Garmin nüvi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition

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4.3-Inch nüvi with full North American mapping, voice-activated navigation, lane assist with junction view, and spoken street names
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Technical 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
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Customer Buzz
 "The item I received was used" 2009-09-11
By Jesus D. Contreras (Houston, TX USA)
I am not rating the GPS. In my opinion this is a great equipment. I am rating the transaction. The Garmin 855 is a great device. However, I paid for a new GPS and I received a used equipment. I returned this equipment to Amazon.

Customer Buzz
 "Replacable battery is an improvement" 2009-09-09
By Clam80 (New York)
The replacable battery in the Nuvi 855 is an improvement. My Nuvi 750 stopped working completely after the battery died after 18 months of ownership. I tried replacing the battery following the instructions of a video on U-tube. The new battery only lasted two weeks, then the Nuvi 750 just stopped working.



The Nuvi 855 works even without the battery installed when connected to the cigarette lighter. I consider that a very useful improvement. Otherwise the 855 works as well as a GPS as the 750 did. The sound volume is lower on the 855 as others have indicated, but it is only too low if you have your radio on.

Customer Buzz
 "Greate buy" 2009-09-09
By E. Nekoo (MD USA)
Bought this model few weeks ago. So far I love it. Easy to use, great graphics and voice activated is a breeze. Do not come with Blue Tooth but my car had it so I didn't care. The FM transmits ion works but the sound is not as clear as the sound from the unit. There are a lot of other options that I have not use yet but they seems great like picture, music, traffic report, games, E Books and many more.

I wish the screen was a little bit bigger.



Customer Buzz
 "Garmin Nuvi 855 / The Lady in The Box" 2009-09-08
By Peter R. Walters (LI NY)
The product is everything it was advertised to be.

It is very intuitive to opperate.

We have taken to trips to look at colleges and have never found it easier to get around new places.

One of the best features is lane Notification. This lets you know which lane you need to be in in order to exit the highway.

My family calls it the lady in the box.

Customer Buzz
 "Why I love my Garmin nuvi 855" 2009-09-08
By Douglas Russell (Plano,Tx. USA)
I have tried a couple of different GPS' and each one had features that I liked. There was one in particular that was'nt very good. It would tell you that you had arrived at your destination and you hadn't. The Garmin give you plenty time to make your lane changes and when your coming up on a major intersection it shows you what lane to continue your route with a big white arrow. I also like the voice command feature that allows you to speak your destination in. I am very happy with my purchase. Douglas Russell


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Garmin nüvi 1390T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Buy Cheap Garmin nüvi 1390T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator


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The NUVI1390T 4.3" Ultra Thin GPS Navigator features a widescreen ultra slim design (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode and text-to-speech. The n vi 1390T offers pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps. CityXplorer maps are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the n vi. The nuvi's enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin's new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems. Steer clear of traffic with nuvi's traffic receiver by receiving alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Junction view - View realistic images of upcoming junctions where available Map data is provided by NAVTEQ Bluetooth wireless technology, enables hands-free calling with a compatible phone ecoRoute - Drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel Speed limit indicator - unit displays speed limits for most major roads Public transit - Navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Download at garmin website. Where Am I? feature - Find closest hospitals, police stations, gas stations, nearest address, intersection and coordinates Bright 4.3 diagonal color display; 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT display with white backlight Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time Built-in travel kit includes picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator MicroSD memory card slot Offers 3-D mapping, or 2-D overhead view Dimensions - 4.8W x 2.9H x 0.6D; Weight - 5.7 ounces Built-in lithium-
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Technical Details

- Widescreen ultra-slim GPS design with 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen display
- Pre-loaded with City Navigtor NT maps for North America, including more than 6 million name-searchable points of interest
- Bluetooth wireless technology enables hands-free calling with a compatible phone; included traffic receiver provides North America traffic information
- Pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps
- Public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems
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Customer Buzz
 "a GPS that cannot be trusted" 2009-09-05
By David Eshel (New York, NY)
I had the 1390T for a week. What a disappointment.



GPS is off by anywhere from 70 to 200 feet.



The NAVTEQ Traffic Receiver is absolutely useless. When it works, it always shows that there is "NO TRAFFIC ON ROUTE" no matter how heavy the traffic is. I have tested the unit on the roads surrounding JFK airport, New York City, and Long Island.



The 2010 map is well updated. The "WHERE I AM" function is also great.



I do miss the SIRF GPS chips that GARMIN used to use in older models.



the unit goes back to Amazon on Tuesday. I am going back to my NUVI 250W. The 250W does not have all the bells and whistles the 1390T has, but it does get me to the destination of choice over and over again without a fail.





Customer Buzz
 "great gps, some flaws" 2009-09-03
By Blessen (New York)
i read a bunch of reviews on different models before i ultimately chose the 1390t. when it came down to the wire it was a hard choice between the 765t and the 1390t. The main difference I would like to point out is the charger. the 765t uses a mount charger, while the 1390t uses a micro usb fed directly into the unit. some users like the fact they dont have to unhook the charger when dismounting the unit(765t). like i said personal preference. oh and also no mp3 playback, fm tuner or multipoint point destination. 765t has all those.



real world test of features

user interface: so easy a caveman can do it. garmin definitely has the other brands beat when it comes to UI. i liked the feature set for price in the tomtom 940t, but the UI just looks so primitive. They need a major rehaul of that. the 1390t always gave precise directions without causing confusion. there was no lagging either. being able to update the ETA to total distance is a huge plus. almost always gave me the local speed limit. your speed turns red if you're speeding.



bluetooth: i was actually rather impressed with the bluetooth. it was easy to sync with my blackberry 8800(dinosaur phone i know). i had to speak a little louder than normal conversation. this is mostly because you're talking to the unit from 1.5 feet away. if the mic was more sensitive it would pick up more background noise. call quality was good on the other end. my friend couldn't hear the road in the background.



lane assist: i like the fact that it shows you all available lanes that you can take. it almost always did lane assist where available. junction view with photo realistic pictures never showed. i drove on the grand central, LIE, northern state, southern state, belt parkway, cross island. these are all major highways in the long island queens area. maybe it only does interstate highways. who knows. i was really disappointed when i didnt see the 3d simulation at all.



traffic alert: the ads are unobtrusive and don't show up while you're driving. traffic reporting was pretty accurate when it did have reception. i never tried any alternate traffic routes. the traffic map shows where the traffic begins and ends and your location.



new thinnest model of all time: don't make this the deciding factor for you. although the unit is 25% thinner than most other garmins, it's really not a big deal. the other garmins (200 and 700 series) were thin to begin with.



POI: for some reason when i looked for a mcdonalds or bk it would show everything but the closest location. i only used POIs 3-4 times.



random: i don't know why other people were complaining about speaker volume. i put it on a 100% thinking that it was going have weak speakers. i assure you, def not the case. it was practically yelling at me at 100%.





cons: no fm tuner, no multipoint destinations. you can have a via point though. price is a bit high. i paid 280 including tax for the unit. i think $200 wouldve been a more reasonable price.



conclusion: if you wants all the bells and whistles go for this model or the 765t. if you just need a simple gps get a 200 series. theyre a lot cheaper. all in all great gps. 4.0/5.0. if you want a full list of features with pics check out [...]. theyre affiliated with amazon, so take that for what you will.

Customer Buzz
 "Used it in Great Britain for 2 1/2 weeks" 2009-09-01
By Tim Stimpfel (Los Angeles, CA)
Used the Nuvi in England for 2 1/2 weeks and it worked great. The nice feature was that it could fit in my pocket for walking around (it has an automobile and a pedestrian feature) which was very nice. The maps worked great for us as we travelled from London to Bath to Scotland and all abouts. The suction cup works great and very easy to take your Nuvi in and out of the car. I like the feature where it shows your speed & indicates when you are exceeding the speed as well. Definitely well worth the money.

Customer Buzz
 "Great, but there are some issues" 2009-08-20
By L. Nichols (Park City, UT)
I love the size of this GPS, I almost got the 1490t, but read some reviews and determined that I really didn't need the screen that big. My main reason for purchasing this was for an upcoming trip to Paris, France and would likely be using this in pedestrian mode to navigate around the city. I also wanted one that had the bluetooth feature as I use it frequently in the car and it works great. I mount it to the left of the rear view mirror and can communicate just fine.



Now on to the issues. This unit that I have has powered off by itself numerous times, had some freezing issues while in navigation mode, and has problems turning back on. I've had to hold down the power button for a long time in order for it to turn back on. I can't figure out what is causing this, I'm actually on hold right now with Garmin waiting for support to answer, hopefully they will have some insight as to why this is happening. I've downloaded and installed all the latest firmware updates hoping that would help, but still no.



The phone feature in the GPS I've found to like more than I thought I would. We were traveling in Arizona and was wondering when a restaurant was opening and I could call directly from the GPS, that was slick. I have an iPhone and could have done it through there but it seemed a lot faster on the GPS because the restaurant was already displayed on the screen, all we had to do was hit the phone button.



I hope Garmin has some answers to the issues I've mentioned above. There seems to be some freezing issue with their other models, I hope they have a fix for this one. Hope this helps.

Customer Buzz
 "A Few Design Flaws Keep It From Five Stars" 2009-08-16
By Scott V (Salem, Ohio)
The overall performance of this unit is excellent. The visual and audible prompts leave no room for interpretation: you are given the information you need when you need it.



Pros: Lighting fast recalculations. Real-time current speed acts like a head-up display. Shows you the speed limit of the road you are on.



Cons: When battery drains, display brightness defaults to 1%, even when the power cord is plugged in, making it very difficult to see the screen to re-adjust brightness back to a usable level. Manual must be downloaded, and has numerous incorrect references to itself (see page x for info, and the info is not on page x). Lane Assist function is not nearly as detailed as the advertisement shows.



Overall this is a vast improvement over our Nuvi 750.


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Garmin Travel Accessory Pack for all nuvi 4.3-inch Portable GPS Devices

Buy Cheap Garmin Travel Accessory Pack for all nuvi 4.3-inch Portable GPS Devices


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This pack contains everything you need to get started with your new nüvi. The carrying case protects the nuvi from scratches, and the USB cable lets you connect to your computer to download vehicle icons, addresses, system updates, maps and more. And with the AC Adapter, you’ll be able to charge your nüvi when you’re out of your car and near an outlet. These accessory kits will be available in a secure box with a hang tab. Package contains: Nuvi 4.3-inch carrying case, AC adapter cable with international adapters/North America, Europe and UK and USB cable. Compatible with all Garmin nuvi 4.3-inch portable GPS devices.
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Technical Details

- Nuvi Travel Pack
- Nuvi 4.3-inch Carrying Case
- AC Adapter Cable with International Adapters / North America, Europe and UK
- Also Includes USB Cable
- Compatible with Nuvi 2xxW, 2x5W, 6xx, 7xx, 8xx
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Customer Buzz
 "Great accessory" 2009-09-05
By Tall Paul
I originally got this for the charger. However, all of the adapters and the carrying case are an added bonus. I would recommend this if you travel and you want to protect your Garmin!

Customer Buzz
 "Great bundle" 2009-09-02
By I. Alsafa (Chicago, IL USA)
I definitely like the USB and power cable. The best is the little pouch for the gps. saves the screen from scratches while traveling. It's a must have for those who travels and uploads map data into the gps.

Customer Buzz
 "Bad experience with Garmin" 2009-08-07
By C. Lloyd (NC, USA)
After I received my Garmin I noticed that some roads in my area did not exist on the maps. So I went to the Garmin WEB site and downloaded, supposedly more current maps. After I did this the device said that there were no maps on my Garmin. I tried to call Garmin but their machine said that it would be 3 hours before a human being would be on the line. I tried using messages on their site for help but got limited advise in a very slow process. Thus, I returned my equipment and after deducting my shipping charges I got my money back. I will buy maps.

Customer Buzz
 "Essential for World Travel" 2009-07-31
By N. Kelevh (New York City)
This travel pack for the Garmin Nuvi 4.3 inch device is essential for world travel. I was in Portugal recently and used my GPS unit extensively, requiring several recharges during my vacation. The travel pack, with its collection of world plugs and protective case, is essential equipment. I wouldn't travel without it.

Customer Buzz
 "do the math" 2009-07-07
By Cdawg & Co.
This is a great buy. If you bought all these products separately the cost would easily be double or triple. If you need equipment to charge your garmin and would also like a case for a great price, then look no further. The international adaptors are probably really good to have if you are a traveler also. Highly recommend this product to people looking for garmin equipment.


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Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver

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GARMIN 010-00543-00 GPSMAP 478 Chartplotter/GPS. Go from box to boat to dash with the portable and versatile GPSMAP 478. This combination color chartplotter and land navigator comes preloaded with U.S. marine charts utilizing elements of the latest BlueChart g2 technology, in addition to detailed street level mapping. Optional weather and sonar capabilities combined with the ability to conveniently add plug in data cards, let you easily add more maps and features/making this one incredible GPS navigator for land and sea. From curbside to dockside, the GPSMAP 478 has you covered /no downloads or computer required. Its built in marine charts utilize the latest BlueChart g2 technology and feature coverage for all U.S. coastal areas, including Alaska and Hawaii. Our g2 mapping technology offers a smoother, more fluid presentation on your screen. For road trips, the 478 along with its freshwater counterpart, the GPSMAP 378, come preloaded with City Navigator NT detailed street maps for North America and include automatic routing with voice guidance along with an industry leading database with more than six million points of interest/ including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, marinas, attractions and more. An included marine mount and automotive kit make it a snap to transfer the unit from boat to car.
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Technical Details

- WAAS-Enabled, 12 Parallel-Channel GPS Receiver
- For Offshore Applications
- Features Built-In Marine Detail Charts Of The United States Coastline, Including Alaska & Hawaii
- Utilize Elements Of New Bluechart G2 Technology
- Preloaded With City Navigator Nt Detailed Street Maps Of The United States, Canada & Puerto Rico
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Customer Buzz
 "Garmin GPSmap 478 GPS Receiver" 2009-08-29
By Superior sailor
Worked great with wonderful definition and visuals--there were even tracks for entering difficult harbors. One thing to note, the marine charts for the Canadian shore of Lake Superior (the chip) are a bit off. The US charts for the GPS are perfect. The Garmin makes navigating so much easier. Would not want to sai without it.

Customer Buzz
 "Quality Control???" 2009-08-06
By John M. Woods (Orange County, Cali)
I bought the unit NEW from Amazon and received it on Jan 3 2009. The sound didn't work, so after dealing with Garmin's customer service I sent my 12V cord/speaker to Garmin waited three weeks and received a replacement. Still no sound. Garmin then told me to send the unit back to them for replacement. About three weeks after sending the unit to them, I received a replacement, only this one had a loose antenna. The GPS worked fine at first, then it started having trouble finding satellites. Garmin then told me to send the GPS back to them for inspection and sent me a replacement about three weeks later. Now this GPS does not charge. The battery is dead.

All of this within seven months of spending close to $700.00 for a NEW GPS and an additional $30.00 in shipping and insurance.



Customer Buzz
 "Outstanding product!" 2009-06-19
By Nativescape (Chicago, IL USA)
This is the best Sea to Land to Road GPS I have found and certainly the best GPS I've ever owned (and I've had many). I seamlessly use the 478 on my Sailboat, Motorcycle and Car. The XM Weather feature is outstanding, which I use both on the boat and motorcycle. It is an advanced unit and therefore, will take a novice a bit of experience to work through all the sophisticated functionality vs. some of Garmin's mass market-oriented products like the Zumo or Nuvi, but there is no other device that can do everything that the 378/478 units can do, so it's absolutely worth the extra learning curve.



Garmin's new 640, which is apparently aimed as a new replacement/upgrade for the 478, is a major DOWNGRADE in functionality - so do not be fooled into buying the 640 (XM only with Marine mode, not Automotive mode. Also, the 640 regrettably removed the critically important Tracks Saving/Routing function, which the 478 has). The 478 ROCKS!

Customer Buzz
 "Garmin 478 Versatility Exceeds Expectations" 2009-05-12
By Redfishman (Coastal Louisiana)
I chose the Garmin 478 chartplotter because I needed a portable unit for my truck and bayboat. Navagating though Louisiana coastal marshes with its maize of cuts and islands is quite challenging.Before going on the water, I made navagational waypoints through established canals and bays easily.There is a good variety of icons you can use for specific routes and then use different ones,labeling for fishing spots along the area. You can zoom to a 2' accuracy which shows movement when anchored.

Just a personal preference, I chose not to hard wire the unit on the boat since the battery provides 7-9hrs of charge depending on screen brightness-more than enough time for a day venture. I did buy an extra battery for $21 to provide extra power if needed. You could easily use the charger with the 12v system onboard-but because of water and rain issues-didn't want that extra concern.

The coastal maps show only natural lakes-ponds and canals(bayous).Man made oilfield canals and accesses are not shown .So in some instances, your route will be highlighted through land areas.



Disadvantage: In remote areas of the marsh the unit WILL loose satellite

communication if the WAAS is enabled. In the marsh there is no cover like trees to inhibit the signal.Having it mounted on the console,in my humble opinion should not affect the signal either. I use the WAAS system for vehicle navagation. It's probably better to use the marine system when on the water. That can be changed easily when flipping to the setup menu.( the jury it still out on that issue)

If the unit had some type of touch screen (like the Nuvi's) would help "dragging" new way points for marine navagation. But considering the price -the lack of that feature-"you get what you pay for".



Other features: You can set several tide stations to view -sunrise/sunset data. I don't subscibe to the XM system. I get weather and warnings off my VHF system. On the "automotive side" you get voice prompts and directions like the nuvi's.



Overall: I gave the unit a strong 4 out of 5 considering its cost and wide use. I have used magellan and Lowrance units in the past. Garmin seems to be more user friendly. I'd recommend sitting down before hand and learning the unit before venturing out into the great unknown sipping a cold one and watching another episode of "Lost".









Customer Buzz
 "SHARP PIX EVEN IN SUN" 2009-05-07
By John M. Krohn
The crossover marine vs land is a great feature.....screen clear even in bright sun......programs easily (with a little practice).....first time Garmin users may need to read the manual......but don't admit it....very happy with this unit


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GARMIN 010-00329-05 Forerunner 101 Wrist-Mounted GPS Fitness Computer

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The Forerunner 101 stores lap histories for up to two years to provide an archive of workout performance over time. Users can retrieve lap data for previous workouts by date, week, month, or over a specific time interval. For business travelers who want to train on the road, the Forerunner 101 also doubles as a navigator. Users can mark their hotel as a specific location, see their current position on the plotter display, and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to their starting point. Working out with the Forerunner 101 means you're never alone in your personal training, because the unit provides a Virtual Partner. This unique feature allows you to set your training goal by configuring your Virtual Partner's pace and workout distance. You'll get a graphic perspective of your performance by viewing your pace in relation to your Virtual Partner's pace, so you can always see at a glance if you're keeping up or falling behind. Retrace your steps to a starting point or reverse your normal route for routine variation. Amount of calories burned can be tracked and calculated over the course of a workout. Automatically records up to 5000 laps by day or week; stores approximately two years of data Performance data can be automatically archived and calculated to provide an accurate record. Automated stopwatch provides AutoLap and AutoPause features. Lap timer indicates when a certain speed is reached or when you've fallen below a pre-set level. Pace whistle sounds alert when you begin traveling slower or faster than your desired pace. Distance whistle sounds when you reach a specified duration or distance in your workout Display - 1.44W x. 92H, LCD 100 x 64 pixels; Case - Waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards; Temperature range - -4 to 140 degrees F
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Technical Details

- GPS Sensor Provides Precise Latitude, Longitude
- & Altitude Data For Exact Location Information
- Mark Specific Locations & Then Look-Up & Navigate
- To These Points Using An Electronic Map
- Retrace Steps To A Starting Point Or Reverse Normal Routes For Routine Variation
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Customer Buzz
 "Good for distance, Poor for pacing." 2009-08-22
By Still Running (Syracuse, NY)
If your looking for a GPS watch under $100 to just measure distance walked, run, or biked, then this watch will fit the bill. But if your a runner or biker looking for more advanced features like pacing you will probably be better served getting the Forerunner 205 for $50 more.



Here is my experience with the Forerunner 101:



I run a 5 mile loop along a pedestrian only parkway next to a lake. The distance markers have been measured and verified by a local track club so I know they are accurate. The Forerunner 101 usually hits the markers right on or is within +/- .05 of the marker, and the total distance is also within this variance. The pacing is a different matter. I usually run this 5 mile loop in around 40 mins. for a mile pace of about 8 mins./mile. The watch pacing swings wildly up or down per mile so one minute it says I'm running 10 mins./mile and then a few seconds later 7 mins./mile. During the course of the run it will level off for awhile to what seems a fairly accurate pace reading of about 8 mins./mile, but at some point will fluctuate wildly again. I have also used this watch in a 5K race with the same pacing fluctuations.



The GPS acquisition when you first turn on the watch does take awhile, normally 2 - 5 minutes. So you definitely don't want to turn the watch on a few seconds before they fire the gun to start a race. I like the history log that records and stores the times for each run by weeks, this makes it easy to track each run without having to enter the information in a database.



The bottom line here is to keep in mind this watch has been around since 2002, so the technology is dated. If your on a tight budget and just want to know your distance traveled this watch should work for you, otherwise put the money towards a newer model.

Customer Buzz
 "Worked, For About 2 Weeks" 2009-07-26
By Eric Hildebrand (Portland, OR)
My loving wife gave this to me after I commented how much my brother liked his. And for about 2 weeks it was pretty cool to watch my speed and distance while and ran or rode my bike, and to get data from the runs. Then it started acting up, and I switched batteries a couple times and re-read the manual but by the end of 3 weeks of semi-daily usage it quit altogether. I didn't use this product in the rain or combat or anything, just for running and bike riding, honest. I am about to send it back and I hope to heck I just get our money back. The product I got was truly garbage and I advise anyone against buying it. Who needs to spend good money on something that only works 2 weeks? This reinforces my philosophy that sports and fitness should be kept simple, that going high tech is a waste of time and money.

Customer Buzz
 "Not worth the Money" 2009-06-22
By Jere C. Cross
While I was looking forward to using this gps I was disappointed in the accuracy it showed both in pace per mile and distance run. It was very inaccurate and inconsistent. I've used it for several months and have given up on it's accuracy. According to Garmin the models above this one have a better GPS system. This one is a waste of money it doesn't do anything you want it to.

Customer Buzz
 "You get what you pay for..." 2009-05-29
By Kyle de la Cruz (Los Angeles, CA USA)
This item is the lower of the Forerunner series and it shows.



I wanted this item mainly for interval training and pacing. It is good for interval training and it is pretty easy to figure out the menu system. What I didn't like is the pacing information. If I went under a tree or a tunnel or anything blocking my view of the sky, the pacing would go out of whack.



It does take a while for the GPS signal to synchronize when you turn it on. It's a bit heavy and feels cumbersome sometimes when running.



I bought the lowest model and it shows... it does its job but at a mediocre level. If you want a more reliable training device, go with a higher model.

Customer Buzz
 "101/201 VS. 205/305 - NO COMPARISON!!!" 2009-05-27
By Y. R. Wu (Ann Arbor Michigan)
The 205 / 305 are about $50-$70 more than this but if you can afford to swing it, here is why you should buy those instead...



The 101 is identical except that is uses 2 AAA's instead of having an internal rechargeable battery.



I bought the 201 when it first came out (~7 years ago) It was head and shoulders above the Timex product with the remote arm pod and I would have rated it 5 stars back then because it was the best of it's kind. I even used it to go geocaching.



The problem is, I have to strongly recommend against anyone buying it today - I was "lucky" to have lost this kayaking a couple of years ago at which point I upgraded to the 305. It is SOOOOO much better that I have to now rate the 201 as one star in comparison. The 205 is the same but without heart rate.



First, the 101/201 have a very unusual shape. The 205/305 is a bulky watch but the looong 201 prevented you from wearing gloves - a real problem when skiing, cycling, etc.



Second - and more importantly, the 205/305 have the SIRF Star III Chipset which means it can lock on and hold the lock better.



Imagine if you will - you're all ready to run and pumped up - whoops, you now have to wait an extra few minutes to lock your position, otherwise it cannot tell you your speed, location, etc.



My old 201 locked on far faster than my running partner's Timex (He had to hang it on a tree while he was getting ready since it often took 5 minutes or more to lock.) the 305 can lock in 5-10 seconds most days while the 201 would lock in ~2 minutes *most* of the time but occasionally would take up to 5 minutes. If you were ~100 miles away from your prior location, the 201 would take up to 10 minutes to get a new lock. ARRRGGGGHH.



Also the 201 would lose lock all the time when running in even moderate tree cover or heavy clouds. With the 305 I can even get a lock in my house most of the time.



Finally, the 101/201 cannot lock IF YOU ARE MOVING! The 305 can lock even if you're riding a bicycle. I think I've even gotten a lock while driving.



Yes the 205 and 305 cost more but with the huge difference in functionality I find it astonishing that Garmin would continue to sell the 201 given how much better the 205 and 305 are.



p.s. Don't bother with the 405. Interesting concept but not practical. Read the reviews.



I use mine for cycling and running, the direct link to see your workouts mapped on GOOGLE EARTH is FANTASTIC!!!! (the included software is far more stable than the junk Polar included with their HRM's.



Heart rate strap with replaceable battery is coded and comfortable. It's better in my opinion than the Polar products (of which I've owned three)



I'd avoid the 405 unless you really want to use this watch as a normal day to day wristwatch (check out the 405 reviews)



My only complaint is that it's easy to leave it on and run the battery down - which is a bummer if you're just about to work out. I wish there was an "auto off" feature which would shut it down if it detects no movement or heart rate within an hour or so. Fortunately, with Li-Ion batteries, as little as a 10 minute charge gives you enough juice for a 90 minute run.



If you've found this review to be helpful, please let me know!


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Garmin Approach G5 GPS-enabled Golf Handheld

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handheld golf GPS assistant * 3" color (240 x 400 pixel) TFT touchscreen display * preloaded with thousands of courses across the U.S. * USB input *
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Technical Details

- Rugged, waterproof golf GPS unit with 3-inch sunlight-readable touschreen display
- Preloaded U.S. course maps, including fairways, hazards, and greens
- No annual fee; new maps available for download from Garmin website
- Measure shot distance with highly sensitive readings to eliminate guesswork from your game
- Digital scorecard for up to four players; save and review the scores on your computer at home
See more technical details
Customer Buzz
 "Extremely Useful Tool" 2009-08-27
By Todd B. (Chicago, IL)
I've used the Garmin approach for several rounds so far. I generally score in the low to mid 80s on average difficulty courses (slope 124-126). I have not had experience with any other golf GPS device. My decision to purchase the Garmin Approach was based on golf course map availability for my area, durability in wet weather, screen view on bright days, and the reviews of others. I live in Chicago and found that every course I could think of in the area, city to suburbs, was included in the list of courses mapped. Once I had the Garmin Approach out on the golf course, my first thought was to gain the trust of the GPS. As I played my first round with the Approach I continually made comparisons to the yardage markers on the course, and found the displayed information on the GPS to be very accurate (within a yard or two). I paced off several hundred yard lengths and compared the number of paces to the GPS and, again, the device was very accurate...or vice versa, my paces were very accurate in comparison to the GPS : ). I've gone through this routine for every course I've played so far, with similar results. I have not had any issues with viewing the GPS display on bright days. As other reviews mention, the Garmin goes through a set of batteries in about two rounds so rechargeable batteries are a must. I purchased a set of four Enloop AA rechargeable batteries (the Approach requires two AA batteries) that claim up to 1,000 recharges per battery. That works out to be roughly 80 years of use out of a four pack of batteries if you play 50 rounds a year....suffice it to say, battery life is not a problem if you use rechargables. The auto hole change has worked flawlessly on every course. Green size is displayed accurately and the ability to move the pin to the actual location on the green is extremely helpful as many greens could be 30 or 40 yards deep....or more. As has been mentioned in other reviews, the touch screen is great and the menu is intuitive. I often use the movable crosshairs to locate a target that is 100 yards from the pin as this is the ideal position for a full 60 deg. wedge into the green for me. The shot measuring feature is easy to use and works well. Once you have set the shot measuring feature to start measuring your shot, you can navigate back to the course view so that you can study the map to plan your next shot (or help others in your foursome with yardages) while you walk to your ball. When you get to your ball, switch back to "measure shot" and it will display your shot distance. I choose not to use the belt clip (or carabiner clip) for the Approach because the device is small enough to put in my pocket or throw into one of the small pockets in my bag.



The Garmin Approach G5 is an extremely useful tool and I am pleased with the accuracy of the information it provides. I can't claim that it has lowered my scores but I will say that it has changed my club selection on many occasions as I am still in the habit of determining club selection in my head based on the center-of-green. With the adjustable pin location, the GPS lets you know exactly how large the greens are and often times I will change my club selection by one or two clubs. No more guess work on distances, or where to hit the ball (or where not to hit the ball) on errant shots into the rough or next fairway. Sand and water hazards are displayed accurately. All said, I am extremely pleased with the Garmin Approach and ultimately I believe most serious golfers will have a golf GPS in their bags as prices drop.



Customer Buzz
 "Clearly my favorite!" 2009-08-18
By John Mills (Southern Illinois)
No downloads. No annual fees. Good battery life. Locates courses nearby. Easy to see screen. Touch screen and no instructions needed! I love it and am selling my (3) previous models to friends. This makes course management so simple when a tap on the screen shows distance of next shot instantly. Playing an unfamiliar course like you know it makes golf more fun.

Customer Buzz
 "GPS vs. Rangefinder vs. iPhone app" 2009-08-16
By Neil Blumenfield (San Francisco)
I didn't plan this comparison, just turned out that way. After reading a lot of reviews here and elsewhere, I decided on the Garmin Approach as the best Golf GPS device but I also wanted to try a rangefinder and picked up the Leupold GX-II, based on similar reviews. Leupold GX-II Digital Golf Rangefinder

Overall, I find the GPS easier to use for most of what I want in these devices. The Garmin has all the courses I play available and there is no annual fee. (The purchase price is high, but all the course maps are included.) So, if you want to know distance to a trap, to clear a hazard, to get to the middle of the green, that is all there for you with the Garmin at a glance. No need to stop, sight the target (and check a few times to make sure the rangefinder is picking up the exact target you are looking for). So, more convenient and faster for sure. Obviously, the one thing that the rangefinder does better is distance to the pin. With the Garmin (or any GPS), you are guessing where the pin is on the green and estimating distance based on the information you get on front and center of the green. You can move the flag to the location on the green where you think it is, but that is an estimate. For me, that's good enough. If I am off by 5 yards, that is a lot more accurate than my shot is likely to be. But the Leupold does a great job of picking out the flag (at least inside 225 yards) so if you want accuracy to the flag, it is better. It also will adjust real distance based on slope to the green, altitude and temperature and suggest a club based on what you enter for your normal distances for a few irons. Note that this feature is illegal in tournament play or in rounds that you use to determine your handicap. But it does help you get a feel for how much you need to compensate for that long downhill to the island green, which is 213 yards, but will play like 165. And, if you're willing to stop and sight your targets, hazards, etc., you do get that improved accuracy. So, convenience - GPS, absolute accuracy - Rangefinder. And I do think these 2 devices work great on the course.



However, during my 3rd round with the Garmin, the battery died and locked up the device after new batteries were put in. This was on a Saturday. Garmin support is not available over the weekend. When I got them on Monday, they promised to send a new unit out that day, 2nd day, so I would have it for my next round. Unfortunately, someone screwed something up, so it wasn't shipped until after I emailed a few days later, so I started looking at other options for my next round and found Golfshot, a $30 iPhone application. Seemed to have similar functionality to the Garmin, similar number of courses available, and no subscription. I downloaded it and tried it and it was great. Everything the Garmin did plus a bunch of scoring options so you can track clubs used off the tee, fairways hit, greens in regulation, number of putts, sand saves and penalty shots. (The Garmin only allows basic scoring.) Golfshot also shows you a list of the likely interesting distances on every hole (front and back of bunkers and hazards, front, back and center of green) as well as an aerial view. The only drawback is the GPS sucks iPhone battery. They suggest turning off wifi, 3G and bluetooth (which you don't need on the course) and also to turn off auto-lock so you get continuous information. The other good suggestion is get an auxiliary battery like External Battery for Iphone, Iphone 3g, Iphone 3gs, T-mobile G1, Ipod, Sidekick, Blackberry, Nokia, 5400 Mah. And this will get you through the round with plenty of battery left.



So, if you have an iPhone, Golfshot is highly recommended. For $100 you get the app and the extra iPhone battery. If you have no iPhone, for convenience, the Garmin is good, the Leupold for absolute accuracy. Any of these will help your game.

Customer Buzz
 "First impressions: Amazing!" 2009-08-03
By Darwin (Redmond, WA United States)
It's Sunday night as I type this review. I have had my Garmin a total of three days now. It arrived on Friday, so I put in batteries, connected it to my PC, downloaded the OS upgrades and most current course file (about a 76MB file). I played with the preview function, using it to check my local courses, and also checked out Warwick Hills, where Tiger was storming back on day 2 of the Buick Open. Very cool being able to preview 1000s of courses across the country!



Saturday morning I woke up bright and early and took it out to a course I had never visited before to see just how well this investment would pay off. Looking at the top-down, color view of every hole from tee to green, I knew everything I needed to know to reach the green in regulation--it didn't matter that I hadn't been here before.



On a par 5 with a sharp left dogleg, I used the Garmin to determine the distance to the middle of the left bend. I touched the screen and pinpointed a spot 190 yds to the center of the fairway, with bunkers on the left. I grabbed my 3I hybrid and let 'er rip. Perfect shot! Right in the center of the bend, and a straight shot at the green 250 yds away. A 3W got me to about 50 yds, and then a (lucky) little pitch and I was up and down for birdie!



A few holes later, the Garmin showed me a par 4 that goes out straight and level for about 200 yds. There the fairway ends and it's about 100 yds up a hill to the right with about 20 yds elevation difference to the green. Again, I grabbed my 3I hybrid and whacked the ball about 190 yds just short of the fairway's end. Then I grabbed my PW and knocked the ball up the hill to the elevated green and 2-putted for par. Sweet!



Eventually, it's the 18th hole (par 4) and the grand finale--there's water on the right and fronting the green, with bunkers on the left of the fairway and behind the green. The center of the green itself is about 260 yards off, and while the other 3 golfers in my foursome decide to break out their drivers and go for it, I used the Garmin to determine the best lay up point--about 180 yds to the widest part of the fairway past the water. I grabbed my 4I hybrid, plopped the ball perfectly in the fairway, and I had an easy wedge shot to the green to par the hole, while two of my compadres were flailing away in the bunkers, and the other was digging his ball out of the deep rough beyond and left of the green (I was willing to share my Garmin with them, but they'd all played the course before and "knew" what to do!).



Those are the three "highlight" holes of my first round at this course. The Garmin does everything but hit the ball--that part is still left for me to do, and, unfortunately, I don't always hit the ball so perfectly, or there would have been more highlights!



Nonetheless, the Garmin was the perfect aide for course management, and I know it saved me several strokes. Even though I had never visited this course before, each time I walked up to the tee box I was filled with confidence because I knew exactly what club to use and where to aim. I could see the shape and depth of every green, and I knew where my margin of error was when making my approach.



Sunday morning, I got up early again and took the Garmin out to a course I have visited several times before. Unfortunately for me, my shots were rather inconsistent, to say the least, and I shot a miserable round. However, that was entirely my fault--the Garmin was still an excellent guide throughout. On the rare occasion I did hit my shot straight and true, my distances perfectly coincided with what the Garmin was telling me. And again, each time I made an approach shot, I knew the depth of green and the locations of the hazards, and whether I should err long or short, left or right.



Additionally, I should mention that I've had a competitor's golf GPSR for a couple years now. It's been adequate for the job and was half the initial purchase price of the Garmin, but it was severely lacking in many ways because it:



-- required an annual subscription to download courses;

-- only held 10 courses in memory at a time, so I would have to connect to my computer and download courses if venturing out of my "home" area;

-- only showed distances to a handful of landmarks, e.g. bunker, end-of-fairway, water hazard, etc.;

-- had a monochrome LCD;

-- was NOT a Garmin (I admit, I have a pro-Garmin bias, as I've had two of their hand-held GPSRs and an in-car unit, all of which I've been impressed and satisfied with)!



On the flip side, the Garmin:



-- does NOT require a subscription;

-- provides a touch screen (no confusing manual buttons that do different functions at different times);

-- holds THOUSANDS of courses across the US;

-- shows the ENTIRE hole from tee to green with bunkers, hazards, and distances clearly marked;

-- has a COLOR display;

-- allows me to target specific locations through the fairway, with distance to the target from my current location and remaining distance to the green from the target.



Both units were basically equivalent in the following ways, both good and bad:



-- display shape of green;

-- display front, center, and back green distances;

-- allow movement of pin location for more accurate estimate to pin itself;

-- last about 2 complete rounds using AA rechargeable batteries;

-- allow measuring of shot distance;

-- do not display trees or other obstacles;

-- do not display elevation changes.



I am incredibly satisfied with my initial experiences with the Garmin Approach this weekend. I'll be using it on many more outings this summer and fall, but I especially look forward to visiting more new courses. Now that I'm no longer restricted to 10 courses in memory at a time, I can pick up and go anywhere on a whim, and with the great top-down view of the entire hole from tee to green I'll know exactly where to aim and what club to hit, as if I've visited the course dozens of times before.



A few other notes:

-- I did not use the scorekeeping function--I prefer to use a real scorecard to track some stats.



-- I noticed after finishing my 2nd round, turning the unit off, and putting in fresh batteries that I was returned to the hole I was on when I turned the unit off--it appears if you need to change batteries in the middle of a round, the unit will remember what "page" you were on and return you to it.



-- Manually navigating the holes when previewing a course is a bit awkward--there are "next" and "previous" buttons on the page, but no way to jump from, say, the 1st hole to the 14th without pressing the "next" button 13 times. I think Garmin could improve this by popping up a menu if the user were to press and hold the "next" button for example. This would also be a big help if the course you're visiting decides to flip the front 9 to the back 9, so you can start on the right hole.



-- In the Settings page, the unit lets you enter what type of batteries you're using, e.g. alkaline, NiMH rechargeable, etc. Curious...



-- When previewing a course, go to the "about course" (hole number) button to see the address and phone number of the course. Very convenient for calling ahead to make a tee time!



-- The ability to target anywhere on or about the fairway is EXCELLENT! Most GPSRs just give you the distance to the green (front/center/back), but that does you no good if you've got a tree or other obstacle in the way. Knowing what the distance is to any part of the hole can really save your bacon when you find yourself blocked and need to get back to the fairway.

Customer Buzz
 "Terrific Golf GPS" 2009-07-22
By Succcessful Investor (Dallas, TX)
I played my first round with the Garmin Approach G5 today. I was very satisfied.



Strong points:

--finds satellites quickly

--lists golf courses by order of how far you are from them...closest first...makes finding local courses easy (you can also type in names, but I don't see why you'd do it this way)

--automatic hole advance worked flawlessly

--tap-screen feature to zero in on the green and the area around the green (incluing traps and stuff) was very helpful...I used it on most holes

--distances to hazards like traps was very helpful...it's good knowing that you can aim at a trap (because you know you can't reach it)

--tap-screen feature to "place" the flag on the green is very useful...greens can be quite large, and there can be a 1-club difference between hitting to a front flag rather than a rear flag...I credit it with getting me a par on a long par-3 by indicating to use an extra club for a rear pin position

--with July's update, there are 4400 courses mapped out

--all courses are stored in the device, not on your PC

--monthly course updates are free, never(?) a subscription fee nor disabling of courses you've already received...this makes up for the initial high price of the unit, in my opinion

--course downloads are handled by Garmin as a "purchase" of an item that costs $0.00, very straightforward once you understand that's what's happening

--once the unit is registered and you "purchase" this month's course updates, the downloading process itself took only about 5 minutes, which seems remarkable for 4400 courses

--color screen easily visible in bright outdoor light

--very sturdy and waterproof

--only one physical buttton (on-off switch)

--all other functions are handled by the touchscreen, and everything was pretty intuitive

--measuring a shot was easy and fun (I do hit my 3-wood as far as I thought)



A couple of drawbacks:

--I walk and carry my clubs, and was not satisfied with using the belt clip to attach to my bag; I was afraid it would snap off

--Clipping the belt clip to your belt makes the unit hang in an unuseable position...you'd have to keep unclipping it

--It seems a little too big to put in your pocket without noticing it

--So I've ordered the separate slipcase with caribiner clip to hold it to my bag...I think I'll feel more confident with that setup

--Got just one round out of pair of batteries...you'll definitely want to order a couple sets of rechargeable batteries and a recharging device

--Quick-start booklet contains little information...it tells nothing about the initial steps of registering your unit online, how to find the serial number, or how to order course updates

--That said, the website has all the clues you need, although a few were hard to find and not entriely intuitive



Overall, my first impression is very positive. I formerly used a first-generation unit from iGolf, which just gave distances to the green. On this unit, the course map showing the shape of the hole, distances to hazards, closeup of the green, and ability to place the pin anywhere on the green were big improvements.


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Garmin nüvi 850 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Voice Command and FM Transmitter (Soft Black)

Buy Cheap Garmin nüvi 850 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Voice Command and FM Transmitter (Soft Black)


Buy Low Price From Here Now

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 850 also features an integrated traffic receiver and enhanced MSN Direct content with traffic data, reas-time gas prices, movie times and more.

slim form factorKey Features/Benefits

  • New -- Voice Recognition -- Just tell it what you're looking for (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)
  • FM Transmitter lets you hear spoken navigation prompts, MP3s or audio books through your car's stereo system
  • Add FM traffic incident data or Enhanced MSN traffic flow data and content with an optional antenna (Learn more)
  • 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
  • New -- Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
  • New -- Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest (Learn more)

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.


New -- 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 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.


Traffic-Capable for Either FM Traffic or Enhanced MSN Direct Content (optional receiver required)

MSN Direct Enhanced Traffic and Content

traffic reports With an optional receiver, you can 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.

Check out a full description of MSN Direct content features, or a coverage map for MSN Direct services.

A 3-month subscription to MSN Direct is included with the receiver. After that, subscription fees are $49.95 per year, or $129.95 for a lifetime subscription.

FM Traffic
TMC traffic service coverage map
With an optional receiver, you can get alerts from TMC Clear Channel about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you'll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you're forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi's sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time.

In most areas, TMC Clear Channel traffic broadcasts are continuous — there's no waiting for scheduled traffic news updates or random alerts. Because traffic broadcasts are received via a "silent" FM data channel, you can still listen to music or news programming on your car radio without interference from incoming FM traffic data transmissions.

A 3-month subscription to TMC Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network is included with the receiver. For more information on subscription fees, coverage in individual cities, and traffic data networks in the United Kingdom and Europe, check the Garmin website.



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 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.



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 850 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.


New -- 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.




New -- Send Addresses Directly from Google Maps or Mapquest

tching 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 it's 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 at http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3739. 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.

Search for the location you want.


Pick "Send to GPS".


Go!



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
  • This nüvi comes with a free, three-month trial for MSN Direct services.
  • 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 850, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America, Speech recognition remote, Vehicle Power Cable, Vehicle suction cup mount, USB cable, Dashboard disc, 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.



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 200 2.8 x 2.1
check




Photos


up to 5
nüvi 200w 3.81 x 2.25
check




Photos


up to 5
nüvi 250 2.8 x 2.1
check check



Photos

up to 5
nüvi 250w 3.81 x 2.25
check check



Photos

up to 5
nüvi 260 2.8 x 2.1
check check
check

Photos

up to 5
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25 check check
check

Photos

up to 5
nüvi 270 2.8 x 2.1
check check check


Photos

up to 5
nüvi 350 2.8 x 2.1
check check
check FM (with opt.
receiver)

Photos, MP3s


up to 8
nüvi 360 2.8 x 2.1
check check
check FM (with opt.
receiver)
check Photos, MP3s

up to 8
nüvi 370 2.8 x 2.1 check check check check FM (receiver
included)
check Photos, MP3s

up to 8
nüvi 650 3.81 x 2.25
check check
check FM (with opt.
receiver)

Photos, MP3s

up to 7
nüvi 660
3.81 x 2.25
check check
check FM (receiver
included)
check Photos, MP3s check
up to 7
nüvi 670
3.81 x 2.25
check check check check FM (receiver
included)
check Photos, MP3s check
up to 7
nüvi 680 3.81 x 2.25
check check
check MSN (receiver
included;
1-year free);
FM (with opt.
receiver)
check Photos, MP3s check
up to 7
nüvi 750
3.81 x 2.25
check check
check MSN-enhanced
(with optional
receiver);
FM (with opt.
receiver)

Photos, MP3s check check up to 5
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
check check
check MSN-enhanced
(with optional
receiver);
FM (with opt.
receiver)
check Photos, MP3s check check up to 5
nüvi 770 3.81 x 2.25
check check check check MSN-enhanced
(with optional
receiver);
FM (with opt.
receiver)
check Photos, MP3s check check up to 5
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25 check check
check MSN-enhanced
(receiver inc.;
3 months free)
receiver);
FM (with opt.
receiver)
check Photos, MP3s check check up to 5
nüvi 850
3.81 x 2.25 check check
check MSN-enhanced
(with optional
receiver);
FM (with opt.
receiver)

Photos, MP3s check check up to 4
nüvi 880
3.81 x 2.25 check check check check MSN-enhanced
(receiver inc.;
3 months free);
FM (with opt.
receiver)
check Photos, MP3s check check up to 4
nüvi 5000
4.5 x 2.7 check check
check MSN-enhanced
(with optional
receiver);
FM (with opt.
receiver)


check check external
battery
only


Enhanced MSN Direct Traffic Data and Content

Basic MSN Direct Content Features
traffic reports Traffic Reports
  • Find the best route through traffic. Your GPS device uses MSN Direct traffic data to select the best route for you to avoid traffic congestion.
  • Check traffic flow. Know at a glance where to expect slowdowns in traffic.
  • Get accident warnings. Receive warnings about accidents, road closures, and construction in the area that may affect you.
Gas Prices Gas Prices
  • Compare local gas prices. See a list of recent gas prices in your area and an indication of how recently the prices were reported.
  • Find your way to the savings. Once you find the best price in your area, use your navigation system to guide you to the gas station.
Weather Reports Weather Reports
  • Stay on top of current conditions. View the current weather conditions in your area, including today's high and low temperatures, chances of precipitation, and more.
  • View the three-day forecast, Plan ahead by checking the three-day weather forecast for your area.
  • Check weather in other cities. See current weather conditions in major cities across the country.
movie times Movie Times
  • Search for a movie. Find the theaters in your coverage area that are showing the movie you want to see.
  • See which movies are playing. View which movies are playing in your coverage area or at your favorite theater.
  • See show times and get directions. Once you find a show you want to see, check the show times and use your GPS device to guide you to the theater.
Enhanced MSN Direct Content
Web Favorites Web Favorites (Send custom destinations to your GPS with Live Search Maps)
  • Powerful trip planning: Use Live Search Maps on your computer to look up an address, search for a business, or plan a trip
  • Choose your favorite location, and then MSN Direct delivers the address, phone number, and more straight to your navigation system.
  • Visit Live Search Maps at http://maps.live.com.
Local Events Local Events
  • See what's happening near you. Find nearby events to see what's happening in your area.
  • Find the events that interest you. Browse events sorted by category.
  • Search for an event. Get details about a particular event.
Stock Quotes Stock Quotes
  • Watch the stocks that interest you. Select stocks that you want to keep an eye on, and then see regularly updated stock prices and daily changes.
  • Get a little more detail. Touch a stock in your list to see daily highs, lows, and trading volume.
News Headlines News Headlines
  • Browse the headlines at a glance. See breaking news and other major news stories of the day.
  • Read more details. Select a headline to read all the details about the news story on your navigation system.


MSN Direct Coverage Map

Get detailed info for your Zip Code at the MSN Direct website
.

MSN Direct Coverage Map

Readmore

Technical 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
See more technical details
Customer Buzz
 "It should get you there, but could do it better" 2009-09-09
By sevenseeker
I have owned the Garmin nüvi 850 for a couple of months, and have made several trips with it. I find it to be a mostly reliable GPS navigation unit, and recommend this product, with some reservations.



Its principal benefits are:



* Voice recognition works under most conditions, at least where substantial noise is not an issue. It is necessary to interact at the speed of the unit, waiting for your turn to speak, which is indicated both visually and audibly. The voice-activation remote control is a clever tool for accessing this feature, although placement of the remote on the steering wheel in such a way as to avoid accidental activations is difficult. Once voice recognition is active, the unit does not always understand commands on the first attempt, but I found that reducing fan speed on the vehicle's air conditioner (to reduce background noise) usually helps with this.



* The menus are generally user-friendly, although there is a learning curve that requires some practice for less frequently used areas. The menus are not always intuitive. For example, having user-defined routes as an item separate from favorites, rather than as a sub-menu under favorites adds a memory component when trying to access that feature.



* The directional voice prompts are timely, and match the visual cues provided on screen. I found the male British voice to be the most easily understood under most road conditions.



* The low-glare screen is consistently viewable in a variety of lighting conditions, although somewhat less so in the brightest light. It is, however, difficult to keep clear of fingerprints and smudges that produce their own glare and can interfere with viewing.



* Routing and re-routing is fairly quick. The initial route calculation tends to take several seconds, and slows for more complicated mapping. The closer you are to the destination, the more rapidly the calculation or re-calculation seems to take place. Most routes seem quite efficient, with only an occasional questionable route selection offered.



My principal complaints with the unit are:



* Battery life is short. Expect to run this unit under car power for trips much longer than an hour. Also, removal of the battery between trips was the only means I found to reliably keep the battery from draining with the unit off, even in as little as a couple of weeks on the shelf. The inability to charge the unit via USB with the unit turned off is not a great concern, but does lengthen the charging time requirement.



* Maps that do not reflect current information. Usually this was most noticeable for highway speed limits that had changed, sometimes several years earlier, and for points of interest that did not match actual conditions. Routing can sometimes be misleading as well. For example, when trying to locate a Post Office, I was routed to an adjacent highway from which there was not a direct entrance.



* FM transmission is a feature without much reliability, given the constantly changing nature of radio signal interference on trips of more than the shortest distance. However, the audible prompts are loud enough to be heard from the unit directly, and sound even better over headphones.



* While rare, I have experienced lengthy (several minute-long) delays in satellite acquisition on system start-up. When it happens, it negates the value of the product, but the nüvi 850 still outperforms an earlier GPS unit that frequently dropped satellite connection while in transit. At least I have not experienced that problem with the nüvi 850 yet, and most of the time, it acquires satellite information in a matter of seconds on start-up.



Customer Buzz
 "Watch your Credit Card Account" 2009-09-03
By Credit Card Czar (usa)
The Garmin nuvi 850 is exactly what we were looking for. Works fairly good. This is the second time our credit card number has been compromised after purchasing an item through Amazon. Would recommend you use paypal instead.

Customer Buzz
 "Design Flaws (features lost)" 2009-09-02
By John W. Fink
Features lost in the 850 that the NUVI 350 has.

1. Selecting search categories after pressing NEAR > My Destination:

The 850 does not browse map near your destination, only your current position.

2. The travel compass displayed on the 350 has been replaced by a speed limit sign. Although this is a nice feature you should be able to toggle between the two, not lose the compass entirely. The direction of travel is available if you switch screens to the instrument display. By the way, the speed limit sign changes late when going from say 55 mph to 30 mph...they've already pulled you over by the time the GPS figures the current speed. Advance warning of a reduction in speed would be nice.

3. Screen response is slow to the touch when dragging the map and sometimes delayed when pushing buttons when compared to the 350.



Overall it's still a keeper. The voice recognition is good even at 65 mph from 3 feet away and there are a few time saving commands when using voice. As you zoom out on the map, terrain appears making road identification difficult, there appears to be no toggle to suppress terrain for clarity sake. This product is being discontinued so it's great at this price but I'd look at other units first as the browse map near destination works on some other models but not all.

Customer Buzz
 "Worked well once I received the replacement" 2009-08-30
By N. Campbell (Delaware)
I received the first unit in the mail and after setting it up, discovered that it could not locate my car. It kept telling me I was in Kansas (I live in Delaware). After waiting for an hour on the phone to speak to someone at Garmin, I was instucted to reset the entire unit. After that, the unit did tell me I was in Delaware but it couldn't seem to hold onto the signal. It was very frustrating. I sent it back and received a replacement which did tell me right away that I was in Delaware. It also had a problem holding onto the signal, however, I was able to download a piece of software from the Garmin website that seems to have fixed this problem. Now the unit is working fine. I have not tried the voice features yet but the rest of the features seem to work as promised and the screen is large enough to see.

Customer Buzz
 "traveling" 2009-08-28
By Milton Brackmann (Indiana)
Only suggestion would be the ability to limit a restaurant search to within one mile of an interstate highway.


Images Product

Buy Garmin nüvi 850 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Voice Command and FM Transmitter (Soft Black) Now