subject: Ways to Decide on the Best Garmin nuvi GPS Device [print this page] Ways to Decide on the Best Garmin nuvi GPS Device
The top GPS navigation product manufacturer in terms of numbers of units sold is Garmin. There is a continual need for new features and functionality in GPS products and Garmin regularly release new devices to meet this demand.. That and the competition from their chief rival TomTom keeps them busy. There's no doubt that the functionality and reliability of GPS navigation devices has improved over the last two or three years and so long as people keep their maps current, there are fewer and fewer stories of drivers becoming lost. One aspect that specifically helps is the ease with which the new array of Garmin GPS devices locks on to the satellites quicker and more reliably. This was probably one of the main problems with their previous products - and not just Garmin because TomTom had similar problems. The improvement in technology has meant that this aspect of GPS navigation has improved. Let's have a look in more detail then at the new Garmin releases.
There's no question that the latest group of GPS navigators from Garmin, the nuvi 2200 and nuvi 2300 series offer a wide range of features and functions. Probably the most difficult thing for potential buyers is to find out what the differences are between them because some of them can be quite subtle. There is certainly a wide range of recommended retail prices ranging from $159.99 for the nuvi 2250 up to $299.99 for the nuvi 2360 and nuvi 2370. Of course these products are available, or will be available if they have not yet been released, for less than this. You have to shop around to find the best bargain.
Let's look into what some of the main differences are in the various models. The top of the range products come with voice activated navigation. This is a great feature for those of us who like to be able to keep our hands free while driving. The mid and upper range devices have lane and junction assist. This gives advance warning of which lane to be in at any time. The top range models also come with 3-D building view. This is good if you are one of those people who is able to imagine their position from a 3-D perspective. It might also be confusing to some users.
One more thing that separates the higher priced GPS units is the bluetooth support. This is a great feature for hooking up your cell phone or any other bluetooth enabled device to your GPS.
Screen sizes are either 3.5-inch or 4.3-inch depending on model. It is amazing what detail can fit onto such screens. To look at the new devices look very similar or even identical. It doesn't help that Garmin use similar graphics on their product pictures and that makes it difficult to know which one you are looking at.
The new nuvi 2200 and 2300 series are being released between the fall 2010 to spring 2011. This means there will be no shortage of new devices to choose from. With TomTom also developing new products, there is plenty to keep GPS buyers happy.
