I have my GPS set to the destination whenever I leave for anywhere unfamiliar, and then if I have to detour on the way (which happens alot in Van thanks to the grid setup) you can easily get back on track.

That's what I find very important in GPS. And then there's also poi....when u run out of gas or cash or seeking a certain restaurant you can just find it with just the name too....

Which phone, and do you have to pay a subscription for it?

My GF has GPS on her BB and its $10/mn, what a ripoff.

Factory Navs usually cost a lot, on my MB it was a $2K option.

You can buy a Pioneer AVIC (or the equivalent Kenwood), all the adapters (iPod, bluetooth, steering wheel controls, reverse cam, ...) and still save money plus have a kick-ass HU!

i only ever use mine if i've never been to the place before

I have a portable Navi that I rarely use... If I'm making a trip to somewhere unfamiliar, I would've studied the map before I leave so at least I know roughly where I'm going. I never needed my Nav for daily driving. However, some Navs are included in packages. E.g. for the Mitsubishi Evo, the Nav comes with a 30GB internal music storage hard drive which I would really like to have instead of my single disc MP3-CD.

True story happened just now. I came out of my aunt's place in Whiterock and I made a wrong turn at King George HWY...... I kept going for a good 5 min before I realized that I was heading down to the States instead of heading back, but other than the GPS showing "SE" as the direction (map in 3D mode) I would have had no idea and actually turn around at the border probably LOL.

So yea navi ftw. But a portable one is fine.

one of the best ways is to have a portal ones .. only around 300$. if you want to buy a really good one, they're about 500.. they're hooked onto your car... either running from a battery or hook it up to your car.. these are best ways if you go to places you are unfamiliar and such.. you can take it out and in as you leave the car or whatever just in case people steal it..

Nope, wouldn't bother with the extra expense. If I'm headed somewhere I've never been before, I simply check the directions online before leaving. If I'm going on a long trip, that's what my laptop w/Street and Trips is for. I need the laptop for micromanaging my car's ECU, so it's not like it's an extra burden to keep it in my backpack.