Price Watch: MyGuide GPS, $49.99 shipped

Think this $50 GPS is too good to be true? Hint: It probably is.

(Credit: Buy.com)

How low can GPS prices go? I thought the refurbished Magellan from a few weeks ago was amazing at $60 (after rebate), but now Buy.com has the MyGuide PND 2150 GPS for an impossible $49.99.

This is a new unit, not a refurb, and that $50 price tag is out-the-door: no rebates; Buy.com picks up the shipping.

As you might expect, this is a strictly no-frills navigation system, offering a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a suction-cup windshield mount, and an impressive 4 million points of interest.

That's fine: Not everybody needs frills. But there are red flags all over this GPS, starting with the fact that MyGuide is a European company, and there's no indication that the 2150 comes with U.S./North American maps.

Meanwhile, the MyGuide site appears to be down, so I can't find any information regarding specs, warranty, map updates, etc. Plus, I've searched high and low and can't find any reviews of this model.

Thus, if you'll pardon the navigation pun, your course is clear: skip this GPS. Sometimes a deal is just plain too good to be true. If you need a nav system for 50 bucks, consider Buy.com's other option: the Magellan RoadMate 1200 for $49.99 (after a $20 mail-in rebate). Yep, it's a refurb with a 90-day warranty, but I'd choose that over the MyGuide any day of the week. Here endeth the lesson.

[RTFM]

I am going to buy it since buy.com is very good on returns if it has no US maps. Also the GUI is the same as the MIO Digiwalker (I have one and love the interface!) Come on who has not returned something? It's well worth the risk! Especially when you don't have to deal with a stinking rebate. Ordering now...

[aka_tripleB]

You could also look into how much a U.S. map cost. It might be more worth it than the hassle to return it.

[imop45]

Yeah, i bought a Cowon s9 and iRiver SPINN to compare them and send one back. (Sending the spinn back *sigh* so gorgeous and the spinn nob is amazing, but for audiophile ears...i can't handle the bad audio quality.. "Why?! Oh why iriver!?! *sobs*)
I also bought a printer from walmart just to print a few things b/c i was having a hard time at kinkos, and am returning it tomorrow. Go returns!

[Jon34511]

Rick,

I love this blog but why would you post a deal and then recommend us not to buy it? Seems a little odd to me haha.

[rickbroida]

Fair question. I think some people (like the commenter above) will say "hang the risks, this is a fantastic deal." I also wanted to spotlight something that seemed a little too good to be true, as I fear some people will see the price tag and jump feet-first without recognizing the red flags.

That's what happened while I was writing this up, so I figured instead of tossing the deal and finding something else, I'd plow forward and suggest a better alternative.

Plus, it's Friday, so why not change things up a little bit? :)

[Jon34511]

Makes sense, I hope RTFM has good luck with it!

[friscoG]

C'mon Rick, take one for the team and us skaters will rejoice. You can be the first to review. In all fairness, I would be more inclined to take the magellan also, although I prefer my Garmin Nuvi the most. I like my factory navigation, but the Garmin is so much easier, and user friendly, so it's factory nav when driving the truck, and Garmin in the car.

On another note, the Cheapskate is one of my favorite blogs, if not the most favorite, Keep it up Rick!!

[rickbroida]

Thanks for the kind words, friscoG -- greatly appreciated! If I hadn't already "taken one for the team" with the Sony widescreen GPS a couple months back, I probably would hop on this, if for no other reason than to see if my concerns are warranted. Hopefully RTFM up top there will let us know how he/she fared.

[RTFM]

Got it now and LOVE it just like my other one that has the same GUI. Case is as boxy as you see in picture. But hey, 50 bucks!

[fcz1]

I'm sure CNET can shell out $50, Rick. Pick one up on the company dime and tell us how it is.

[rickbroida]

You hear that, CNET overlords? The people have spoken! [crickets chirping] Um, hello? Overlords?

[imop45]

Hey, how were you able to get cnet to give you a dedicated news page, rick?

[rickbroida]

The overlords said, "Rick, you've got the most awesome batch of readers on any of our blogs, so here's your own page." :) Actually, no idea how it happened. It just happened.

[Azguy6ft3]

It is sold out now