No sign of slowing down - new Garmin and Navigon GPS units

Here we are, just two months removed from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and six new portable navigation devices (PNDs) from major companies have been introduced in rapid-fire succession. Granted, these introductions coincided with the European equivalent of CES, known as CeBIT, but at this rate, our interactive GPS ratings chart could grow significantly by the end of the year if we keep up. (It currently features complete ratings on 74 models, available to online subscribers.)

The exciting pace is likely to continue, given that PND sales were up over 300 percent in 2007 compared to the previous year, and they show no signs of slowing down. We are busy testing new models from Sony and Garmin, introduced at CES, and adding to our long shopping list of units we will be purchasing this spring. We haven't seen the retail availability of the new Becker, Dash, Magellan, and Uniden units from CES, but we are watching closely. Plus, we are planning for the new TomTom, Garmin, and Navigon models just announced.

TomTom kicked off this recent announcement wave with the GO 730 and GO 930 boasting two notable new features: IQ Routes traffic-informed routing and Advanced Lane Guidance with realistic views for major intersections. Both new features will be in the GO 730 and GO 930 models, on sale late April.

Navigon 2100 max/2120 max
Navigon introduced the 2100 max and 2120 max PNDs, each with wide, 4.3-inch screens; spoken street names; automatic speed warnings; and Reality View 3D representations of major highway intersections. A new feature called DirectHelp pinpoints a user's location and provides directions and phone numbers for nearby services such as hospitals, pharmacies, and roadside assistance. These twin devices differ in the packaged maps. The Navigon 2100 max ($299 MSRP) ships with maps of the continental U.S., while Canadian-market Navigon 2120 features maps of the U.S. and Canada.

Navigon also announced its new FreshMaps service for all the company's PNDs. For $79.99, consumers can download and install up to 12 quarterly map updates over three years, including points of interest.

Garmin 2x5 - nuvi 205 / 255
Garmin announced the next evolution for the popular nuvi 200 series, dubbed 2x5. These new devices promise swifter satellite acquisition times and expanded ability to step up to premium features. A new HotFix aids the start-up time for connecting with satellites by storing past location information to hasten establishing the current location.

The 2x5 units will be available in 3.5-inch and 4.3-inch screen formats, with sequential models providing progressive steps in added features. The maps now use shading to indicate elevation, giving the units a different look. An interesting feature is the ability to choose user-supplied pictures from the Garmin Connect Photos site to download to the device and use for seeking landmarks.

Helpful in an emergency, the nuvis include the "Where am I?" feature that displays the exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations.

When used with an optional receiver, each nuvi 2x5 can display updated information from Traffic Message Channel or MSN Direct (for $49.95 a year, or a one-time charge of $129.95.)

The nuvi 205 and 205W will be available in versions that offer maps the contiguous United States, Canada, or regional sections of Europe. The nuvi 255 and 255W will be available in versions that include comprehensive coverage of North America, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. In addition, the nuvi 255 and 255W models for North America speak proper street names when giving audio directions.

Clearly, the market is moving quickly, but we aim to stay on top of the most significant developments and products.

—Jeff Bartlett and Mike DiLauro

For more information on portable GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums. 

Comments

[Bret Jones]

I purchased a new Garmin GPS this past Christmas and my father
purchased a new Magellan GPS. The Garmin maps were outdated quite
a bit compared to his Magellan. I contacted Garmin for updated maps
and was informed I could 'purchase' the updated maps. I think this
is ridiculous I would have to pay for updated maps on a new product.

[MIchael Greene]

Appreciate the blog - wondering about the source for "PND sales were up over 300 percent in 2007 compared to the previous year" in second paragraph. Would like to reference.

[Jeff Bartlett]

Hi Michael. That reference came from a report by TomTom, sourcing data from NPD. The specific number cited is 333%.
http://www.npd.com/corpServlet?nextpage=corp_welcome.html

A report with interesting, not-quite year-end data:
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_071205.html

We have seen some variances in this number used to reflect on the sales increase for 2007, but we feel this is solid.

[Ken]

My Garmin worked great,, for 8 months then the internal battery died. I was going to send it in for replacement (quoted $89.00)but was told how to replace battery myself. You need to know how to solder small wires & circuits to do this & own a soldering gun & solder meant for doing fine work but it is not that hard at all. I did it in less than an hour and only cost me $8.00 for the battery.

[Kathryn]

Does anyone have a definitive choice to share re a GPD portable device. I want to give a GPS device as a graduation gift, and would like to get if not the best, close to it - at least one with current maps and features. Thanks!

[Billy Petty]

I purchased a Garmin 200W and set out on a 2500 mile trip through TX, NM, AZ and NV. The 200W worked fine but the map data was out of date. The Point of Interest was way out of date. I was told there was an update for the map data but when I checked the update is not available for the 200W. What a disappointment! I do not recommed the Garmin units.
Garmin does not provide timely updates and the updates they do have is way to expensive! Why should you have pay for an update for a newly purchased GPS unit??? You will come come out ahead if buy a TomTom. Garmin's customer service and support is lacking. I have a used Garmin 200W for sale, going to upgrade to a TomTom.

[Ken Harrod]

I have an Garmin Nuvi 200 and works just fine,easy to use.
I don,t need all the bells and whistles of the other devices.
Also purchased one for my Daughter for Christmas and she loves it.

[Ken Harrod]

I have an Garmin Nuvi 200 and works just fine,easy to use.
I don,t need all the bells and whistles of the other devices.
Also purchased one for my Daughter for Christmas and she loves it.

[Pat]

I don't think I'd buy a car GPS--too distracting while driving.

I do have a Garmin Legend HCx for hiking. Reviews of this and other hiking GPSes would be appreciated.

[Rob]

I purchased a Garmin nuvi 250W just under a month ago, and tested it thoroughly, and had two geek friends go over it and poke at everything. This is a good GPS for the average driver. The speaking feature is useful in that it allows more driver attention for the road. Takes a little practice, and should be treated as a front-seat-driver who knows how to get there, however will give you turn by turn directions that make more sense to them. I recommend checking the proposed route steps before leaving, and using common sense.

Pros:
- Interface so easy they didn't need a manual.
- Good touch screen that also repels dirt. It even repelled the screen protector I tried to stick on.
- Accurate positioning
- Good features for finding addresses and streets and commercial locations, however see notes below.

Cons:
- Minimal manual which unfortunately left out mentioning some useful features.
- Commercial Points Of Interest file is horribly out of date. eg MANY places that haven't been there in ten years, or that relocated several years ago not updated.
- Not a durable design. Don't drop it.
- Normal operation requires you to type in your city EVERY TIME you want to look up an address. Use the "search all" button instead. Seems to work.

Noteworthy:
- To return to the main screen from it's menus, press and hold the BACK button. This is not documented.
- To see the inner functionings of the unit, press and hold the speedometer. Do not change or erase anything in here. This is not documented.

[Paul]

I too share your concern about the lack of updated street information in new Garmin GPS instruments. I just purchased a new Garmin Nuvi 200W. I live in Boston, and the first time I tried it, it didn't even have the Big Dig installed, which is more than three years old. For $15 billion, we don't even make the map. A salesman told me that all I had to do was to download the changes from the Garmin website. I have ordered a cable for this purpose, but haven't received it yet. Has anyone had any success with this? Thanks, Paul

[Buzz Haze]

I just bought a Garmin Nuvi 260W and it's excellent. When I went on-line to register the unit, they offered the 2009 North American map update (free to new buyers). I downloaded it (2.4 GB) It took a while but installed perfectly. I now have updated maps and the unit is fantastic. It has text-speech and says the street names. The manual is minimal but it donesn't matter, everyrhing is prompted, labelled and simple to understand. I had everything figured out within 20 mins and I've never even held a gps unit before.

Garmin is also one of the best when tested against other units. Always comes up with the best routes and times.

10 out of 10

[Robert]

I recently bout a Garmin 260w and also received the map update with the download upon registration.

The map update did add the 5 year old bypass near my home, but not the streets of my 2 year old neighborhood development.

I find this very peculiar as a simple registration by Garmin with the US postal address DB (ZP4) would clue them in to most new streets within a few months. Why are their maps years out of date, even for the most recent downloads?

I have not surveyed all of the Points of Interest as well, but they too seem to be years out-of-date.

You would think that Garmin would have a forum, or a means for Garmin owners to report new streets and new Points of Interest, but they don't. Why they would want to ignore the free input from customers to make their maps better is beyond me.

Garmin is ok if you are traveling major roads or roads that have existed for 10 years or more. Just don't trust it for anything built in the last 5 years.

[Robert Robbins]

I would have to disagree with them being distracting. I used a Garmin Nuvi for the first time this past memorial weekend. Prior to this trip, I've always used printouts of google map directions. I found that not only did i not have to rely on my snoozing fiance to let me know what our next connection was going to be, but I was also not fumbling with pages looking at how many miles I had left to my next connection. My eyes remained on the road while a voice told me when to keep left or right and where to turn. Those of you making statements with the idea of them being distracting: Although there's a screen, you don't look at the screen longer than you'd glance at the person next to you if having a conversation while driving or at the stereo to change a station. I submit that they are more safe and can make a drive much more relaxing. Isn't that what we want on the roads- more relaxed drivers? Try one out, you'll be very much surprised.

[Paul T]

I travel a good bit as a tech for a TV Sports Network and guys on our crew are always discussing our experiences with our "Airport to Hotel and Stadium GPS life lines." The vast majority of us own Garmin products - I own the Nuvi 350 and we are extremely happy with them.

In the first year, Garmin will supply any map updates free of charge. I did that with my unit but didnot properly complete the uploading of a map update and was unaware of my mistake till I got off of a plane in a distant city and the Nuvi had no map data for that state. I thought all was lost but a call to the Garmin help desk (U.S. based) produced amazing results. While I sat in the Rental Car Terminal, the Tech took remote control via the Internet of my Wireless modem linked laptop computer which was plugged into the Nuvi and resolved my problem in short order and I was able to again use the unit. I had tried other manufacturers' products and experienced problems with satellite lock-up, late directions (Turn here - but you're already past the exit!) and overseas product support that was challenging to understand.

If you are buying a unit, I suggest the Text to Speech units that actually call out the street by name - it allows complete focus on the road. The directions are so precise, you don't have to look at the unit. I have recommended the Garmin Nuvi product group to my friends and family and have had positive feedback from them as well. - Paul

[Alice]

I just got a Garmin 230. A cheapo that is reconditioned with outdated maps. But I still love it. It makes a trip so much more relaxing. I went to Florida and took it with me for the rental car. All I had to do was plug the addresses of the hotels I was staying in and I was there without a moments anxiety at night. If I read about a great restaurant, or museum or whatever, just put in the address and it took you there. It is so intuitive that you can figure it out in a minute or two. I didn't even get an instruction book with it. Another great advantage is the money you save in gasoline. No driving all over the place because you are lost. If you save a gallon of gas every trip because you didn't get lost is worth the price of the unit in short order. I just love the freedom it gives me on a trip. Reading a map while driving or even as a passenger is tricky when your eyes get a bit older. I think everyone should have a GPS. I am reading about the features of the newer units and may get a better one, but this one I have does the trick for the most part.

[Laura]

I owned a Garmin Street Pilot and loved it. When I decided to upgrade, Garmin is where I decided to look. I just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 260w and love it. It's so easy to use and navigating thru the menus is a breeze. I also got the free map upgrade with my new unit. I would recommend Garmin GPS units.

[Shafiq]

I bought a Garmin 350 during the Spring break (March). Sadly, it gave four wrong directions within 10 miles between N. Ft. Myers and Ft. Myers Beach. We lost about half an hour in the process. I returned the product.

[KEN]

Just bought a Tom Tom oneXL.S I have used it several times and I find it does not have current updates and the voice cannot pronounce some cities and it is driving me nuts has anyone else had this problem. Thinking of returning it and get the 730

[paul]

I'm interested in purchasing a new GPS portable which has Mexican Maps available...are there any available which also include U.S.A? Any suggestions would be appreciated..I'm in no hurry since my journey South of the border isn't planned til Fall and could wait if something is coming out soon.

[Lawrenzo]

I just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 260.The map is outdated by at least 5 years.I just travelled across Canada and most of the gas stations were not on the map. Most restaurants and hotels were not on the map.I am very disappointed with this product and have filed a rip off report.

[David]

I own a Garmin Nuvi 350. While I really enjoy the guidance of a GPS I have 2 major problems... 1) Many errors in maps and locations being wrong. 2) I drive a 35ft RV so lane change is a big deal, the Garmin does not give you on screen directions for which lane to move to until you are within a half a mile or so of that turn -not good in major cities and traffic (try to get a 35ft rig through 4 lanes in a half a mile in traffic!) Anyway the Garmin rep advised this was an issue they were not going to address immediately so I have decided not to spend the 80 bucks for the desperately needed map upgrade but rather try a Tomtom -Does anyone have any words of wisdom on this...

[Carl]

I am going to Europe and would like to know which is the best unit to take along? Also any idea of cost comparison between similar units. Need specific uptodate maps and directions, hotel, restaurants,gas stations, etc. whatever brand it is.. Thanks

[Mike]

I've had and used a Garmin Nuvi 350 for going on 2 years now. Garmin gave me one map update for free during the first year, and there is another one available for purchase this year, which I haven't bought because the current 2007 map is still very good. I've found the unit to be accurate, I'd estimate, in excess of 95% of the time. We travel a lot due to both daughters being on traveling soccer teams and the Nuvi has saved us countless hours. Very first time we used it we were arriving in Atlanta on a Friday night for a tournament. Torrential downpour with hail, accident on the interstate through the city had traffic at a standstill. Used the re-route or detour function and it took us off at the next exit. We arrived at the hotel maybe 10 minutes later than expected. Hours later, the rest of the team arrived having been snarled in the traffic jam. Also great for finding nearby restaurants quickly and for finding preferred gas stations along the route. You still have to exercise common sense. If your going through St Louis and the highway department has posted detour signs, follow them, Nuvi will try to direct you back onto the road being repaired. If your going through the Triad in NC where I-40 has been recently improved, some of the exits are off a bit. There may no longer be an Exit # A & B. But if you use the Nuvi in conjunction with the local signs, you should have no problem. As far as I'm concerned, this is the most useful device I've purchased since my first cell phone. Highly recommended.

[LLWade]

I purchased the Garmin660 & it is great. we went to a state baseball game in joliet and had a hotel room about 10 miles away going back & forth each night would have been impossible to find the two locations. I have not had it fail me yet. I love how it tells me by voice when my turn is coming up. when I screw up and go the wrong way, I hear it say, "recalculating". It then puts me back on track again. The only thing i feel it falls short on is knowing where the rest stop are.