GPS Devices Life

Bought it before a family trip to Central Florda. Ripped open the box in the parking lot and it worked like a charm! Easy to enter address info, even if you have big hands.

Good Points of Interest, especially in the Orlando Area. However, I live in Chesapeake, VA, and it’s missing quite a few two-plus year old restaurants/drug stores and even the 10 year old Wal-Mart (Gasp!). Not a deal breaker, probably an issue with all GPS’s.

Seems to adapt to driving patterns as it recommended a “shorter as a crow flies” route to my work, but definitely not the quickest or practical. After two days of taking my usual route, it now “tells” me to take my way instead. Noticed this in Orlando, too, but the way it wanted me to go wasn’t really out of the way.

The MP3 player, by itself, is a bit lame, as the speakers are tiny. It does work well for audio books though. You can hook up the MP3 player to your cassette deck if you have one of those older adapters that were used for your old “Discman”. I actually had one and it works really well and the sound is decent.

The “Text to Speech” is MUST HAVE and I couldn’t imagine having a GPS that simply says, “Turn left in .4 miles”. The NUVI swiftly guides you with, “In .4 miles, turn left on Second Avenue”. Then, about 200 feet from the intersection you hear, “Turn left on Second Avenue”. Priceless!

If you miss your turn or go your own way, it quickly recalculates and provides an easy to follow alternate. A few times it told me to “go .5 miles and make a U-turn”, when I could have made a U-turn much closer, but a minor issue that is easily overshadowed by the NUVI’s outstanding features.

It also has the best window suction cup I’ve seen, especially compared to my SIRIUS cup. Seems like a minor thing but it doesn’t vibrate or fall off.

In closing, its a bit more than the “entry-level” GPS’s but believe me that it’s worth the extra bucks.

Product
nuvi 200W

Key Features
DesignationAutomobile
Form FactorFixed
Map capabilitiesInternal, Map cartridges / Data cards
Enhanced accuracyWAAS enabled, EGNOS enabled
User interfaceTouch Screen
Receiver Type12 Channels

Display
Display Size3.81 in. x 2.25 in.
Display Type65k Colors Display
Resolutions480 x 272

Technical Features
Special FeaturesWaypoint Icons, JPEG Image Viewer, Converter, Calculator
Audible FeaturesVoice Navigation Instructions
Trip calculatorShortest time, Shortest distance, Maximum speed, Odometer, Current speed, Route Recalculation, Trip Timers, Avoid toll roads
Included Software/MapsEurope Maps, Germany Maps

Other Features
PC InterfaceUSB
Expansion Slot TypeSD (Secure Digital) Card Slot
AntennaBuilt-in

GPS System
Waypoints500

PDA Features
Compatible PDA OSWindows 2000
Compatible DevicesNotebook

Battery
Battery Type and QuantityRechargeable Li-Ion Battery
Battery Life5 Hours

A few months ago I discovered geocaching….where you use modern technology for treasure hunting. The idea of physical excersize in the great outdoors, technology, and using your detective skills in finding caches appealed to me.

As I was just a begginer and didn’t know if I would stay with it I decided to start out without a big investment and got a used Yellow Etrex GPS(without WAAS) on eBay for $35.00.

As it turned out I became more engrossed in the hobby and reached the point where I wanted a better GPS.

I will preface this review by saying that I will be comparing this unit to my other GPS, the NavMan iCN330, which I reviewed here:

http://www.epinions.com/content_406517091972

I purchased this Garmin unit as a refurbished deal for my parents. I wanted something simple for them to use, with sufficient functionality. They live in Canada, so it had to have both Canadian and US maps. For the last two days I have been driving around with both the NavMan and the Garmin unit mounted on my dash, and have evaluated the differences in how they operate.

Product
XNAV9525

Key Features
DesignationAutomobile
Form FactorFixed
Map capabilitiesInternal
Receiver Type12 Channels

Technical Features
Special FeaturesRemote Control
Audible FeaturesVoice Navigation Instructions
Trip calculatorRoute Recalculation
Included Software/MapsUSA Maps, Canada Maps

Other Features
PC InterfaceUSB
Built in memory64 MB

Warranty
1 Year

Dimensions
Width8.63 in.
Depth6 in.
Height2.25 in.
Weight3.3 lb.

Miscellaneous
25708300

Details

The XNAV9525 mobile navigation system designed to provide a straightforward, easy-to-operate mapping system for all consumers, the XNAV9525 offers an intuitive interface with a dedicated in-dash controller. The XNAV9525 is fully compatible with other currently available receivers with A/V inputs and a monitor. Dual Electronics’ XNAV9525 runs on the Windows® CE.NetTM operating system, using a 32-Bit processor to run the 12-channel receiver. The 20GB 2.5” hard drive offers easy access to information, at significantly faster rates than with conventional disc-based software. As revised maps and software are introduced, users can easily update the XNAV9525 via a USB or LAN connection.

Product
GP1720CNT

Key Features
DesignationMarine
Form FactorFixed
Map capabilitiesMap cartridges / Data cards
Enhanced accuracyWAAS enabled

Display
Display Size7 in.
Display TypeLCD Display

Technical Features
Marine FeaturesFish Finder, Chart Plotter
Special FeaturesRemote Control

GPS System
Max. Horizontal accuracy< 33 feet
Enhanced position accuracy< 10 feet
Number of routes200
Waypoints999

Miscellaneous
29212121

Details

Since its release back in 2001, FURUNO’s NavNet series has been enjoying unrivalled popularity worldwide for its high reliability, performance and expandability. It has even been voted Best Integrated Navigation System by the National Marine Electronics Association for three consecutive years. Now, NavNet vx2 is ready to carry on the tradition.

Product
980771112

Key Features
DesignationOutdoor
Form FactorHandheld
Map capabilitiesInternal, Map cartridges / Data cards
Enhanced accuracyWAAS enabled, EGNOS enabled
User interfaceKeypad, Thumb Stick

Display
Display Size2.25 in.
Display Type16 Color LCD TFT Display
Resolutions122 x 160

Technical Features
Special FeaturesCompass
Trip calculatorTrack Log
Included Software/MapsCity Navigation Maps, North America Maps, Europe Maps
GridsFinnish, French, German, Irish, Lat/Lon, MGRS, OSGB, Swedish, Swiss, User Grid, USNG, UTM

Other Features
PC InterfaceUSB
Built in memory16 MB
Environmental ProtectionIPX7 Waterproof Standard, Rubber Armored Impact Resistant Plastic
Expansion Slot TypeSD (Secure Digital) Card Slot
AntennaBuilt-in

GPS System
Accuisition time - cold60 sec
Accuisition time - Hot20 sec
Number of routes20
Waypoints500

Battery
Battery Type and Quantity3 x AAA Batteries
Battery Life17 Hours

I was recently in the market for a budget-friendly GPS system for my husband. Neither one of us need a GPS system on a daily basis, but we felt it would be nice to have one for our occasional road trips. Two months before the holiday season, I purchased a Tom Tom Go 300 GPS for what I thought was a great price at the time ($219 with free shipping, and it was a brand new, not refurbished, unit). Perhaps it is a bit of buyer’s remorse now that the holidays have passed and GPS prices have fallen even further, or perhaps it is simply a bit of the adage that, “You Get What You Pay For”. No matter what you call it, I would say that while we are satisfied with the Tom Tom Go 300 GPS, we are not overly impressed with it. Basically, it will get you to where you want to go, but the Tom Tom Go 300 GPS is little more than a no-frills GPS unit.

I was in the market for a portable mobile gps for road trips. I had my eyes set on the Nuvi 350 which is very popular, but that was last year when the Nuvi 350 was still quite expensive, and could not afford it.

I came across some ad in my local computer paper that has many GPS solutions around 50-100 dollars with various connection methods like Bluetooth, Compact Flash/SDIO, and PS/2 (same connector type like your keyboard).

Ive reviewed quite a few units before deciding on this one,I am honestly thrilled with this product the lithium ion battery lasts for about 10 hours on a full charge,the amount of incredible detail that you can obtain about your trip before during and after its completion can be very helpful.

The ease of use is very appreciated also ,its not difficult to use at all ,as soon as you get used to it you dont need to refer to the owners manual any more ,actually if your even somewhat familiar with the way some modern hardware works you might not even need to use the owners manual its that self explanatory.

I can compare this to the navigation system that has come in my Mercedes S class and tell you that it is definetly a more useable and more accurate system ive traveled some remote areas and it has all the streets and roads logged on so far it hasnt missed anything or got me lost ,the mounting stalk and clips are easy to use ,highly adjustable and the suction cup has never lost suction as of yet,the screen is easy to see even in the brightest sunlight and the voice is clear and easy to understand and goes loud enough so you can still keep your radio and dont have to turn it all the way down.

I dont have the traffic adaptor so i cant comment on the accuracy of the this addition ,it also comes with a usb cable to occasionaly “flash” in a few updates as the streets and hiways are added ,I really dont have anything bad to say about this gps i think its awesome.