I bought a gps Garmin 760 for my Tacoma. It works great, better then the stock GPS in my C6.

 

O.K.

 

And your point?

 

OK???

 

Okay, I do not think anyone claimed the GPS in the Vette was the best on the market so the fact you purchased one that you feel is better is really no surprise.

 

Good point and the reason I did not order Nav on our 09

 

...the screen is very much smaller and it takes up dash, or windshield space. In any event, why is the post not in the Tacoma electronics forum?

 

I do not use the factory GPS except to watch the world pass... For real use, I use my Garmin 760

 

I post about the Garmin GPS to past on a good product. To help someone who is looking for GPS an give them a head up.

 

I'll say it's not. The Garmin leaves a plunger mark on you windshield (the plunger mark is a sign to theives "GPS LIVES HERE, BREAK GLASS AND ROB ME"). It has you wiring things all about and taking up a power port. It doesn't do searches by telephone number. Doesn't have HUD integration. Doesn't have integrated voice control. Doesn't have dead reckoning (estimating your position even when the Sat. link can't be made). Doesn't offer categories for your save points. The model of garmin you have, I believe, doesn't let you make multileg routes (it lets you add just one way point on to your destination, which in reality is just fine). Doesn't allow you to enter an address by numerous criteria (it forces you to start with the state, then city, then street -- iirc), on the GM I can start with the street, or just click the city and narrow the search results).

Here is all the Garmin has over the built in nav (re GPS features):
1) UI that is WAY easier to pick up.
2) It lets you find POIs on your plotted route.
3) Easy ability to upgrade software.
4) Easy ability to add new points of interest (cameras)
5) On advanced units (not on 760), lane assist.
6) Generally garmin's have the most efficient route determination algorithms (but GM's isn't too bad).
7) Traffic.

That's about it. The GM nav takes an inexcusably long time to get the hang of, but once you do, it has a very deep feature set. What it really needs is decent traffic re-routing. I have a garmin 680 with MSN. The quality of the traffic data just sucks.

As for POIs for cameras and warnings on that, you're much better off with an Escort 9500ci or 9500ix.

Don't get me wrong, the GM nav could use a lot of improvement. But frankly, so can the garmins. The reality is GM's nav makes an AWFUL first impression because the interface is just not easily approachable. But, when you scratch below the surface, it's an ok nav.

So in sum, both have things about them that suck, and both have things about them that are great. Depending on how you value the bits that suck vs. the things that are great, you'll have a different point of view. For my granma, the hurdle of the UI would be too much to deal with, so there, the garmin is a clear winner. For more technically inclined folk, the coolness of HUD integration and voice nav (sans plunger/wire issues) may tip in favor of the GM nav.

BTW, if you do have to get a 3rd party nav, i do think the garmins are still the best. If you want traffic, from what I gather, you want a NON MSN model. As allways, YMMV.

 

I bought 3 of these, gave 2 to my kids and then mine went bad. The lady stopped talking to me. Brought it back, and they didn't have anymore of the 760s, the new model is now the 260W. I got it yesterday, I love these things. Once you've had a Garmin there's no going without one.

 

 

You forgot to mention the aftermarket NAVs don't cost $1800 either. If you want to upgrade the map on your OEM unit, you are paying $2-300. Garmin is $70. I have an 880 and it has voice control, multi leg, MSN direct (which is good really), and cost less than $500. I never mounted it to my windshield as the free cup holder mount works fine. I use the 12V outlet in the center console and the lighter one is still available if I need it. If I need more then two then you just buy a splitter. Sorry, but GM's OEM NAVs are not that good but the Vettes is better then the truck version since it can play CDs at the same time as NAV also.

One of the biggest advantages of a Garmin is that it is portable and can be used in my other two cars.

 

I have gone through 2 Garmin Nuvi 760's. The second one I have returned to Garmin under warranty repair. Had same problem with both of them: It tells me that my destination is on the right when it is really on the left and visa versa if I come from the opposite side of street. Has anyone else had this same problem?
It also tells me to make a U-turn to my destination when in fact a left turn is correct.

 

Finally got my first NAV unit last week. Chose the Garmin 255W because it has stuff I like (wide screen, graphics, voice directions), omits stuff I don't want (bluetooth, traffic, advertising, FM) and it has good Amazon reviews. Plus, I figured for $200 I couldn't go too far wrong.

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-255W-4-...4158456&sr=8-1

VERY happy with this unit! Mechanical voice gives clear directions combined with useful at-a-glance easy-to-understand graphics. It even shows your speed side-by-side with speed limit (for major highways).

I'm using a vent mount in my Ford Escape:
http://www.semsons.com/peforga.html

Don't like the suction cup mount. I plan to try a cupholder mount in my C6 -- less conspicuous, but lower sight-line than the vent mount.

Bottom Line: For $200, I have a NAV that works for both my cars, my bike, and car rentals. In my book that's an unbeatable bargain.

 

I tried the cupholder mount and didn't care for it because it distracts your eyes from the road. The bean bag mount works good but I like the suction cup the best. But for right now I have no navigation.

 

My reasons, too.

 

 

I have the factory unit plus a garmin.MY wife uses the garmin when we out in the vette to see how fast i'm driving.

 

Thanks for posting. I have been considering one.