and just to mention a goot indash unit take a look at Kenwoods units. got an DNX 5220 BT myselfe and super satisfied with it. not shure if that particular model is awailable in the US but they got other good units that are.
http://www.kenwood.eu/products/car/m...ers/DNX5220BT/

 

I have the Garmin nuvi 200w and love it. It sells for $198 at walmart.com. I actually purchased two, one for my daughter going away to college and one for myself. Red

 

im lookin to get the Kenwood KVT-719DVD head unit and the Garmin Powered Kenwood KNA-G510 hideaway system to connect to the head unit...i looked at the new Pioneer Avic N4 and because the navigation is dvd powered...i wouldnt think it would allow you to listen to a CD while using Navigation...the Kenwood setup is still gonna cost around $800 on ebay...but i think it will be worth it for the nav. and a good head unit for cd and dvd...

 

My father uses a Garmin 200W (w for "wide-screen" - much better than the smaller screen IMO) and really likes it, so much so that I bought it's big brother (Garmin 750) for my wife. Both work great, are easy to carry, and at least for the one my wife runs around with I'm amazed at how much stuff it's found (addresses way out in the middle of nowhere, hole in the wall places to eat, etc.)...So I'd recommend either, big difference to a user being the 7XX series "speak street names"..in other words will say "turn right on main street" as opposed to just turn right ahead...

I did review other brands, liked the more natural speaking of Sony units, and noted that Magelin makes the units for Hertz "neverlost" stuff. Also loved the community that Tom Tom, which is huge in Europe, has built (download cool voices, etc. for your device). In the end a better sale price and common ratings led me to Garmin...sorta the standard in most US markets it seems (I'm by far not an expert so don't take this as fact, just observation)...

 

I have a Garmin and have been happy. I sure there are others out here that people are satisfied with but I have only had experience with the Garmin. I would buy another if needed. Two thumbs up!

 

For North America you can't beat the units with the navteq maps. They are the most up to date. Garmin and a few others use navteq. Unfortunately the Tom Tom, while a great unit with awesome functionality, does not use navteq. The Tom Tom European maps are great but their North american maps are not. Garmin is probably your best buy for dash mount for this reason.

 

Well judging by what the majority of you have said Garmin is the way to go. I'll do some research and narrow it down. I'll probably be back to ask foropinions on specific Garmin units. Thanks.

 

my dad's Tom Tom gets lost all the time. it can't find my house, and i live just outside of chicago.

 

After looking around a while and looking at about 10 different Garmin units I have narrowed it down to the Nuvi 260W. After comparing them all that oneseems tohave the most features for the price. It's $300 from Crutchfield with a $50 price break and free shipping and no sales tax. Does anybody have any experience with this particular unit?

 

I have the Garmin C540.

One thing to consider.

An in dash stays in your truck. A portable can go with you anywhere into any vehicle.