Magellan Maestro 4200 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

In general, like all products from Magellan, this device is equipped with a excellent and clear interface which is simple to use. You no need any manual to get started, this unit is very intuitive. The dimension of the display screen is wonderful. The only weakness point that why I didn’t give 5 stars because unlike many types Magellan that I know, you cannot activate the device to speak the names of the streets. It just informs “right” “left”, etc., and the distance.

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For only $100, this unit is the finest GPS you can buy. But you must go to the Magellan website to upgrade the firmware to the latest version 4.7, to get benefit from faster computation, faster for everything.

The features are sufficient for almost everything. The navigation feature, I really like it because it guides you with great prudent. It informs you to prepare for a next turn at 0.5 miles in advance, and shows a split view that helps you to get an idea of what the streets will be at the turn time. Also plays an alert sound, when you come near the turn.

Minus

1. The map is outmoded, but it is well for 90% of the time unless you live in a speedily expanding areas.
2. Another CON is that it takes around 4-5 minutes to get the satellite signal. And if it gathers enough signal, and power it off, about 10 minutes later turn it on again, it still need time to get enough signal.

In short, it is good for the price. I will recommend all to buy Magellan Maestro 4350, when they are ready to pay $ 75 more. Magellan Maestro 4350 has many more features, and up-to-date map.

For more information: Magellan Maestro 4350 Review

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

If you suppose the 8×5 models are automatically better than the nuvi 7×5 models, you may be astonished at what features are considerable to you.

The most admirable capability of the Garmin nuvi 855 is the voice command. Many voice commands like “Volume up” can be done on any screen. Making “Volume up” via the touch screen would have been 5 Press “Menu”, “Volume”, “+”, “Back” and “View map”. You must keep an eye on the screen and speak only when you see the green icon in the upper right corner. You can also speak the name of the location of the bookmarks are stored for instance “City of San Francisco”. Other systems require you to speak the line number.

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Minus

The most disappointing of the 855 is the inertia of the system because they have voice command system. The screen refreshes very unhurriedly compared to the Nuvi 765 which is very good refresh screen. The processor 855 is simply not good enough for using voice command system and high refresh rate at the same time. Garmin also took out cool 3D structure feature from nuvi 765, obviously seen an attempt to reduce the CPU usage. Garmin should keep the high refresh rate during the voice command is not used.

To efficiently use voice commands, you must turn your audio system volume down before speaking, and then return at a later. The best solution is to use the 855 built-in FM transmitter and store your music on a micro SD card. A 2 GB card is around $ 7. Nuvi automatically lowers music volume while use voice commands or announcements. So that does not mean you can listen to regular radio. The FM transmitter worked very well in many car with an front antenna. However, the FM transmitter is not suitable for any car with a rooftop antenna. Many new small cars have the roof-mounted antennas, and probably it’s not good with Garmin nuvi 855′s FM Transmitter. However, if the new car has an MP3 connection, you can use a cable form 855′s audio out connection to the car MP3 jack.

Many journals note that the FM Transmitter of Nuvi was underpowered – I am agree now. Garmin’s WebUpdater showed a firmware update to the FM transmitter for “comply with European standard” I can imagine that meant the reduction of the power of FM. TomTom Forum also has many people that recent the latest firmware update to reduce the power of FM. Possibly the FCC or authority in Europe are now more vigilant in controlling the power of FM transmitter. The conclusion is likely to be disappointed, if you need the FM Transmitter Nuvi.

Update System

I updated the software system from WebUpdater. For some reason, which is not selected City Navigator map. The next day, I lost the voice commands and map have only the major highways. A call to technical support issue is resolved. Just 7 minutes of waiting and he knew immediately what was wrong. But phone support service has only Monday to Friday.

Bluetooth

Garmin nuvi 855 not have a Bluetooth connection, a little shocking given the price of this model.

For more information: Garmin nuvi 885T Review and Garmin nuvi 780 Review

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Garmin nuvi 275T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech, Bluetooth & Free Traffic

The Garmin nuvi 275T is quite simple. It has all the standard functions that you can expect from a modern GPS device, a relatively strong POIs (Point of Interest) database for gas stations, restaurants, hotels, airports, etc.

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The touch screen works well, even if the size is smaller (3.5 “against 4.3″ on some large units), it was more than enough to cover all the essential information. The voice instructions are very useful, particularly in heavy traffic. Updated traffic to the United States through an FM transmitter in the cable (in Europe, you must connect an antenna cable to the unit). You can also simply preload many destinations to your “Favorites” on the unit by using Google Maps and Panoramic photo site.

Battery life could be a little more for using it with a bike or by foot. It operating at less than 4 hours, and batteries can not be replaced (which means it’s iPod-style death in a few years). A excellent feature is that it feeds directly on the site in Google Maps, so you do not use the software Garmin over this stupid job.

Minus and Suggestions

It informs on the packaging that the maps are warranted for 60 days after purchase, to be sure you have the latest information on this unit at the purchase time. Connect to Garmin, however, yields a mechanism, which is just allow to update either the United States Maps of Europe, but not both. If you need both you must pay for the other. I would call this process fallacious. Also ‘Lifetime updates’ (of course, usually Garmin, but only for the lifetime of the device, ie, about two years) costs $ 149, given the device current price <$ 220, not as a joke.

In short, the map on this page, this is a type of nickel and diming Garmin system! I really hope that when the iPod Touch has a GPS receiver, and can use Google Maps for free. It needs to be kept in mind that the data map is available free of charge by the United States and other governments, i.e. download the things onto a ownership device should be cheaper.

For more information: Garmin nuvi 260W Review and Garmin nuvi 265T Review

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Garmin nuvi 260W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Hand-GPS is a supplement not a replacement for a great road map and common sense. All GPS units have advantage and disadvantage, not perfection. They are not playthings, but they are not independent navigation tools either. Given enough time, all owners of each unit almost have a story about how it could not search a specific point of interest, or is a blind alley or across a 4-lane divided highway!!

Contemplating display screen sharpness, ease of using and other features, the nuvi 260W is one of the best in its price range.

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Computer Access

To download the firmware, software updates and road maps, enter to garmin.com is a essential thing to do. Because a computer cable is not came with the device, the user have to purchase USB 2.0 A / Mini-B cable.

In garmin.com, loading and update via the Internet it prompts, regardless of updates that you have requested, and do not forget to download the update TTS (Text to Speech) voices. We note that the “British” in the English language is sometimes easier to know than the U.S., and suggested TTS should be downloaded as well.

The USB cable also can charge the battery of the Garmin, but that does not work if the computer is connected. The CA-converter option is only required if the user need to charge the device at 110 volts.

Satellite-Based Acquistion

Unreliability to acquire satellites is the largest disadvantage of the Garmin nuvi 260W and the reason for the three stars product. You never know in advance if after 30 seconds turn on, it will use 15 seconds or 15 minutes for finding a satellite.

Service for the customer advises that the superior satellite positioning technologies is at the top (not the side or from behind) was directly find the point under the open sky with the device still in detention (Which means that you could not be driving).

If the device is turned on to the outside of the packaging and it obtains a satellite signal for the first time, you should leave it for an hour, for recieving the almanac data.

Points of Interest

Some data not available. A specific restaurant, etc., you have to find it by entering their address and then change the name.

Summary

The Garmin Nuvi 260W is the greater GPS than other except will quickly get the satellite every time. If the Garmin solves this problem with a new firmware update, the nuvi 260W will be getting 4 stars. If the unit has various points, and the selection of the highway, in our opinion, it should deserve 5 stars.

For more information: Garmin nuvi 260 Review and Garmin nuvi 265T Review

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Garmin nuvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin nuvi 205W is a nice unit to go every place without getting lost. You do not need to print more MapQuest directions so you can save papers and ink cost. And you do not even need to call people from all directions. The things you have to do is enter the addresses to the device. And since the nuvi 205W is talking to you (for example, “turn right in 500 meters), you do not need to take your eyes on the road, which is safer than reading directions while driving. Therefore, I recommend this unit to all.

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The screen is still clear and sharp though it is in a daytime which is very comfortable and easier to touch the screen. Another interesting qualification is when it’s dark the screen will be automatically changed into night mode. It’s able to help us to drive at night. (The screen dims and the bright white background colors change to dark blues and blacks) Easier broad map access. On the old nuvi, you have to dig in the menus to search a broad map view, so you could touch the screen on the map and go to it. On the 205w, you can only touch the map during driving and it will bring you to the broad map. You can touch an area that you need to make a Point and change your route that way.

A SD card reader is on the side of the GPS which is able to use as picture viewing in the slideshow mode when not needed for navigation.

The travel feature is very nice. Like average speed, time using motion, how long to leave, the total travel time, number of miles that has happened, etc. It takes about a minute and a half to search your position from the beginning of trip, but if you always power on this unit, it will never loses the position.

There are many supplements, as a technologically advanced person can add to it. Example customized points of interest (you can download or even make it by yourself, and you can set alerts to caution you when you are near a particular place, or when you are speeding in a school area).

Conclusion, Garmin nuvi 205W is satisfactory, but very basic navigation unit. Not many special features, but it can navigate you from point A to point B well.

For more information: Garmin nuvi 205 Review and Garmin nuvi 260 Review

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