OO--the nav system in my husbands car does that blocking out thing. It really is nice. A big pink box comes up when you near the area, even if you are not using it to find a place.

mms,
Then please tell us what kind he has .

Sorry...it is a Pioneer...but I don't know what model.

I'm baaaack! So, I did it. I made a decision yesterday to get a Garmin and then decided on a Nuvi 350! I searched every retailer possible, craig's list and ebay. I finally found one on Ebay for $355. The guy had it listed for $375, but sold if for less because I'm gonna have to pay $50 or so to get it here by Tuesday morning. Still, my total was only $411, which was really much better than any of the sales I found at retailers. It is, however "NOH" (newly over-hauled) by Garmin. But it comes in a factory sealed box with a one year warranty, so I feel good about it. The deciding factor for me was: Being able to hear the street names (so no looking at the screen necessary). As bonuses this model comes with a neat traffic kit and some available software like, drumroll please......a Fodor's travel guide!! Also, audio books! I'm giddy!! But, not as giddy as when I got my new washer/dryer a few years back. I'll give you an update when I get back as to how it works.

Great price, the one I got at Christmas time was about $500 new. I'm sure you will love it-we used it on a recent trip to San Antonio, and never got lost. If you happen to take a wrong turn, it just recalculates. I'm so happy never to again have to read a map, which I was never too good at

Great thread, great info--thank you!

I didn't know what to get DH for his birthday this year until he called me this morning from Sacramento in need of direction to the airport--this happens a lot when I'm not with him. Once I got off the phone I remembered this thread. Went to Best Buy and bought him the Garmin Nuvi 350--he will be thrilled. This is the problem, I guess, with built in nav systems--we can't take them with us when we go!

Oh, you will make him a happy man. I just love mine and take it with me everywhere we travel. No more mapquest papers to look at when I'm by myself.

Thanks, Budman! Your raves about your Garmin are what prompted me to buy it.

He will love it! I have the Nuvi 350 and wouldn't consider anything else.

djkbooks, how can you miss a turn while looking at street signs when the nice lady who lives in the box is telling you the street name? This is really valuable when driving into the sun when your pupils shrink down to pinheads.

OO, I can set my Garmin 2730 up to avoid certain areas or roads.

Well I couldn't wait until Sunday to give it to him....and the kitties and I haven't seen him since, lol. He is absolutely thrilled and said it is exactly what he would have chosen for himself--yay! Fodorites save the day once again--thank you!!

I[m looking into the nav system for DH for Father's Day gift. I hate doing research so I'm going to rely on the experience of others! Just wondering if anyone has anything to add since this thread is a year old and technology changes so quickly. When we went to Italy last May, a friend had a TomTom which was invaluable to us, however it sounds like Fodorites prefer the Garmin Nuvi 350 or 660. I do like having a battery option as we used the TomTom while walking around in Florence and Rome and it was nice to have when you are walking in a city and looking for a specific place.

Go on pricegrabber.com and check out their prices. You can usually find the lowest price plus some sites offer free shipping and no state tax. buydig.com has the 660 for $299 w/free shipping. pcrush.com will sell the 350 for $225 with free ground shipping.

Costco.com (online) has the Garmin Street Pilot 7200 on sale for $500.

If you go on the garmin website, and click on products, you can compare all the different models.

<http://www.fodors.com/forums/postrep...n_name=EmilyC>

I posted a similar question and got lots of answers that were a huge help. After reading and reviewing everything, I choose the Garmin Nuvi 350 because it has spoken street names which I particularly wanted. I ordered it at Walmart.com - best price and free delivery to the store.
The most help was the Garmin website!

Maybe because this post is 8yrs old!

Exactly, cd. I was reading this and surprised by some answers before I finally looked at the dates and saw it is WAY outdated since it is from 8 years ago. But the real question is why someone would specifically revive a post that old and THEN ask the question about smartphones.

I know. It really could not be an AD that would benefit him.