We reviewed the Garmin nuvi ($798.00 - $954.00) a few months back at PC Magazine. It is a handheld GPS system that comes loaded with a host of features. We were a little torn about it, because although it worked in the U.S., it wasn't being sold here yet. That changed just a few days before Christmas and the company is showing the product on the CES show floor now.
At the most basic level, the nuvi is a very powerful, very simple GPS device with a great screen in a super small form factor, but it goes way beyond that. Among the added features are:
* Travel guides, detailed information about local attraction through out Europe. (The U.S. version of the Travel guides will be coming soon.)
* Language guides, software that translates words and languages and will even play them back to you.
* Geo-coded coupons, which let you know about retail stores near you that are offering sales and discounts.
* Oh, and it plays MP3s.
And if that isn't enough, the GPS chip that the nuvi uses is very sensitive. The company won't claim that it can penetrate buildings, but when we tested it, it did so easily. It isn't cheap, but Garmin hinted that the ability to rent a nuvi when you travel could be in the works. For more details check out our full review.
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January 24, 2006 6:44 AM
This is the coolest gadget I have ever owned. The only downside is the small speaker. Bright Screen fast NAV and Recalcs, indoor reception, Street Announcements, ect. Froogle it for lower price got mine for 685.10 from saveateagle but they raised the price, look on froogle for sub 700 price tag.
January 30, 2006 4:26 PM
Awesome performance and it fits on my dashboard without using the gorpy suction cup mounting system. The flip up antenae is a perfect fit to slide right into one of your ventilation fins on the dash and it actually stays put when nailing the gas :-) This thing rocks and blows away my old factory MB nav. I have never had a problem with it and it always gets me where I'm going without a glitch, Sweet. For the record I tried the NAVMAN and that device is the biggest piece of SHIT paperweight thats on the market, no support, crap software and basically a total hunk of crap. Hell even the PDA part of the NAVMAN sucked. Am I bitter, yup I took a $$ bath on that POS and will make n bones about spreading the word about my experience with the NAVMAN. ITS all good though with the NUVI though. Spend the extra money. Trust me you will not want to chuck this thing out the window likeso many others (NAVMAN).