hawksbill

Note that the 2xx and 3xx series have the old, smaller screen, whereas the 6xx series have the new screen, which is not only wider but also brighter.

Another thing that distinguishes the Nuvis is what kind of traffic information, if any, they receive. The 2xx series are not capable of receiving any traffic information. The 370, 660, and 670 have built-in FM traffic receivers. The 350, 360, and 650 don't have the built-in traffic receiver, but you can buy an external one for about $100. The 680 (and only the 680) gets MSN Direct broadcasts.

I recently upgraded from the 350 to the 680. The bigger and brighter screen is a big improvement.

Don't bother with any of the ones that have the integrated FM traffic receiver, because the old FM traffic broadcasts are worse than useless. At least in the Northeast U.S. where I drive, they don't include important traffic events, and they do list nonexistent traffic events that cause you to detour around your route unneccessarily. Really bad.

The MSN direct traffic info is much better, though still not perfect. Besides having more updated information, it includes the estimated number of minutes that the delay will add to your trip, allowing the computer to be smarter about rerouting. Also, MSN direct includes not just traffic, but also weather forecasts, and local gas prices and movie times. More than once I've received a warning that I'm heading into heavy thunderstorms, when I otherwise wouldn't have expected that.

Note that all of these traffic features work only in the US.

Only the 370 and 670 come with both Europe and US maps. If you get one of the other ones but still want to add Europe maps, you have two options. One is to buy the SD card from Garmin and pop it into the slot on the side of the Nuvi. The other option is to buy the Europe data on a DVD, load it into your PC, and then transfer some or all of Europe onto your Nuvi, depending on whether you feel like being economical about its memory or not. The two options cost about the same. I did the DVD thing, not because I wanted to save memory, but because this way you also get Garmin's MapSource software, which allows you to plan routes, enter waypoints, etc. on your PC, and then transfer that information into the Nuvi.

There's a lot of serious GPS discussion over at the www.gpspassion.com forums, so if you can't get your questions answered here, you might want to look over there.

sshephard

igorek: I think the 270 is a good choice. I will work well in your car and it will fit nicely in your pocket for the times you need help navigating while you are walking.

For what it's worth, APC makes a Mobile Power Pack (I have one) that will charge your Nuvi and your ipod and your Blackberry, as well as many other USB cabled things. The best part of it is that it will come with a charger that will also work with your Nuvi. And the charger has swappable plugs for wherever you may go in the world. Check out:

http://tinyurl.com/2zp7zx

waatravel

We are renting a mini van from Rome to Tuscany, has anyone rented a vehicle
equiped with GPS? We are using Maggiore? We will be driving to Castellina in Chianti for 3 nights, 6 of us, some in our group want to hire a
driver? Any thoughts, I'd like to keep
the van!

rkkwan

Lots of great info from some of your GPS experts.

May I tag on a newbie question here, before I go to one of the more GPS-oriented discussion forums. I also need a recommendation, but my needs are a bit different from others.

- Small and lightweight. 6oz or lighter.

- I only need it to show where I am on a map in N. America & Europe. I don't need turn-by-turn directions, don't need restaurant/hotel recommendations. Don't need it to speak to me.

- When I'm outside NA and Europe, I still want it to show me coordinates.

- I need altitude display (doesn't need to be TOO precise).

- I don't need a very large or fancy screen, and I hope to keep the cost under $400.

Am I correct to assume that those popular models like the Nuvi370 or TomTomOne are too vehicle-oriented, and not really what I want? What general type of GPS should I be looking for? Or should I be looking for a PDA-based solution?

Thanks for any help!

Suspaul

I recently bought a Garmin, not sure exactly which one as my husband is in Vancouver BC and has it with him, however, I bought it to use on a move from Houston Tx to Blaine WA last month. I drove the 2600+ miles alone (actually with our dog) and it did a wonderful job, I am so pleased. Also, it has been invaluable with us finding where and what is needed when moving to a new city/town. Now that we're settled I carry an area phone book in my car and if needed, I just look something up, punch in the address and away I go. Love the fact that it's small enough to carry for walking. One thing you may want to consider is if you want the directions in a more exact manner, not all Garmins are created equal. Some say "at the next street turn right", the one I chose will say "in 500 ft. turn right on Smith Street", then as you get closer it will say "in 100 ft. turn right on Smith Street". Sorry to ramble on but I love this Garmin and wish we'd have gotten it sooner.
Susan

hawksbill

rkkwan: yes, the Nuvi and TomTom models are designed and optimized for vehicle use. It sounds like you want either more of a hiking-oriented device, or a PDA that you have rigged with software and a GPS receiver. The latter would probably be more economical, but I'd probably be inclined to get a dedicated device, myself.

I have never researched this class of products myself, so I can't recommend one brand over another. Here are the relevant Garmin products:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

And here's a link to part of the Magellan site that will help you choose from their products:

http://www.magellangps.com/ProductFinder/index.asp

Those are just to get you started... I'm way out of my area of expertise here.

rkkwan

hawksbill - Ah... That's the category I should be investigating - Mapping Handheld! Brillant. I will need to spend some time comparing the various models. Thanks!

travelgourmet

I have a TomTom Go 910 and have used it to good effect in the US and all over Western Europe. It comes pre-loaded with maps for the US and Western Europe. It is a bit cheaper than comparable Garmin units.

One word of warning, the maps are so expensive that I would strongly recommend going for a model with both US and Europe, if you want/need both. The maps are so expensive that you can spend much more buying a low-end unit and adding on country-by-country.

321sister

rkkwan, I have a tomtom 910 which i got for 353.00 several days ago.Circut city has it on sale and if you use the 10% coupon you will get that price.
I have tried it out here in fl. and it works like a pickle seeder. Quick and easy.
I am going to Germany next mo. and that is the reason i bought it and it was under 400. goog luck sister

dkmo

Amazon has the Garmin 370 with maps for US & Europe for $456. It comes with a wall plug with interchangeable prongs. The unit is small & lightweight, can fit in a shirt pocket. I bought it because it has pedestrian & bicycle modes also, and the battery can last up to 8 hours with the backlight turned down. TomTom One is a great unit also, but battery only lasts 1-2 hours.

Garmin is in the process of updating there US maps from Version 8 to Version 2008. If you get a unit with the older map, call support & they will send you the update.