To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website.
Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!
Posts Tagged ‘Right’
Price Comparison GPS – Find the Right Model to Fit Your Budget
Posted by admin in Garmin Nuvi 750 Monday, 30 November 2009 07:11 No Comments
In this article, I’m going to talk about what you can get from the three major manufacturers of GPS systems and approximately how much it’s going to cost you.
I’m also focusing exclusively on after-market, automotive GPS receivers-not the kind you take hiking, but the kind you see mounted on people’s dashboards. To get started, let’s talk about GPS systems in general first, so you understand what they do, what their basic features are, and what additional features you can upgrade to.
What GPS Systems Do
GPS systems (or receivers) are electronic devices that show you where you are on an electronic map and tell you how to get where you want to go via some sort of voice instructions.
All GPS receivers also have a database of Points of Interest (POIs). These are pre-programmed locations of gas stations, restaurants, state parks, hospitals, well-known buildings, etc. Basically these are public destinations.
GPS receivers also all come with the following:
* A touch screen interface
* A choice of “views”-either 2d, which looks just like a map, or 3d, which looks a little more realistic
* All of these devices auto-calculate your route to your destination. Usually you can choose between shortest or fastest route
* Come pre-loaded with maps. Even most of the base price units have maps of the lower 48 states
Upgrades
Popular upgrades are:
* A wider screen, 4.3 inches diagonally as opposed to 3.5 inches
* Saying the names of the streets, instead of just saying “turn here.”
* More maps
* Bluetooth integration for hands-free calling
* Real-time traffic and weather
* Millions of POIs, instead of a few hundred thousand
* Multiple route calculation
Price Comparison GPS
GPS systems range in price from around $150 for base units to $1,000 for Garmin’s top of the line Street Pilot 7000. You can get a lot of bells and whistles for $200 to $300.
Magellan’s Maestro line currently runs anywhere from about $150 for the Maestro 3100, which has a 3.5 inch screen, maps of the lower 48 states, and about 750,000 POIs. The top of the line Maestro, the 4250, currently runs slightly more than $250. With the 4250, you get a 4.3-inch screen, maps of the U. S. and Canada, 6 million POIs, real-time traffic capability and Bluetooth.
Garmin’s GPS receivers are comparatively priced. Their introductory model, the Nuvi 200 does about the same thing as the Maestro 3100, and runs about the same amount of money. Their top of the line Nuvi 770 currently costs slightly less than $600, but it has every feature imaginable-4.3-inch screen, more maps, huge POI database, says street names, real-time traffic and weather, Bluetooth, and much, much more.
The other main manufacturer, Tom Tom, has fewer models to choose from, but they make a great product and their prices are in line with Magellan’s and Garmin’s. Their base model, the Tom Tom One, runs slightly more than $150. Their top of the line model, the GO 920 has a 4.3-inch screen and all of the other features.
To learn more, your next step needs to be finding an informative website where you can actually browse, look at pictures, and compare models.
Compare GPS Models To Get The Right Choice For You
Posted by admin in Garmin Nuvi 750 Wednesday, 25 November 2009 15:12 No Comments
When I got bitten by the GPS bug, I decided to compare GPS systems to see which would be the best for me. I only had a vague idea of what these remarkable devices did. I knew they were essentially electronic maps, but I had no idea how they worked, or what was important to look for when buying one. So, I decided to do some research.
My first stop was Amazon to check out their best sellers. (Just click on my link below to see the same information.)
I quickly saw that Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom dominated the market. Garmin, I had heard of Magellan and Tom Tom, I had not heard of. My elation at seeing who were the best sellers for GPS units was soon crushed by an overwhelming sense of confusion as I clicked on each item, read its description, and tried to make heads or tails out of the differences between the units.
There must have been some pretty big differences, I thought, because the prices ranged from a low of about $150 to almost $1000 for portable units-the kind you can stick to your windshield and remove to take with you when you’re out of the car.
Well, suffice it to say, I did an enormous amount of research and became an expert of sorts.
To save you some time and frustration, let me tell you the basics of what I found out.
Although there are several manufacturers of portable automotive GPS systems, the three main ones are Garmin, Magellan, and Tom Tom. Garmin sells about half of the automotive GPS systems in the world, but Tom Tom is quickly catching up. All three companies make a good product, it’s just that understanding the differences between the three manufacturers and their specific products is a little difficult.
Garmin has two main lines of automotive GPS systems, the Nuvi and the StreetPilot. The functionalities of each line overlap quite as bit, so does their price.
In general, the Nuvi’s are sleeker, more compact units. Their interface (how you use the system) is not quite as straightforward as the StreetPilot’s interface. Garmin Nuvi’s come in a broad price range, from less than $200 for the Nuvi 200 to almost $1000 for the Nuvi 770. Per price point, Nuvi’s generally have a few more features than StreetPilots.
The main difference between the Nuvi’s and the StreetPilots, however, are these-according to Garmin, Nuvi’s have a high-sensitivity receiver, whereas StreetPilots do not. Nuvi’s weigh about half as much as StreetPilots. (None of these units is heavy, just StreetPilots weigh almost 10 ounces, where Nuvi’s weigh slighlty more than 5 ounces.
The biggest difference between the two units is the user interface. The StreetPilot “c” series was made expressly to be very intuitive and user friendly. This is not to say the Nuvi’s are not, they’re just not super simple, like the StreetPilots.
Tom Tom has devices that directly compete with Garmin’s. The Tom Tom One, for instance, is comparable to the Garmin Nuvi 200, Garmin’s entry level product. Both are basic GPS systems which come pre-loaded with maps, have touch screen, and voice instructions. The Tom Tom One has a battery with only 2 hours average life, where the Nuvi’s battery will last an average of 5 hours.
To my mind, the Tom Toms are not quite as sleek looking at the Nuvi’s, although their quality seems to be comparable.
Magellan does not have the market share of Garmin or Tom Tom, but they still build a good product. The Magellan Maestro 3100 is a big seller on Amazon. In both price and features, it’s comparable to the Tom Tom One and to Garmin’s lower priced units, both in size and weight. Magellan says their battery lasts up to three hours, fifty percent better than the Tom Tom’s.
One of the biggest differences between the cheaper GPS systems and the more expensive ones is the number of “Points of Interest” in the unit’s database.
Points of interest are preloaded hotels, restaurants, business locations, hospitals, basically anywhere you might like to go, which are included in your devices database. The Magellan Maestro, for instance has 750,000 points of interest. The Garmin Nuvi 200 comes with approximately 6 million!
If you’re going to use your GPS for traveling, having more points of interest available might be a key feature, and when you consider the distances involved, 750,000 items is just not that many.
Another feature I think is important is Bluetooth technology. Your higher priced units can work as a cell phone (both making and receiving calls). It’s hard enough (and even illegal in some areas) driving and talking on your cell phone. Add looking at your GPS to that mix, and…well, you might want to pull to the side of the road. To my mind, the fewer devices to keep up with the better.
To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website.
Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!
Which Garmin GPS Unit is Right for You?
Posted by admin in Garmin Nuvi 205 Sunday, 8 November 2009 03:10 No Comments
All About Garmin Nuvi Navigation
Garmin nuvi navigation represents one of over 35 different gps systems meant for use in your car or on the go. With over 35 products dedicated for automotive use, things can get a bit confusing. I have to admit that this high number of products is overkill for me too but Garmin is committed to delivering a gps for everyone’s needs and price point. The Garmin nuvi lineup provides this to the consumer. This article will help you sift through the options to help you easily choose a nuvi system that is right for you. Typical uses may be for your car, as a personal assistant, use on a motorcycle, hiking, touring, on the water or in your big rig. You can obtain maps for the United States, all of North America and/or Europe.
There are over 8 different series comprising the Garmin nuvi line. Each is separated from the other by their of features, styling and upgrades. Upgrades could include more extensive map regions, bluetooth capabilities, speech recognition and voice narrated turn-by-turn directions to name a few. To me the progression in price is similar to other electronics. The thinner, lighter, sleeker the product the higher the price tag that will come with it. This is true of Garmin nuvi systems. Prices vary from 200 to 1000 dollars.
The garmin 200 series are considered entry level personal gps units. Their main purpose is to be used in a car or around town for directions. Out of seven models, each model in the series is different based on the inclusion of greater map coverage (either USA or North America), a widescreen display, and voice narrated turn-by-turn directions. The suggested retail prices range up to 400 dollars, but you can certainly get them for less.
If you are interested in an entry level gps system for directions around town I would look at the Garmin 205 series. These are a recent release and represent a takeoff from the 200 series lineup. The Garmin 200 and 205 series seem to be identical, but the added features in the 205 series are much better at the same price point. Turn-by-turn directions, Bluetooth capable, traffic compatible, and the “where am I?” features all come standard.
Garmin nuvi navigation systems also include the 300 series but they have been recently discontinued by Garmin. You can still find them however, and they are available for well under 200 dollars these days. The nuvi 300 gps systems are touted to be international navigators, translators, entertainers and tour guides. Many upgrades include Bluetooth compatibility, 3-D maps, programmable points of interest (POI) and traffic alerts to steer you home. These products are a great value for Christmas and if you were thinking of a 200 series gps, I would just try to pick up one of these for less. The Garmin nuvi 350 is the most popular by far.
If you are the type of person who is constantly on the go or a weekend warrior who likes tracking your hiking, or sailing expeditions. Then the Garmin 500 series represents you well. These gps models offer traffic, voice and map features standard but they are also built to be rugged and service your off-road mapping needs. Both models are totally waterproof and include multi-mode navigation for adventures on land, or at see, on road or off. I like to use this model because of its versatility! These models will cost up to 500 dollars.
Up till now we have discussed Garmin’s entry level and utility gps systems. The nuvi 700 and 800 series are meant for advanced navigators of the road at home and abroad. These gps systems are wide and sleek, have bright displays that can be viewed in full sunlight, as well as, a bivy of features like emergency locators, route planning, pre-loaded maps, millions of points of interest (POI) and much, much . . . much more! There are over 20 features and options loaded inside. In essence, the advanced navigation systems will look fantastic in your car or your pocket and they will act as virtual assistants to get you around town or around the world!
The Garmin nuvi 700 series is Garmin’s entry into advanced personal automotive navigation systems. All 700 series nuvi’s are wide and sleek, have sunlight-readable displays, and options like route planning and an emergency locator. Bluetooth compatible for hands-free calling, mp3 player, pre-loaded street maps for Europe and North America, local and custom points of interest (POI) are just a few of the over 20 included features. With MSN direct services, the nuvi 700 series becomes a virtual travel assistant, with the ability to update traffic, news and weather in real-time. The main difference between Garmin nuvi 700 and 800 series gps systems is that the Garmin nuvi 800 models can reckognize speech. Meaning complete hands free use as you navigate menus and use voice commands. Especially helpful in hands free states like California.
The Garmin 700 and 800 series gps systems are the luxury class in form and function but the Garmin 5000 is definately the working man’s gps. It has the largest display of all Garmin nuvi products and is meant to be a dedicated automotive gps unit. These products are great for in your RV or Truck. Real tech heads can connect the gps with a camera to assist with safely backing up a large vehicle or truck. They can especially useful for professional salesmen or professional drivers. The navigation features are the other reason this unit is valuable to the dedicated traveler. Nuvi 5000 comes with City Navigator NT street maps, a million POI and up to 3000 programmable favorites. A few added extras include Garmin games, jpeg picture viewer, and mp3 player. The wireless FM transmitter broadcasts voice prompts, mp3 and audio through your car stereo system. Hands down, this is the best unit for a dedicated automotive user, especially at a price of 500 dollars.
Well if you read this far and your head isn’t spinning, you must have a handle on this whole Garmin nuvi thing for now. Just remember to determine what your used will be before hand. Each unit is seperated by its list of functions and options. If you just need it to get around town and save gas by not getting lost, you wil probably be fine with the entry level models. You can add features or get downloads to upgrade for international travel if you want to use it while on vacation. If your uses require a sleeker design and more professional look with upgrades like voice commands and bluetooth for hands free calling, then you will be better served with an advanced system.
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