Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

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Garmin Nuvi 680 travel assistant with a super-bright 4.3-Inch diagonal color display and flip-up antenna.
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Technical Details

- Pre-loaded with complete Navteq Maps for North America
- 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions; Accepts custom points of interest (POIs)
- Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker allows for hands-free calls
- 480 X 272 pixels
- Super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen
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 "Great deal on a Garmin Nuv 680 GPS." 2009-09-28
By Modern Builders Supply (Youngstown, Ohio)
I purchased one of these units new 2 years ago. This price was great.... what a deal !!! Fast delivery all went great!. Thank You!

 "It's OK" 2009-09-16
By Marcel T. Manzano
It does what I want it to do. I don't give it 5 stars because it has frozen on me 3 times already. To fix that, I have to shut it off and restart it which is not what you want to be doing while driving. It's also missing some streets and major businesses. i.e. a Wal-Mart Supercenter that's been up almost 2 years doesn't show up.

 "Garmin sucks" 2009-09-11
By Rick Delmonico (Frankfort KY)
I bought a refubished nuvi 680 on here. It arrived on time but with a 2008 map and I could not register it.

When I called Garmin they told me to fax the invoice in order to prove I had purchased it. They also told me that they might not upgrade the map.

Their customer sevice is really bad and I am convinced that this lady could care less if I ever buy another Garmin product. I probably won't. They suck.

I don't care how good a unit his is I will not tolerate this kind of incompetence from any company. Why wasn't the map updated? Why wasn't the previous registration canceled? Are these people idiots?

 "Couldn't be happier" 2009-09-09
By G. Edwina Green (San Diego, CA, USA)
The unit I received was in brand new condition with everything working perfectly, except it didn't have the 2009 maps loaded.

Registered without problems with Garmin, tried to download maps but that took forever as I only have a satellite connection and after hours the connection was lost. Contacted Garmin by phone and I had to wait about 15 minutes on hold, but I just put the call on speakerphone and did some other things while I waited. The rep couldn't have been more helpful or understanding - he mailed me a disc of the updates completely free of charge! They loaded with no problems. This is the second Garmin GPS I've bought (the other is the 660) and I love them both. When I got the 660 it was my first experience with a GPS and Garmin were extremely helpful then answering all my naive questions. Now I'm definitely a dedicated Garmin fan.

 "All the Bells & Whistles" 2009-08-28
By Steve K. (Chicago Area, IL)
A month has past since I started using this refurbished Garmin Nuvi. The value for price paid exceeeds my expectations. For many years I've needed to find clients houses in the dark and the nearly pinpoint street address accuracy guides me there effortlessly. I had been using Pharos Ostia GPS thru my pocket PC until the Chicago map file vanished in cyberspace and I needed a replacement device. Inputing of destination is much easier with the Nuvi since it narrows down choices with picking the town before the street name which saves me a lot of guessing or picking off a long list with names like Maple St, Ave, Dr, Lane, Ct? and then finding a town that matches. The non-qwerty keyboard has taken some getting used to and that is one thing that could be improved. The 3D view with upcoming streets and the voice depiction of street names makes me want to use this even when I know exactly where I am going. The added features of Bluetooth phone, MP3 player, Photo viewer, and MSN Direct Weather, Traffic, Movies & Gas Prices has been very useful. When my 2010 Equinox arrives I will be using this for a number of cross-country drives I have planned still this year. That will have an aux. in jack so I don't have to use the FM transmitter which can be a bit staticy, All in all, I don't believe I could be more satisfied with my purchase and the money I saved getting a refurbished unit.


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Garmin n¿vi 260W Mexico 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

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GARMIN Nuvi 260W Mexico 4.3 in Auto Navigator. Garmin International is pleased to announce two new versions of the nuvi 200 and nuvi 260W affordable GPS navigators. These two new nuvis take the existing nuvi 200 and 260W and add mapping coverage for Mexico. The new products will also feature bilingual packaging in Spanish and English or Spanish only. With easy to use touch screen displays, both models can route to addresses, restaurants, hotels and more with turn by turn directions and voice guidance. nuvi 200 will say Turn right in 500 feet, while nuvi 260W will include text to speech which will prompt you to Turn right on Main Street. Both the nuvi 200 and 260W also feature voice guidance in Spanish. Nuvi 200 is the most affordable option, with mapping coverage of the lower 48 states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico. It offers five million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. nuvi 260W has broader map coverage it comes preloaded with City Navigator NT road maps for North America and Mexico and six million points of interest. The map data for both units is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium quality mapping.
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Technical Details

- Auto Navigation System w/Mapping Coverage of Mexico
- Turn by Turn Directions, Voice Guidance and Text to Speech
- 4.3 Inch Touch Screen Display
- Six Million Points of Interest
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 "Wonderful Product" 2009-10-07
By Susan J. Beeseck
I bought this GPS for my husband for his birthday, and he loves it. He used to be wary of going on trips to unfamiliar areas. Now we go everywhere. This is the greatest little gadget that I've ever purchased. We save a fortune on gas, because we no longer get lost. It's a great time saver too. I would recommend this product to anyone who likes to travel.

 "Never lost again!" 2009-10-07
By Linda Irby (Louisville, GA)
I bought this one to replace my husband's that was stolen. It works great, better than the old one.

 "Miles ahead of Magellan" 2009-10-06
By Michael Hayworth (North Canton, Ohio)
I have had a Garmin for almost 2 years. Last November I found a deal for a Magellan on line for $99.00 and bought it for my wife. She promptly gave me the Magellan back and took my Garmin Nuvi 260W. I plead with her to give it back often. Magellan does not stack up. This is a good deal. I paid over 300.00 for my 260W.

 "Love my Garmin" 2009-10-06
By Jackie (Los Angeles)
Love the Garmin, wish I had one years ago. Prices have dropped, good time to buy. It's a must have. So easy to use, take it out of the box and go! I bought this one, which is the previous model and is cheaper than the current one and it's great, no complaints. HIghly recommend.

 "Awesome device" 2009-10-04
By M. Hugghins (Houston)
Quick, easy to learn. Very reliable. User friendly. We are currently using it on a month long driving trip. Adds security.

Gives you warnings in time to get into the right lane for turns. Makes navigating cities much easier.Love it!Best purchase ever!


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Garmin Oregon 400i 3-Inch Touchscreen Handheld GPS Unit with U.S. Inland Lakes and a Worldwide Basemap

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The world outdoors waits with new challenges to expand your self and be at one with nature. Where roads and streets fade to paths overgrown with grasses and plants, from streams to brooks, to lakes, the Garmin Oregon 400i is the tool you need to stay on track.
Oregon 400i comes with built-in U.S. Inland Lakes and a worldwide basemap with imagery perfect for all your outdoor pursuits. Map detail includes shoreline details, depth contours, boat ramps and mile markers for thousands of lakes in the continental United States. Oregon 400i leads the way with a tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color, and touchscreen display. Its easy-to-use interface means you'll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 400i is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator. With Oregon 400i you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly other Oregon and Colorado users. Now you can send your favorite route to a friend to enjoy or the location of a cache to find. Sharing data is easy. Just touch send" to transfer your information to similar units. With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, Oregon 400i locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear whether you're in deep woods or just near tall buildings and trees, you can count on Oregon to help you find your way when you need it the most.
Explore to your heart's content. With Garmin's Oregon 400i, you know you'll always find your way home. Waterproof / Floats - no Interface - USB and NMEA 0183 compatible Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) Electronic compass Custom points of interest
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Technical Details

- handheld GPS navigator for use outdoors, in a car, or on a boat
- 3-inch LCD touchscreen display (240 x 400 pixels) with built-in picture viewer
- WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) capability improves GPS accuracy to within 3 meters
- pre-loaded map of U.S. inland lakes and navigable rivers
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 "Pre-Loaded Maps are Worthless" 2009-07-21
By Dr. Michael R. Adams (Boston, MA USA)
Let me first start off by saying I love the Oregon series. But I returned my 400i to Amazon after less than a week. I ended up with the 400T and think it's wonderful. The touchscreen interface is much easier to use than my previous eTrex Legend HCX and my 60CSX. Yes, battery life leaves much to be appreciated as the screen at full brightness and use of the compass absolutely kill the battery. But what ruined it for me were the pathetic preloaded maps of inland lakes. Simply put, the maps are awful. Very few lakes here in the New England area have data, and the few that do have incomplete areas of the lake ... areas where most fishermen, like myself, tend to boat and kayak. Even Lake Cochituate in Natick, MA, a popular lake that has 3 large sections, only 1 of which Garmin decided to map, and that section has limited boating since it's the beach area for swimmers.



I find it unprofessional for Garmin to release such a product which is obviously not ready for the serious outdoorsman. The 400i needs to be advertised with a listing of all the lakes that are actually mapped. It's almost deceiving the way it's presented. Now, the 400T has its issues as well ... the topo basemap is only 100K, and there are no 24K maps for the Northeast, but that's a whole other review.



If you plan on using this for the lakes in your area, do yourself a favor and call Garmin first and ask if those lakes are mapped. Even if it's a big one that you've been going to since you were a kid, you might be surprised to find that Garmin has excluded it from the 400i.

 "Hard to view!" 2009-07-15
By D. McIntosh
Purchased this unit for use in a sailboat, gave the unit a try in the car first. In the sunlight with sunglasses this unit is impossible to see, sunglasses off is not much better. I would not be able to see this unit in a bright sailboat! Sent the unit back, will stick to a gray scale screen.

 "Great" 2009-03-10
By Robert E. Pariseau
This is a great item, easy to use, great detail, just as good as my big Humming bird Gps.

 "REAL EASY TO USE AND FAST TO LEARN" 2009-02-20
By Michael L. Schindler (BAY CITY MICH..)
EASY TO LEARN AND USE CLEAR PICTURE TONS OF OPTIONS ON THE THING. EASY TO SEE IN THE BLINDING SNOW USE IT FOR ICE FISHING IN MICHIGAN. TRACKS SHOW UP REAL CLEAR AND THEY ARE PIN POINT ACCURACT.SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY IF YOUR GOING TO BUY A NEW GPS AND YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED.BEST ON THE MARKET TODAY...

 "400i is Easy to use Great for Fisherman" 2008-12-29
By A. Lee (SC, USA)
I bought this for my husband for Xmas and we have been using it right out of the box. I showed Lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks. I've lived in South Carolina for 24 years and there were creeks and ponds I didn't know about. My husband is a Bass Fisherman and he is going to use it for Tournaments. The only thing I would like Garmin to do is make it easier to register the Garmin. I had to download USB drivers and some other software to register and update the Garmin (it doesn't come with a install disc, a registation card, and you can't call Garmin to register only to ask questions). I bought this when Amazon had it for a low $354 (otherwise I probley wouldn't have bought it) So I wait until the price goes down.


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Garmin nüvi 760 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Automobile Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

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GARMIN Nuvi 760 Refurb GPS Navigator. Garmin International is pleased to announce the new nuvi 760 navigator and personal travel assistant. This newest model in the popular nuvi family features a sleek design with a fixed, non flip up, antenna, in addition to new software features such as route planning, trip logs, speed limit indicator, Where Am I, and more. The built in FM transmitter allows users to wirelessly transmit audio, including MP3s, phone calls and audio books, through the vehicles stereo. The nuvi 760 is packaged with Garmins FM traffic receiver, which allows users to avoid traffic congestion, accidents and road construction. Traffic services are now available in 68 major metropolitan areas in the US and Canada1. Traffic receiver includes a 3 month free trial subscription. The nuvi 760 offers Bluetooth wireless technology for hands free calling when paired with compatible phones. Users simply tap nuvis screen to dial or answer calls and then speak directly into the units built in microphone. In addition, users can look up phone numbers and dial them from the mobile phones call history log that shows calls received, calls dialed and calls missed, for supported phones. If a user needs a phone number for their destination, they can easily find and dial it from nuvis points of interest database, which includes hotels, restaurants, stores and much more. The nuvi 760 offers full coverage mapping for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Refurbished.
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Technical Details

- Touchscreen Auto Navigation System
- Sleek Ultra Slim Design/Easy To Use Touchscreen Interface
- Bright 4.3 Inch Diagonal Color Display/480 x 272 Pixels/ WQVGA Display
- Integrated FM Wireless Transmitter Sends Audio Through Vehicle Stereo
- Traffic Alerts with Included GTM 20 FM TMC Traffic Receiver
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 "Delivery and Performance" 2009-07-13
By Richard J. Hicks (Waverly , Iowa)
I ordered this product and it was shipped on June 14 and was supposed to be rcvd by June 18. When it was not received yet on June 22, I sent a request to trace and rcvd back an answer to wait until June 29. On the 28th , I sent another request that said I didn't think I was going to rcv it and they sent another unit which I rcvd in 3 days. Never did get the first unit. I believe the first unit must have been ripped off in the mailing process. I did appreciate the fact that there was not arguments about shipping the second unit, because at that point I really wondered how it would be dealt with. Good Job!

On a lighter not, I am very satisfied with the gps. I haven't had it very long , but so far have been very satisfied with the features etc. Hope it maintains that satisfaction.



Richard Hicks

 "Great Item" 2009-06-15
By hsiao fong lin-kane林曉芳 (California, USA)
This item very nice, great GPS, just about the phone not very clear especially during the driving.

 "Refurbished is not a bad word" 2009-05-26
By P. Scherzer (Maine USA)
Yes, I had to return the first refurbished 760 -- it failed in the first hour of use. However, Amazon made the exchange simple and speedy. This second unit is working very well. What surprises me is the accuracy and detail of the data base. I found that a route of just a few blocks that I had come to use habitually was longer than the route advised by the Garmin 760. That may not always be so because of construction or other road conditions, but it is still reassuring in general. The verbal turn directions and graphic display are very clear, and the directions to prepare for the next turn (what lane to use) is very helpful.

 "Great but overkill." 2009-05-16
By M. McIntosh
I used the product comparison for this unit and thought it was the best for the money. Didn't need the European map in the 770. I'm dissapointed in the FM transmitter. Not real clear and cumbersome to use. Same with the Bluetooth feature. Speaker isn't the quality it needs to be useful. People on the other end can hear 'ok' but it's too distorted to be used practically everyday. Would have bought one less expensive without the Bluetooth and FM transmitter if I had it to do all over again. Overall, very pleased with it!

 "How did I live without it?" 2009-05-12
By T. Anderson (Detroit, MI USA)
Very nice clear screen, voice can be set to come out the car radio speakers, audio books available. The book mutes itself and backs up a little bit when the talking directions come on. The bluetooth allows the voice of a cellphone call to come out your speakers too. It worked ok but I never use that feature. My husband bought a chip with another map on it. Another cool thing is it has a whole phone book in it with phone numbers and addresses. I have used that several times and called ahead on errands. My only complaint is the battery length seems a little short, use the cigarette power point cord. When you plug in the cord the voice is nice and loud too. The other negative item is when you try to use it as a picture viewer, you put put the pictures on the chip and then it is really slow to load the pictures to view them. This is the only poor thing about the Garmin and it is not what this tool is supposed to be good at. At what it is supposed to do, finding directions, it is great. I couldn't live without it.


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Garmin nüvi 785/785T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth, Free Traffic and Maps of U.S, Canada & Puerto Rico

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Garmin nüvi 785T 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth, Free Traffic, and Maps of the U.S, Canada, and Puerto Rico
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Technical Details

- Bright, 4.3-inch diagonal color WQVGA TFT touchscreen with 480 x 272 pixels and white backlight
- Preloaded with City Navigator North America NT
- Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception
- NOTE: Model number is 785T; however, the model number on the product itself is 785
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 "Garmin + MSN Direct = MAGNIFICENT!" 2009-09-21
By Joxxy (Long Island, NY United States)
Garmin + MSN Direct = MAGNIFICENT!



This GPS is just INCREDIBLE! It is by far the best GPS I have EVER owned! Better than any portable unit currently on the market and far better than any (over-priced OEM) in-dash GPS unit.



I purchased this GPS because it was taking me between 8.5 and 14 hours to travel from Long Island, NY (where I live) to Lake Placid, NY area (where my wife lives) bi-weeekly. The total distance is between 381 and 465 miles depending on which GPS you use. As you can guess, most of my travel time was spent in heavy traffics between long Island and upstate NY. I just wanted to try it and return it if it didn't fit the bill.



I have now owned this GPS for more than 2 months now and it has yet to fail me. My travel time is now consistently below 6.5 hours and the distance travel is usually around 380 miles (sometimes a little longer when trying to avoid traffic) . Even during Memorial Day weekend, it took me barely 7 hours to get back home with one of the heaviest traffic I have ever seen. I am so sold that I have already purchased the lifetime subscription to MSN Direct. And I already got my money worth!



I have an in-dash GPS unit (slow and lousy at best and that I hate dearly) in my 2006 BMW X5. There is a mediocre and useless in-dash GPS unit in my wife 2005 Nissan Murano. These in-dash OEM GPS units have the strangest routes, they are slow, and just take you from point A to point point B. It doesn't matter how they get you there... I have also owned 2 Garmin Nuvi (350 and 370 - both pretty good) and 2 TomTom (One and 340S (just OK).



Back to the Nuvi 785T. Sorry for getting carried way...



First, lets get the bad/suggestions out of the way:



- Does not display the speed limit/actual speed next to each other (and turning to red when over the limit) like the TomTom beautifully does. It displays mainly the speed limit on major highway and is accurate in most cases.

- The sound is just adequate, but need some improvement. Make sure to adjust the sound to 100%. The default 80% is too low and you may not hear a thing.

- MSN Direct receiver should be integrated in the unit itself, not on the charger.

- Rebooted on me once during my trip. I was checking traffic on my route and VLAM!

- I had to spend another $100 for lifetime MSN Direct!



Second, the GOOD:

- Extraodinary accuracy. The estimated time of arrival is almost always dead on.

- AMAZING display. The best resolution when compared to any other GPS out there.

- Gas Prices on MSN direct - very accurate information, but used it only once.

- Weather on MSN Direct - I love this feature and use it often.

- Bluetooth calling is nice and clear, people could not tell I was calling handsfree. But, the sound wasn't loud enough on my end.

- Great overall feature set.



Third, the GREAT:

- Traffic on MSN Direct - Simply AMAZING! highly accurate and reliable feature. I am no longer thinking about beating NY traffic. I just jump in the car and drive. This GPS really showed me what it capable of during Memorial Day weekend.

- Best routing engine on the market! Always the shortest distance and fastest time when compared to any other GPS.

- Garmin GPS re-route better than ANY other GPS by far. You will never hear "make a U-turn when possible" crap. It just recalculates the best route from your current position.

- Send To GPS - This is maybe one of my favorite features that I use almost daily.

- SUPER fast satellite acquisition and very Strong GPS signal anytime and almost everywhere.

- It is a GRAMIN!!!



My Recommendations to potential buyers:

- update the software and firmware as soon as you receive your unit

- update the maps to the latest as soon as possible

- set the volume to 100% before first use



This is simply a MAGNIFICENT piece of electronic. If you really want the very BEST in GPS technology, this is IT!

 "Garmin OK but has some things missing" 2009-09-17
By Dennis Hausman (Olympia, WA USA)
I purchased a new Garmin and gave my wife my Nuvi 350. This Garmin promised to have everything I needed, what I did not realize is that they took some of what I want away. This newer Garmin voice although clear is not as good as the Nuvi 350, it is hollow sounding. The Bluetooth phone works well as long as you are not driving over 40 mph when ambient noise makes the party on the other side asking you to call them back.



Perhaps the silliest thing Garmin removed from the default screen, which to me is very important is a "north' indicator. To find north, thereby the direction you are traveling, there is another screen that is much smaller and difficult to follow. A silly thing to remove from an otherwise good product.

 "Very Pleased" 2009-08-28
By Amazonian
I have overall been very pleased with my 785t. I gave my 780 to my father, and struggled with whether to get another 780 or to upgrade. I made the plunge and went with the 785.



Pros:

* Faster screen update is really slick. It doesn't make the device navigate any better, but it does make it a lot nicer overall experience- it's almost like watching a movie.



* My 785 gets a satellite lock a LOT faster than my 780 did. After 10 hours at work, the 780 would take at least 90 seconds to get a lock. The 785 locks in within about 15 seconds.



* Maps, estimated arrival time, and speed limits have been absolutely spot on- much more accurate than I would have expected.



* I love the MSN Direct features. Some of them are novelty items, but I use the "Send to GPS" feature almost daily. This feature allows you to look up an address on Microsoft's map website and beam it over the radio to your GPS. I'll look up an address, beam it over, and by the time I get to the car and boot up the GPS, the address is right there, ready to navigate. VERY cool! The GPS doesn't even have to be plugged in to receive the data. The power cord (which doubles as the MSN receiver) has a battery built in, and receives the MSN Direct data. As soon as you connect the GPS to the power cord, all of the new MSN data is immediately uploaded to the device.



Cons:



* The Lane guidance feature looks really cool, but I have yet to find an intersection or exit in my area that has the data. I haven't traveled extensively, but have have been through a number of high traffic, confusing exit scenarios in central NC where no lane guidance or Junction View was available. According to Garmin's product description, "you'll never question which lane you should be driving in again." That is patently false until they get lane assist mapped out for every intersection in the US.



* I had hoped to use the GPS as a media player in my car. Unfortunately when you keep a large SD card > 4GB in the device, it takes a lot longer to boot up- sometimes a couple of minutes.





Overall I love the device. Lane guidance and Junction View are brand new features, and it will take some time for that data to be collected and fed into the maps. I feel sure that within the next year or two there will be much more broad coverage. I highly recommend this product.

 "A step backwards!" 2009-08-16
By shooter2jim (Ooltewah, TN)
If this is your first Garmin, then you'll probably enjoy it. If you're thinking about upgrading from the previous generation, think again. I thought I would upgrade from my 760 because of the neat display features like lane assist and junction view. In 3 different cities, the features weren't available. There was one very tricky interstate interchange on my route (in a major city) and the lane guidance would have been an extremely useful and safety-oriented feature. Garmin's failure to mention the feature doesn't work at every interstate intersection is deceptive advertising in my opinion.



I've always operated in "Track UP" view. With the 785, if you are driving a route and you slide the map to get a better view of your destination, the map magically rotates to North Up view making reading the map and adjusting your brain very difficult. If you zoom out past a certain level, the map changes to a relief map making it more difficult to see the few major roads it displays near your route. The sharpness of text and other symbols is a step down from the 760's. The 785t has 3 selectable map detail levels vs. the 760's 5. The 760 can display minor streets at a much wider map scale (zoomed out) than the 785t, making it much more useful to locate your own detours or shortcuts when on a route. 2 days after I got the 785t, I made a 400 mile trip navigating to 6 customers' locations in rural areas. By the time I got home, I was thanking my lucky stars that I hadn't gotten rid of the 760 yet. Another feature that attracted me to the 785t was the MSN service, especially the weather radar. I don't have MSN service in my city but I routinely travel to cities that do. I had to be a lot closer to the metropolitan area than the coverage maps led me to believe. The signal coverage maps online are totally misleading in my region. On top of that, I could only see radar in the area I was traveling that had coverage. I couldn't zoom out and view what was happening in my city so I had no idea what awaited me when I left the signal coverage area. The traffic map was nice but I prefer the way the FM traffic info displays on the 760 because of the unit's sharper imaging. With the 785t, I think Garmin has traded solid, useful features for "gee whiz" map spins and twirls and the highly advertised lane guidance and building views that may or may not be available in your location.

 "Great upgrade from my nuvi 370" 2009-07-31
By J. Hope (Orlando, FL)
Prior to buying the nuvi 785t, I owned a nuvi 370 (basically a 350 with Europe maps) for more than a year. I found myself wanting some of the "neat" but non-essential newer features in the new nuvis that were becoming less expensive to acquire.



PROS:



* One of the biggest reasons I purchased this unit was the MSN Direct service. It was a crap shoot as many reviewers were negative on it, but I am EXTREMELY happy about my experience so far. Traffic updates (probably what is most used) are fast and just about as accurate as the FM service I had on my 370 (meaning, don't be surprised if they're right only about 60% of the time, nothing in this arena I've found is very accurate). The way the 785t integrates the MSN traffic it will alert you when you are not navigating (by saying "traffic ahead" and changing the screen to show the traffic) and it also routes you around traffic that is too heavy. On a road here in Orlando, US-192, which is often busy, the traffic also updates constantly on my 30 minute ride into work. Delays go from 1 minute, to 3 minutes, to 5 minutes as conditions appear to change in real time. This never seemed to be the case with the FM receiver, it's almost as if the traffic backups caused by all the stop lights cause this number to fluctuate. It gives me a great idea of whether or not I should take that particular road each morning or find an alternative route.

* The Send to GPS feature included with MSN Direct is absolutely amazing. Even at my office, which has one signal bar of MSN Direct coverage, I get destinations and routes I send to the GPS in 10-20 minutes. This feature makes trip planning a breeze. Locations and routes sent to the GPS are treated almost exactly like any other destination you would enter in on the GPS, and you can even edit them once they get on the GPS, change their names, etc. I only wish it worked with Google Maps, but of course MSFT wouldn't ever have that!

* The weather feature is pretty cool, especially the radar pictures. It's an animated radar. On a recent trip, it allowed us to estimate how long we'd be driving through heavy rain, and it gave a great indication of this. Unfortunately, it doesn't update quite as well as other features (like traffic) and sometimes falls behind a bit. But a new map is sent out about every 10 minutes, and as long as you have about 2 bars of MSN Direct coverage you should receive it. I love seeing the weather at my destination, but this usually only works when the GPS has been on for about 10 minutes (and received the most recent weather update); don't expect it to work right when you get in your car and enter in a destination.

* Gas prices with MSN direct work pretty well, I've used it frequently to find that station that is nearby that is just a few pennies cheaper than other places. The prices so far have been 100% accurate almost everywhere I've used it. I wish the gas prices application would be subject to the "Search Near" options you can use when using the Where To menu (ie, near destination, on current route, etc.) The gas price app will only show you stations near your CURRENT POSITION.

* Other MSN Direct features are less useful but work just as well. I tested out the flight time application. The stock application works okay, but many of my stock symbols weren't in its database. The news application is neat, but it provides very little of the actual news story.

* Satellite acquisition is faster than with the 370, and I receive stronger signals from the satellites even while in buildings or with obstructions.

* Lane assist works as advertised. When approaching a maneuver, the upper left corner of the screen will let you know what lane(s) you need to be in. This works on almost all roads I've driven on, sometimes it is more specific than other times. There is one intersection where you need to be in the leftmost right turn lane to make an immediate left, and the nuvi failed to predict this, but it did at one other time inform me to be in the leftmost left turn lane to make an immediate left. So in that respect it's hit and miss, but it usually does steer you in the right way.

* Along with lane assist, junction view is a great new feature for me. Almost all major expressway/expressway junctions are covered, even major state roads (like the Turnpike, SR-417, SR-408, SR-528 in Orlando) are included.

* 3D building views aren't real noticeable at normal zoom levels. The modeled buildings are pretty impressive, but I noticed most buildings don't appear unless you are zoomed most of the way in. In most conditions, this means I don't see the buildings on the GPS unless I am approaching a destination or turn as the GPS zooms in.

* Screen refreshes! This unit refreshes very quickly, much more so than my 370. It slowly zooms in on upcoming maneuvers (such as turns and exits), focusing your attention on the upcoming turn. It's very smooth, and I run it in the highest detail mode.

* Volume. I believe this GPS is louder than the 370 was, and the volume is more than adequate for me.

* The screen is very clear and easy to read, it reflects glare once in a while but isn't too reflective. When turned off, you will see tons of fingerprints...these don't affect operation when on though.

* Multi-destination routing is AWESOME! It's something I wish the 370 would have had, I am very happy with this!!! And having the nuvi figure out the most efficient way to order my destinations is very smooth.

* Eco Route is fun to play with. It gets relatively close to my actual gas mileage for trips, I have been calibrating it every time I fill up. I like how Eco Route can use the current MSN Direct gas price in its calculations when it tells you how much it will cost to travel to a destination.

* I tried using the GPS in a parking lot to find my way back to my car. It worked pretty well, but I couldn't figure out a way to route myself to the car (ie, where do I find this in the Where To section?)

* MP3 player works just the same as in the 370. It's no iPod, but it's pretty handy and since I don't have an iPod I will often use my GPS on flights to listen to my music (with a 32GB SD card, I can store a lot of music).



CONS



* My old 370 would show me names of lakes and other waterways, this GPS doesn't seem to show this information at all.

* The 785t takes almost as long as the 370 to turn on and boot up. I was hoping this initial wait would be decreased.

* On the nuvi 370, I could turn it on, and very quickly navigate the menus and have it navigating me somewhere within a few seconds of turning it on. The nuvi 785t needs to "rest" for about 10 seconds or so before you should use it to start navigating, otherwise it will "forget" your input. Example: I turn on the nuvi 785t, quickly navigate the menus and tell it to take me home. I am then brought to the map (which is probably still loading) and nothing happens. I must wait for the map to load before going back through the menus and telling it to take me home. This is a little annoying, I wish it acted more like the 370 in this regard.

* There are some options the 370 had that you could customize that it seems the 785t does not have. I also liked the wider range of vehicles available back when I went to the Garmin Garage after I got my 370. Luckily, I was able to copy the vehicles over to my 785t from the 370. I wish the 785t would allow me to specify a backlight timeout.



NOT REVIEWED



* Bluetooth: I have an external bluetooth hands free set, and as my phone cannot share its address book, I saw no reason to switch and immediately turned the bluetooth off.

* Automatic time zone transition: I was surprised my 370 did not support this, and I haven't had the opportunity to try it on my new 785t...but I hope to on my next cross country trip!

* FM Transmitter: I wouldn't expect this to work too well, and I have no need of using it, but it's available at least.



FINAL WORD



In all, this GPS was a great upgrade from the 370. I am really enjoying the MSN Direct capabilities, enough so that I purchased their $19.95 special for 9 months of service. I am considering a lifetime plan. I was not disappointed with MSN Direct, but check their Web site prior to purchasing to make sure they provide coverage in your area AND that the features you want are available in your area.



This is probably one of the most polished pieces of Garmin hardware I've seen in a while, and it all seems to work very well together as advertised. Thanks Garmin!


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Garmin Oregon 550 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera

Buy Cheap Garmin Oregon 550 3-Inch Handheld GPS Navigator with 3.2MP Digital Camera

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The navigator with the photographic memory - Oregon 550 combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Add high sensitivity GPS, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and microSD card slot. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable.

Take pictures and Save Locations

Capture locations and memories with Oregon 550's 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom. Each photo is automatically geotagged with the location of where it was taken, allowing you to navigate back to that exact spot in the future. Snap and view pictures in landscape or portrait orientation. With 850 MB of internal memory, you'll never miss a photo opportunity. To store online, simply connect Oregon 550 via USB and log into my.Garmin.com to upload and store your photos at Picasa, a popular photo sharing community for friends and families around the world. For more storage, insert a microSD card; you can even view pictures from other devices on microSD with Oregon's picture viewer.

Touch and Go

Oregon 550 makes rugged navigation effortless with a tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. The interface is easy to use, so you'll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 550 is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator.

Get Your Bearings

Oregon 550 has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you're standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions. And with its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and Hot
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Technical Details

- Capture locations and memories with Oregon 550's 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom
- Tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display
- Built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you¿re standing still, without holding it level
- Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric
- Oregon 550 comes preloaded with a worldwide built-in basemap with shaded relief. Adding even more detail is easy
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 "garmin is still the best in GPS" 2009-09-20
By Mike Hammontree
I owned a Colorado 400 until it was stolen, so I was familar with this product already. after trying the touch screen on the oregon, I was totally sold. I wish my expensive touch phone worked anywhere close to this touch screen. I would recommend this product to anyone that is looking at a top of the line handheld

 "Awesome, functional, perfect gift!" 2009-09-13
By Haley's Mom
We gave this to my dad for his birthday and it was a MAJOR HIT! He was in his car driving around with the GPS and my brothers marking waypoints within 15 minutes of opening it up. The features and great, very user friendly with a touch screen and color display. The camera is a fun and useful upgrade from previous models. It is a great size, big enough for the screen to be useful but small enough to be portable. For anyone who hunts, hikes, travels, etc. I highly recommend this product!

 "Garmin Oregon is to GPS as Apple iPhone is to cellular." 2009-08-22
By Richard Graver (Upper Township, NJ USA)
I recently just bought 2 new Garmin GPS units to upgrade my aging Garmin Legend (Original Model). I was hesitant to purchase the Oregon due to the mediocre reviews on Amazon, but ultimately I decided to take a chance.



First I bought the Garmin Dakota 20, and I really liked it. Small, Battery Efficient, Easy to Use, and Paperless Geocaching using the touchscreen. Good stuff. I called my friend who likes to have the latest and greatest, and he told me he had purchased the Oregon 400t when it first came out last year. I took a drive to his house to compare it to my new Dakota 20... Very similar in capabilities, only smaller and less resolution on the screen. After seeing his unit, and how well it ran I found myself craving the higher resolution screen, and 3D Terrain features, so I went up and bought another one, this one, the Garmin Oregon 550. I decided against buying the Oregon 550t because the 550 had a little deeper discount than the "t" version. Ultimately I chose to purchase the 550 since it was around $60 off retail, VS. only $1 less than retail on the 550t. I figured I could add the TOPO maps later. Plus I had also just purchased the Dakota 20, and the $160 difference in cost was sounding pretty good. I have completely busted my mad money for now.



Ultimately I find this unit to be right in line with all of the other Oregon models software wise... it works exactly the same way. So go and read some reviews on the other Oregon models sine this unit doesn't have many reviews yet. It is VERY similar in capabilities, but this one has a few added goodies.. 3 Axis Compass + 3.2MP GEOTagging Camera (Good stuff)...



Another observation between the new 550 and 550t models... Garmin's specs say the these models have equivalent storage, but in fact this is not the case, the 850MB seen in the specs relates to the free space after taking into account the included maps. In reality it is more like 550 = 1GB, 550t=4GB internal memory. Mostly a non-issue since both have a Micro-SD slot behind the battery, which happily accepted an inexpensive 4GB SDHC card, and since SDHC was supported I would expect you could add an even larger one.



Like the other reviewer stated I noticed that the roads on Garmin's 2008 TOPO maps are slightly off.. this is easily recognizable if you load a driving map, calculate a route, and then disable the driving map, you will see the driving route is not exactly on the road. To me this is all the more reason to just get the 550 model (at this point) without the TOPO maps. You can add them later once the road data is fixed. On second thought, the TOPO features themselves on the 2008 map seem fine, only the road data is a little off, so if you are using the maps as they are intended this is probably a non-issue. At the time I just felt like the 550 was a better bargain, only $90 more than the Dakota 20 I had just purchased, which also was still at the full $350 retail price since it is still a brand new model.



The only other glitch was with the Compass calibration, which went haywire for a moment, but resolved itself after a reset, and hasn't happened since. We'll see if it becomes an issue.. but I doubt it. The reset was very fast as this unit boots up very quickly.



I decided to make these purchases since my girlfriend has expressed an interest in "Re-Taking Up Geocaching", we really haven't done it in a while (Since '02), and its such a great outdoor activity. The original point in making these purchases was the ease at which you can add Geocaches into the unit directly from the website with a single mouse click. She was having trouble getting used to adding the co-ordinates into the old Garmin Legend with that tiny joystick, it was VERY TEDIOUS.



So now she has the Dakota 20, and I have the Oregon 550, and we can easily transfer geocaches back and forth wirelessly, and it is easy as pie to download them from [...].



To me, these new Garmins are a huge upgrade from my old "Legend", and they are waterproof and rugged as ever.



I would have given this product 5 stars had it not been for the couple of small glitches, which I expect will be fixed in the future via a firmware update / map update from Garmin.



Truely.. the new touchscreen Garmin units are to GPS's, as the iPhone is to mobile phones. In a class by itself.

 "Sadly unimpressed...." 2009-08-12
By Joel A. Pogar (Parker, CO)
I have had this for a couple days now and have to admit, I'm "underwhelmed" by it so far. I had very high expectations of the 550 and ordered it with the 24K Topo maps from Amazon. Here's my issues:

1. This is my first Oregon unit, but the screen seems small....I'm a big guy, it feels like my thumb covers half the screen when navigating.

2. Compass accuracy is questionable, or at least it seems very "jumpy". If I move an inch, it rotates way more than I did.

3. Not sure why, but it's hard to see in the shade. Outside on bright sunny days and it's easier to see in direct sunlight than in the shade.

4. Having map problems....can't display a 3-D view of my map (open case with Garmin support).

5. All the manuals are on CD and the CD had issues loading in my computer. Had to find a PC that would read the CD and copy to my hard drive.



What's good about it...

1. The camera. While 3.2MP is not "hi-def" by any means, it is nice to only carry one device and have my pictures geotagged. The resolution and quality is respectable.

2. Unit feels very durable....I fish a lot so it's nice that it's somewhat weather / waterproof.

3. Comes with some nice accessories....I was surprised that Garmin included NiMH batteries and a charger.

4. Battery life is good. Although I'm using 2700mA batteries (not the included batteries) I get almost 20 hours from a set of AA.



Maybe I'm being a little too hard on Garmin and I generally like their products. However, for $600 (Oregon 550 and the Topo Map) I was expecting an iPhone like experience....an oohhh ahhhh kind of moment......hasn't happened so far. Not sure if I'll keep it...it's not a "bad" device, just don't know if it's worth $600. I was on the fence about giving it two or three stars....I gave it two because of the price and some of the frustrations I've had getting the maps to work right.



** Update (8/16/09): I did get the map issue resolved....turned out to be a software glitch with the Topo maps, but I did get it corrected. Took this unit on a 3 day trip to the Pike National Forest in Colorado. I would upgrade my rating from two stars to three stars as the GPS was extremely accurate when geocaching....but I didn't even get a full day from one set of batteries and the pictures I took with the 550 were hardly usable. It was cool that they were geotaged, but pretty poor in quality. Because of the price, picture quality and low battery life, it's going back. There are better options for less money.


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Garmin nüvi 1300 Series 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

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The NUVI1300 4.3" Ultra Thin GPS Navigator features a wide screen ultra slim design (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode and text-to-speech. The nuvi 1300 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 nuvi. 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. ecoRoute - Drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel Public transit - Navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Available for download at garmin site. Where Am I? feature - Find the 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 and more Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator MicroSD memory card expansion slot Offers a 3-D mapping perspective, or 2-D overhead view Unit dimensions - 4.8W x 2.9H x 0.6D; Weight - 5.7 ounces. Built-in lithium-ion battery - Lasts up to four hours depending on usage. Includes sturdy suction cup mount that allows for easy adjustment and quick release POI loader program - Set up proximity alerts for school zones, create custom POIs and more
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Technical Details

- Widescreen ultra-slim GPS design with 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen display; interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for operations
- Pre-loaded with City Navigator 48 States NT maps, including millions of name-searchable points of interest
- Pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps; ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel
- Public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems
- Turn-by-turn directions with spoken street names (text-to-speech)
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 "Blend Of Useful New Features With Garmin's Usual Excellent Performance and User Friendly Interface" 2009-09-17
By Jim (New York)
Tried my friend's Garmin 1300 before ordering mine. Wonderful simple unit with rapid acquisition and some new very practical features. As always Garmin's routing accuracy and capability is among the best (they use the same maps and routing accuracy across the entire Garmin Nuvi line).

Great user friendly interface. Large POI and the new capability of adding the cityXplorer maps makes the unit even more flexible in usage. My NYC cityXplorer really added to the Garmin's usefulness above and beyond any of my former GPS units. In short, a superb choice as compared to the very many competitors out there.

 "wish I had saved my money for something that works" 2009-09-16
By J. Yoder (Ohio, USA)
I bought this Garmin because it seemed like it would be easy to use. My daughter has a 350 and she loves it. But I don't love mine. It only holds a charge for about 2 hours, it didn't come with any external battery charges except a vehicle power outlet cord and when I plug the GPU unit in it immediately goes into charging mode and won't operate. Same thing when I plug it into my desktop comptuter at home ( with a USB cord from my camera, since one was not supplied with the Garmin.) When it's charging, I can't do anything else: no naviagaion, no downloading waypoints, nothing. Plus, it doens't know where anything is! It sends me way out of my way or onto dead end streets trying to get anywhere! I don't know anything about other GPS units, but if they are all like this, who needs it?? I'll just go back to my old way: highway maps and print outs from Google maps--they are more accurate anyway...

 "What in the world is wrong with you people?? This is a fantastic little GPS." 2009-09-08
By Method2Madness (Hampton Roads, VA)
Ugh. I cannot believe people are making such a hoopla about the omission of a $3 USB cable. I realize that whole $3 argument works both ways, but why in the world people are making such a big deal out of it, is beyond me. I mean you barely USE the dang thing, not to mention the fact that you probably have one around the house already! I sometimes think people just LOOK for a reason to complain.



Anyway, on to the review:



First of all, I have the 1300T, which is identical except it includes lifetime traffic. That being said, I have had this going on a month now and find it to be one of the best, if not THE best GPS Vehicle Nav I have come across. I have several handhelds of various names, but in sticking with the scope of this review, I will only mention my previous experience with the vehicle GPS units.



I've had just about every brand name of GPS unit in search of the "perfect" one. Up until now, the closest I came was with a Nuvi 350 when it was first released in 05, which I foolishly sold as I wasn't using it as much as I had originally thought. Back then, GPS Nav was a nicety and not nearly as "big" as it is today. Since then, I've had units from Magellan, Cobra, Finedrive (Ugh!), Whistler, TomTom, Mio(My favorite TeleAtlas based brand) and Navigon. All had their plusses and minuses but, never really hit that sweet spot. With the exception of one small detail, the 1300 FINALLY gets it.



I can't tell you how happy I am to be back to a Navtech based device. While TeleAtlas certainlny has come a long way, it's still not as accurate as Navtech. I still have two of my TeleAtlas based units(Mio and TomTom) and have done a series of comparisons between the 1300 and the others, with the 1300 being the most accurate. The Navigon actually has free map updates and is running the very latest maps, but still falls short in comparison.



The routing alogarythim is also much better in this unit than with rest. With the exception of the Nuvi 350, of course, which routes very similar to the 1300. That's not to say, there are no routing flaws. All GPSes have flaws, and this is no different. However, the strange routes are far less than with my previous units.



And last, but not least: Appearance. Good lord this thing is gorgeous! The map display is top notch and looks great scrolling through whatever road I may be on. I know this doesn't really matter to some, but for those who like good looking graphics, this is the unit for you!



Also, I HIGHLY suggest looking for the 1300T, or ponying up for the add-on lifetime traffic kit for the base 1300. That is if you live in an urban area and are affected by traffic on your commute. This has saved me TONS of time, as people around here can't seem to drive through a simple tunnel without crashing daily! I will point out, however, the free lifetime traffic does come at a small cost. There are unobtrusive ads(hotels mostly) at the bottom of the screen when on the traffic menu. These only show when not moving and are quite small. Definitely not something to get in a fuss over, but thought I'd point it out.



The only thing I would change about this model(and the whole Garmin vehicle line) is the ability to better control your detours. On my previous TomTom, Magellan, Navigon and Cobra, I could tell it how far to reroute and in some instances, choose the route. Garmin just gives you one Detour and that's it. Sometimes even putting you back on the same road a few miles up. This isn't as much of a problem with the traffic module, as it automagically routes you around the traffic. But it would still be nice to have more tweakability.

 "Gruvi Nuvi!" 2009-08-21
By Jean E. Pouliot (Newburyport, MA United States)
I received my Nuvi a week ago for my birthday and am thoroughly delighted with it! It's very easy to program and provides nearly flawless directions. The graphics are easy to read, the computer voice (in Jill and Jack formats) is comprehensible and the features are fun. I wish we had this device on recent trips to New Jersey and Virginia. It answers my classic question, "Where is the nearest Dunkin Donuts?" with amazing ease and rapidity. It can locate street addresses and business names with equal facility. It calculates the cost of gas used on a trip, and the number of miles spent at rest and moving. It gives real-time feedback on speed, compass direction and distance to the next turn. I am so impressed by the care that went into the voice interface. I am warned in good time about upcoming turns. And the Nuvi even knows the names of those short access roads I didn't know existed. And to show the level of care that went into the device's design, the suction cup that holds the Nuvi to a dashboard has a little tab to break the suction, making it easy to move the device. That's great design!



The Nuvi is not quite perfect. Navigating in New England -- with its confusing maze of overpasses, rotaries and one-way side streets -- has occasionally fooled the Nuvi. I have been invited to take a left on a street across an impenetrable metal guardrail. But Nuvi recovered well and immediately recalculated the route when I continued past the turn. First-time Nuvi setup was a little of a hassle -- it took a good half hour to pick up a satellite and to program the definition of "Home". A little patience and a check of [...] got me going. I have not had a problem with satellite pickup since.



I love my Nuvi and wonder how I ever got along without it. A great gift and a great find!

 "finds sat. quickly, but takes you in very strange directions" 2009-07-21
By David A. Frost
I have Garmin 200W and wanted to upgrade to 1300 due to finding sats quicker and that part works, but this GPS takes you in very very strange directions. Not sure what they did to the route engine, but its nuts.


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