i'm looking to spend around 300 bucks on a navi unit like a garvin or a tom tom or something like that. it's a gift for someone and i have zero experience with this kind of thing. the only thing i'd like is for the screen to be a decent size and to have it talk. it's a gift for an old lady so user friendliness is something to consider. let me know where you guys got yours, models, brands, whatever. i'm completely ignorant about these suckers so your suggestions can really help me out. thanks.

 

In my experience, garmin is the way to go. I have heard many things bad about the Tom Tom.

 

any suggestions as far as models go?

 

yeah, i love my gf's little garmin nuvi. but her's was more than 300. but it is an awesome unit. clean and clear 3d pictures. easy to use interface. can be set to avoid things like tolls, unpaved roads, ferries, u-turns.

and can search for nearby things when you don't know where you are. like yesterday, my friend needed a jump, and neither of us had any jumper cables. just put in auto parts and it found me the nearest auto parts store, so i could go pick up a good set for him.

 

http://www.mcgeorgeparts.com/MC-CJCH-CCIH.aspx

that is what my gf has. it is more than 300, but you can find cheaper models with fewer features and smaller screens for closer to that price. but it works great.

 

I can readily recommend the Garmin Nuvi 350/360. The price is a little higher than you wanted, but I've used one on several occasions, and it's been just great. In fact, I used it just this weekend to plot a detour around a road that they were tarring, but decided not to close. It would have been ugly if I actually drove through that crap...

 

i got the garmin nuvi $660 its way over your price, but its great. You get what you pay for. Very easy to use. clean graphics, clarity of the speaker is great. And its been rated top navi system compared to other companies.

 

The unit you want is a GarminC330 - I actually preordered and have had mine for almost 3 years. I use for work - it is an amazing device and in my opinion the most user friendly.
I paid originally over $750.00 now best price on line is approx $220-$230. Includes dash mount.
Very user friendly, you can search for food, fuel, etc.
Pep boys just had on sale for $279 w/$50 rebate. Any of the online sites that sell Garmin should be able to help. Good luck.