TomTom XL 340, 340S, 340S LIVE: REVIEW

TomTom’s value-packed XL 340 and XL 340S (wide-screen versions of the TomTom ONE 140 and 140S) offer an attractive upgrade to the XL 330 and 330S, competitively positioning them in the entry-level category of in-vehicle GPS systems, which includes Garmin’s popular 2×5 series. Most significant, TomTom has now included its Advanced Lane Guidance feature into the XL 340 series, a feature until now seen only on midrange and top GPS units. The new XL 340S LIVE includes a built-in receiver for TomTom’s LIVE Services, including live traffic, weather, fuel prices and Google Local Search. Cnet states,"The TomTom XL 340 S introduces a few advanced features to TomTom’s midrange lineup, while staying well below the premium price bracket."

 

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Garmin nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T, 785T (7×5) – REVIEW

Garmin’s nuvi series has been all about constant innovation and improving on what just a few months ago seemd to be as top-of-the-line as the series could get. Hence, dozens of nuvi models and many with top 4.5- and 5-star ratings. The 7×5 series, which includes the 755T, 765T, 775T and 785T does it again, with the addition of some compelling "gotta have" features and smaller touches that continue to refine this excellent product without undermining its performance. The nuvi 755T earned PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice award, and its praise, including, "…features that the 755T offers, including the Lane Assist view, 3D Landmarks, and Garmin Connect Photos, make an excellent navigation experience even better."

 

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Garmin nuvi 265T, 265WT, 275T, 285WT Vehicle GPS: REVIEW

Garmin’s popular 2×5 series, building on the success of the 200 series, designed as a budget-friendly GPS, continues to blur the lines between "entry level" and mid-level with the 265T, 265W, 275T and 285WT models which sit at the upper end of this category. (These models are not fundamentally different from the other models in the 2×5 series but include richer feature sets, maps and other included options.) As we pointed out in our review of Garmin’s first models released in the 2×5 series (the 205, 205W, 255 and 255W), the result is a product that is marketed as an entry-level system but in fact has a solid mid-level feature set under the hood. Not surprisingly, the 265, 275 and 285 have won accolades from editorial reviewers and owners alike, the latter especially pleased at the perfomance per price. In its review of the 265T, PC World notes this, indicating, "…a reasonable price for a full-featured GPS–especially when you factor in the lifetime traffic service."

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TomTom ONE 140, 140S GPS: REVIEW

TomTom’s value-packed ONE 140 and ONE 140S offer an attractive upgrade to the ONE 130 and 130S, competitively positioning them in the entry-level category of in-vehicle GPS systems, which includes Garmin’s popular 2×5 series. Most significant, TomTom has now included its Advanced Lane Guidance feature into the ONE 140 series, a feature until now seen only on midrange and top GPS units. In its Editor’s Choice 4-star review, PC Magazine states, "TomTom’s One 140-S has more features than you’d typically expect from a $200 GPS device from a top manufacturer."

 

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Garmin nüvi 1300 Series – REVIEW (1300, 1350, 1350T, 1370, 1370T, 1390, 1390T)

FIRST LOOK: Garmin remains at the top of its game with constant innovation that is keeping the manufacturer solidly on top in sales and customer satisfaction for vehicle GPS units in the U.S. What we’re especially intrigued by is how the pace of innovation continues to accelerate and just how quickly yesterday’s luxury feature becomes today’s essential "must-have." With prices remaining competitive, the number of features per dollar gives you, the consumer, the best value ever, and those features are fitting into more and more compact units. Garmin’s nuvi 1200, 1300 and 1400 series introduce the thinnest, most pocketable units yet as the new CityXplorer feature brings a wealth of new GPS features to the pedestrian, navigating an unfamilar city by foot or mass transit. CNET says, "Even if you don’t opt for the CityXplorer route, the new GPS offer plenty of other navigation features and for reasonable prices." Garmin has also added ecoRoute™ to its nuvi line, allowing you to select the most fuel-efficient route to your destination.

 

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Garmin nuvi 500, 550 Crossover GPS: REVIEW

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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Garmin nuvi 205, 205W, 255, 255W Vehicle GPS: REVIEW

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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Garmin Colorado 400t, 400c, 400i, 300 Handheld GPS: REVIEW

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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Garmin nuvi 880, 850 GPS: REVIEW

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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TomTom GO 930, 730 GPS: REVIEW

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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