Best Cheap GPS ?

[wicker]

I had considered the Autocom route to get sound from my Zumo 550 however a far cheaper option is to buy the Starcom headset speakers and Zumo connection lead (about £40), and to add a Boosteroo (£17 from Amazon) battery powered amplifier (it is about 5 inches long and sits neatly behind the Zumo cradle). The 2 AA batteries I fitted into the Boosteroo are still going strong after 4,000+ miles of use.

I wear a BMW System 5 helmet and the Starcom speakers fit neatly into the ear recesses. It was a 10 minute job to fit the cables inside the helmet (Autocom website has very good fitting instructions).

The Boosteroo states that it is not fully weatherproof however a bit of DIY with the packaging from a RokStrap and some duct tape fashioned a waterproof cover which has protected the unit through some manky weather. At £17, it would not be the end of the world if I did have to buy a replacement.

I wear moulded earplugs yet, with the above kit, I can comfortably listen to Zumo MP3 music up to 90mph and hear voice navigation command over 100mph. Above works well and is far cheaper & less hassle than Autocom or fitted earplugs with wires.

[bigblackfalco]

I use the Starcom SH550 which enables you to use the Zumo with your bluetooth phone and listen to music in good quality stereo.
The thing i really like is that it's loud enough to still wear noise reducing ear plugs and listen to music!
The only downside is that it's a wired system.
http://www.staintune.co.uk/main.php?group=starcom
Bailey.

[f90x]

I've just bought the Zumo 550 and it's great. I haven't got any earpiece yet as I just have a quick look at it now and then. I generally know where I am going and if in Europe plan have a map to plot my actual route and just check the GPS for junctions and if stuck in town. (it tells you how many miles/metres to the next turning anyway so you can just keep an eye on the mileometer. You can also preset addresses onto it so if I do get lost all I have to do is select 'Home' and it gives me a route out of wherever I am. I got mine here...
http://www.globalpositioningsystems.co. ... 60458cb678

£420 and they do interest free if you want it.

Get a 2gig SD card from here...
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/default ... ARCH&comp=

and upload the Europe cd that comes with the kit onto it and then just shove it in the GPS and you can travel just about everywhere in Europe without getting lost. Result! If you don't have a card reader on your PC then 7dayshop sell them too..
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product ... s_id=99237

I've got this one. Bargain!

Steve

[mike wright]

I have both the Tomtom v1 and v2 european versions.... Originally the v1 cradle broke around the bolts on the cradle so I complained. I was then sent a new V2 so ended up having both. The V1 cradle was fixed by putting araldite in the cradle then clamping back together... The V1 one works 100% and you cant see the repair plus I had a strap made up which clips on the sides.

I still prefer the TomTom over any other one I had...Just got to owrk out what I want to do with the V1 as I dont need two!.........