I am looking into buying a GPS. I have a 06 F250 PSD. What would you recommend as being a good product, easy to install, easy to read and use while traveling.
Thanks
Ken Bailey

 

I bought a MICROSOFT STREETS & TRIPS GPS software package and receiver ($100.00) that runs on any laptop, and a laptop desk for the truck....you can see it in the window. Screen on laptop is of course MUCH larger than the commercial GPS's and it is portable between vehicles. Just another option to consider...lower cost+greater visibility & flexibility. Good luck.

 

It depends on what type of gps unit you want. Do you want one that will go thru an aftermarket radio that has a screen or do you want a seperate unit that either mounts on the dash or on the window? I like to have the ones that use an aftermarket radio(I have used both Alpine and Kenwood(this is the one I'm currently using)). This is the more expensive option, not as portable, but I believe it is better in term of quality, options, and the amount of information that you can have. Both of the ones that I have used are really good, althought I would recommend Kenwood over Alpine. For the other type of gps, Garmin and Megallen are very good brands that I have had experience with but for different applications.

 

I bought the Garmin Nuvi 360. It works perfectly while sitting on the console of my King Ranch. Text to speech so it tells you the name of the street to turn onto, bluetooth link to your cell phone, thousands of built in points of interest and software updates are free for life. I've had it for about 6 months and couldn't be happier.

 

We have two Garmin C330 Streetpilots and am totally happy with them. I took it with me down south and upstate towards Canada and it still worked flawlessly with the North American maps that are pre-installed at the factory. Extremely user friendly and very easy to program. It has save my butt many, many times from having to make that embarrassing pit stop to ask for directions, and I never have to print out a mapquest map anymore. Lastly, it has audio, so you can still concentrate on focusing on the road while listening to the GPS directions without having to really look at the screen constantly. I give this unit "two-thumbs up"

 

I second that. Our 330 is great. My wife is in Real Estate and she uses the crap out of it. The downloads for updated mapping are kind of step. We liked it so much that this is what our 2 grown up youngin's are getting for Christmas.

 

Ahhhh...GPS...the wonders of electronics! I have been using GPS for a number of years as a Deputy Coordinator for our regional Search & Rescue Team. I could probably type a novel on the types, brands and uses of different GPS units, but I'll try and keep it short!

First thing to decide is what you REALLY wan to use it for. Are you using it to find your way around a new city? Or do you want to be able to take it out of the truck and take it in the woods with you, etc.? If you plan on using it for the prior, I would suggest any of the "Roadmate"-type units (each unit is about the same from manufacturer to manufacturer....just depends on the extras you want). One BIG plus is a color screen....much easier for your eyes to decipher with quick glances, rather than having to stare at the thing and risk going off the road . However, if you choose to be able to take it out and use it outside of the vehicle, I will suggest the unit I use. It is a Magellan GPS315. These units are no longer in production (they always stop making the GOOD ones! ), but they are availabel at VERY reasonable rates on Ebay. Personaly, I have mine hooked into my laptop running MapTech Pro Terrain Navigator. The software is a little pricey, as it is based on USGS topographical data rather than a 'typical' road map (tends to be nicer when off-road). The version I run also has current aerial photo-mapping, so you can pin-point yourself based off buildings and other structures.

Anyway, that's my (very) short take on GPS. Good luck with whatever you choose....just remember...it's useless unless you actually learn how to use it!

 

I have Alpine, a little expensive, but works great!

 

If you have a laptop, consider the Delorme Street Atlas 2007 map software, and GPS receiver. It has a lot more features than the handheld units, uses the larger display of the laptop, etc. , and is a lot cheaper than the handheld units ......If your laptop has Bluetooth, consider the USGlobalSat BT-359 Bluetooth GPS receiver.

 

I've had a Pioneer AVIC-N1 for a couple of years in my 250. Installed it using the Scosche plug-in, and it works fabulous! Even using factory speakers, sound is excellent. By the way, the easiest place to find a VCC connection that I found is in the RH kick panel, on the harness for the lie-o-matic display in the overhead console. I put the antenna on rthe roof just ahead of the back edge, ran the wire in under the gasket of the third brakwe/cargo light. Hidden all the way, and easy!

 

I have the LOWRANCE Iway 500c and I love it! It has one of the largest displays for a portable unit. With the recent mulit-state driving I have done, it was well worth the price. I like the overall function and useability of the unit. It is very easy to read while driving and the directions are very accurate. This unit is not perfect by any means but it does a great job. There is a newer version out that has some other features I would recommend you look at this unit as well. I love the search feature for pulling up stores or reasturants in the local area. It will give you the phone number and address.

Before you buy any unit try to find working display models. Hands on is the best way to see what features you like or really need.
I was trying out several units in the stores and was just about sold on a TOM TOM when I found this Lowrance unit.

 

Another thing that I like about the Kenwood piece and the Alpine one has it as well, is the instant nav-traffic, where if your going thru an area that has this coverage and it affects a route that you have chosen to travel it will let you know where it is, type of accident or construction, so you can detour from it. You do have to have an xm tuner and subscription and you have to add 2 extra dollars for this service. Now while where I live is not in an area that has coverage for this(they are always adding to the list so that may change), I do travel to areas that are covered so it is still worth it for me. I would recommend looking into it. As far as I know, you have to do a more permanent nav. unit to have this service since it is in conjuntion with xm radio something like kenwood nav., pioneer nav., or alpine nav..

 

Brandmotion offers both GPS and Hands - Free phone systems to name a few items that are compatible with Ford vehicles. Please call Brandmotion at 877-276-6456 if interested.

Thank you!

 

Brandmotion offers both GPS and Hands - Free phone systems to name a few items that are compatible with Ford vehicles. Please call Brandmotion at 877-276-6456 if interested.

Thank you!