Archive for the ‘garmin nuvi’ Category
Nuvi 885T
The Garmin Nuvi 885T is a GPS navigator which features voice activated control so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times.
This is one of the newer range of Garmin GPS Navigators (and one of only a few in the Garmin range that features voice control). Having said that the Voice control is exceptionally good so you can expect this feature to be rolled out to many more devices in the future.
The unit has many of the common functions that you can find in many other Garmins but two additional features do stand out:
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Enhanced MSN Direct
This unit is described as a personal travel assistant and this is due the the Enhanced MSN direct feature that makes the Nuvi 885t so much more than just a GPS navigator.
With MSN Direct, you can:
- Check the weather.
- Avoid traffic backups.
- Compare local fuel prices.
- Find out what's on at the movies.
- Find out up to the second stock information,
- Get current news.
- Find out about local events.
Other Features of the Nuvi 885T
- Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. Click to enlarge.
- Junction View gives you a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. Click to enlarge.
- With the POI loader program users can set up proximity alerts for school zones, safety cameras, create custom POIs and more. Click to enlarge.
- Search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.
- Hook up your Garmin to the computer via its USB port
- Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more
- microSD card slot for optional mapping and data storage
This unit really does have tons of useful features with voice control making your driving experience so much safer.
Garmin Nuvi 855 Review
Garmin Nuvi 855 Review.. The two outstanding features of the Nuvi 855 are voice recognition and lane assist .
By far the most interesting feature of this device is the voice recognition capability.
It’s only available on some of the 800 series devices but it works flawlessly giving you complete control without needing to touch the unit.
Voice Recognition
Using only your voice you can control all operations of your Nuvi 855. This is an extremely easy feature to use and all you do is learn the pre defined voice commands such as “Find Address” and the 855 will understand what to do.
It means that you will always keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road; it makes for a far safer driving experience.
Lane Assist
When you approach a junction the nuvi 855 will show you which lane you should be getting into by showing you 3D maps and arrows. When you get nearer the junction realistic signs and lanes will be shown so you never need to miss a junction again.
- Sleek, ultra-slim design fits in a pocket; High-sensitivity GPS receiver for fast satellite lock.
- Speech recognition–speak menu options and keep your eyes on the road.
- Pre-loaded with City Navigtor NT maps for North America, including more than 6-million name-searchable points of interest.
- Ability to store up to ten different routes.
- Full feature set–text to speech for spoken directions with real street names; MP3 player, and Photo viewer.
- Save up to 10 routes in memory.
Garmin 1300 Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
The Garmin 1300 has a widescreen display (4.3 inch diagonal), an ultra slim design (25% reduction compared with previous models). It also includes an improved user interface and a new pedestrian mode that makes exploring unfamiliar cities a snap. In addition it includes ecoRoute that will improve your fuel efficiency saving you money on fuel.
The nuvi 1300 offers pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps. CityXplorer maps are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the nuvi.
The nuvi’s enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmins new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems. ecoRoute – Drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel Public transit – Navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Available for download at garmin site.
Text To Speech
All the Garmin 1300 includes text to speech and spoken street names making it that little bit easier to navigate around unfamiliar areas.
Pedestrian Navigation
The nüvi 1300 series are the first nüvi devices to offer pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps, which are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the nüvi.
The nüvis enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmins new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems. Plus, the device comes pre-loaded with City Navigator 48 states NT.
HotFix Satellite Prediction Garmins HotFix capability automatically calculates and stores satellite locations, greatly reducing satellite acquisition time so that you can turn the unit on and get going. With HotFix, your nüvi remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to three days after the device was last turned off.
ecoRoute
Fuel Report tracks fuel usage over time, and Mileage Report monitors mileage and fuel usage on a per-trip basis. In addition, Mileage Report makes it easy for business travelers to keep track of distance traveled for company reimbursements. Youll have a detailed report for each trip and the miles driven. You also can customize your nüvi by entering your cars fuel economy and the current price of gas.
Other Features of the Garmin 1300
- View photos in Google Earth.
- Built-in lithium-ion battery lasts up to four hours, depending on usage.
- Includes Garmin Lock anti-theft feature.
- Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time, and more.
- MicroSD memory card expansion slot allows for optional mapping and data storage.
- Simplified PC connectivity, using USB mass storage, access either the microSD card slot or the units internal memory directly from your PC desktop.
Garmin Nuvi 255 W portable GPS
The Garmin Nuvi 255 W is one of the most affordable entry level GPS navigators available today.
You might expect to get only a small 3.5 inch screen but the 255W has a large 4.5 inch touch screen that works well even if the sun is shining directly on it.
The nuvi 255 also features the slimline design of the 2X5 models (and it’s dimensions are 4.8 inches by 2.9 inches) and weighs only 173g (about 6 ounces).
Because of this it is so convenient for storing in your pocket or purse to navigate on foot (great for hiking with it’s unusually long 4 hour recharge battery life).
The Garmin 255w is a good performer suitable for most driving situations.
Notable Features of the Garmin Nuvi 255 W
Text to
speech
The 255W includes text to speech which is usually found one in far more expensive units. Text to speech (TTS) means that the unit will speak out street names instead of just announcing the left of or right to turn in so many yards. For example TTS will say “turn left main street in 500 ft” whereas older units will say “turn left in 500 ft”. TTS makes It easier to confirm that you are driving down the correct street.
HotFix
The Garmin 255W GPS has the Hotfix(tm) feature. It’s a way of the unit gaining satellite lock very quickly and it does this by remembering the previous position of satellites which were detected the last time you powered up the unit. It calculates their new positions so it can find them easily again which means the unit quickly locks onto a GPS signal.
6.5 million POI (Points of Interest)
The POI database contains tons of local information to let youeasily find Hotels ATMs restaurants and more.
Optional MSN Direct or FM Traffic reception
To use these services you’ll need an antenna but they give a lot of extra information – most importantly for commuting they will give the 255W up to the minute traffic informaion and the 255W will use MSN Direct to automatically avoid traffic congestion. MSN Direct will also give you other information such as Weather, Gas prices and movie times and the enhanced version gives you route planning, local events, news headlines and stock quotes.
Other features of the Garmin Nuvi 255 W:
- Built in maps for of North America, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada and Alaska.
- 3D shaded terrain maps.
- MSN Direct / FM Traffic compatible (optional receiver and charger required)
- Send addresses from Googlemaps or mapquest to create your own POIs.
- SD card slot to add maps and travel guides.
- Photo navigation.
- Touch screen.
- JPEG picture viewer.
- World travel clock.
- Currency converter.
- Calculator.
The main difference between the Garmin nuvi255W and 205 units is that the 255W uses text to speech. The other units like the nuvi 250 and nuvi 200 devices have less features and are good for basic A-B route navigation – there’s no TTS or options for MSN direct/FM Traffic.
Pros
- Solid design and ease of use make this an ideal sat nav system.
- Excellent value for money.
Cons
- Won’t let you plan routes (single destination only) – not a problem for most users.
- Does not have MSN direct/FM traffic built in (it is an optional extra).
The Garmin nuvi 255 W is a very good solid product that won’t let you down. It has advanced features and is ideal for easy navigation .
