What is the best GPS unit that I can buy for around $1,000?

kingdave-ga,

Thanks for the opportunity to answer this question!

Best is highly subjective.  But i'd suggest the Garmin StreetPilot
III, which does just about everything you can think of in a portable
GPS.  It is a little bulky, but I assume for $1,000 you're not looking
for something to do geocaching or to carry in a backpack -- although
you could certainly do that with this unit.  It has connections for an
external antenna, can be easily connected to a computer, does voice
turn-by-turn directions, and has a large memory for maps, along with a
brilliant color screen.  If you don't need the color screen, you could
go with a Garmin GPS V for a car-based unit [similar footprint to the
Streetpilot], or a Garmin GPSMAP 76S for a portable unit.  I don't
mention Magellan or Trimble because of the difficulty of finding
models with computer connections or external antenna connectivity.

Research methodology: Personal knowledge (I just had to make the same
decision!)

Best regards,
arimathea-ga
Researcher

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Clarification of Answer by arimathea-ga on 27 Jun 2003 07:36 PDT

You can purchase this device:

   a) Off Ebay
   b) At any Best Buy (and probably HH Gregg and Circuit City)
   c) At most recreational equipment stores

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Clarification of Answer by arimathea-ga on 27 Jun 2003 07:46 PDT

Other manufacturers:

http://www.magellangps.com/en/
http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=1 - Meridian Platinum
http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=1 - Meridian Color
http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=915 - Meridian 750NAV

http://www.thegpsstore.net/detail_NM5303.asp - NavMAN GPS

The Garmin unit is visible at:

http://www.garmin.com/products/spIII/

The GPSMAP 76S:

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap76s/

The GPS V:

http://www.garmin.com/products/gps5/

Thanks,
Arimathea-ga

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Clarification of Answer by arimathea-ga on 27 Jun 2003 07:48 PDT

In addition, perhaps check out www.thegpsstore.net.

Great job! Thanks!

For about $1000 there are quite a few choices. I'm assuming you're
asking about car GPS units at that price.
The one should be coming out soon: It's the StreetPilot 2610 from
Garmin. Another great unit is the iCN 630 from a brand called NavMan.
They both take memory cards to expand the memory and they'll run you
just under $1000 at your local CircuitCity (if they carry it). Online
you can find them cheaper around $800: for example at
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=268189&adcampaign=email,ECOSTNEXTAG
or at http://www.gpsexplorer.com/st26.html.

I believe that the NavMan iCN 630 has a $100 rebate going on and it
also has a larger screen than the StreetPilot 2610.