This article is part five of a ten part series on the Top Ten GPS units for 2010. Working our way down from number ten to number one. Nearly halfway through our top ten, this unit is in high demand in the gps marketplace today, and for good reasons. Number six: The Garmin Nuvi 650.
Features:
Big screen and slim design. At 4.3 inches, this screen makes it easy to see where you need to go. And with the sleek & slim design of the nuvi series of gps units, it makes taking it with you wherever you go easy.
Super bright screen. Garmin made this screen extra bright so you can see it in any situation, including in bright sunlight.
Spoken directions and street names. You'll never hear me criticize this feature. Anything that helps you keep your eyes on the road helps you get where you need to be safely.
Bluetooth enabled. The Garmin Nuvi 650 gives you the ability to make hands free calls with your cell phone through its bluetooth connection. Which eliminates one more distraction.
Integrated traffic receiver and FM transmitter. This gps unit provides the convenience of receiving traffic updates so you can be prepared for traffic delays, or avoid them all together. At this time, traffic updates generally only work in major metro areas. If you're not sure if your regular driving area qualifies, make sure to test this feature out in your area to see if it works. If not, you could always return the unit if traffic updates was a prerequisite for buying in the first place.
Up to seven hours of battery life. Battery life is never a factor if you only use your gps in the car where you can keep it charged. The Garmin Nuvi 650 was designed for the person who wants to get out from behind the wheel. Long battery life gives you the ability to take it with you on hikes if that's your thing.
Entertainment options. With the Garmin Nuvi 650 you can store and play mp3's and audiobooks. You can store and view your jpeg images, downloaded from your computer. You can also get currency conversions if your traveling.
Customizable car icons. The Garmin website gives you the freedom to personalize your gps with multiple car icons to display on your screen. Is that something you really need in a gps unit? No. But it sure makes it more fun!
Basic hardware setup. This particular gps unit comes with a suction cup mount for your windshield, a dashboard disc, usb cable, and a quick reference manual. Garmin prides itself in providing a product that you can take out of the box and use it immediately. Even if you have little or no experience with a gps unit.
Ability to add optional software. If you're buying a new gps for travel purposes, you might want to consider paying extra for Garmin's optional software. Language translation, travel guides, and savings programs could be worth the price if they give you greater peace of mind and savings while out on the road.
Pros:
Crystal clear and bright screen. Whether your driving or hiking through the woods, you'll be able to see where you need to go.
Easily save locations to your list of favorites. One touch of a button will insure that you can always get back to important places.
User friendly interface. Garmin has the easiest to use menus and screens on any of the gps units available today.
Cons:
No carrying case, ac charger, or instruction manual. Although Garmin makes their units easy to use, it is nice to have an instruction manual to figure out those advanced features.
At times this unit will not tell you to turn until the last moment. Part of a gps units reliability rests in it's ability to tell you in advance where to go.
Does not have a qwerty keyboard. If you text a lot, this may drive you crazy. Otherwise, it will probably only take you a few extra seconds to type in the address to your destination.
For more information on the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Top Ten GPS Mystery Unravelled- Number Seven!
This article is part four of a ten part series on the Top Ten GPS units of 2010. Working our way down from number ten to number one. This top ten gps list represents a combination of cutting edge features and value for your money in each gps unit. Number seven: the Garmin Nuvi 260w.
Features:
Slim sleek and highly portable. Even with the 4.3 inch screen, the design of this unit is compact enough to take it with you wherever you go. And big enough to see your directions while driving in the car.
Text to speech, including street names. Spoken directions and street names make your driving experience in unfamiliar places a lot less stressful. You don't need to take your eyes off the road to find your turn. Simply listen to your gps tell you where to go.
Garmins extremely simple interface. Not a technical wizard? Don't worry about it. Garmin makes the menus on their gps units simple and intuitive. Most of us could take it out of the box, turn it on and start using it without ever looking at the instructions.
Up to five hours of battery life. Keep your Garmin Nuvi 260w fully charged while you drive with the provided vehicle charging cable. Unplug it and take it with you wherever you go, with the confidence that you'll have the power to do what you need to.
Garmin Lock anti-theft protection. This feature will not prevent your gps unit from being stolen. In the event that your Garmin Nuvi 260w is stolen, Garmin Lock will disable the unit until the proper pin is entered or it is taken to a pre-programed location. Avoid any hassles and replacement costs by taking your gps unit with you whenever it is not being used in the car.
Easily add custom points of interest. Found a really cool place and you want to make sure you can get back? All it takes is one touch of a button and you'll be able to get there from anywhere.
Personalize your Garmin Nuvi 260w with customizable vehicle icons and voices. Through the Garmin website you can change the vehicle icon to something that's more you. You can also change the voice giving you directions to something you enjoy or understand better.
Comes with the basics. This particular gps unit comes with a vehicle mount, a vehicle power cable, and a quick start manual. All you need to get going.
The typical add-on options are available with this unit. Through the Garmin website you can pay for and download the Garmin Language, Travel, and Savings guides. If you travel alot, these could be useful. But they do cost extra.
Pros:
Extremely clear and accurate. A bright LCD screen and accurate directions are all you need to get you where your going.
Easy to use. Garmin makes it simple with their menus. No experience required.
Easily save any location as a favorite. One touch of a button saves any location to your list of favorites, so you can get there from anywhere.
With one touch of a button, you can see the entire list of directions your gps unit has planned for you. Not a true believer yet? Still using Google or Yahoo driving directions along with your gps? Touch and hold the green menu bar at the top of the screen, and the gps will display the full list of directions for your route.
Cons:
Minor complaints about initial satellite acquisition. It may take a little bit to lock on, but once it does, you'll be okay.
Does not display routes downloaded from Mapquest. This will only be an issue if Mapquest is your usual choice for directions. Otherwise your Nuvi will get you there on its own.
Only a few of the custom voices work with the text to speech feature. I can't imagine why Garmin would do this, but make sure that any custom voice you choose is compatible. Otherwise, what's the point?
The optional security feature which requires a pin to use your gps will lock you out if mis-entered, even on the first try. If this happens, manually power down the unit, turn it on, and it'll give you another try.
For more information on the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Features:
Slim sleek and highly portable. Even with the 4.3 inch screen, the design of this unit is compact enough to take it with you wherever you go. And big enough to see your directions while driving in the car.
Text to speech, including street names. Spoken directions and street names make your driving experience in unfamiliar places a lot less stressful. You don't need to take your eyes off the road to find your turn. Simply listen to your gps tell you where to go.
Garmins extremely simple interface. Not a technical wizard? Don't worry about it. Garmin makes the menus on their gps units simple and intuitive. Most of us could take it out of the box, turn it on and start using it without ever looking at the instructions.
Up to five hours of battery life. Keep your Garmin Nuvi 260w fully charged while you drive with the provided vehicle charging cable. Unplug it and take it with you wherever you go, with the confidence that you'll have the power to do what you need to.
Garmin Lock anti-theft protection. This feature will not prevent your gps unit from being stolen. In the event that your Garmin Nuvi 260w is stolen, Garmin Lock will disable the unit until the proper pin is entered or it is taken to a pre-programed location. Avoid any hassles and replacement costs by taking your gps unit with you whenever it is not being used in the car.
Easily add custom points of interest. Found a really cool place and you want to make sure you can get back? All it takes is one touch of a button and you'll be able to get there from anywhere.
Personalize your Garmin Nuvi 260w with customizable vehicle icons and voices. Through the Garmin website you can change the vehicle icon to something that's more you. You can also change the voice giving you directions to something you enjoy or understand better.
Comes with the basics. This particular gps unit comes with a vehicle mount, a vehicle power cable, and a quick start manual. All you need to get going.
The typical add-on options are available with this unit. Through the Garmin website you can pay for and download the Garmin Language, Travel, and Savings guides. If you travel alot, these could be useful. But they do cost extra.
Pros:
Extremely clear and accurate. A bright LCD screen and accurate directions are all you need to get you where your going.
Easy to use. Garmin makes it simple with their menus. No experience required.
Easily save any location as a favorite. One touch of a button saves any location to your list of favorites, so you can get there from anywhere.
With one touch of a button, you can see the entire list of directions your gps unit has planned for you. Not a true believer yet? Still using Google or Yahoo driving directions along with your gps? Touch and hold the green menu bar at the top of the screen, and the gps will display the full list of directions for your route.
Cons:
Minor complaints about initial satellite acquisition. It may take a little bit to lock on, but once it does, you'll be okay.
Does not display routes downloaded from Mapquest. This will only be an issue if Mapquest is your usual choice for directions. Otherwise your Nuvi will get you there on its own.
Only a few of the custom voices work with the text to speech feature. I can't imagine why Garmin would do this, but make sure that any custom voice you choose is compatible. Otherwise, what's the point?
The optional security feature which requires a pin to use your gps will lock you out if mis-entered, even on the first try. If this happens, manually power down the unit, turn it on, and it'll give you another try.
For more information on the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Top Ten GPS Mystery Unravelled- Number Eight!
This article is part three of a ten part series on the Top Ten GPS units for 2010. Working our way down from number ten to number one. Although our choice for number eight is not one of the latest gps units on the market today, it is still a solid gps option, and is in high demand. Without further ado, number eight: the Garmin Streetpilot c550.
Features:
Preloaded with highly detailed maps of North America or Europe, depending on where you live or what you need. Once again, this is pretty much the standard in gps units today.
Highly sensative receiver for excellent reliability. It can't be said enough that reliability for a gps unit is job number one! The Garmin Streetpilot c550 has been praised for being able to pick up satellite reception under heavy foliage and walking through major cities, surrounded by tall buildings. This is reassuring for the rest of us who generally don't go to such places.
Integrated traffic receiver with a free three month subscription to traffic updates. This is a useful feature to help you avoid major traffic tie-ups and delays. But don't get too excited just yet. This feature is really only supported in major metropolitan areas. If you're not sure if your area qualifies under this term, at least you'll have three months for free to find out.
Bluetooth technology for hands free calling. The Garmin Streetpilot c550 features a microphone and duel integrated speakers. We're taling stereo sound baby! This comes in handy if you live in a state with hands free calling laws like I do. With a gps unit like this, you can avoid buying that separate hands free kit for your cell phone. Did I mention this Garmin also has an integrated mp3 player?
Spoken directions and street names. An absolute must in a gps unit! Never compromise on this feature.
One touch dialing for points of interest or pre-loaded phone numbers with bluetooth connection. Want to call ahead to a restaraunt or hotel without pulling over to do it? Now you can. With your cell phone and a bluetooth connection it only takes one touch of a button.
Up to eight hours of battery life. This will not be a factor if you only use your gps unit in the car, as you can keep it fully charged with the included cable. How you use your gps will determine whether or not battery life is important.
Easy to take with you. Although the Garmin Streetpilot c550 is not as sleek as the Nuvi series, it is still compact enough to take it with you wherever you go. Remember that at the very least, you should take your gps unit out of the car whenever you're not using it.
Anti-glare technology. This particular unit features an anti-glare surface on the screen, so you can see your directions at any time of the day or night.
Garmin Lock anti-theft protection. Nothing to get excited about. It doesn't mean somebody can't destroy your car window and take your gps unit. It just means that if they do, they won't be able to use it. Cold comfort I guess. In order for your gps to be reactivated, a pin would have to be entered or your gps unit would have to be taken to a predetermined location. Just take it out of the car with you!
Optional language and travel guides. These will cost extra, but may come in handy when travelling. And with an integrated SD card slot, you know you'll have enough memory to keep all your favorites on hand.
Pros:
Excellent reception. You won't have to worry about whether or not you can get where you need to go.
Stereo sound. Along with a clear picture, the Garmin Streetpilot c550 has excellent sound, so you can here your directions instead of having to look at them.
Anti-glare. It's important to be able to see your screen when you need to.
Cons:
Does not offer multi-point routing. If you just need to get from point A to point B, this is probably not a feature you need anyways. But if you're an outside sales professional who makes multiple calls per day to new prospects, multi-point routing might be good for you.
Comes with a quick start manual, but no real instruction guide. Garmin makes their menus simple to use, so to get to the more advanced features on this gps unit, you might have to play with your new toy a bit.
Complaints about slow map updates. The bad news is it may take hours. The good news is that now you know, so plan your time wisely. Also, you'll probably only need to update the maps one time per year at the most.
Estimated travel times offered by the gps unit are often incorrect. This will most often be the case with any gps unit. Remember that a gps unit cannot factor in red lights and traffic. Think of its estimate as a best case scenario.
For more information on the top ten gps units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps.
Features:
Preloaded with highly detailed maps of North America or Europe, depending on where you live or what you need. Once again, this is pretty much the standard in gps units today.
Highly sensative receiver for excellent reliability. It can't be said enough that reliability for a gps unit is job number one! The Garmin Streetpilot c550 has been praised for being able to pick up satellite reception under heavy foliage and walking through major cities, surrounded by tall buildings. This is reassuring for the rest of us who generally don't go to such places.
Integrated traffic receiver with a free three month subscription to traffic updates. This is a useful feature to help you avoid major traffic tie-ups and delays. But don't get too excited just yet. This feature is really only supported in major metropolitan areas. If you're not sure if your area qualifies under this term, at least you'll have three months for free to find out.
Bluetooth technology for hands free calling. The Garmin Streetpilot c550 features a microphone and duel integrated speakers. We're taling stereo sound baby! This comes in handy if you live in a state with hands free calling laws like I do. With a gps unit like this, you can avoid buying that separate hands free kit for your cell phone. Did I mention this Garmin also has an integrated mp3 player?
Spoken directions and street names. An absolute must in a gps unit! Never compromise on this feature.
One touch dialing for points of interest or pre-loaded phone numbers with bluetooth connection. Want to call ahead to a restaraunt or hotel without pulling over to do it? Now you can. With your cell phone and a bluetooth connection it only takes one touch of a button.
Up to eight hours of battery life. This will not be a factor if you only use your gps unit in the car, as you can keep it fully charged with the included cable. How you use your gps will determine whether or not battery life is important.
Easy to take with you. Although the Garmin Streetpilot c550 is not as sleek as the Nuvi series, it is still compact enough to take it with you wherever you go. Remember that at the very least, you should take your gps unit out of the car whenever you're not using it.
Anti-glare technology. This particular unit features an anti-glare surface on the screen, so you can see your directions at any time of the day or night.
Garmin Lock anti-theft protection. Nothing to get excited about. It doesn't mean somebody can't destroy your car window and take your gps unit. It just means that if they do, they won't be able to use it. Cold comfort I guess. In order for your gps to be reactivated, a pin would have to be entered or your gps unit would have to be taken to a predetermined location. Just take it out of the car with you!
Optional language and travel guides. These will cost extra, but may come in handy when travelling. And with an integrated SD card slot, you know you'll have enough memory to keep all your favorites on hand.
Pros:
Excellent reception. You won't have to worry about whether or not you can get where you need to go.
Stereo sound. Along with a clear picture, the Garmin Streetpilot c550 has excellent sound, so you can here your directions instead of having to look at them.
Anti-glare. It's important to be able to see your screen when you need to.
Cons:
Does not offer multi-point routing. If you just need to get from point A to point B, this is probably not a feature you need anyways. But if you're an outside sales professional who makes multiple calls per day to new prospects, multi-point routing might be good for you.
Comes with a quick start manual, but no real instruction guide. Garmin makes their menus simple to use, so to get to the more advanced features on this gps unit, you might have to play with your new toy a bit.
Complaints about slow map updates. The bad news is it may take hours. The good news is that now you know, so plan your time wisely. Also, you'll probably only need to update the maps one time per year at the most.
Estimated travel times offered by the gps unit are often incorrect. This will most often be the case with any gps unit. Remember that a gps unit cannot factor in red lights and traffic. Think of its estimate as a best case scenario.
For more information on the top ten gps units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Top Ten GPS Mystery Unravelled- Number Nine!
This article is part two of a ten part series on the Top Ten GPS Units for 2010. The purpose of this series is to help you, the consumer, make an informed buying decision before you spend your hard earned money on a new gps unit. Without further delay, number nine: the Garmin Nuvi 750.
Features:
The Garmin Nuvi 750 features a 4.3 inch widescreen. Even though this unit is bigger than some, it has a sleek design that still makes it compact enough to take with you outside of the car. It has a bright, highly detailed screen showing maps in 2D and 3D perspectives that you can see at all times due to the units anti-glare surface.
Preloaded maps. This unit comes preloaded with maps of the United states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This is pretty much the standard for gps units sold in the U.S. If you want maps of Europe, you'll either have to pay extra to get them, or look for a gps that comes with them.
Fast satellite lock. In order for a gps unit to be reliable, it has to find satellite's quickly and hold onto them. Otherwise you just have a very expensive toy that doesn't do you much good.
Spoken directions and street names. Driving is a responsibility and demands the full attention of all our senses. A gps unit that verbally tells you the directions allows you the freedom to keep your eys on the road, so we can all get where we need to be safely.
Battery life of up to five hours. If you only use your gps while you drive, battery life will never be an issue, as most units come standard with a charger for the car. I only mention battery life for those of you who like to use their gps unit as an all purpose device.
Garmin's easy to use interface. Garmin gps devices are known for their simplicity. Easy to use menus so you can take it out of the box and go.
Garmin lock, anti-theft system. Does this mean that your gps unit can't be stolen? No! It only means that if it is stolen, the thief will not be able to use it. In order for it to operate, it will need to be brought to a specific location, or a pin will need to be entered. There's very little comfort in knowing that someone else will not be able to use your stolen gps unit, because you'll still have to buy a new one. It is highly recommended that you take your gps out of the car whenever it's not being used. That's the best anti-theft system.
Where am I/Where's my car feature. At any time you can tap your gps screen and get an exact location of where you are, including gas stations, hospitals, and police stations. When you get out of your car and remove the gps unit from its mount, it automatically marks the spot where your car is. This comes in handy if you are in a large, unfamiliar parking lot.
Multi-destination routing. If you have multiple stops along your route, you can pre-program them into your Garmin Nuvi 750 and go. You don't have to wait to get to one destination before you input your data for the next place.
Three months free of MSN Direct Services. This is a traffic service that can help you avoid accidents and and traffic tie-up's if you're in a hurry. After the initial three months of free service, it would be a paid subscription.
Route setup and route avoidance features. When setting up your gps to get to your destination, you can program your Garmin Nuvi 750 to look for the fastest route or the most fuel efficient route. You can also program it to avoid certain routes or tolls.
Entertainment features and optional ad-on's. This particular gps unit is bluetooth enabled so it can be synced with your car stereo and phone. You can also use this gps to playback mp3's and audiobooks, or pay for the optional travel guide, savers guide, and language translation features if needed.
Pros:
Compact for easy transport. Although this unit is bigger due to its 4.3 inch screen, it is still compact enough to carry around with you.
Easy to use. Garmin makes it simple to use their gps units with easy menus and screens.
Excellent mounting system. This mounting system has been praised for its quality and sturdiness. It also allows for greater rotation, so it works well on most windshields.
Speed limits posted on gps screen. This comes in very handy when you are travelling in unfamiliar areas, which is the whole point of having a gps.
Cons:
Complaints about battery life. Once again, this is not an issue if you're only going to use it in the car.
Internal speaker is inferior. Something to consider if you don't have a quiet car.
Slow initial satellite lock. There have been numerous complaints that this unit takes a while to lock onto satellites. But once it is locked, there is no issue with losing the signal.
To get the complete list of 2010's Top Ten GPS, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Features:
The Garmin Nuvi 750 features a 4.3 inch widescreen. Even though this unit is bigger than some, it has a sleek design that still makes it compact enough to take with you outside of the car. It has a bright, highly detailed screen showing maps in 2D and 3D perspectives that you can see at all times due to the units anti-glare surface.
Preloaded maps. This unit comes preloaded with maps of the United states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This is pretty much the standard for gps units sold in the U.S. If you want maps of Europe, you'll either have to pay extra to get them, or look for a gps that comes with them.
Fast satellite lock. In order for a gps unit to be reliable, it has to find satellite's quickly and hold onto them. Otherwise you just have a very expensive toy that doesn't do you much good.
Spoken directions and street names. Driving is a responsibility and demands the full attention of all our senses. A gps unit that verbally tells you the directions allows you the freedom to keep your eys on the road, so we can all get where we need to be safely.
Battery life of up to five hours. If you only use your gps while you drive, battery life will never be an issue, as most units come standard with a charger for the car. I only mention battery life for those of you who like to use their gps unit as an all purpose device.
Garmin's easy to use interface. Garmin gps devices are known for their simplicity. Easy to use menus so you can take it out of the box and go.
Garmin lock, anti-theft system. Does this mean that your gps unit can't be stolen? No! It only means that if it is stolen, the thief will not be able to use it. In order for it to operate, it will need to be brought to a specific location, or a pin will need to be entered. There's very little comfort in knowing that someone else will not be able to use your stolen gps unit, because you'll still have to buy a new one. It is highly recommended that you take your gps out of the car whenever it's not being used. That's the best anti-theft system.
Where am I/Where's my car feature. At any time you can tap your gps screen and get an exact location of where you are, including gas stations, hospitals, and police stations. When you get out of your car and remove the gps unit from its mount, it automatically marks the spot where your car is. This comes in handy if you are in a large, unfamiliar parking lot.
Multi-destination routing. If you have multiple stops along your route, you can pre-program them into your Garmin Nuvi 750 and go. You don't have to wait to get to one destination before you input your data for the next place.
Three months free of MSN Direct Services. This is a traffic service that can help you avoid accidents and and traffic tie-up's if you're in a hurry. After the initial three months of free service, it would be a paid subscription.
Route setup and route avoidance features. When setting up your gps to get to your destination, you can program your Garmin Nuvi 750 to look for the fastest route or the most fuel efficient route. You can also program it to avoid certain routes or tolls.
Entertainment features and optional ad-on's. This particular gps unit is bluetooth enabled so it can be synced with your car stereo and phone. You can also use this gps to playback mp3's and audiobooks, or pay for the optional travel guide, savers guide, and language translation features if needed.
Pros:
Compact for easy transport. Although this unit is bigger due to its 4.3 inch screen, it is still compact enough to carry around with you.
Easy to use. Garmin makes it simple to use their gps units with easy menus and screens.
Excellent mounting system. This mounting system has been praised for its quality and sturdiness. It also allows for greater rotation, so it works well on most windshields.
Speed limits posted on gps screen. This comes in very handy when you are travelling in unfamiliar areas, which is the whole point of having a gps.
Cons:
Complaints about battery life. Once again, this is not an issue if you're only going to use it in the car.
Internal speaker is inferior. Something to consider if you don't have a quiet car.
Slow initial satellite lock. There have been numerous complaints that this unit takes a while to lock onto satellites. But once it is locked, there is no issue with losing the signal.
To get the complete list of 2010's Top Ten GPS, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Friday, June 25, 2010
Top Ten GPS Mystery Unravelled- Number Ten!
This article kicks off a ten part series of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, working our way down to number one. Working your way through the countless features and manufacturers in the gps marketplace today can be an overbearing chore. You just want the best features for the lowest cost, and you want it to be reliable. We begin our journey through the top ten gps for 2010 with number ten, the Garmin Nuvi 350.
Features:
The Garmin Nuvi 350 comes preloaded with maps of the continental U.S., Canada, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. This is pretty much standard on all gps units, but it's good to make sure what you're getting before you buy. Especially if you need maps of Europe, as this will only come standard with certain units.
Spoken directions and street names. If you're going to invest in a new gps unit, this feature is an absolute must. The last thing you need while driving, is to have to take your eyes off the road to look at your gps.
Excellent satellite acquisition. The Garmin Nuvi 350 is manufactured with an integrated, high sensitivity gps receiver with antenna. Without excellent satellite reception, owning a gps unit doesn't make much sense.
Garmin's easy to use interface. In order for a gps unit to be a convenience, it needs to be easy to use. Garmin takes all the guesswork out of the equation with simple menus and screens. So you can get where you need to go. Right now.
A bright LCD screen. We drive our cars at all times of the day and night. You need to be able to see your gps whether it's dark or sunny.
A compact design. This particular unit has a 3.5 inch screen, and can easily fit in a shirt pocket or purse. A feature that makes it more convenient if you want to use your gps for more than just driving.
Good battery life. Garmin boasts that the Nuvi 350 will get up to eight hours of battery life, depending on how the unit is used. Battery life is not really a factor if you're only using your gps in the car, where it can be charged. But if you want to use it for walking or hiking, this factor is big.
Detour button. When you're in a hurry and you notice traffic is slowing down or at a complete stand still, you can just hit the detour button, and the gps will re-route you to avoid the delay.
Compatible with Garmin's GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver. Real time traffic updates that can alert your gps unit about delays and recalculate a new route for you.
Travel kit. With the 700 megabites of internal memory, and the available SD card slot, you can play mp3's and audio books on your gps unit, plus view digital photo's. Not to mention the additional add on's that are available for a price. Like the Garmin Language guide (9 Languages), and the Garmin Travel Guide, which shows you restaraunts, hotels, tourist attractions and other area information for wherever it is your travelling.
Pro's:
The Garmin Nuvi 350 is compact. Making it easy to go where you go.
Bright screen. You're screen is viewable in all situations.
Excellent satellite acquisition. You can get where you need to go whithout delays.
Powerful speaker. This compact unit boasts a powerful speaker so you can hear where you need to go.
Con's:
No external volume control. This means you'll have to navigate through menu's to turn it down digitally.
No getting started manual. If you're good with technology this may not be an issue. For the rest of you: Fully charge the battery, take your gps unit outside under an open sky, turn it on and let it acquire a satellite signal. Once this is complete, you'll be able to navigate through the menu's and learn your device.
Some issue's with "detour mode". Some user's have complained that once they used the detour button, they had difficulty turning the feature off without shutting the unit down and retyping all the trip information. So don't use it unless you really need it.
For The Complete List of The Top Ten GPS For 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Features:
The Garmin Nuvi 350 comes preloaded with maps of the continental U.S., Canada, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. This is pretty much standard on all gps units, but it's good to make sure what you're getting before you buy. Especially if you need maps of Europe, as this will only come standard with certain units.
Spoken directions and street names. If you're going to invest in a new gps unit, this feature is an absolute must. The last thing you need while driving, is to have to take your eyes off the road to look at your gps.
Excellent satellite acquisition. The Garmin Nuvi 350 is manufactured with an integrated, high sensitivity gps receiver with antenna. Without excellent satellite reception, owning a gps unit doesn't make much sense.
Garmin's easy to use interface. In order for a gps unit to be a convenience, it needs to be easy to use. Garmin takes all the guesswork out of the equation with simple menus and screens. So you can get where you need to go. Right now.
A bright LCD screen. We drive our cars at all times of the day and night. You need to be able to see your gps whether it's dark or sunny.
A compact design. This particular unit has a 3.5 inch screen, and can easily fit in a shirt pocket or purse. A feature that makes it more convenient if you want to use your gps for more than just driving.
Good battery life. Garmin boasts that the Nuvi 350 will get up to eight hours of battery life, depending on how the unit is used. Battery life is not really a factor if you're only using your gps in the car, where it can be charged. But if you want to use it for walking or hiking, this factor is big.
Detour button. When you're in a hurry and you notice traffic is slowing down or at a complete stand still, you can just hit the detour button, and the gps will re-route you to avoid the delay.
Compatible with Garmin's GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver. Real time traffic updates that can alert your gps unit about delays and recalculate a new route for you.
Travel kit. With the 700 megabites of internal memory, and the available SD card slot, you can play mp3's and audio books on your gps unit, plus view digital photo's. Not to mention the additional add on's that are available for a price. Like the Garmin Language guide (9 Languages), and the Garmin Travel Guide, which shows you restaraunts, hotels, tourist attractions and other area information for wherever it is your travelling.
Pro's:
The Garmin Nuvi 350 is compact. Making it easy to go where you go.
Bright screen. You're screen is viewable in all situations.
Excellent satellite acquisition. You can get where you need to go whithout delays.
Powerful speaker. This compact unit boasts a powerful speaker so you can hear where you need to go.
Con's:
No external volume control. This means you'll have to navigate through menu's to turn it down digitally.
No getting started manual. If you're good with technology this may not be an issue. For the rest of you: Fully charge the battery, take your gps unit outside under an open sky, turn it on and let it acquire a satellite signal. Once this is complete, you'll be able to navigate through the menu's and learn your device.
Some issue's with "detour mode". Some user's have complained that once they used the detour button, they had difficulty turning the feature off without shutting the unit down and retyping all the trip information. So don't use it unless you really need it.
For The Complete List of The Top Ten GPS For 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Top Ten GPS Review
The top ten gps review is here to help you make an informed decision before you go out and spend your hard earned money on the latest technology. Not all that's new is good. You want the best features for the right price in a unit that's tried and true.
The first thing you need to consider when shopping for a new gps unit is price range. What are you willing to spend for the luxury of having gps? There are various models in all price ranges that contain a wealth of features, but some you may have to pay more for.
The next thing you'll want to consider before you buy are the features themselves. What do you want and what do you need? Sure all gps units will give you directions, but some also store your photos and music. Some tell you the name of the street you need to turn onto. Some will even allow you to make phone calls hands free through your car stereo.
Finally, you'll want to consider the brand name. Some companies have been around longer than others and have a proven track record. While other, newer companies seem competitive, they may not offer as many services. Be aware!
To get a review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps.
The first thing you need to consider when shopping for a new gps unit is price range. What are you willing to spend for the luxury of having gps? There are various models in all price ranges that contain a wealth of features, but some you may have to pay more for.
The next thing you'll want to consider before you buy are the features themselves. What do you want and what do you need? Sure all gps units will give you directions, but some also store your photos and music. Some tell you the name of the street you need to turn onto. Some will even allow you to make phone calls hands free through your car stereo.
Finally, you'll want to consider the brand name. Some companies have been around longer than others and have a proven track record. While other, newer companies seem competitive, they may not offer as many services. Be aware!
To get a review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Top Ten GPS Features To Consider Before You Buy
All GPS models come with basic features, such as preloaded maps, automatic rerouting for when you miss a turn, and spoken directions. The top ten GPS features are extras that you'll want to consider before you make your final choice. This article breaks down the top ten GPS features available in a GPS unit today!
1. Spoken Street Names. Of the top ten GPS features, this one is absolutely necessary! With this feature you never have to take your eyes off of the road to look at your GPS. It tells you when to turn and the name of the street you'll be turning onto. Nothing could make traveling by car simpler. Or Safer. The last thing you need while driving is another distraction to take your eyes off the road.
2. Real Time Traffic Reports. This can be a useful feature to help you avoid traffic accidents and construction, but you need to be aware of the downsides before you buy based on this option. First, this feature may only work in certain major cities. Check the manufacturers web site to see if your area is covered. Second, you may be required to buy an additional receiver for this feature to work. Read the packaging carefully. And third, you may have to pay a subscription for this service. Some units are now offering this feature for free with purchase.
3. Routing Option. Some GPS units allow you to set up for multiple points on one trip before you even start driving. Some units will let you know when there is a toll road on your route and give you an alternative route to avoid it if you want.
4. Detour Feature. When you have a GPS unit with real time traffic reports, it can warn you of traffic backups and provide alternative routes. If that feature is not available to you, some units have a manual detour button you can use when you notice traffic starting to slow down. At this point it would provide you with an alternative route.
5. Bluetooth Compatibility. This is a cool top ten GPS feature. If you have a Bluetooth enabled cell phone you can sync it with your GPS unit to make and receive hands free phone calls through the internal speaker in the GPS. It can also display the caller ID on the GPS's screen.
6. Screen Size. As of right now GPS units come with screen sizes ranging from 2.5 inches to 7 inches. The smallest units allow for ultra portability but can be difficult to see and type addresses on. The largest units are really easy to see and type on but can take up more room than necessary and are bulky to carry around. You can definitely get by with a 3.5 inch screen, but a 4.3 inch is optimal.
7. MP3 Player. If you already have an mp3 player or a cell phone with music capabilities this feature may be overkill. If not, you could turn your GPS into a multitasking device. Some units have an expansion slot for an SD card for extra memory. You can then use your GPS as a portable music player.
8. Video Player. In order to use this feature you would need to download videos to your GPS from a computer or from an SD card. Obviously this has nothing to do with navigation, but it could be a nice feature to preview your family videos while on a trip.
9. Photo Viewer. This top ten GPS feature basically turns your GPS unit into a digital picture frame. As with video, you would have to download pics from your computer or an SD card.
10. Predictive Data Entry. This top ten GPS feature is common on most models, but is still worth mentioning here. When you start typing in a destination, the unit will predict and list destinations similar to what you're typing. This just helps to find and input your destinations faster.
You'll want to consider the features listed above before you buy your next gps. To see a detailed review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
1. Spoken Street Names. Of the top ten GPS features, this one is absolutely necessary! With this feature you never have to take your eyes off of the road to look at your GPS. It tells you when to turn and the name of the street you'll be turning onto. Nothing could make traveling by car simpler. Or Safer. The last thing you need while driving is another distraction to take your eyes off the road.
2. Real Time Traffic Reports. This can be a useful feature to help you avoid traffic accidents and construction, but you need to be aware of the downsides before you buy based on this option. First, this feature may only work in certain major cities. Check the manufacturers web site to see if your area is covered. Second, you may be required to buy an additional receiver for this feature to work. Read the packaging carefully. And third, you may have to pay a subscription for this service. Some units are now offering this feature for free with purchase.
3. Routing Option. Some GPS units allow you to set up for multiple points on one trip before you even start driving. Some units will let you know when there is a toll road on your route and give you an alternative route to avoid it if you want.
4. Detour Feature. When you have a GPS unit with real time traffic reports, it can warn you of traffic backups and provide alternative routes. If that feature is not available to you, some units have a manual detour button you can use when you notice traffic starting to slow down. At this point it would provide you with an alternative route.
5. Bluetooth Compatibility. This is a cool top ten GPS feature. If you have a Bluetooth enabled cell phone you can sync it with your GPS unit to make and receive hands free phone calls through the internal speaker in the GPS. It can also display the caller ID on the GPS's screen.
6. Screen Size. As of right now GPS units come with screen sizes ranging from 2.5 inches to 7 inches. The smallest units allow for ultra portability but can be difficult to see and type addresses on. The largest units are really easy to see and type on but can take up more room than necessary and are bulky to carry around. You can definitely get by with a 3.5 inch screen, but a 4.3 inch is optimal.
7. MP3 Player. If you already have an mp3 player or a cell phone with music capabilities this feature may be overkill. If not, you could turn your GPS into a multitasking device. Some units have an expansion slot for an SD card for extra memory. You can then use your GPS as a portable music player.
8. Video Player. In order to use this feature you would need to download videos to your GPS from a computer or from an SD card. Obviously this has nothing to do with navigation, but it could be a nice feature to preview your family videos while on a trip.
9. Photo Viewer. This top ten GPS feature basically turns your GPS unit into a digital picture frame. As with video, you would have to download pics from your computer or an SD card.
10. Predictive Data Entry. This top ten GPS feature is common on most models, but is still worth mentioning here. When you start typing in a destination, the unit will predict and list destinations similar to what you're typing. This just helps to find and input your destinations faster.
You'll want to consider the features listed above before you buy your next gps. To see a detailed review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
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