Mio P550 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I don't recommend this item. There are a couple of pluses, but there are a number of problems:

First, the pluses--
--The price is good for a GPS unit and PDA.
--The SIRF III GPS received is responsive, receiving good reception even inside my house (except for the basement).
--The Wifi is fast.

Now the minuses:

--The battery life is poor.I ran through a fully charged battery in a little over an hour with the Wifi on.
--The screen is poor quality.There is bleeding of text and images and the resolution does not appear good.Possibly, this is because the screen is quite large for 320x240 resolution.
--The PDA functions are not integrated with the mapping and GPS functions. E.g., there does not appear to be a way to access your contacts list within the Mio Maps.
--Mio Maps is clunky software.It requires multiple taps and is not intuitive.
--There are typical Windows Mobile memory problems because applications do not shut down when closed.I guess I'll need to pursue the third party software route to address this problem.
--Internet Explorer is a dated and inconvenient browser for mobile devices.It doesn't format pages well and will not load secure sites such as Chase Banking.I downloaded Opera mobile but they want to charge $24 for a registered copy.
--The device is quite heavy.It is industrial in appearance; not attractive but not terribly ugly.It is a bit odd that the screen is so recessed.
--I was surprised that the device connects to ActiveSync via USB 1.1.This causes synchronization to be very slow.
--Skype did not work very well even though I have a very fast home Wifi network.
--Almost no software came with device (only Worldmate, Mio Mapping and the basic Windows Mobile).Outlook was not even included.This is a first, in my experience.

I haven't used the mapping software extensively.It's based on TeleAtlas.

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Product Description:
Perfect for any road trip, the Mio P550 Portable GPS Multimedia Navigation System is a versatile navigation device, providing full PDA capability, Internet access via built-in Wi-Fi, and wireless connectivity with Bluetooth. Both affordable and stylish, the Mio P550 makes it easier than ever to get where you are going, even when you aren't quite sure where that might be. And because the P550 is compatible with most Windows Mobile 5 software, you can use it for off-road navigation as well.
Since it runs on the Windows Mobile 5 operating platform, the Mio P550 can support the GPS software of your choice. This means you are not restricted as to where and when you can use GPS, nor do you need different devices depending on the activity you want to use them for, for ultimate flexibility. For the road, the manufacturer does recommend Mio Map software, which guides you to your destination with a seamless journey, and has maps of the US and 24 European countries available. However, the P550 is equally in its element if you want to go sailing, biking, or hiking, requiring you to just add the software and get going. The highly sensitive SirfStar III GPS chipset in the P550 can receive signals from up to 20 satellites for extremely accurate positioning, even in the toughest terrain. And when it comes to connecting the receiver, you don't have to worry about getting tangled up with external antenna and extra wires, because it is already built-in. Slim and sleek, the P550 has an ultra-compact design offering pocket-sized portability that's perfect whether you are traveling on foot, by bike or in your car. The Mio P550 even makes exchanging files quick and easy via reliable, high-speed Bluetooth connectivity for synchronizing your Outlook or calendar with your desktop computer.
More than a convenient navigator, the P550 can be used with SD/MMC cards to store pictures, MP3 files, videos, and eBooks, turning this unit into a multimedia entertainment center. Now you can always take a couple of eBooks, your favorite MP3s, a film or two, and your photo album along, in the convenience of a standard memory card. And since you are only limited by your number of SD/MMC cards, you can read on the train, show relatives your family snaps, or listen to music strolling around town, taking unlimited entertainment with you wherever you go. The Mio P550 also offers all the advantages a surprisingly powerful, incredibly versatile PDA running Windows Mobile. Providing access to all Microsoft Office Pocket applications, you can go through your PowerPoint presentation, edit Word documents or create an Excel spreadsheet any time you need to, so you'll always be prepared and up to speed. And when you've had enough of work, you can also use the P550 to play games to pass the time, or use the Wi-Fi to get online and surf the Internet.
The Mio Digiwalker P550 utilizes a 3.5-inch color resistive, anti-glare LCD touch-screen display with LED backlighting, 65,000 colors and 320 x 240 pixels of resolution. This unit includes 64 MB of on-board RAM, 128 MB of memory, and infinitely expandable memory via the built-in SD/MMC card slot that is SD/IO compatible. The P550 includes a USB 1.1 connector, a built-in speaker and mono microphone, a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, and an internal rechargeable 1,200 mAh lithium-ion battery. This unit utilizes Bluetooth 1.2 wireless technology, and 802.11 b and g Wi-Fi connectivity. The included cradle doesn't just hold your navigator, but will also charge the battery while you drive when connected to the power cable. Combined with the windshield mount, this cradle forms a very solid device holder, providing investment security and preventing vibrations. The Mio Digiwalker P550 portable GPS multimedia navigator weighs six ounces, measures 2.8 x 4.5 x 0.7 inches (W x H x D), and is backed by a manufacturer's one-year warranty.
What's in the Box
Mio Digiwalker P550 portable PDA and navigator, device holder, windshield mount, AC power adapter, DC in-vehicle power adapter, USB cable, CD with user's manual, getting started CD, license agreement, windshield mount guide, quick start guide, Mio club registration card and warranty card.

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Magellan Maestro 4210 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got a 4210 2 weeks ago. Used to have a Roadmate 760 before. 4210 is very quick to run on and get satellite reception. Extremely easy user interface - my 10 year old daughter got it without any instructions. Display is wide, bright and excellent in day light as well as at night. Very compact and easy to carry in a pocket. Will work in pedestrian mode as well - really neat and a nice feature over my previous bulky unit. It has AAA assistance but not detailed information on AAA sites. Does not announce street names like Roadmate 760 did (but I don't care for that feature - it is annoying). Lacks bluetooth connectivity. I have not found any accuracy problems. Bottomline - a pretty good unit.

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Product Description:
The Magellan Maestro 4210 delivers the best navigation experiencepossible by featuring a new, intuitive user interface that guidesdrivers to their destination via voice and on-screen prompts. It alsoincludes a new, ultra-thin design, an advanced, easy-to-use featureset, and more.

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Magellan Maestro 5310 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just to clarify: I own this unit and while it's exactly what I was looking for (needing neither Bluetooth nor Voice Command) I can clarify the inaccurate information stated above - the 5310 has neither of these features.The Magellan Maestro 4050 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator has both features available for those who are interested.It is possible that we'll see Voice Command came out as an upgrade for the 5310 as it did for the 4050, but it's not there now.That said, this is a great little unit with a large, easy-to-read screen, great AAA extras, good maps and a very intuitive user interface.I'd highly recommend it and at $350 Amazon has one of the best prices I've seen (it's $500 elsewhere).

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Product Description:
The Maestro 5310 delivers a superior navigation experience, in an ultra-wide 5" screen that makes it easy for customers to enter their destination and go. With large icons and buttons, it is now easier than ever for drivers to get to their destination. Advanced features include integrated live traffic alerts, a highly intuitive user interface that guides drivers to their destination with on-screen prompts, 6 million points of interest, and more. Built-in Navteq Maps includes pre-loaded maps of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The included Live Traffic Alert service comes with a free 3-month subscription, and provides both real-time traffic updates, and reroutes drivers when an alternate route is available.SmartDetour prompts drivers to route around heavy or stopped freeway traffic Exit POIs make it easy to access commonly used POIs while driving on the freeway AAA TourBook travel information for the United States and Canada AAA member Roadside Assistance details AAA Show Your Card & Save member discount locations Atlas III GPS Chipset 5-10 meters GPS Accuracy 1900mAH Li-Ion rechargeable battery, up to 3 hours Route Calculator Methods -Fastest Time, Shortest Distance, Least Use of Freeways, and Most Use of Freeways Option to Avoid All Toll Roads Basic VantagePoint Support Dimensions -Height 3.61 x Width 5.64 x Depth 0.79 (9.18x14.34x2.03cm) Weight -6.9 ounces (196 grams)

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Lowrance 000-0125-03 iWay 250C 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We enjoyed the convenience of traveling with our Roadmate 500. When you arrive in a new city somewhere, you are tired and unfamiliar and no matter how much you love each other, getting lost on the way to the hotel is good for some cranky exchange.

The 500 is obsolete as far as European maps are concerned so with an upcoming 3 weeks in Italy, it was time to see how far the new portables have come. My Lexus GX is disappointing and ridiculously expensive for what you get. It is non-intuitive (IMHO) and you cannot change anything underway requiring pulling over in spots equally as dangerous as Toyota/Lexus feels changing while moving is.

It came down to Garmin's sexy and capable NUVI 360 and the fishfinder Lowrance company's iWay 250C. I tried both side-by-side to see how they performed. You cannot go wrong with either one and I found the differences negligible for my needs.Navteq maps are superior to anything else in the USA and Tele Atlas are the benchmark for Europe. Lowrance did that right among other things. NUVI uses Navteq which is apparently very good in Europe as well but Tele Atlas is reprted to be better there.

Both are intuitive out of the box. The NUVI is sleek and slightly smaller and both are about the same weight. The NUVI resolution is superior and the voice street names are great. Lowrance will name some streets and the others are clearly annouced as "Left turn in 400 feet" or whatever. The NUVI sports Bluetooth capability with your compatible phone but the volume is not suffient to make it useable even in a nice quiet Lexus or equivelant so that is wasted on me. The MP3 capability is of little interest to us but we may learn more and find it uselful. NUVI will play your MP3's while navigating which the 250C will not, I don't care.

As far as POI's, the 250C found more for me but it was a relatively small sample so don't make a decision because of this. I found the real resosn for owning either one is the navigation. It is hard to justify paying twice the price for same maps and a slightly inferior voice capability. The auto version of the mapping on the Lowrance is so cool as it knows to give you the grander picture when you have some distance before the next turn andkindly switches to an expanded view when necessary.

The mount on the NUVI is excellant and so is the Lowrance. Both have enroute travel power cords and both have supplementry maps on cards wherever you want to go. I will keep the Lowrance and return the NUVI, the price is just not worth the difference, at least to me, although your mileage may vary...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lowrance 000-0125-03 iWay 250C 3.5 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
This compact, portable color GPS navigation system features built-in battery power, a stereo MP3 music player, and a picture viewer, making it the perfect companion for your next trip across town or across the continent. The iWay 250C includes a 2 GB MMC/SD card preloaded with NAVTEQ mapping detail for the USA and Canada, complete with millions of accessible points of interest (POIs).
The iWay 250C sports a sunlight-viewable, 3.5-inch, 16-bit color TFT touch-screen display with 320 x 240 pixel resolution. The display features optimal brightness for viewing in all driving conditions. The device also features a stereo MP3 audio player with a digital media card slot for loading audio files with an SD/MMC memory card. A full-featured picture viewer is also provided, allowing you to display JPEG photos stored on MMC/SD memory cards.


The iWay 250C packs a stereo MP3 music player and picture viewer into a compact, portable, GPS unit.

Street address searching, plus auto-routing choices to help you avoid toll roads.

Play audio files with an SD/MMC memory card. The real strength of the iWay 250C is in its advanced navigation features. The device features a built-in, precision 12-channel GPS receiver with flip-up antenna for enhanced reception. You can also add an optional, compact RAA-5 remote GPS antenna with a built-in magnet for placement on the roof of your vehicle. The iWay 250C's touchscreen employs easy-to-use menus that make navigation a snap. Choose from three selectable mapping displays: 2D Track Up, 2D North Up, and Elevated 3D. Meanwhile, turn-by-turn audio and visual cues, including auto-zooming and automatic recalculation of directions after a missed turn, make for effortless navigation. There's even a straight-line navigation feature for off-road and marine use.
Users from different countries will appreciate the iWay 250C's ability to offer voice directions in seven languages as well as display text in 12 languages. The unit also features street address searching, plus auto-routing choices to help you avoid toll roads and interstates. You can even avoid left-hand turns.
The iWay 250C comes with enough memory to store up to 1,000 addresses, and the included 2GB MMC/SD card is preloaded with NAVTEQ mapping detail for the USA and Canada. The maps also feature millions of accessible points-of-interest. The device also supports all current plug-and-play map/chart options from Lowrance (FreedomMaps, Fishing Hot Spots Elite, LakeMaster ProMaps, and NauticPath). The maps can also be updated via the device's internal USB port, which enables a PC connection.

What's in the Box
iWay 250C unit, stylus for touch-screen operations (with built-in holder), suction-cup mounting bracket, adhesive-backed, European-styled dash mounting plate, USB to PC interface cable, software CD-ROM, and user's manual.

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LG LN735 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just bought the LN735 navigator and am happy with it.

Pros:

1.Finds your location within seconds of turning it on.
2.The only time it loses its location is inside a tunnel.
3.Very nice display.Maps and fonts are very clear.
4.Calculates your route in a couple of seconds.
5.Does a nice and logical job of calculating the best route, most of the time.
6.Entering addresses is very easy.

Cons:

1.Battery life in the spec is 4 hours.I can only really get 2-3 hours out of it.
2.After it calculates your route, you can tell it to avoid a road, and it will recalculate a different way.BUT, you cannot detour a road that you are on.So if you are sitting in traffic on the highway, you cannot tell it to recalculate and completely avoid the road you are on.
3.For some reason, it like to calculate routes by getting you off of the highway as fast as possible and have you take more city streets.So, if it is a little farther to take the highway to your destination, but is quicker due to highway speeds, it will still route you through city streets, because it is shorter even though you would be moving at city speeds.
4.It does not remember the contrast setting.Every time you power it on, it is at full contrast, which doesn't help the already short battery life.
5.The volume of the voice is too low, even at full volume.

This is a very good unit, and you get a lot of useful features for the price.

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Product Description:
The LG LN735 Portable Navigation Device is the mid-range model in LGsline of automobile navigators. It is highly portable, coming in at less than 0.8 inches wide, but with all the functionality you need to get you where you are going in the best possible fashion, the LN735 not only provides you with accurate GPS navigation, but includes convenience features that make your trip more enjoyable as well.

The LN735's bigger sibling, the LN740, features a lightly larger 4-inch screen and real-time traffic data capability. You can see a comparison of features of all three LG GPS models below.


The LG LN735 features a brilliant 3.5-inch touch-screen, and selectable 2D and 3D maps that are easy to read. View larger.

The turn-by-turn voice guidance system is pre-loaded with a map of North America.

The navigator includes up to 1.7 million POI's (points of interest). The LN735 utilizes a brilliant, 3.5-inch touch-screen LCD display with 320 x 240 pixels of resolution and 260,000 colors. This screen provides you with clear, selectable 2D and 3D map views and menus that are easy to read at a glance, and features auto zoom, and day and night views that you can manually switch to, ensuring you can see no matter what your lighting conditions. And not only does this navigator quickly display your routing based upon your user-selected preferences, but provides you with turn-by-turn voice guidance with 16 different language options, even announcing street names so you can keep your eyes on the road during more stressful driving circumstances. As an added convenience, the LN735 also provides you with text-to-speech voice guidance in English, Spanish or French.


Pre-loaded with complete maps of the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada, the LN735 comes ready for you to travel throughout North America right out of the box. This navigator even includes millions of POIs (points of interest) so you can quickly find restaurants, gas stations, airports, hotels, ATMs, and other important nearby services, and instantly route to them with a simple tap on the screen, giving you local expertise at your fingertips. And while you are getting there, the LN735 provides you with speed indication, estimated time of arrival, and distance to your destination. This unit also provides you with a multi-stop planner, detour options, fastest and shortest routing options, and an automatic route recalculation, as well as vehicle and pedestrian navigation modes so you can take it with you when you are out of the car and walking the last stretch.


More than just a convenient navigation device, the LN735 has a built-in MP3 music player so you can take all your favorite songs with you to listen to on the road. What's more, this unit includes a photo viewer that allows you to bring you family photos with you, or view your favorite pictures from the trip while you are still on vacation, and even play them as a digital slide-show while travel. The music player accepts both MP3 and WMA digital music formats, while the photo viewer can display either JPEG or BMP digital pictures. And though the controls and menu system are extremely simple and intuitive, if you need a bit of assistance, this unit provides a handy on-screen help system.


The LN735 achieves fast, and highly accurate mapping with a strong signal reception via its SiRF Star III GPS receiver, and provides you with up to four hours of use from its rechargeable, internal lithium-ion battery. The LN735 comes with 2 GB of internal flash memory for storing maps, POIs, MP3s, and photos, as well as including an SD card slot for unlimited memory expansion and a USB port for fast data transfers from your PC. The stylish black-on-black LG LN735 navigation device weighs only 0.35 pounds, measures just 4.3 x 3.2 x 0.7 inches (W x H x D), and is backed by a manufacturer's one-year warranty.


What's in the Box
LG LN735 portable navigator, a windshield mount, a dashboard mount disc, a 12-volt car power adapter, a home AC power adapter, a carrying case, a USB cable, a back-up map CD, a back-up installation CD, a quick-start guide, a user's manual CD and warranty information.


Compare all LG Portable GPS Navigators

Model
LN740 LN735 LN730 Screen Size and Type
4-inch touchscreen LCD
3.5-inch touchscreen LCD
3.5-inch touchscreen LCD
Preloaded Map Coverage
US/Canada/Puerto Rico
US/Canada/Puerto Rico US/Canada
Preloaded Points of Interest
Millions
Millions
Up to 1.7 Million
Traffic Capability
yes, (90 Day Free Trial) no
no
Color
Glossy Black/Black
Glossy Black/Black
Silver/Black
Estimated Time of Arrival · · · Distance to Destination · · · Multi-Stop Planner · · · Detour Options 0.1/0.3/1/2 Mile Detours 0.1/0.3/1/2 Mile Detours 0.1/0.3/1/2 Mile Detours Turn-by-Turn Voice Guidance 16 Language Options 16 Language Options 16 Language Options Speed Indicator · · · Fastest Route/Shortest Route Options · · · Auto Route Recalculate · · · Navigation Modes Vehicle/Pedestrian Vehicle/Pedestrian Vehicle/Pedestrian Text-to-Speech Voice Guidance English/Spanish/French English/Spanish/French
Memory Type Internal Flash Internal Flash Internal Flash GPS Positioning SiRFstarIII SiRFstarIII SiRFstarIII Memory Capacity 2GB 2GB 1GB Battery Life Up to 6 Hours Up to 4 Hours Up to 4 Hours Battery Type Internal Li-Ion Internal Li-Ion Internal Li-Ion Music Playback MP3/WMA MP3/WMA MP3/WMA Photo Viewer JPEG/BMP JPEG/BMP JPEG/BMP SD Card Slot · · · USB Port · · · FM RDS-TMC Traffic Antenna Jack ·

Main Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) 4.5" x 3.5" x 0.7" 4.3" x 3.2" x 0.7" 4.3" x 3.2" x 0.7" Main Unit Weight 0.44 lbs 0.35 lbs 0.35 lbs Dimensions w/Packaging (W x H x D) 8" x 5" x 5" 8" x 5" x 5" 8" x 5" x 5" Warranty 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor Day/Night Mode Switching Manual/Auto Manual Manual Speaker Type Mono Mono Mono Screen Resolution 320 x 240 320 x 240 320 x 240 Colors 260K 260K 260K Map View Options 2D/3D/Day/Night 2D/3D/Day/Night 2D/3D/Day/Night Auto Zoom · · · On-Screen Help · · ·

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TomTom ONE Portable GPS Vehicle Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using my TomTom ONE for a week and a half or so and overall, I'm quite happy with it.Out of the box or after having been moved a significant distance while off, the unit takes about a minute or so at most to determine its position.From a warm start, it's usually a matter of seconds.

Route calculations are generally finished quickly, as are recalculations when you fail to follow the route.Since the shortest rout distance-wise isn't always the fastest, I've diverted from the TomTom's original route and it usually recalculated a new route within moments of me going 'off course.'

I've only run across a couple downsides to the TomTom ONE, neither of which is too serious.First, the maps (at least in the DC/MD/VA metro area) are a few years out of date.There are a number of roads which just aren't in the unit's database.Some streets 'lose' their name for some reason.For example, one section of a street on the map may be labeled as 'Main Street' and another part of the same street may be "Unnamed Road."City names can be kind of iffy as well.When trying to input a specific address, I've often had to resort to entering the address by zip code since the TomTom's map database considers my home to be in a neighboring city name-wise and it won't find my street name in the city in which I actually live.

The second thing that kept me from giving the device 5 stars is the client interface on the computer.The client is supposed to allow the user to access the ONE and perform certain functions on-screen, but apparently is missing some component to actually emulate the unit.I've not gotten a response from TomTom regarding the problem, but have read elsewhere online that they know there's an issue with the client.

Overall, the TomTom ONE is a very nice, basic navigation system.Updated maps and a fixed version of the PC client software will hopefully be forthcoming and would make it a 5 star product.

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Product Description:
Coming to the United States after making a splash across Europe, the TomTom ONE is a complete portable GPS vehicle navigation device with an incredible range of features. A sleek design, comprehensive wireless capabilities, and a sharp display combine to make the TomTom ONE a vital companion on the road. Like TomTom's other navigation systems, ONE gives you coverage in all fifty of the United States.


The TomTom ONE's 3D driving view offers a clear picture of the road and maneuvers ahead. See the ONE in detail.

TomTom PLUS services give you the latest traffic and weather conditions. You can also download additional city maps, voices, points of interest, and much more.

The device's icon-driven menu system makes using the ONE a snap. View larger.

Once you've input your destination, the ONE quickly calculates the best route. View larger.

You can even change your route to avoid traffic and roadblocks. View larger. But it's not just the broad geographical coverage that makes the TomTom ONE special. The user-friendly design also puts it a step above other navigation systems. The crystal-clear multicolor display makes for exceptionally easy viewing of maps, routes, driving directions, and other traveling information, such as mileage and distance. Measuring 3.5 inches, the TFT display offers a resolution of 320 x 240 to provide brilliant two- and three-dimensional graphics. The device also features 32 MB RAM and 380 MHz CPU, making it responsive and zippy. Using the USB port and the provided cable, you can use your PC to add your own points of interest.
ONE provides clear and accurate turn-by-turn voice instructions, so that you don't have to take your eyes off the road while your vehicle is on the move. Voice instructions are issued at a speed-sensitive volume, so as your vehicle's engine becomes louder or quieter as your speed changes, the volume adjusts itself accordingly, guaranteeing clear and easy listening. And because voice instructions are available in over 30 languages, just about anyone will find the TomTom ONE to be an invaluable system.
With its touch-sensitive screen, the TomTom ONE puts programming and operation literally at your fingertips to make sophisticated technology simple. The built-in database offers thousands of points of interest for you to use as destinations or reference points as you plan your trip. ONE will also provide a selection of available routes, giving you the option of avoiding toll roads or choosing between the quickest or the most scenic routes. The database includes zip codes to simplify your route selection, and for extra convenience, the TomTom ONE lets you save the addresses of frequent destinations, making route planning easier and faster than ever. Other display features include a compass mode to assist you with directional orientation, and an anti-glare screen for optimal viewing even in direct sunlight.
For additional navigational features to assist with trip planning, the built-in Bluetooth connection provides access to TomTom PLUS subscription-based services, so that you can tune in to the latest traffic and weather conditions, as well as download additional city maps, voices, points of interest, and much more.
Weighing less than 10 ounces and measuring 4.33 x 3.5 x 1.34 inches, the TomTom ONE can be easily installed in any vehicle. An included windshield suction mount holds it in place. Plus, with an operating temperature range of an icy -10 degrees to a sweltering 55 degrees Celsius (14 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), the navigator is durable enough for New England winters or Arizona summers. The TomTom ONE is powered by an internal lithium ion battery that can be charged from your vehicle's cigarette lighter with the included 12-24V adapter.
What's in the Box
TomTom ONE device, suction mount, car charger, USB 2.0 data cable, and installation CD with connection software and manual.

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Garmin StreetPilot 2620 3.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a 3 year old Navtech based CD GPS system in my Volvo and purchased this device to use in my older SUV that has no GPS system installed. I first tried using the new Streetpilot on a recent trip to Dubuque Iowa from Chicago; using it and the in car systems simultaneously to compare them.The Garmin SP 2620 outperfomed the Navtech installed system hands down. Although the in car system found satellites instantly the Garmin only took about 10 seconds to find them on start up. And it is MUCH faster on route calculations and more importatnly recalculations, about 3x faster. The in car sytem could not locate the exact street address in Dubuque even though I had the Iowa CD disk installed.The Garmin unit did.The details on local businesses was MUCH better with the Garmin.The map was clearer and was better illuminated.Only things I'd like to have in the Garmin would be a two map display option (for differing zooms of the the same route at the same time) and a display of the remianing miles on the main route display, you can get it but it's on another routing description page.The Garmin does display more immediately useful info such as time and distance to next turn so this is a very minor quibble.It is solid, extremely well built unit and mounts very nicely. It tilts and twists to optimize viewing.The "beanbag" friction mount works very well. The nice thing about the portable system is it's portabilty to other cars and rentals, for instance you can loan it to friends and family if you wish!Furthermore, upgrading is very easy via the Garmin web site whereas updates for my Volvo Navtech in car system have been rare and expensive. The hard drive in the Garmin is a memory card which I can see being enlarged if necessary but the current 512mb card has plenty of map details on it.A new CD disk set for my in car system costs over $200, the Garmin updates so far are free.Overall a stellar value and a device that exceeded my expectations in every way. If you travel by car (and who really likes flyng anyway?)in the US and/or Canada, get one, you'll love it.

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Product Description:
Featuring MapSource City Navigator pre-loaded, detail maps, the Garmin StreetPilot 2620 is a plug-and play portable automotive GPS navigator that's ready to use right out of the box. Forget about unlocking or uploading map data to your unit -- with Garmin you'll be ready to navigate as soon as the StreetPilot arrives at your doorstep. The pre-programmed hard drive that stores the City Navigator detailed maps of North America is simple to set up and use. Drivers can navigate to a particular address or access an enormous database of more than five million points of interest (POI). Whether it is lodging, restaurants, gas stations, or local attractions, the StreetPilot 2620 will help you get there. And the user-friendly, menu-driven touchscreen ensures that navigating the unit is as easy as navigating the road.


Look up attractions and services. View larger.

Turn-by-turn directions. View larger.

Detailed map display. View larger.
The Garmin StreetPilot 2620 combines a touch-screen, GPS navigation, voice-prompted directions and more in a single, compact device. Like its successor -- the StreetPilot 2720 -- this unit features a high-resolution color touchscreen with voice prompted turn-by-turn navigation and a powerful microprocessor for fast route calculation and map redraw. Although the new model has a few extra bells and whistles, the 2620 delivers all the navigation you'll need with a lot less strain on your wallet. This unit comes with a unique wireless infrared remote control, which allows easy operation of the unit from a distance and it also offers WAAS-enabled support to ensure the highest degree of GPS accuracy. Mark and name important waypoints with over 500 graphic symbols, set a course for your destination, and listen to the voice prompts for navigation instructions and warnings. And when you get there, you can check your trip computer for miles driven, time on the road, and average/maximum speeds.
With a host of software upgrades, the StreetPilot 2620 can lend assistance in almost any situation. You can find the most efficient route for deliveries or sales calls with the multiple destination feature. Enter all your destinations and the 2620 will automatically sort them to provide the best route. The StreetPilot makes it easy to avoid traffic jams or road work -- just tell the unit where you don't want to go and you'll be redirected around the congestion. Almost out of gas? No need to fret. With a time-saving feature that allows you to limit searches to gas stations, restaurants, and more, this unit will notify you of upcoming points of interest near your route. And, of course, there are those times when you'd just like to take the road less traveled. With the adjustable road class preference, you can select from major, medium, and minor road categories that will help you stay off the highways for a leisurely drive through small towns and winding backroads.
The StreetPilot 2620 receiver includes everything you need to get started right out of the box, including an alphanumeric remote control, car and home power supplies, two kinds of mounts, and a factory pre-loaded version of Americas Autoroute basemap and MapSource City Navigator North America. The basemap is loaded with routable maps of North and South America that contain state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastlines, state and interstate highways, local thoroughfares and secondary roads within metro areas, and federal interstate highway exit information for services such as food, lodging, and service stations. Beyond the basemap foundation, the 2620's pre-programmed hard drive comes with MapSource City Navigation that provides street-level details and addresses, plus millions of listings for restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and more throughout the United States and metro areas of Canada.
What's in the Box
StreetPilot 2620, remote control, external speaker with 12/24-volt adapter cable, PC/USB interface cable, AC power adapter, integrated dash mount, and a portable "bean-bag" (friction) mount.

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TomTom XXL 550M 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Warning, this unit is riddled with so many problems, I can't even get customer service to reply. The auto reply says they are swamped with complaints, once they did respond, but only to the part of no manual, sent a link, but it was not the correct one, they chose to ignore all the problems with the unit. Addresses are way off, some as much as a mile. Many roads are not on the unit, even with the latest update some neighborhood that are 3-5 years old do not exist. It shows roads that do not exist? Unit consistantly picks much longer, time consuming routes. Many streets are misnamed, many roads have county number on the gps, yet the road has had a name for 15 years. Told me to go straight at a fork in the road? One road, probably 15 miles long, unit said it had no numbers for the road, so you had to ride for miles looking at mail boxes, and yes, it was a old road, places had been there for many years.
Memory is almost full, and there is no memory slot to add more, very poor planning. It is slow updating your actual speed. You have to set the time, but other brands do this for you. Road name only show up a few seconds, leaving no time to plan on turning. Speed limit is useless, only good mainly on interstate, yet other brands have speed limits on secondary roads. Going down the ramp to get on a interstate, it says to turn left? Guess thats why all those slow drivers are in the left lane! Can't delete individual temp go to locations, have to delete all. Has several nice voices, yet only compter voice gives street names. They don't even have a manual for this unit. I could go on, as there are about a dozen other issues with this brand, but save yourdelf the trouble, get something else. These are just a few of the problems found in the first 2 weeks,Ok, its not all bad, 5" screen is nice, volume is better than many, now, only if it could get me there. I had to order a different brand as this one could not get me to most places.My new Garmin gets me there.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom XXL 550M 5 Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Lifetime Maps Edition)

Product Description:
Outsmart road changes with the TomTom XXL 550·M--complete 5-inch widescreen navigation plus Lifetime Map Updates*. On average, 18% of road information changes each year, so it is important to have the most up-to-date maps. With Lifetime Map Updates, start fresh every few months by downloading a new edition of the industry's most accurate map. New editions are issued four times per year. Since TomTom has the industry's most accurate and dependable maps you'll have access to one million more miles of roads than you would using other GPS brands. Navigate to any location in the US, Canada or Mexico--or directly to one of 7 million preloaded points of interest. Finding your way has never been easier, using TomTom's new EasyMenu and spoken turn-by-turn instructions including street names.
Complete 5-inch widescreen navigation plus Lifetime Map Updates.


Expand your horizons with a 5-inch extra-wide touchscreen.


The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds into the back of the device for maximum portability.


Only TomTom has IQ Routes*. This exclusive technology evaluates routes based on actual traffic speeds, rather than posted speed limits, and will recommend the fastest route for the time of day. You'll always be directed to the quickest, most efficient route. Advanced Lane Guidance** provides extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing you which lane to take, so you won't miss your turn or have to make dangerous lane crossings. Photorealistic images and a pulsing green arrow indicate exactly which lane to use.


With TomTom's exclusive Map Share On-Demand Updates, you have the ability to update your own map instantly or download verified updates from other drivers. Update your TomTom daily or whenever you wish.


The "Help Me!" menu lets you travel with peace of mind. It provides added safety features so you can easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations, and hospitals. The "Where Am I?" feature pinpoints your exact location so you can accurately communicate it to emergency resources.


The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount folds neatly onto the back of the device, so both are small enough to fit into your pocket or bag.


Maps of US, Canada & Mexico with Lifetime Map Updates
TomTom is known the world over for the accuracy and extensive coverage of its maps. TomTom maps include 1 million more miles of road than other GPS brands and have been rated highest in terms of quality and reliability.


Roads change, but with Lifetime Map Updates your map will always be up to date. Start fresh every few months by downloading a new edition of the industry's most accurate map. New editions are issued four times per year.


Note: You receive up to four non-transferable map data updates per year until the product's useful life expires or TomTom no longer receives map updates from its suppliers, whichever is shorter. Details and terms at www.tomtom.com/legal.


EasyMenu
Easily access all of TomTom's powerful features through its simple and intuitive two-button menu. Just a tap gets you started, and easy-to-follow commands and recognizable icons lead you through a quick start-up process to get you on the road in no time.


7 million Points of Interest
Comes preloaded with more than 7 million points of interest in over 60 categories. Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels and more on your route. Or, seek out a new tourist attraction, nightlife spot or shopping center and navigate directly to it. Customize by adding your own favorites.


IQ Routes*
Despite posted speed limits, traffic traveling along a road at 8 a.m. moves at a different pace than it does at 2 p.m. Actual traffic speed is affected by rush hour, traffic light changes, pedestrian traffic, day of the week, and more. Only TomTom offers exclusive technology that evaluates routes based on actual traffic speeds, rather than posted speed limits, and will recommend the fastest route for the time of the day.


Advanced Lane Guidance**
TomTom provides extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing you which lane to take, so you won't miss your turn or have to make dangerous lane crossings. Photorealistic images and a pulsing green arrow indicate exactly which lane to use.


Announces Street Names
Keep your eyes on the road while your TomTom announces turn-by-turn directions, including street and place names.


5-Inch Touchscreen
Expand your horizons with a 5-inch extra-wide touchscreen. A wide screen allows an expanded driving view and easier menu operation.


Fold & Go EasyPort Mount
The award-winning Fold & Go EasyPort mount provides maximum portability. It folds neatly onto the back of the device, so both are small enough to fit into your pocket or bag and can be taken with you wherever you travel.


Traffic Update Service* (Optional)
Outsmart traffic. Optional traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic conditions to minimize potential delays. Based on incoming traffic information, your TomTom will recalculate travel time and suggest alternate routes. Traffic updates available in the US and Canada.


*Feature available in the US and Canada only
**Feature available in the US only

All TomToms Feature

Plug & Go--Works right out of the box.


30 Day Latest Map Guarantee--Up to date, off the shelf.


TomTom Map Share--Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share.


Help Me! Emergency Menu--Easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.


TomTom HOME--Always up to date.


Fuel Price Service (optional)--Know more, pay less.

What's in the Box

TomTom XXL 540M device, EasyPort mount, USB cable, adhesive disk, car charger, and user guide and lifetime maps voucher

About TomTom

Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high quality products and services.
TomTom is the world's leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further our commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so we can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.


We have our own mapping company!
Did you know that every year roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.


Why TomTom?
At TomTom, we believe that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. We develop smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

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LG LN740 4-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After reading mixed reviews I decided to give this unit a try. Coming from a Lowrance Iway 500c, I was looking for the newer sirfstar III receiver as well as faster routing and quicker satellite acquisition. The LG excelled at all three.

- Great satellite acquisition times, about 5 min for the first cold start and then almost instantaneous for subsequent reconnections. The unit has a sleep feature which seems to keeps the unit on similar to that of a laptop without having to reload maps, the OS, etc.

- Quick routing takes under 5 seconds for the initial destination. If you miss a turn, the unit reroute quick enough to make the next turn. Likewise, the logic of the system is pretty good, which will take to on a different route if optimal rather than trying to get you to U-turn back.

- Very accurate location plotting compared to my old GPS. I was impressed by the system mapping me on which lane direction i was traveling (North vs South, etc) and the maps included even the small police-only paths located in the medians.

- The display and speaker both seemed lacking at first in terms of brightness and sound quality, but upon actually use on a 2 day trip in the NY/NJ/PA area and over 300 miles of driving I found that everything worked well. The screen once located about 2-3 feet away on the windshield looks more than acceptable and the speaker works great once you get used to what it sounds like and to somewhat listen for it if you are blasting your music. The layout is simple yet effective, showing your distance to next turn, and the unit doesnt annoying repeat commands from too far away (go straight for 10 miles, 5 miles, then 2 miles etc).

For the price and the features you cant go wrong. No GPS is perfect -- the garmins Nuvi's dont have multistop routing and the TomTom One still uses Teleatlas maps. Both are more expensive and dont include text-to-speech which makes it a difficult comparison. Going to their next series with advanced features adds on another $200-300 or nearly double the cost. Give the LG a chance and I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Click Here to see more reviews about: LG LN740 4 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The LG LN740 Portable Navigation Device is highly portable, coming inat less than 0.8 inches wide, yet is also incredibly powerful. With all the functionality you need to get you where you are going in the best possible fashion, the LN740 not only provides you with accurate GPS navigation, but includes convenience features that make your trip more enjoyable as well.


The LG LN740 features a brilliant 3.5-inch touch-screen, and selectable 2D and 3D maps that are easy to read. View larger.

The turn-by-turn voice guidance system is pre-loaded with a map of North America.

The navigator includes up to 1.7-million POI's (points of interest). The LG LN740 utilizes a brilliant, four-inch touch-screen LCD display with 320 x 240 pixels of resolution and 260,000 colors. This screen provides you with clear, selectable 2D and 3D map views and menus that are easy to read at a glance, and features auto zoom, and day and night views that you can manually switch to, ensuring you can see no matter what your lighting conditions. And not only does this navigator quickly display your routing based upon your user-selected preferences, but provides you with turn-by-turn voice guidance with 16 different language options, even announcing street names so you can keep your eyes on the road during more stressful driving circumstances. As an added convenience, the LN740 also provides you with text-to-speech voice guidance in English, Spanish or French. And especially important to the daily commuter, this unit provides you access to Traffic Information Service (comes with a free 90-day trial), so you can outsmart road delays with access to real-time traffic information in 50 North American cities.


Pre-loaded with complete maps of the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada, the LN740 comes ready for you to travel throughout North America right out of the box. This navigator even includes millions of POIs (points of interest) so you can quickly find restaurants, gas stations, airports, hotels, ATMs, and other important nearby services, and instantly route to them with a simple tap on the screen, giving you local expertise at your fingertips. And while you are getting there, the LN740 provides you with speed indication, estimated time of arrival, and distance to your destination. This unit also provides you with a multi-stop planner, detour options, fastest and shortest routing options, and an automatic route recalculation, as well as vehicle and pedestrian navigation modes so you can take it with you when you are out of the car and walking the last stretch.


More than just a convenient navigation device, the LN740 has a built-in MP3 music player so you can take all your favorite songs with you to listen to on the road. What's more, this unit includes a photo viewer that allows you to bring you family photos with you, or view your favorite pictures from the trip while you are still on vacation, and even play them as a digital slide-show while travel. The music player accepts both MP3 and WMA digital music formats, while the photo viewer can display either JPEG or BMP digital pictures. And though the controls and menu system are extremely simple and intuitive, if you need a bit of assistance, this unit provides a handy on-screen help system.


The LN740 achieves fast, and highly accurate mapping with a strong signal reception via its SiRF Star III GPS receiver, and provides you with up to six hours of use from its rechargeable, internal lithium-ion battery. The LN740 comes with 2 GB of internal flash memory for storing maps, POIs, MP3s, and photos, as well as including an SD card slot for unlimited memory expansion, a USB port for fast data transfers from your PC, and an FM RDS-TMC antenna jack for receiving real-time traffic information. The stylish black-on-black LG LN740 navigation device weighs only 0.44 pounds, measures just 4.5 x 3.5 x 0.7 inches (W x H x D), and is backed by a manufacturer's one-year warranty.


What's in the Box
LG LN740 portable navigator, a windshield mount, a dashboard mount disc, a 12-volt car power adapter, a home AC power adapter, FM traffic antenna, a carrying case, a USB cable, a back-up map CD, a back-up installation CD, a quick-start guide, a user's manual CD and warranty information.



Compare all LG Portable GPS Navigators

Model
LN740 LN735 LN730 Screen Size and Type
4-inch touchscreen LCD
3.5-inch touchscreen LCD
3.5-inch touchscreen LCD
Preloaded Map Coverage
US/Canada/Puerto Rico
US/Canada/Puerto Rico US/Canada
Preloaded Points of Interest
Millions
Millions
Up to 1.7 Million
Traffic Capability
yes, (90 Day Free Trial) no
no
Color
Glossy Black/Black
Glossy Black/Black
Silver/Black
Estimated Time of Arrival · · · Distance to Destination · · · Multi-Stop Planner · · · Detour Options 0.1/0.3/1/2 Mile Detours 0.1/0.3/1/2 Mile Detours 0.1/0.3/1/2 Mile Detours Turn-by-Turn Voice Guidance 16 Language Options 16 Language Options 16 Language Options Speed Indicator · · · Fastest Route/Shortest Route Options · · · Auto Route Recalculate · · · Navigation Modes Vehicle/Pedestrian Vehicle/Pedestrian Vehicle/Pedestrian Text-to-Speech Voice Guidance English/Spanish/French English/Spanish/French
Memory Type Internal Flash Internal Flash Internal Flash GPS Positioning SiRFstarIII SiRFstarIII SiRFstarIII Memory Capacity 2GB 2GB 1GB Battery Life Up to 6 Hours Up to 4 Hours Up to 4 Hours Battery Type Internal Li-Ion Internal Li-Ion Internal Li-Ion Music Playback MP3/WMA MP3/WMA MP3/WMA Photo Viewer JPEG/BMP JPEG/BMP JPEG/BMP SD Card Slot · · · USB Port · · · FM RDS-TMC Traffic Antenna Jack ·

Main Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) 4.5" x 3.5" x 0.7" 4.3" x 3.2" x 0.7" 4.3" x 3.2" x 0.7" Main Unit Weight 0.44 lbs 0.35 lbs 0.35 lbs Dimensions w/Packaging (W x H x D) 8" x 5" x 5" 8" x 5" x 5" 8" x 5" x 5" Warranty 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor 1 Year Parts/90 Days Labor Day/Night Mode Switching Manual/Auto Manual Manual Speaker Type Mono Mono Mono Screen Resolution 320 x 240 320 x 240 320 x 240 Colors 260K 260K 260K Map View Options 2D/3D/Day/Night 2D/3D/Day/Night 2D/3D/Day/Night Auto Zoom · · · On-Screen Help · · ·

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TomTom GO 910 4-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all the good news.The display and automatic panning on the Tom Tom 910 are second to none.It is MUCH more visible than the Garmin Nuvi 350 and the automatic panning works much better.The actual mapping algorithms seemed to be approximately the same in both units neither, insofar as I was able to determine, having much of an advantage over the other.Mapping details on both units are excellent.Bright light visibility is outstanding - much better than the Nuvi.

The unit, compared to the Nuvi 350 and 360 is considerably larger and more cumbersome.Additionally, the mounting solution on the Nuvi is slightly better than that on the 910 - more compact.The voice prompts are loud, clear and timely. The ease of use is just great (with the exception of the POI implementation) and the visibility and quality of the display are great.

The bad news:POI access is cumbersome and poorly implemented.Hopefully a firmware upgrade will fix this problem in the near future.As it stands now, you cannot enter the name of the POI that you wish to go to without going through an intervening category screen made even more cumbersome by the fact that you may guess the category wrong!Then, the POIs only come up in alphabetical order or by distance.For me, this particular deficiency was the deal breaker.Selecting a POI must be as simple as possible in a AIO (all in one) GPS navigation solution.There are so many capabilities that you give up in these simplified AIO solutions that they should perform their designated functions easily and efficiently.The Nuvi does this, the 910 does not.The nuvi allows you to search POIs by name. The TomTom 910 does not.

This device is intended as an extremely simple point to point navigating AIO GPS navigation solution and is not intended to enable the use of way points or easily changing the course selected by the unit. You have essentially two options: the shortest route and the fastest route. Fortunately, the mapping program selects routs that are very acceptable. Personally, I like to look at the overall route and fiddle with it. This unit is not designed for such use. Microsoft Streets and Trips is ideal for this kind of tinkering, but terrible for point to point navigation while on the go.

Make sure and get the most recent firmware updates on the Tom Tom website which will fix the known bugs and further improve the functionality.

I give this unit a 3 star on form (compared to the elegant Nuvi), a 4 star on the functionality for which it was designed, and a 5 star on the beautiful bright display. You will not be disappointed in the beautiful display, the automatic panning, the actual map functionality or the bright light performance.But the POI solution is cumbersome and frustrating.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom GO 910 4 Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
TomTom is the smart, easy-to-use, portable navigation solution. Switch it on and GO. The crystal-clear widescreen display, 3D graphics and innovative voice instruction help you find your way to any address in the United States, Canada, and Europe.A few taps of the screen get you going. Pick a destination, choose the type of route, and it guides you door-to-door. The built-in Bluetooth connection lets you easily make or receive calls hands-free.And with TomTom PLUS the GO can re-route you around traffic jams and alert you to bad weather. You can control your iPod directly from your TomTom GO and store thousands of songs and images on the internal 20 GB hard drive.Just tap the GO's widescreen to see and select your favorite iPod tunes. The home dock lets you connect to your PC for itinerary planning and downloading maps, voices, and more.The portable, widescreen TomTom GO is the smart and easy choice for every car, every trip, every day.

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Garmin nuvi 275/275T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this device a few weeks ago in anticipation of a trip to the UK.I've driven there before, navigating with the excellent AA road atlases, but being an American driving a right hand drive car with a manual transmission, sometimes in bad weather, I would often get task-saturated.I thought a GPS or "Sat Nav" as they call them, would make the job a little easier.
The only features that I really needed in a GPS unit were the U.S and European maps and text-to-speech, ("turn left on High street"), beyond that, additional whistles and bells didn't matter to me.
Initially I looked at both Garmin and TomTom and decided to go with Garmin since it was less expensive to find a unit that had North American and European maps.I paid about $270 for my 275T, it was the least expensive unit that had European maps pre-installed.Buying the European map separately would cost you approximately $150 and the UK-only map runs about $99.
The 275T operation is fairly straight forward.It has all of the normal features that one would expect to find on a modern GPS unit to include a fairly robust POI (Point Of Interest) database loaded with gas stations, restaurants, airports etc...The touch screen works well and although the size is smaller, (3.5" vs 4.3" on some larger units), it was more than adequate to display all of the necessary information.The voice directions are very helpful, especially when driving in heavy traffic.Traffic updates in the US arrive via an FM transmitter in the charger cord, (in Europe you have to plug in an antenna wire which comes with the unit).You can also easily preload lots of destinations to your "favorites" on the device by using the Google map or Panoramio photo websites.
In the UK the 275T proved to be invaluable; you feel much freer to stray from the beaten path and do a bit of exploring knowing that your GPS will always get you to your appointed destination.The time to destination estimates were accurate and the routes were efficient.When initially turned on, the unit located satellites quickly and never lost the connection except when in parking garages, or tunnels.Sometimes when surrounded by lots of tall buildings, like in downtown London, the unit would appear to get confused about the direction in which it was pointing.Moving the car just a few dozen feet or so normally corrected this.The included Europe maps were very accurate with the exception of a new stretch of highway between Falkirk and Edinburgh which was not included on the map database.Road names, one-way streets, and parking areas were all up to date.I found the inclusion of "safety camera" locations, (read: "speed trap cameras"), to be very helpful; it even flashed a red warning when you exceed the speed limit in an area with a camera.
The only feature that I sometimes wish was included was a compass heading.If you just turn on the unit, but don't program in a destination, your directional heading, (North, East etc...), is displayed in the lower right hand corner.However when it's giving you directions, your estimated time to arrival takes up that area of the screen. Overall however, I thought the unit was great and I would recommend the 275T if your travels take you between North America and Europe on occasion.Renting a GPS with your car in the UK will typically add about $15 per day; use your 275T for a couple weeks and it's practically paid for itself.

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Garmin nuvi 650 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have have a been a long time Garmin GPS customer including three generations of the Streetpilot.I am very pleased with the Nuvi 650 echoing some of the praises you've read here in the reviews.

However for those of who are on the fence about getting the 650 versus the 660 for the extra Bluetooth, FM transmitter and traffic receiver, I want to offer you some more reasons to consider the 660.The Nuvi 650 does not include the leather carrying case, AC adapter and printed manual which comes standard with the 660 packaging ($50 value).

As a an old time Garmin user, I am used to having these items come with my GPS.In addition, the Nuvis do not include CD/DVD map software nor the friction mount (must buy separately esp. for California and Minnesota).Considering how easy it is now for users to access the memory space of the Nuvi from their computers, it's much easier to corrupt the system unintentially.Thats when you'll need the original map software to recover.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the Nuvi 650 over my Streetpilot 2720 for it's size, improve user interface and the SirF Star III receiver for much more reliable GPS reception.But I can only give this product 4 stars because of the lack of accessories that I find essential for my usage and yet comes standard for the Nuvi 660, 670 and 680.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin nuvi 650 4.3 Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
With a gorgeous widescreen display, the Garmin nuvi 650 GPS Personal Travel Assistant is your answer to the call of adventure. A sleek navigator and a keen travel assistant, the nuvi 650 is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (POIs), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions, and the data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Step up to the nuvi 660 if you want to take advantage of Bluetooth connectivity, an integrated traffic receiver, and an FM transmitter.


The nuvi 650 features a colorful widescreen and is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps.

The device includes many entertainment and travel tools.

A 4.3-inch display with a touch screen interface makes it easy to select destinations, play MP3s, and more. This preloaded navigator brings all this fantastic map data to your fingertips with a super-bright, 4.3-inch widescreen display for improved map viewing, day or night. Use the touch screen interface to select destinations, look up POIs, and play your favorite MP3s and audio books. The device comes ready to go with automatic routing, 3D or 2D map perspective viewing, and turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. It also supports 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. With this GPS system on board you'll be prepared to steer clear of traffic with an optional FM TMC traffic receiver. If you choose this add-on feature, The nuvi 650 will receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. The nuvi 650 includes many "must-have" entertainment and travel tools, including digital music and audio book playback, a JPEG picture viewer, currency converters, and more. All these great features make the nuvi 650 a complete Personal Travel Assistant.


Note: Optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nuvi to fit your travel needs.



What's in the Box
nuvi 650 GPS navigation system, preloaded City Navigator North America NT data, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, USB cable, and quick reference guide.

Which nuvi is Best for You?

Note: All nuvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
Device

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Magellan RoadMate 3055 4.7-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The RoadMate 3055 is a decent GPS. The hardware is handsome, thin, and light weight. The software is showing its age and computer and car connection is just obtuse.

Every manufacturer of GPS devices has an awful problem right now; there are too many models with too many features, too many price points, and absolutely no logic to model names or numbers. Magellan is just as bad as any other vendor. There are a few features to consider when buying a GPS. First is screen size, bigger screens are more expensive, but not necessarily better or easier to use (4 inches is a pretty common size, anything bigger just gets in the way). Second is Text to Speech, if you want road names read to you, and then get a unit with Text to Speech (the 3055 does Text to Speech). If you only want the GPS to say, turn left in 5 miles, turn left in point two miles, turn left now, ding dong; and then don't spend money on Text to Speech. I find it critical that the GPS say the road name. Third is Bluetooth, a way to connect your cell phone to the GPS and make hands free calls while driving. To me, this is a pretty worthless option, the speakers are never large enough and the noise cancelling is never good enough. Fourth is traffic subscription. Lifetime traffic is a nice thing, but you will have ads scrolling on your GPS, they aren't annoying, but they are there. Almost all the GPS get their traffic information from the same place. It is extremely unreliable (I have about 4 years of experience in a major metropolitan area and travel in many cities), the traffic jams area almost never there, or someplace not reported. I would frankly never pay extra for traffic information (see lower in the review for how poorly this unit performed). Fifth are map subscriptions. This is very sticky. Lifetime subscriptions typically cost around one hundred dollars and give you four updates per year. One map update costs around sixty or eighty dollars. Lifetime map update included with a GPS is not a bad plan, but almost no GPS offers this. Magellan is no different; lifetime subscriptions are around eighty dollars. Sixth is choosing between road assist or not to road assist. With road assist, whenever the GPS thinks an exit will be confusing, a representation of the road and signs appears on the screen. This is very useful in major cities on highways, totally useless on rural roads or small towns. I'm not sure this is worth extra money.

Turned off, this is a very nice looking GPS. The border is gloss black plastic, fairly wide, and makes a great landing spot for your fingers while using the GPS. The back is nice looking silver. The unit is light weight. The pain starts after turning on the unit.

Magellan has chosen to do nothing significant with computer connection. There is absolutely 100% NO Mac support, you have to have a Windows PC for any firmware or map updates. The first step I did with this unit was to update the firmware. You must install Magellan's Content Manager Software to do anything with this device and a computer. The software only moderately inhabits your computer, by default it runs at start up. It does everything magically, with little user intervention. The firmware update was painless, except that the software warns that this might take hours to complete (Magellan is horrible at predicting how long anything will take, from software updates to Bluetooth pairing), it only took ten minutes to download. The updating was painful to watch, the GPS goes through blue screen after blue screen reminiscent of the blue screens of death on a PC. Each screen had ultra cryptic words that mean nothing. Fortunately, the update completed without a problem.

Virtually every single GPS on the market today (including the Mio's that nobody has purchased) allow you to transfer addresses from Google maps to the GPS. Magellan has chosen to not do this. This is a HUGE mistake by Magellan, the only way to enter an address is through their on screen interface or through your phone's address book (more on that abomination later). On a recent trip, I found the address on Google maps, verified with satellite images that it was indeed the correct address, transferred it through my MacBook Pro over to a Garmin Nuvi 765T GPS. On the Magellan, I spent endless time touch typing on the screen the city, the street name, and then the address number. I took off on my trip with both GPS's; the Garmin took me to the exact correct address. The Magellan took me to a place five miles up the road to a vacant corn field. Admittedly, this was a very difficult address to find, but with Google maps and Garmin, no problem getting there. Magellan couldn't find the location.

The screen is resistive touch (meaning you have to press kind of hard on the screen to make it do anything, but you could use a stylus or gloves to touch the screen). If you are used to using an iPhone or iPod Touch, you will hate this type of screen. It requires much more deliberate forceful presses to make it do anything. The screen was fairly responsive, but not always. There are very few options to customize the noises this thing makes. I absolutely despise the snap click sound this device makes every single time you touch a virtual key on the screen. There is no way to change that sound or defeat it, short of muting the sound. Just after start up, the GPS makes a strange loud ohhh hoooo sound that also annoyed me. And instead of the voice saying turn now, when it is time to make a turn, the device makes another annoying ding dong sound (that can be changed to other more annoying sounds). The Text to Speech voice is a pleasant female voice that is not changeable. The voice is a little less robotic than Garmin's.

The lane assist at first seemed really nice. Then I studied it carefully and compared it side by side to Garmin's version. Sadly, Magellan loses in this race. Instead of a replication of the real signs (color, relative size, and wording as Garmin has implemented it) Magellan has chosen to use green rectangles with highway numbers and comapss directions. This is pretty sad, these are generic rectangles and the highway numbering is accurate, but the words on the GPS never match the real road signs. In addition, Garmin has chosen to really represent the look of the highway with accurate lane count, and a big purple arrow that shows you were to go. Magellan, on the other hand, has chosen to do some very vague highway lines in green. It would be very easy to miss some complex exits with this particular system.

The Magellan screen is fairly cluttered. They have added about an inch to the width of the screen compared to other four inch GPS's. The top and bottom of the 3055 screen is consistent with the other RoadMate models - very simple distance to destination, zoom buttons, Menu, distance to next turning point, and the "one touch" button. On the left traffic delays are displayed. On the right there are two icons, one for volume and the second for stuff along the route (gas stations, rest stops, etc.). There is enough room to see the map or routing. The default view of the road is zoomed in very tight, almost too tight really.

The biggest crime Magellan has commited with this GPS is the whole mounting / charging arrangement. Included in the box is an awful simple suction cup mount. The GPS slides down a T slot into the holder. The supplied mini-USB to 12V adapter slides into a slot on the mount and provides power to the GPS. That adapter also houses the traffic antenna for traffic delay updates. This is cheap, crummy mount at its absolute worst. The charging arrangement is ridiculous. The GPS will take up to four hours to charge using the 12V adapter. The battery will last about two hours on a full charge. So this means a four hour car ride to get a full charge, because the "out of the box" experience is only with the 12V adapter. The manual does mention an optional AC adapter. After doing a bit of testing, the GPS requires fairly high wattage to charge. Any mini-USB cable will work to connect this GPS to an AC adapter or a computer. An iPhone charger will not work. An iPad charger and most USB ports on a computer do work to charge this. The biggest problem, it is impossible to figure out if the unit is charging, there is no light on the unit to show charging status. The battery level indicator on the unit is pretty worthless, I could not understand if the battery was dead or fully charged.

The next crime is synchronization with a cell phone. The iPhone is supported by this device. The instructions clearly state that your address book can be imported into the GPS. It also warns that it might take up to five minutes to pair via Bluetooth. In about a minute my iPhone 4 was connected to the GPS. I then responded yes to importing the phone book. About a minute or two later, all my contacts were imported. I was overjoyed; this was easy and seemed to work out great. I have the most basic contact list in the universe, maybe 150 contacts all entered via Outlook and using standard fields for the data. The darn GPS made 375 out of them, put them in random order, created a huge number of no title entries, duplicated a bunch of contacts, and then never got an address right so I could navigate to that address. That was about the most useless piece of garbage import I have ever met.

On a recent trip I pitted my Nuvi against the 3055, side by side navigation in the car. When I deviated from the planned route, the Nuvi spoke up with "recalculating" (that does get a annoying after a while) while the Magellan just redid the routing and never said a word (good job Magellan). Both units called out exits and turns equally well - Magellan a bit earlier than Garmin. Both pronounced or mispronounced words equally well. Magellan was very pessimistic about arrival time and updated often during the...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Magellan RoadMate 3055 4.7 Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic

Product Description:
The Magellan RoadMate 3055 offers something extra with an exclusive ultrawide 4.7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, lifetime traffic alerts, highway lane assist, OneTouch favorites and Built-in AAA TourBook.
The Magellan exclusive, ultra-wide 4.7-inch touch screen stands above the rest at 17% larger than a standard 4.3-inch screen. Enjoy hands-free calling and a noisecancelling microphone with advanced Bluetooth technology.


Magellan has partnered with the most trusted name in travel--AAA. Only Magellan products include the built-in AAA TourBook with Diamond ratings and descriptions on AAA-approved places to stay, play, dine, and save.


Personalize your travel experience with the OneTouch menu of your favorite places and searches. Bookmark your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, gas station, or bank to find the nearest location, anywhere you travel!


Enjoy subscription-free, lifetime traffic alerts available at any time! Premium maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico make this perfect for travel across the country or everyday commuting.


Perfect for the everyday commuter or business road trips! Travel with confidence using the top-of-the-line Magellan RoadMate 3055, an easy-to-use, premium navigator packed with features!

RoadMate 3055 Features

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Plenio VXA-5000 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review may help someone like me who is not knowledgeable about GPS and is looking for basic functionality.I was looking for a unit that is portable (so I could also use it for walking or switch cars) and has a widescreen display, so I settled on comparing aGarmin Nuvi 650 Personal Travel Assistant for North America and aPlenio VXA-5000 4.3-Inch Touch Screen Car Navigation System with Bluetooth.

1.Audio - The Plenio does not have text to speech functionality,meaning the Plenio will announce "Turn left in 500 feet," while the Nuvi 650 will announce "Turn left onMain Street in 500 feet." I found the Plenio confusing if there were two possible left turns close to each other, and the display didn't always help. (See "Display").

2.Display- The Plenio display appeared dim and difficult to read on bright days, even at the brightest setting.The Nuvi had a brighter, easy to read display even when driving toward sunlight.When a turn is announced, the text of the street name on the Plenio is small and difficult to read; on the Nuvi the street name is announced and the visible text is larger, bolder and easy to read.This also makes it easier to keep track of cross streets when operating in "tracking mode" rather than inputting a destination.

3.Portability- The Garmin is thinner and lighter.The Plenio's suction mount is more substantial, but it has to be to hold up the device.

4.Controls-The Plenio has volume up and down controls, on the Garmin these are only accessible with some difficulty through the touch screen.

5.Accessories- The Plenio includes an FM transmitter, (sound can play through your FM radio) and Bluetooth; to get this functionality with the Garmin, a trade up to the Garmin Nuvi 660 Pocket Vehicle GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant is necessary.The Plenio includes an AC charger, a useful tool in a portable GPS.If you have a mini USB AC charger, you canuse it with the Garmin.

6.Waypoints- The Garmin allows only one waypoint (stopover on the trip); multiple waypoints are available on the Plenio.

7.**** Satellite reception- The Plenio has an internal antenna while the Garmin has a foldaway flip up antenna flap.The Plenio was totally incapable ofgetting a satellite fix, and therefore useless, while inmy wife's car (she has a metallic layer in the windshield as some cars do);the Garmin had no such problem.The Garmin also could fix while indoors.The Garmin allows the user to turn on "WAAS" which is a combined satellite and ground GPS mode that is more accurate than satellite alone; I haven't seen that WAAS makes a difference to a basic user like me.The Garminseems to get a fix from a cold start about 25% faster than the Plenio.

8.Points of interest and maps-The Garminmaps (v.8) seemed "less out of date" than the Plenio. (maybe 2 years out of date versus 3-4 years).The Garmin has a more substantial list of points of interest (POI's).The Plenio allows you to program the unit to show your choice of POI's (such as all gas stations and/or restaurants) as icons on the map, and bring up more information ( name, phone number) by touching the icon; the Garmin will provide thisinformationfrom a separate search menu.

To summarize, the Plenio had more bells and whistles which I willingly traded in for the much improved basic functionality of the Garmin.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Plenio VXA-5000 4.3 Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Product Description:
The Plenio VXA-5000 GPS, with its generous 4.3-inch wide, touch-screen navigation offers a broad, clear view to guide you to your destination. All the key functions are but a single touch away! The Plenio VXA-5000 offers turn-by-turn voice guidance available in several languages. The entire US map is included in the provided SD card and there is no need to download mapping information from your computer. Bluetooth wireless technology, built-in microphone and speaker enable you to use your Plenio VXA-5000 to make hands-free phone calls by synchronizing with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. The handsome, lightweight Plenio VXA-5000 boasts a built-in media player that provides a powerful entree to a number of multimedia functions such as picture viewing, playing videos, games and music. Couple this with the wireless FM transmitter, and you can enjoy video and music files stored on your SD card over your vehicle stereo speakers. Just set your FM radio to a predetermined frequency.

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