Archive for July, 2009

Selecting an Automotive GPS Navigation System

Posted in How to Choose Car GPS on July 31st, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Selecting an Automotive GPS Navigation SystemEach time you enter your car is almost always accompanied by ponder what is the best way to go to that particular address or location. Fortunately, we now have a very simple solution to a dilemma, which is the GPS (Global Positioning System), the most familiar form of navigation systems of the vehicle. The electronic system will show you to your place in a step by step so that definitely rules out any possibility for you to get lost. Although it may seem incredible, a wrong turn, stressed and are guided to the best way to get back on track. read more »

How to Buy Portable GPS Car Navigation System

Posted in How to Choose Car GPS on July 31st, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

how-to-buy-portable-car-gps-navigation-systemDoing research for a portable GPS navigation system for cars the other week, because my job requires me to travel a lot in different cities.
E ‘was convenient for me to have a laptop I can carry around with me.
While most portable GPS systems have features such as voice narration to help you where to go, it’s worth the time to understand exactly what functionality you need.
For example, there are some models that will tell you which lane to be able to make laps in the busy street easier. This can be useful if you are traveling in a congested city Chicago. read more »

[Review] Magellan Maestro 4210 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Posted in Magellan, Portable Car GPS Reviews on July 31st, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

User Reviews Send this to a friend
Manufacturer: Magellan
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $449.99
Sale Price: View Sale Price
Availibility: View Product Availability
This is cool.

Product Description

We've been big fans of Magellan's Maestro line since it came out in early 2006. The Maestro interface is incredibly easy to use, even for those who are not completely comfortable with electronics. At the same time, Magellan was ahead of the industry with useful innovations like multi-destination routing and pre-loaded reviews for points of interest like hotels and restaurants (from AAA). With it's 3200 and 4200 series, Magellan has improved the Maestro line giving them a SirfStar III chipset that provides super-fast. satellite lock and making them thinner. In fact, at .7 inches, these are -- at the time of this writing (November 2007), the thinnest portable GPS navigators available. Distingushing between models is also fairly easy.

3200 and 4200 Family of Navigators
Distingushing between models is also fairly easy. The 3200-series navigators feature a 3.5-inch screen, while the 4200s have a 4.3-inch widescreen display. The 3200 and 4200 offer great, basic navigation with turn-by-turn spoken directions, pre-loade maps of the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and 1.3 million POIs. The 3210 and 4210 add maps for Canada and Alaska, AAA travel information (see details below) and bump you up to 6 million POIs. The 3220 and 4220 add maps of Mexico. The top-of-the-line 3250 and 4250 add a host of other features, including text-to-speech directions that give real street names, bluetooth for hands-free phone calls, integrated traffic (with a free 3-month subscription), and voice command.

What Makes the Maestro 4210 Exceptional?

AAA logo

Route method screen

Easy to use navigation features SmartDetour and auto re-route. View larger.
AAA information screen

Access built-in AAA information from your GPS touch screen. View larger.

triple view
Easy To Use Interface
The intuitive user interface makes the Maestro series incredibly easy to use. Use the big icons on the 4.3-inch widescreen touch screen to search for your destination by address, intersection, or any of 6 million points of interest (POIs), including restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations, and more. You can even touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination, see name and address, and get an instant route. Turn by turn visual and spoken directions guide you every step of the way.

Auto re-route gets you quickly back on track whenever you make a detour or miss a turn. QuickSpell feature intelligently searches and checks spelling when you enter addresses. The 4210 offer multiple view options, including 2D, 3D, and TrueView that shows your upcoming turn using a 3D split screen. Maneuver List displays the full turn-by-turn details of your route. Auto night view adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing.

AAA-enabled
With built-in AAA travel information, the Maestro 4210 gives you instant access to the most trusted source for trip planning, searchable AAA TourBook listings, Show Your Card & Save locations for member discounts, approved auto repair facilities, attractions, events, and more. The Maestro 4250 also provides AAA members roadside assistance details, with exact location and a toll-free number.

Note: AAA member roadside assistance requires AAA membership.


side view
One of the thinnest portable GPS navigators on the market
Take It Anywhere
The 4210 is super-thin, lightweight and fits easily into any pocket. The integrated rechargeable battery enables you to operate the Maestro 4210 away from your vehicle for up to three hours. The battery recharges while driving via the included vehicle power adapter.

Tons of Data
The 4210 comes pre-loaded with Navteq maps of the United States and Canada, and 6 million points of interest (POIs). POI data includes telephone numbers and addresses.

It also has an Address Book in which you can create and store POIs and addresses that you use frequently.

Flexible Routing
The 4210 provides a particularly large number of routing features relevant to its price point. SmartDetour prompts you to route around heavy or stopped freeway traffic.Customizable route methods let you choose between several different routing methods, including "Fastest Time", "Shortest Distance", "Least or Most Use of Freeways", and "Avoid Toll Roads". Route exclusion lets you pick streets and freeways you want to avoid.
What's in the Box
Magellan Maestro 4210 GPS receiver, Adhesive disk for dash mounting, Basic cradle, Vehicle power adapter (12-24 watts), Quick reference guide and CD, Windshield mount

Optional Accessories
AC Wall power supply/charger, USB data cable

About Magellan
Magellan is a leader in the consumer, survey, GIS, and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets. Recognized as an industry innovator, the Company is the creator of the award-winning Magellan RoadMate series and the Magellan Maestro portable car navigation systems, the Magellan eXplorist and the Magellan Triton outdoor handheld navigation devices, and the Hertz NeverLost car navigation system, the best-selling single frequency GPS survey product line on the market. The Magellan Maestro series includes such unique features as built-in AAA travel information and voice command and control driving which no other portable GPS manufacturer in the U.S. or Canada offers. The company is recognized worldwide through its Magellan brand and has experienced dramatic revenue growth as GPS technology has proliferated across a range of consumer and commercial applications. The Company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California with European headquarters in Carquefou, France.

Product Details

  • New 4.3" wide-screen, full-color, anti-glare touch display
  • Customers can easily search for restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations, and more.
  • Newly designed, intuitive user interface makes the Maestro series the easiest to use
  • Customers can search for any destination by address, street intersection, and point of interest using fingertip touch interface.
  • NAVTEQ ON BOARD: Includes pre-loaded maps of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this product.

Customer Reviews

Pretty good unit
 
Review Date: February 13, 2008
Reviewer: gurugi, Virginia, USA
I got a 4210 2 weeks ago. Used to have a Roadmate 760 before. 4210 is very quick to run on and get satellite reception. Extremely easy user interface - my 10 year old daughter got it without any instructions. Display is wide, bright and excellent in day light as well as at night. Very compact and easy to carry in a pocket. Will work in pedestrian mode as well - really neat and a nice feature over my previous bulky unit. It has AAA assistance but not detailed information on AAA sites. Does not announce street names like Roadmate 760 did (but I don't care for that feature - it is annoying). Lacks bluetooth connectivity. I have not found any accuracy problems. Bottomline - a pretty good unit.
Nice GPS
 
Review Date: June 3, 2008
Reviewer: D. Lahrman, Indiana
I've been using various types of GPS units over the last nine years and the Magellan 4210 is my latest model. I first purchased the 3250 but only used it for about a week before switching to the 4210. The major differences between the two are the voice recognition commands, the bluetooth connectivity, and live traffic compatibility. The voice recognition on the 3250 did not work very well as it was very finicky in recognizing any commands. The car had to be as quiet as possible, no radio. The bluetooth feature worked well enough but callers on the other end said calls sounded strange. Traffic is not an issue in my locale so this feature wasn't going to be used. Once I saw the 4210 was on sale locally for less, I made the switch and I'm very satisfied with the 4210. All the features function very well and I don't miss anything from the 3250. The larger screen is a must-have.

I also spent some time with a TomTom XL One recently and prefer the 4210. I like the flow of the menus better and find the Magellan easier to use. I especially like the ability to find a restaurant by type of cuisine, something you can't do with all other GPS units.

Another plus for the 4210 is its size. Very compact and easy to carry around if you don't want to leave it in the car.

I didn't use to be a fan of Magellan products but this unit has swayed me. I've even bought the same model for a gift to a family member.
GPS Fine but MAPS SUCK
 
Review Date: August 27, 2008
Reviewer: T. McGinnis, Dallas, NC
I just purchased the unit in Aug. 08. The unit is easy to use but the maps are outdated. The maps are the whole key to a GPS system. Of course, new maps come out 2 weeks after purchase and they want me to pay $80 to get them. This will not happen. Garmin offers a 1 time download to upgrade to new maps after purchase of a new unit. I will take my $80 and use it to invest in a garmin. I cannot believe Magellan is allowed to sell a product with old maps and charge you to make current on a new product. I will NEVER buy another Magellan product.
Love it.
 
Review Date: May 20, 2008
Reviewer: F. Kelly II, Columbia, SC
This is my Tomtom review:

I brought this as an upgrade to my Magellan 2200t, and even through it had more features than my 2200t the directions were terrible. I know that any GPS device is not 100 percent on the money and in a lot of cases it is off a little. The Tomtom was often trying to make me take turns onto roads that I didn't have to take to get to my destination. One time I followed the directions to see where it would take me. I made a right and then just a little while later it told me to make a left. That left would have put me in a ditch and into the woods. And the deal breaker was the way I had to access the Point of Interests (POI). I now have a Magellan 4210 and while driving if I see a POI on the screen all that I have to do is tap the screen to view a list of all the POI in the area. Now with the Tomtom I would have to work my way to the menu screen to see something or find something of interest. Also in bright sun light forget about looking at the screen. And my Magellan screen changes from a daytime screen to a nighttime screen. But I will give them credit for a few things, free map updates, and you can customize the voices. I'm very happy with my Magellan 4210 and even happier Amazon allowed me to return the item.


Short but sweet Magellan 4210 review:

Brought a Tomtom to replace an old Magellan 2200t big mistake because the Tomtom sucked in my opinion. This 4210 works great and is as accurate as any other, I'm grateful that I was able to return that piece of crap Tomtom. I would highly recommend this GPS to anyone looking for a great toy for the car. Get a Magellan it will not disappoint.
Better units elsewhere
 
Review Date: February 5, 2008
Reviewer: Robert G. Lyons, Amelia, OH USA
I had a Magellan Roadmate 800, which I really liked. Magellan's Map Upgrade wiped the hard drive clean. After spending several days on the phone with their Indian Tech Support, a supervisor gave me an RA number to ship it to Houston, where they would reinstall the original maps and the upgrade. Needless to say, that went badly as Magellan's Non-existant Customer/Technical support lost the unit. They finally agreed to ship me the new Maestro 4210. The 4210 does connect to the satellites quicker than the 800 but is not as accurate. My home address is about 3 miles away from where the 4210 says it is... The position hops back and forth between the road I'm driving and any parallel roads nearby - and it always tries to reroute me when it thinks I'm on a different road. Problems I did not have with the 800. Only ATMs POI's show up on the map as I am driving. And only the female voice is available. The maps on the 4210 still show streets that have been gone for 7 or 8 years - and I know that Tom Tom's maps are accurate in this regard. I wish I had bought a Garmin or a Tom Tom.
read more »

Tips for traveling with a GPS

Posted in GPS Tips on July 30th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

Tips-for-traveling-with-GPSAll this high technology that surrounds us all easily support learning curves. But there is really no reason why the family should be locked in a strange land because there was no doubt that this was the right way. Nor is it reasonable to spend precious family time stuck in traffic slow, just because there was no way of knowing that the road is clogged. Car GPS is a fascinating work of years of research in use, of course, is equally useful and valuable when used by travelers on foot. read more »

GPS Rating Systems – Read GPS Reviews Before you buy a GPS unit

Posted in How to Choose Car GPS on July 30th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

gps-ratingA full review of General Positioning Satellite (GPS) review is required to purchase the best GPS device. Due to the great opportunity to choose a GPS can be a terrifying experience. An impartial review of the GPS independent people can be a great advantage for the selection process. Some GPS systems are very expensive, so before you open the book Control, you should try to obtain as much information as possible on it.

There are many sites offering GPS reviews, the most important thing is www.gpsreview.net. Here you will find a complete test of nearly all GPS systems and their level of reliability, performance and usability. read more »

Magellan Maestro 5310 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Posted in Magellan, Portable Car GPS Reviews on July 30th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

User Reviews Send this to a friend
Manufacturer: Magellan
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $599.99
Sale Price: $279.99
Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
This is cool.

Product Description

The Maestro 5310 delivers a superior navigation experience, in an ultra-wide 5" screen that makes it easy for customers to enter their destination and go. With large icons and buttons, it is now easier than ever for drivers to get to their destination. Advanced features include integrated live traffic alerts, a highly intuitive user interface that guides drivers to their destination with on-screen prompts, 6 million points of interest, and more. Built-in Navteq Maps includes pre-loaded maps of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The included Live Traffic Alert service comes with a free 3-month subscription, and provides both real-time traffic updates, and reroutes drivers when an alternate route is available. SmartDetour prompts drivers to route around heavy or stopped freeway traffic Exit POIs make it easy to access commonly used POIs while driving on the freeway AAA TourBook travel information for the United States and Canada AAA member Roadside Assistance details AAA Show Your Card & Save member discount locations Atlas III GPS Chipset 5-10 meters GPS Accuracy 1900mAH Li-Ion rechargeable battery, up to 3 hours Route Calculator Methods - Fastest Time, Shortest Distance, Least Use of Freeways, and Most Use of Freeways Option to Avoid All Toll Roads Basic VantagePoint Support Dimensions - Height 3.61 x Width 5.64 x Depth 0.79 (9.18x14.34x2.03cm) Weight - 6.9 ounces (196 grams)

Product Details

  • 5-inch screen with large fonts and easy to buttons
  • Includes a free 3-month traffic subscription, which provides real-time traffic updates and reroutes drivers when an alternate route is available
  • Easy to access commonly used points of interest while driving on the freeway
  • 6 Million searchable points of interest including restaurants, hotels, airports, gas stations with telephone numbers and addresses
  • Newly designed, intuitive interface

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this product.

Customer Reviews

read more »

The purchase of a GPS system – Top Tips

Posted in How to Choose Car GPS on July 29th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

gps-best-reviewGPS and Auto Navigation System has been developed from technology originally developed for the U.S. military. This is a remarkable confluence of design and science and have become almost invaluable for many users. But remember that they are still developing and improving. So toadays GPS system is likely to be lower than those available in a year or two.

One thing to remember is that almost always there are problems of any kind with all the electronic gadgets. And it is doubly true in the case of equipment operated by the software. If you do not know about it, to control a computer running Windows? We are often hampered by limitations of the software we use. read more »

Garmin nuvi 880 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Posted in Garmin, Portable Car GPS Reviews on July 29th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

User Reviews Send this to a friend
Manufacturer: Garmin
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $799.99
Sale Price: $899.99
Availibility: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
This is cool.

Product Description

With the nüvi 800 series, Garmin adds smooth speech recognitionto its bestselling line of sleek portable GPS navigators. As with all nüvis, you get a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that let  you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface. All of the 800-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, integrated traffic receivers, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play all the nüvi's audio, including voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle's stereo system.  The top-of-the-line nüvi 880 adds Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls, an integrated traffic receiver and enhanced MSN Direct content with traffic data, real-time gas prices, movie times and more.

slim form factorKey Features/Benefits

  • Voice Recognition -- Just tell it what you're looking for (Learn more)
  • Enhanced MSN Direct Content -- find the cheapest gas nearby, see how fast traffic is moving, get local weather forecasts, event information and more (Learn More)
  • Easy to use interface (Learn More)
  • Integrated Antenna for a slim form factor
  • Pre-Loaded Maps for North America with 6 million searchable points of interest (POIs), plus add your own custom POIs (Learn more)
  • Multi-Destination Routing -- tells you the best way to get to a lot of different places in one trip (Learn More)
  • Bluetooth for hands-free phone calling capability (Learn More)
  • FM Transmitter lets you hear spoken navigation prompts, MP3s or audio books through your car's stereo system
  • Where Am I? -- instantly shows you all of the emergency services nearby (Learn More)
  • Where's My Car? -- never forget where you parked again (Learn More)
  • Widescreen -- gives you a better idea of what's around you (Learn More)
  • microSD card slot -- store extra maps, travel guides, photos or MP3s
  • Photo Viewer and MP3 Player (Learn More)
  • Customize Your Onscreen Vehicle Icon (Learn More)
  • Garmin Lock (Learn More) -- keep others from using your navigator
  • Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
  • Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest

Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

Learn More


Easy to Use Right Out of the Box

Garmin's own navigation is easy to use
One of Garmin's key product philosophies is, "to make extremely complex technology easy to use for anyone right out of the box," and perhaps nowhere is that better exemplified than in the user interface for Garmin's portable navigation devices.

Garmin's interface is a key to their success and one of the things that makes their devices such a pleasure to use. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip.


Voice Recognition

Usable voice recognition is something we've been waiting to see for a  long time. Reaching over to type out directions on your GPS isn't just difficult, it can feel downright dangerous. There's even a warning on every GPS not to do it. But who has the time to sit still and punch in a destination? Well, now you can have your hurry and your directions too.

The nüvi 800s aren't the first GPS navigators to offer voice recognition, but the level of flexibility they offer sets a new standard for simple and intuitive use.

The device comes with a little remote control that mounts on your steering wheel. It has two buttons. One is, "listen." The other is, "stop listening". Hit the "listen" button to start voice recognition. Then you can speak any of the words that appear on the display, and the device will understand, or you can ask questions based on most points of interest. Say, "find nearest Italian restaurant," for example, and you’ll get a list of nearby spots. Say "go to" and name of the one you want, and you get turn-by-turn directions to dinner. The nüvi 880 also knows the names of many large business brands, so you can just say, "find place, Starbucks," if that's your coffee mojo.

Of course, if you know the address you want to go to, you can say that too, and the nüvi will give you directions, all without having to reach over to the dashboard and touch it.

Speech recognition is available for American English, British English, European French, European Spanish, German, Italian, and Netherlands Dutch languages.


Enhanced MSN Direct Content (9-month free subscription)

traffic reports An integrated receiver allows you to access enhanced dynamic content from the MSN Direct service. Check the weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, get enhanced movie listings, stock information, news and local events when you travel with your unit. Even plan trips from the convenience of your computer, via Windows Live Local, and wirelessly send custom to your nüvi.
  • Free 9 month trial subscription to MSN Direct services, activation instructions provided
  • MSN Direct Traffic Receiver (GDB 55) included in the box
  • Extended MSN Direct service subscriptions available for purchase: 12 months for $49.95 + tax (visit MSN for further details)


Widescreen -- See More of What's Around

The super-bright, 4.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreen display gives is anti-glare for ease of viewing during the day and automatically changes its color profile for easy viewing at night or in dim light. It offers 2d or 3D perspective views.

The widescreen format gives you 70% more actual screen area than a 3.5-inch screen. Primarily this translates into a better view of the area through which you are driving. This is especially useful in showing you what parks, restaurants, ATM, gas stations, etc. are nearby, or in letting you know whether a detour is a good idea. Also, the device itself is larger, meaning controls on the screen are more widely spaced and somewhat easier to push.
Wider screen lets you see more of what's around. Compare these actual size views of a 3-inch (diagonal) screen

3-inch screen


and a 4.3-inch diagonal widescreen

4.3-inch screen


Multi-Destination Routing

This lets you enter several spots into the device (day care - supermarket-cleaners - office - day care, for example) and it will plot the fastest route. And once you've found the best router, the "Route Planning" feature lets you  save up to 10 different routes, Garmin touts the feature for providing, "the most efficient route for errands, deliveries and sales calls." The feature also makes this an instant essential accessory for anyone who shops garage sales (you know what we're talking about).

A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.


Where Am I?

Garmin's "Where Am I?" feature is a useful safety feature on all nüvis, but voice recognition makes it even better.

On any nüvi (including this one), you can just tap "Where Am I?" to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates. With the 800s, all you have to do is say "Where am I?" to get the info.


Where's My Car?

Like the nüvi 700s, the 800s will also remember where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle. Perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded lots such as amusement parks, stadiums and malls.


First-Rate Map Data


nüvi 250W accepts custom points of interest (POIs). View larger.
The nüvi 880 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty POI database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Garmin gets its map data from NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.

In addition, nüvi accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs

Important note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by Amazon.com will come with the most recent map version. If you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store.



Hands-Free Calling

In more and more places, it is becoming illegal to use cell phones while driving without a hands-free kit. The nüvi's Bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker lets match it to any bluetooth-capable phone to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone. Making and taking calls on the road has never been easier, or safer. In addition, Garmin makes it a breeze to look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or even tap into your cell phone's call history log.


Garmin Lock

Garmin's patent pending theft prevention system that disables the unit from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location


Beyond Navigation

Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.


Navigation is just the beginning. The nüvi 880 features travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, MP3 player, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. It also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and configurable vehicle icons that let you select car-shaped graphics to show your location on the map.

This device is compatible with optional content plug-ins available via microSD card, such as the  Garmin Travel Guides and Garmin SaversGuide provide detailed data for attractions and information on nearby merchants offering discounts, so you can customize nüvi for your travel needs

note that the 800 series is unique among nüvis, in that the 800s use microSD cards, where all other nüvis use SD cards..

Garmin has also added the ability for customers to add custom points of interest (POI’s) from third parties such as school zones and safety cameras.

A handy MP3 player lets you play songs stored on SD memory cards.
MP3 Player


Trick Your GPS Ride

custom vehicle icons
Custom vehicle icons let you ride in style, at least inside your GPS.
See more icon option
All Garmin nüvis support configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle's position on the map.


Navigate by Photo


Using Garmin’s unique Web site — Garmin Connect Photos — users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nüvi for a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide.
  • Choose from Panoramio's collection of photos from around the world.
  • Easy to use interface displays photos on Google Maps.
  • Search for photos by location name or map area boundary.
  • Transfer photos directly from Garmin Connect to device with the Garmin Communicator.
  • View photos in Google Earth.
  • Supports Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 2+, Safari 3+ on Windows and Mac.






Notes

  • Optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nüvi to fit your travel needs
  • The FM transmitter feature is only available in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
  • Like most USB Mass Storage Devices, the nüvi is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

What's in the Box

nüvi 880, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America*, MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, 9 months free MSN Direct service*, Speech recognition remote, Vehicle suction cup mount*, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual

Notice: MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012. Activate a subscription between November 19, 2009, and March 31, 2010, and receive 9 months of MSN Direct service for free.

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device
Screen Size inches (W x H)
Included Maps
Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)
Traffic
Bluetooth
Media
FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)
Multi-Point Routing
Battery life (hours)
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
AK and Canada
Europe
nüvi 880 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 205 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 205w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25
 
Photos
up to 5
nüvi 265T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 265WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 275T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 285WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free);
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 465T 3.81 x 2.25
FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 755T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 765T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 775T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 785T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 850 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 855 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 885T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 1200 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1250 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1260T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1300 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1370T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1390T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1490T 4.4 x 2.5
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1690 3.81 x 2.25
NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)
Photos
up to 4

Product Details

  • Sleek, ultra-slim design fits in a pocket; High-sensitivity GPS receiver for fast satellite lock
  • Pre-loaded with City Navigtor NT maps for North America, including more than 6-million name-searchable points of interest
  • Speech recognition -- speak menu options and keep your eyes on the road
  • Multi-destination routing -- enter several destinations and get the best route to all of them; "Where am I?" and "Where's my car?" features
  • Full feature set -- text to speech for spoken directions with real street names; MP3 player, and Photo viewer

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

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You need to know about Car GPS Units

Posted in How to Choose Car GPS on July 28th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

car-gps-unitsIf you were to compare car GPS devices, you can already see how it can be difficult to find one that suits you, no matter how technically savvy you can. We hope that after reading this article, you get a little ‘more informed about what you need to know to find the perfect device for you and your budget.
If you have not already done shopping, you may not know that all car GPS devices essentially the same thing: that will show you where you are and tell you how to get to where it is. They all come with a set of pre-programmed destinations called POIs (Points of interest) for which you need to become even easier. All you need is a finger, because all the cars that use GPS devices touchscreen technology. read more »

Garmin nüvi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Posted in Garmin, Portable Car GPS Reviews on July 28th, 2009 by admin – Be the first to comment

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Manufacturer: Garmin
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List Price: $349.99
Sale Price: $181.45
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Product Description

Garmin International's nüvi 855 is a GPS navigator and personal travel assistant featuring voice-activated navigation and lane assist with junction view. Navigate with confidence while nüvi directs you to the preferred lane while driving. Also, see realistic images of upcoming junctions where available.

Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. Click to enlarge


Junction View gives you a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. Click to enlarge

This advanced model feature voice-activated navigation and lane assist with junction view. Click to enlarge

The nüvi 855 offers full coverage mapping for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The preloaded map data features nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping.

Simply speaking, nüvi 855 is one advanced navigator. It features voice-activated navigation, a widescreen display, preloaded maps, an FM transmitter and more. Like the rest of the wide nüvi 800-series, just speak a menu option and nüvi obeys your command.

Speak Commands
nüvi 855 not only tells you where to turn but listens to your spoken commands. With nüvi's innovative speech recognition, you safely control nüvi's interface with your voice--allowing you to keep both hands on the wheel. Simply press the button on the remote (which attaches to the steering wheel) to activate speech recognition and begin speaking menu options. nüvi even recognizes shortcut phrases for popular functions. Tell nüvi "Find Address" and speak an address to start navigating.

See More
With nüvi 855's widescreen display, you'll always get the big picture. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. Its sunlight-readable, 4.3-inch display is easy to read--from any direction.

Know the Lane Before It's Too Late
nüvi 855 takes navigation to the next level with lane assist. No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.

And with the 3D Lane Assist Junction View, you'll be able to see a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. The signs that aren't needed for navigation are faded compared to the appropriate lane signage.

Navigate With Ease
nüvi 855 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps and millions of points of interest (POIs) such as hotels, restaurants, fuel stations, ATMs and more. Speak a menu option or touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2-D or 3-D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. In addition, nüvi 855 accepts custom points of interest, such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

Where am I?
Keep track of yourself and your car with nüvi 855. Just speak or tap "Where Am I?" to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates. nüvi 855 even remembers where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle. Perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded lots such as amusement parks, stadiums and malls.

With the POI loader program users can set up proximity alerts for school zones, safety cameras, create custom POIs and more. Click to enlarge

A handy MP3 player lets you play songs stored on SD memory cards.

Enjoy a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide with Garmin Connect Photos. Click to enlarge

Plan Ahead
nüvi 855 includes advanced navigational features to take the worry out of traveling. With route planning you can save 10 routes, specify via points and preview simulated turns on the 855's wide screen. In addition, nüvi 855 automatically sorts multiple destinations to provide an efficient route for errands, deliveries or sales calls. It also displays speed limits for highways and Interstates. A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you've been on the map.

Take It With You
nüvi 855's high-sensitivity internal (non flip-up) antenna gives it a sleeker, thinner design than the nüvi 600-series, making it easy to slip in your pocket or purse. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or on foot.

Go Beyond Navigation
Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 855 includes many "must have" entertainment and travel tools including MP3 player, audio book player (subscription to Audible.com required), JPEG picture viewer, currency converters, Garmin Games, alarm clock and more. With the included wireless FM transmitter, you can hear audio, including voice prompts, MP3s and audio books, through your vehicle's stereo. It's also compatible with optional FM traffic alerts or optional MSN Direct content. With photo navigation, you can download Google Panoramio pictures via our Garmin Connect Photos website and navigate to them. The 855 features Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with our free Garmin Garage where you can download custom vehicles that show your location on the map. Enhance your travel experience with optional plug-in microSD cards such as Garmin Travel Guides for detailed data on attractions.

Search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos
Using Garmin's Connect Photos Web site, you can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google's Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nüvi for a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide.

Choose from Panoramio's collection of photos from around the world
Easy to use interface displays photos on Google Maps
Search for photos by location name or map area boundary
Transfer photos directly from Garmin Connect to device with the Garmin   Communicator
View photos in Google Earth
Supports Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 2+, Safari 3+ on Windows and Mac

Send Addresses Directly from Google Maps or Mapquest
Itching to try out a new restaurant, or setting off on a road trip to locate the best toffee apples on the East Coast? Now, it's easy to search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.

  1. Hook up your Garmin to the computer via its USB port
  2. Search for the location you want
  3. Click the Send link in the info window for the address. That will bring up a popup "Send to" form
  4. Pick GPS, then pick Garmin and hit the "Send" button

The address will instantly transfer to your Garmin device, The point will be saved as one of your favorites, and you can navigate to it or view it on a map just like with any other favorite.

The process does require a small plugin, which you can get at Garmin's website. You can send business addresses to your Garmin device from these countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

Other Features

  • Auto time zone--nüvi will automatically adjust your time zone while navigating
  • DEM maps--show you shaded terrain contours at various zoom levels
  • Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more
  • Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator
  • High-speed PC connectivity using USB 2.0 mass storage
  • Configurable vehicle icons--select fun, customized icons from www.garmingarage.com
  • Standard headphone and microphone jacks
  • microSD card slot for optional mapping and data storage

What's in the Box
nüvi 885, preloaded City Navigator North America NT, remote for voice activation with battery, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, lithium-ion battery, USB cable, dashboard disc, and quick start manual

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device
Screen Size inches (W x H)
Included Maps
Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)
Traffic
Bluetooth
Media
FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)
Multi-Point Routing
Battery life (hours)
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
AK and Canada
Europe
nüvi 205 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 205w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25
 
Photos
up to 5
nüvi 265T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 265WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 275T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 285WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free);
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 465T 3.81 x 2.25
FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 755T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 765T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 775T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 785T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 850 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 855 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 885T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 1200 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1250 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1260T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1300 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1370T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1390T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1490T 4.4 x 2.5
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1690 3.81 x 2.25
NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)
Photos
up to 3

Product Details

  • Sleek, ultra-slim design fits in a pocket; High-sensitivity GPS receiver for fast satellite lock
  • Pre-loaded with City Navigtor NT maps for North America, including more than 6-million name-searchable points of interest
  • Speech recognition--speak menu options and keep your eyes on the road
  • Multi-destination routing--enter several destinations and get the best route to all of them; "Where am I?" and "Where's my car?" features
  • Full feature set--text to speech for spoken directions with real street names; MP3 player, and Photo viewer

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this product.

Customer Reviews

read more »