Garmin continues to redefine the leading edge of vehicle GPS systems, and with the 800 series they’ve succeeded again with a truly hands-off GPS that accepts your voice commands, and does so accurately and intuitively. CNN/Money describes it as "…the most advanced speech recognition system on a personal navigation device to date." According to U.S. News & World Report, "you won’t be disappointed with the Garmin nuvi 880." Not only has Garmin set the bar higher with the 880, but once again, redefines the vehicle GPS as we’ve known it.
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Car & Vehicle GPS,
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GPS ReviewsTagged:
2008,
Garmin,
gps,
gps_bluetooth,
gps_fm-transmitter,
gps_multi-destination,
gps_reads-street-names,
gps_traffic-capable,
gps_voice-recognition,
nuvi,
price_500-999,
r4,
r4.5,
r5,
rating_5,
review,
top_pick,
vehicle_gps We get many questions about finding a single GPS that does it all, taking you from car to trail to the lake or offshore. Oh, and geocaching would be nice, too. And, of course, it needs to be waterproof and have great battery life…oh and how about a removable battery to boot? Well, Garmin’s been busy on your behalf and the nüvi 500 series may be the ideal solution in the emerging "crossover" class of GPS systems. Like its nuvi relatives, the 500 and 550 models are sleek and easily fit into your pocket or pack as well as your hand for comfortable handheld operation with an impressive battery life of 8 hours.
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Handheld & Outdoor GPS,
Marine GPS,
Motorcycle GPSTagged:
2008,
crossover_gps,
Garmin,
gps,
gps_auto_maps,
gps_geocaching_mode,
gps_marine_maps,
gps_multi-destination,
gps_next-gen_receiver,
gps_topo_maps,
gps_traffic-capable,
gps_turn-by-turn,
gps_waterproof,
handheld_gps,
marine_GPS,
motorcycle_gps,
nuvi,
price_200-499,
rating_4.5,
review,
vehicle_gps If you’re a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices — really good choices — in the top-rated nuvi line, Garmin’s not about to make your decision any easier. The 2×5 series, including the 205, 205W, 255 and 255W adds so many features to the 200 series that the term "entry level" just might not cut it any more. In fact, the 205/205W and 255/255W incorporate both higher-end features as well as features not even seen in some of their higher-end siblings. The result is a product that is marketed as an entry-level system, but in fact has a solid mid-level feature set, earning the 2×5 series even stronger marks than the popular 200 series.
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2008,
Garmin,
gps,
gps_next-gen_receiver,
gps_reads-street-names,
gps_traffic-capable,
gps_turn-by-turn,
nuvi,
price_200-499,
r4,
r4.5,
rating_4.5,
review,
top_pick,
top_seller,
vehicle_gps The past few years have seen dramatic advances in the GPS units we use in our cars, with intuitive, user-friendly interfaces and an ever-growing number of features. Though handheld units have certainly benefited from new, more sensitive GPS chips and other advances deep in their electronics, they haven’t realized the same sort of game-changing advances as their vehicle-based cousins…until now. Garmin’s Colorados series ushers in the next generation of handheld GPS units, offering a rich feature set while incorporating the ease of use you’ve grown accustomed to in the car, within a rugged, waterproof shell. Outside Magazine sums it up, "The Garmin Colorado 400t was born for serious backcountry time, and you won’t find a more user-friendly or durable handheld GPS" while About.com concludes that the "400t lives up to its promise of being a next-generation handheld GPS."
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Marine GPSTagged:
2008,
colorado,
Garmin,
gps,
gps_altimeter,
gps_auto_maps,
gps_compass,
gps_geocaching_mode,
gps_marine_maps,
gps_next-gen_receiver,
gps_sun_moon_tides,
gps_topo_maps,
gps_turn-by-turn,
gps_waterproof,
handheld_gps,
marine_GPS,
price_200-499,
r4,
rating_4,
review,
top_seller In our reviews of TomTom’s popular entry-level ONE series, including the ONE 130 and 130S and the ONE XL 330 and 330S, we’ve praised TomTom’s "ongoing innovative spirit and clever approach to design of their highly-customizable GPS devices." We’re impressed to see TomTom offering strong innovations in its mid- and upper-range offerings, too, with the GO 730 and 930 series (which replace the highly-rated GO 720 and 920 respectively), which offer a range of useful new features at even greater value. Laptop Magazine states, "the GO 930 is one of the best GPS values we’ve seen in the mid-range space," while, as About.com says the 930, "combines highly competent navigation and fast signal acquisition and route calculations with all of the latest technical goodies TomTom has to offer."
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2008,
GO,
gps,
gps_bluetooth,
gps_fm-transmitter,
gps_multi-destination,
gps_reads-street-names,
gps_traffic-capable,
gps_voice-recognition,
price_200-499,
price_500-999,
r4,
rating_4,
review,
TomTom,
vehicle_gps TomTom’s popular entry-level ONE 3rd Edition is updated with the ONE 130 and 130S, which vividly illustrate TomTom’s ongoing innovative spirit and clever approach to design of their highly-customizable GPS devices. Fortunately, TomTom hasn’t sacrificed any of the strong foundation of the ONE series, nor its solid reliability and appeal to first-time buyers. A leading consumer magazine states,"The TomTom One 130 and 130S are good choices for consumers seeking an entry-level device. They deliver the core features that matter most in navigators…[and] improve on the well-rated previous generation" and About.com calls it a " very competent navigator at a budget price."
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gps_traffic-capable,
ONE,
price_100-199,
r4,
rating_4,
review,
TomTom,
vehicle_gps TomTom’s successful wide-screen version of the popular ONE series, the ONE XL and XL-S is updated with the ONE XL 330 and 330S, wide-screen versions of the ONE 130 and 130S. As we indicated in our 4-star review of the 130 and 130S, the new ONE series vividly illustrates TomTom’s ongoing innovative spirit and clever approach to design of their highly-customizable GPS devices. Fortunately, TomTom hasn’t sacrificed any of the strong foundation of the ONE series, nor its solid reliability and appeal to first-time buyers. A leading consumer magazine states,"The TomTom One 130 and 130S are good choices for consumers seeking an entry-level device. They deliver the core features that matter most in navigators…[and] improve on the well-rated previous generation" and About.com calls it a " very competent navigator at a budget price."
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gps_traffic-capable,
ONE,
price_200-499,
r4,
rating_4,
review,
TomTom,
vehicle_gps
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Our Top Picks: The Best of the Best. If you don’t have the time to invest reading reviews and comparisons, consult our Top Picks below for our top recommendations in each of four categories. Since all of the GPS units we feature are rated 4 stars or higher, our Top Picks truly are the "best of the best.".
If you’d like to do some more research, consult our GPS Buyers Guide which will give you an in-depth look at GPS features to look for and, of course, our GPS Reviews to find the top-rated GPS with the features you’re looking for. Remember: All the GPS units we feature are rated 4 stars or better. We’ve done the homework for you.
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1. Easiest to Use GPS for the Car
Since Garmin’s c330 set a new standard for user-friendliness in the GPS world, Garmin has continued to hold top spot in ease of use. When the c330 arrived, Forbes Magazine said, “describing the new interface on the c330 as ’simple’ doesn’t quite do it justice.” Since then, Garmin’s popular nüvi line has inherited this wonderful user interface, and any choice in the nüvi line will provide an easy-to-use navigation experience. For a rich feature set and an easy-to-read wide screen, we suggest the popular nüvi 660. Any of Garmin’s nüvi series is perfect for someone who’s easily intimidated by complicated devices, driving, or both! It’s small, portable, completely touch-screen controlled, and takes simplicity to a new level. No confusing buttons — just a touch screen with two options: “Where To?” and “View Map.” The unit guides you each step of the way, providing spoken turn-by-turn directions to your destination. If you miss a turn, no worries — the unit will instantly recalculate your route and get you back on track. Want to add live traffic updates? The 300, 600 and 700 series are live traffic-capable.
2. Best Fully-Featured GPS for the Car
It’s Garmin’s nüvi series again, which has taken Garmin’s blending of form and function to a new level, offering an elegant yet essential travel tool to the traveler. The nüvi is sure to find its niche among frequent travelers who may find themselves finding their way through heavy traffic in Chicago on Tuesday and navigating the narrow sidewalks of Rome on Wednesday, with access to a spoken Italian Language Guide to boot (along with 8 other languages) along your stroll. PC Magazine calls the nüvi an “indispensable travel companion…a portable GPS navigator, traveler’s reference, and digital entertainment system, all in one.” Garmin’s new 700 series offers the rich features found in the 600 series, but also adds multi-destination routing — which offers you the optimal route when you need to make many stops — along Garmin’s new “Where Am I?” safety feature and a sleeker form factor. The nüvi sports Garmin’s top-end GPS features, such as a brilliant touch screen, pre-loaded maps for North America, text-to-speech, which reads street names out loud when announcing turns, automatic rerouting if you miss a turn or encounter a detour, and live traffic updates.
3. Best Handheld GPS for the Back Country, Boat, or Vehicle
For the hiker, hunter, fisherman or anyone who likes to explore the
back country,
the 5-star Garmin GPSMap 60csx is powerful handheld unit that’s all about versatility and ruggedness. It’s waterproof and is an ideal choice if you’ll be in the field, on the water, and need a unit that is packed with features yet portable and durable. It also provides turn-by-turn driving directions for use in the car. It even has a “geocaching” mode. A great single unit solution to a wide range of navigation challenges. Winner of Outside Magazine’s “Gear of the Year” award.
4. Most Economical GPS for the Car
While it’s hard to beat Garmin’s nuvi series, TomTom has managed to bring entry-level to, well, a new level with the third edition of its popular ONE model. Selling below Garmin’s entry-level nuvi 200 series, TomTom packs the ONE with more features, offering great value in an easy-to-use package. Though you might miss some higher end features, like text-to-speech, the TomTom won’t disappoint as a reliable traveling companion. New to the third edition is access to live FM traffic services (requires purchase of antenna and subscription fee for TomTom PLUS services, $24.95/year). Also new is TomTom’s “Help me!” safety feature which allows you to find the location of the nearest hospital, police station, vet, dentist, pharmacy, etc. at the push of a button. Another new addition is TomTom’s “Map Share” feature which allows owners to make, submit, and download updates to their maps continuously.
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Top-Selling & Top-Rated
(Our full reviews coming soon)
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Filed Under:
GPS Reviews,
Sports & Fitness GPSTagged:
2007,
2008,
fitness_gps,
Garmin,
gps,
price_0-99,
price_200-499,
r4,
r4.5,
r5,
review,
top_seller
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Top-Selling & Top-Rated
(Our full reviews coming soon)
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Filed Under:
GPS Reviews,
Marine GPSTagged:
2007,
2008,
Garmin,
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Lowrance,
marine_GPS,
price_200-499,
price_500-999,
r4,
r4.5,
r5,
review,
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