me if I am wrong).

The other thing is that GPS is not very accurate in term of the exact location. Instead of stopping excately at the house that you want. It might stop at 2 to 3 houses before or after.

[thecharlie]

Dell: $399 Garmin Nuvi350


This is a much better deal than the Nuvi250 in my opinion. Great little package AND it includes text-to-speech. I've been doing my research and this is definitely on the top my list of affordable GPS systems.

[speederd]

nüvi 350 - 369.97 at TigerDirect. (refurb)

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2682704

[damnbiker]

How does this compare with the C530 on at TSCC?

http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/product.aspx?catalog=Online&product=1917041&language=en-CA

[CHINAdeals]

How does this compare with the C530 on at TSCC?

http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/product.aspx?catalog=Online&product=1917041&language=en-CA

c530 has a hack that does TTS ..thats all i know.
i'm still new to it

but i think imma settle for a c530 (til end of aug..its 249.99 US at costco.com)

[Dragon120]

nüvi 350 - 369.97 at TigerDirect. (refurb)

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2682704

For less than $30 more (plus tax of course), you can get a BRAND NEW one at Dell...why would anyone want to buy a refurb GPS for a savings of $30?

Anyway, I've been doing research and reading lots of articles and I've set my eyes on the nuvi 650 or nuvi 360...got to have text-to-speech (I know other lower units have it too...)

[dead_lo]

Can anyone (some other person asked this already) compare this to the TomTom ONE?

[ciao]

Link (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10087524&catid=23496)

Very good price for a nice GPS

Even better deal:
CdnTire sells this as well. You can PM at Cdn Tire and their policy is lower price plus 10% in CdnTire cash of lower price. So that is an extra $30 in CdnTire cash. Edit:- plus the $10 printout coupon.

I'm guessing this is due for a price adjustment as the Nuvi260 is due out any day now. The 260 is the same as the 250 but adds Text-to-speech (says the name of the street).

Never knew you could do a pricematch with CT, is this policy posted anywhere? any idea how much the 260 would be?

[spotts01]

I couldn't find the policy online. There is signage in the stores, either behind cust service or sometimes behind auto parts desk.

I have used it before.

No idea on the 260, or even who will carry it.

[Rosico]

Can anyone (some other person asked this already) compare this to the TomTom ONE?

I had the tomtom one. didn't like it how it displayed maps. waiting for a good deal on the Nuvi 350 but might pick this up as well to test. reviews are alright ... looks like it is the 2007 model so interesting it is $100 cheaper than the 350

http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/garmin-nuvi-250/4505-3430_7-32370613.html

[rvs007]

FYI. Futureshop is selling this for $300 as well (until Sept. 6):

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10087524&catid=11285

[Bordello]

My only complaint is that it doesn't say the street names which seems like maybe it's not a big deal but when you are in an unfamiliar city and the GPS says turn right after 100 yrds (left units empirical since I was travelling in the US), you find your self looking down and 2nd guessing "is it here or the next right"?. When a GPS says the name of the street there is no confusion. I think I'm going to return mine for a similarly priced one that has text to speech for street names.
I'd say that's a big drawback. Imagine driving in congested places like downtown where the streets are close to each other. It's pretty difficult telling the difference between 25, 50, and 100 yards apart. You'd have to look down at the screen while driving, thus creating a road hazard. If that was my GPS, I'd return it immediately.

[slgta]

This is a much better deal than the Nuvi250 in my opinion. Great little package AND it includes text-to-speech. I've been doing my research and this is definitely on the top my list of affordable GPS systems.

+1

[rvs007]

slgta,

I think you mean the Nuvi 350 for $399...

[Rosico]

I'd say that's a big drawback. Imagine driving in congested places like downtown where the streets are close to each other. It's pretty difficult telling the difference between 25, 50, and 100 yards apart. You'd have to look down at the screen while driving, thus creating a road hazard. If that was my GPS, I'd return it immediately.

Actually, it isn't that bad. You look at the screen and it has the names of the streets. Maybe I can judge distance well, but in Toronto, it never is an issue for me (it also zooms in if I recall). Also, some of the street signs are horrible here, so it doesn't really matter. ;)

[ciao]

Actually, it isn't that bad. You look at the screen and it has the names of the streets. Maybe I can judge distance well, but in Toronto, it never is an issue for me (it also zooms in if I recall). Also, some of the street signs are horrible here, so it doesn't really matter. ;)

no problems using these units that do not have speech, it all comes down to how much you want to pay for these extra features (ie. photo viewer, BT, TTS, etc.).

[rjhparman]

no problems using these units that do not have speech, it all comes down to how much you want to pay for these extra features (ie. photo viewer, BT, TTS, etc.).

Another good deal, the new TomTom GO720 is on for 499.99 on their website less 15% during their Labour Day sale. Their current flyer lists it at 599.99. 499.00 is the price in the US and TomTom Canada web lists it at 599.99 so i think regular price may be 599.99

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10092110&catid=23496

Has Bluetooth, Text to Speech.

[slgta]

Another good deal, the new TomTom GO720 is on for 499.99 on their website less 15% during their Labour Day sale. Their current flyer lists it at 599.99. 499.00 is the price in the US and TomTom Canada web lists it at 599.99 so i think regular price may be 599.99

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10092110&catid=23496

Has Bluetooth, Text to Speech.

Review doesn't look very good....
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2007/08/tomtom_go_720_review.php?page=1

Lot's of cool features, but the core function (routing) is not so good compare to Garmin

[Civuck]

I purchased the Nuvi 250 a few weeks ago and have spent lots of time on the road with it so far. I got it when it was last on for $299 at FS.

Some observations...

- Nice clear display
- Extremely easy to use with a good menu interface
- Very portable

- Sometimes tough to judge direction when not in motion
- Occasionally lags a bit at higher speeds
- 4 Hours battery time
- Some POI data is incorrect or missing

[chadw01]

Get a NUVI 350 from Dell which is offering it again right now for $399 - or wait for the 260 to come out with TTS - whatever you do, get TTS.. there's nothing more annoying than having to look at the screen and look at a street sign as you drive right past it because the unit doesn't read it out to you.

[Civuck]

TTS would be nice - but not $100 nice, right now.

[thecharlie]

Get a NUVI 350 from Dell which is offering it again right now for $399 - or wait for the 260 to come out with TTS - whatever you do, get TTS.. there's nothing more annoying than having to look at the screen and look at a street sign as you drive right past it because the unit doesn't read it out to you.

+1

TTS is a huge feature that shouldn't be missed when getting a GPS. It's worth the $100 premium to get a system with TTS.

[dav1209]

Can anyone (some other person asked this already) compare this to the TomTom ONE?

okie here is a quick reviews for anyone new to the GPS world

In North America ....Navteq much better than teleatlas so when you looking for a GPS device in North America....Navteq map source is a must
then you can talk about routing engine battery TTS or other funtion

1: for the Nuvi250....is much more superior than the tomtom one in term of Routing engine and Map ...but lag behind in its interface ...
(I will only go for a tomtom if it use Navteq map cuz for GPS map is the most importance)

for TTS...you not really need it cuz it remind you when to turn....you not actually need to read the street sign....but for me TTS isn't worth that $100 more

bluetooth and other are not really need in GPS so for me nuvi250 is best option....

just to let anyone have the nuvi250 with lag...you need to update your unit ...just go to nuvi and it will auto update for you.(this will fix the lag problem)

and last thing all the unit now have the latest 2008 map updated right in the box (tomtom name its map 2008 eventho it's not really 2008)

[dav1209]

+1

TTS is a huge feature that shouldn't be missed when getting a GPS. It's worth the $100 premium to get a system with TTS.

it's a nice add but not worth that $100 extra...
on the non TTS...they tell you turn left or right in xx metter ahead....and keep remind you to turn when you are close to the turn points....

i hardly miss the turn with non TTS GPS....TTS is only nice sometime in multiple lands highway...(but then none TTS still show you really close to where you should turn....or you can just have to eyes on your GPS 1sec to know where to turn.......
i'm using both non TTS and TTS and can say TTS isn' worth that $100 premium....
if you talking about premium then FM TMC traffic receiver is worth the extra money but too bad TMC service is not yet available in Canada...

[nosnoop]

if you talking about premium then FM TMC traffic receiver is worth the extra money but too bad TMC service is not yet available in Canada...

Actually, it is. I believe the service went live on July 1st. And it is available in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

You can go to this website -> Coverage map -> Last page for the coverage map of these three cities:
http://www.realtimetraffic.net/

Not sure if they have announced the pricing.
BTW, none of the GPS discussed so far in this thread is RDS-TMC capable except Nuvi 350 which requires an optional accessory.

[coolspot]

I am in the market for a GPS. How does it compare to the TomTom ones?

Both are quite close, but I would say Garmin is better - because of the maps. I asked the guys at RadioWorld (a large GPS dealer in Toronto) and they basically said the same thing.

+1

TTS is a huge feature that shouldn't be missed when getting a GPS. It's worth the $100 premium to get a system with TTS.

Yes agreed.

You'll be using this device for a couple of years... 100.00 is worth it in the long run.

[spotts01]

Well I purchased the 250 at Cdn Tire, using the Price match and the $10 off coupon.

I want TTS but went with this vs the 350 for the following reasons
- side by side shots of the 2 units showed a difference in the screens. The 350 looked washed out when compared to the 250. The new screen is very sharp, bright and clear.
- I don't like the flip-out antenna on the 350. The size and form factor of the 250 is very nice. It would almost want me to stay away from the wide screens.
- I don't need an MP3 player or bluetooth. When I get bluetooth in the car, it will be part of the main stereo system.

I have 30 days to see what price the 260 will come in at. I expect the 260 to be the same or more than the 350 (yes more). I think Garmin is ready to close out all of the 300 series and replace with a new 400 series that have similar design as the 200 series with more features.

And as a previous poster mentioned, there is a new firmware update (v3.1) for the 200 series as of last week and all feedback seems positive with respect to a common lag problem.

I am also hoping that the GPS geeks out there might be able to put TTS on a 250 once the 260 comes out. There were successful with the c530.

The 250, by the way, works great.

[tjuzer]

So what is best deal?

[ciao]

[QUOTE=spotts01;5566203]Well I purchased the 250 at Cdn Tire, using the Price match and the $10 off coupon.
.....

I have 30 days to see what price the 260 will come in at. I expect the 260 to be the same or more than the 350 (yes more). I think Garmin is ready to close out all of the 300 series and replace with a new 400 series that have similar design as the 200 series with more features. ...

/QUOTE]

that is written on CTR's website, is it 30 return policy if you use it?

[Civuck]

I want TTS but went with this vs the 350 for the following reasons
- side by side shots of the 2 units showed a difference in the screens. The 350 looked washed out when compared to the 250. The new screen is very sharp, bright and clear.
- I don't like the flip-out antenna on the 350. The size and form factor of the 250 is very nice. It would almost want me to stay away from the wide screens.
- I don't need an MP3 player or bluetooth. When I get bluetooth in the car, it will be part of the main stereo system.Yah, I agree with all this. The $300 price point was what I was waiting for. TTS would be nice but I don't think $100 is worth it. And the form-factor of the Nuvi 250 is about perfect - a widescreen model wouldn't be desirable to me because of the added size. And the internal antenna of the 250 is very nice. Bluetooth, MP3 are totally unneeded for a GPS unit.

The Nuvi 250 does have a memory card picture viewer which is kinda nice but a frill. I like the currency converter idea and world clocks - handy. It's also nice that you can assign phone numbers to your personalized locations.

The routing engine on the 250 is very quick too - it only took a few seconds to figure out a Toronto to Juneau, Alaska trip in my tests - same for a Toronto to San Diego.

By the way, ExpanSys.ca seems to be among the cheapest for additional map memory cards:

Europe - $178.95 (http://www.expansys.ca/p.aspx?i=135405)

Ireland and UK only - $97.95 (http://www.expansys.ca/p.aspx?i=135411)

C.

[slgta]

Actually, it is. I believe the service went live on July 1st. And it is available in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

You can go to this website -> Coverage map -> Last page for the coverage map of these three cities:
http://www.realtimetraffic.net/

Not sure if they have announced the pricing.
BTW, none of the GPS discussed so far in this thread is RDS-TMC capable except Nuvi 350 which requires an optional accessory.

just saw this last night ....
http://www.tomtom.com/news/category.php?ID=4&NID=397&Lid=22

Both TomTom Go 720 (optional) and 920 (build-in) support RDS-TMC

[kevinnashho]

what is the lowest price ever for this GPS unit? was $299 the lowest it ever went to?

[rvs007]

The lowest price I've seen this unit selling for is $299.99. Futureshop had it as a one-day sale, then again for a week long sale. Best Buy had it for another week long sale, and now TSCC has it for a 3-day sale.