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.