Hi,
I was wondering if anyone can recommend an in-car navi system. I'm looking at the Garmin Nuvi 660. Any comments?

 

there's a nice write up of an install of that unit or something similar into the cup holder in the electronics section. pretty slick!

 

any set price range?

 

I've heard nothing but good reviews about Garmin

 

Anything portable would be a good choice IMO. I use Pioneer portable nav. So far it's working pretty good except they tell you to turn 1 second before the turn.

 

I just got the Nuvi 660 off of Costco.com. for $499+ tax.

Shipped total is something like $550 or so...

You have to check every so often as they update they stock...also you have to be a member. BUT it's wayyyy cheaper than Circuit City's advertised price of $699...Your membership just paid for itself...

Also, I use Modifry's (modifry.com) custom mount w/the Nuvi ball...it's much better than the windshield suction mount. You don't have to reach far forward; it's right at your fingertips....also, it never falls down, unlike the suction cup...and it doesn't look like a mount if you take off the nuvi. The suction cup lets everyone know there's a nice GPS inside the car...

Eddie.

 

just ordered my 660. coming in today!


that's a killer price eddie. when i ordered mine last week, costco didn't have any so i ordered elsewhere for like $580 shipped.

plus i don't have a costco membership lol.

did you hardwire your 660? I bought the 3" modifry bracket and the nuvi ball and I want to hardwire it but i'm using my spare ignition slot for my v1.

 

I have the 660 and it's a great unit. The only thing I dislike about it is when you are going to a location and want to find an alternate route, the UI is not intuitive.

 

$580 is still is pretty killer price considering the retail on it...

I didn't hardwire it; my spare ignition is also to my V1 Gotta make tough choices in life...

I'd like to hardwire it, but the only thing I've found is a little more involved than I'm comfortable with...the Modifry bracket was relatively easy...I find that a long charge will last a good 2+ hours of ON time...if I'm taking a trip longer than that, I just plug it into the AC jack.

The question is: can it be hardwired and done cleanly? How to do tap power? (You must need a different plug/connection...

 

I think it can be done. I found a website where a guy tapped his garmin into his fuse box in his audi. He opened up the ac end plug and spliced the wires and tapped it into the fuse box. I didn't read it carefully through, just skimmed it for the general idea, but that'd be my last resort. I don't want to resort to splicing the wires on the nav unit itself. I'll figure out a way to do it when I have some free time.