Garmin nüvi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition

Garmin nüvi 855 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Speech Recognition

Nuvi 855 Great GPS Navigator

I purchased my first Garmin unit 6 years ago and it worked flawlessly until it was recently stolen (forgot to lock my car doors). I'm actually glad that it was stolen as it forced me to purchase a new unit. The Nuvi 855 is a major advance in GPS navigation technology. The solid state memory, battery power, and voice recognition are all great new features. It is amazing how the Nuvi 855 can recognize my voice commands even with the car noise at open highway speeds. It seldom makes an error. Voice recognition is probably not necessary with the easy to use touch screen but it is just plain fun. In researching other user reviews before purchasing this unit one of the common complaints was that the internal speakers did not provide enough volume even at 100%. I did not find this to be the case. I generally have to keep the volume at 70% or it is too loud. Garmin's recent software update may have addressed this problem. Updating the unit's software online is extremely easy when connected to a computer via the supplied USB cable. For a bit more fun you can download celebrity voices into the unit to guide you to your destination. The Garmin support website is excellent and easy to navigate. I highly recommend the Garmin Nuvi 855 or any Garmin product. I also recommend purchasing from Amazon.Com as they have the best prices around for GPS units.

Fantastic Gps

This is my 6th garmin in 6 yrs,every year cost me so very little to upgrade as i sell my other models to friends for very good prices.This model the 855 was so very easy to set up.I downloaded all the 2010 map updates and voices.The speech was a breeze to work with,Found everything i said with ease.took it for a spin and it all worked beautifully.Not a single problem and have always given garmin tech support 5 stars as they have been so supportive over the years.HIGHLY RECCOMEND this unit.

The perfect unit for me.

I purchaced my new Garmin Nuvi 855 after researching for more than a month which model was the best fit for me. I already knew after working with GPS receivers in the agricultural field for more than 6 years that I wouldn't settle for anything less than a Garmin. Garmin has so many models available that it makes it tough to choose which one to buy. I wanted a higher end model that didn't have all the bells & whisltles on it such as Bluetooth (already have it) and traffic info (isn't applicable out in the sticks where we live...) I plan on using it for work (GPS coodinates for Locates & One Calls) and for recreational use while traveling.

I decided on the Nuvi 855 because of the Garmin reliability, the easy to use features and the reasonable price @ Amazon.com.

This is actually the second unit I've had as the first one had some accuracy problems. I placed a phone call to Garmin and spoke with one of their friendly, informed techs and after explaing the problem to him I was told to return it to Amazon for a replcement. I was told at that time that if there was any problem getting it replaced that I could return it directly to Garmin. I made the call to Amazon and had a new unit within 3 days. (Yay, way to go Amazon!)

The day after the replacement unit arrived I left for 5 days where I got to use the new unit in city driving conditions. The 855 performed flawlessly except on 2 seperate occasions where it completely locked up. Both times I had to remove the battery from the unit to reboot it. The day I got home I made another call to Garmin, where once again I was helped by one of their great techs. He told me there was a fix for that particular problem in Garmin's WebUpdater. He stayed with me on the phone untill the new update was installed and then wrote up a return authorization form and gave me the info to get it exchanged for another new Garmin, just in case the update didn't fix my problem. It gave me a new appreciation for Garmin's outstanding customer service, something you don't see a lot of any more.

The following weekend my wife & I drove over a thousand miles to visit with family, and we used & played with the new Garmin during the whole trip. It never locked up at all and worked perfectly. We compared it constantly to the navigation system in our Honda Odyssey and in many ways we liked the nuvi better. I know that the Garmin Nuvii 855 is the right choice for us.

Many nice features

This GPS has many nice features that you don't find on some of the previously available. Easy to operate and no hands feature is nice. Got it for a gift for my son and he is very happy with it. Got a great price at Amazo.com. Free delivery and arrived on time.

Won't leave home without it.

I have been using handheld GPS devices for vehicle navigation for years. I have also used an earlier nüvi model (660). The bigger screen size on the nüvis is nice but having the speech output for routing assistance in the 855 makes for a vast improvement over handhelds. Being able to type on the touch screen is also a huge improvement over small handhelds like my eTrex.

Garmin has also made many subtle improvements in the user interface since the 660.

The other big feature addition for the 855 model is the ability to speak commands. I have not really tried it out much yet other than to confirm (to my amazement) that it works in my noisy little car. (My GPS is worth more than my car!)

Incidentally I highly recommend RAM mounts for in-car or on bike handlebars for any GPS devices. The mounts available from Garmin are generally flimsy by comparison.

There are "walking" and "bicycling" modes in the 855 but it's really not very good outside a car.
I've briefly tried the nüvi on a bicycle and the screen washes out in direct sunlight. It's not weather resistant either. And it's a bit bulky to carry when walking.

Keyword : GPS, Navigator, Garmin

TomTom XXL 540S 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator

TomTom XXL 540S 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Satisified Again
I had owned a Tom Tom before and was satisified but wanted an updated version and also one that spoke the street names. It is everything I had hoped for. I also wanted a larger screen and purchased the 5" screen and it really makes the difference. I also liked the Lane Change feature. I will be honest that the instructions that comes with the unit are not very good but I went on line and got the information I needed. It is an awesome unit and I would recommend it to everyone. I purchased this through Amazon and it was really quick service. I paid the extra $10 bucks to get it quicker and had it in exactly 2 days. My first shopping through Amazon but was extremely satisfied with the service.

XXL 540 S
I really like the annoucement of the street names on this upgraded model. It makes it easier to focus on the busy freeways and exits. I also like the ability to have an alert for school zones. And most of all, I like to be able to SEE the huge 5" screen!! The upgrade from the ONE 125 was well worth the price.

TomTom 540s
Works great for getting from point A to point B. Lane assist also works for every day roads. Another nice feature is to map from any point in US to any other point. You can also choose what features you would like to have on the map (time; miles to travel; arrival time; etc.)

The Best GPS on the Market to me !!!
I had eye surgery, but able still to drive. This GPS locks the signal fast, great sound quality, and wonderful colors with many, many options. I don't need anything fancy, but something simple. This is It !!

Keyword : gps

Magellan RoadMate 1430 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

Magellan RoadMate 1430 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

Excellent Upgrade That cost less.

I "upgraded" from an older Roadmate 3000T. This RoadMate 1430 takes all the things that are good about the old one and improves on them. Very easy to navigate touchscreen. Just play with the screen pushing different icons and you will love how easy it is. You don't have to always go to different screens to change things. I love the multidestination feature and the spoken street names. The only thing that will make these GPS units better is if they team up with google or mapquest, etc, so you can custom make a map and import it into the gps. Now that would be the ultimate. I have never had any need for the traffic re-routing.

Best choice for value.

I was referred to Magellan's products through use of a friend whom already owns one and I stand by my choice to return my tom tom neither may not be as fast as some, but the Magellan roadmate 1430 with free traffic subscription is the choice to go with and the deal here you can't beat from where I've seen if you can find it anywhere else anymore. Pros: UI (user interface): easy to navigate menus. widescreen certainly comes in handy for scrolling and typing. Automatically traffic detouring. Auto reroute Trip planner / Multiple destinations automatically sorts multiple destinations per trip. Voiced street names announced for every turn including freeways exit/on ramps and oh yeah my favorite the doorbell or chime to alert when exactly your turn is coming up and its balls on accurate every time! Cons: Touch screen response has its moments, but seems to be only when it hasn't warmed up. There is only one (1) way point you can set at a time, but I never seem to mind that since it saves previous addresses for later if you find yourself needing to use them again. no pedestrian mode. Overall I love this model it only has what I need it for and that's GPS! Definitely recommend this product to a friend.

Good Value

30 January 2009 This was a great value, and I am impressed with vendor who shipped promptly and everything was as advertised. One point is Instructions are poorly written on how to add addresses;it took awhile to figure out. Car mounts are poor and when you spend a reasonable amount of money for a GPS [as in this case] and good mount should be included. But this has nothing to do with this Vendor-who I will purchase from again and again. Larry

Excellent choice

I would definitely recommend the Magellan RoadMate 1430 unit. This is our first GPS, and after much research, I decided to go with this one based on the good reviews it has received from users, the features you get for the price, and a great deal that was being offered. I'm very happy with the unit. It does what it says it can do, and without any problems. I still haven't opened the manual yet, because it's so easy to get going. The unit walks you right through it, and you're up and running in no time. Good choice.

Con: Maps/Addresses don't match! (Pro: It talks to you)

The software on the Magellan 1430 is a bit curious, to say the least: Our subdivision, which has been in existence for over 3 years, shows up on their map data, but NOT in the address database. We can't even enter our 'home' address as a starting point, because it doesn't recognize our street as being in existence, even though it shows it clearly on the map portion of the device! What the heck?!?!? It would be much easier to use if I could actually enter my home address as a starting location; other than that, on the "pro" side, it talks to you, so you don't have to try and read a screen while driving (yikes!!) I REALLY hope Magellan gets their software act together soon! If/when they do, this unit would be great, until then its kind of a waste of cash. I would recommend going with Garmon until Magellan can properly synchronize the different types of data information so this unit is actualy usable. What good is having great, up-to-the-minute maps if you can't enter the addresses that correspond with the points on those maps?!?!?

Keyword : magellan

Magellan Maestro 4000 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

Magellan Maestro 4000 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

Good GPS, bundled accessories are iffy.

The GPS works very well. The maps are old, but that's not a huge deal. My main beef is with the chargers. Neither one fits into the socket on the GPS particularly well, so the battery shutoff reminder is almost constantly being activated. Also, the fuse in the car charger is very fickle, so we've had to replace that more than once already. If it weren't for these issues, it would have been a 5 star review.

Great!

This is a great product! I love it! The only problem I have is that some streets aren't in the system. My current street is not, and I've lived here for two years! Oh well, can't have everything! I love the fact hat I can search by Points of Interest. This is a BIG help!

Great GPS

I brought this for a gift for my husband and we used it the day he got it. It works great and he was pleased with it and so was I. We went to Chicago and got lost because we didn't follow the directions it gave, but it got us back on track and we ended up where we wanted to be pretty quick. After that my husband was convinced that this thing knew what it was doing! I was worried that a refurbished one would be a problem, but so far, so good. I liked saving money and my husband liked the ability to go places without having to download maps, etc.

Inexpensive GPS

Great price. Probably "older" technology or look (I don't know, I'm just guessing -- I wasn't in the market for a GPS but couldn't resist at the price). But quite functional, and the little thing is a lot smarter than I am. Pretty easy to use/figure out, too.

magellan maestro 4000 refurbished

Item arrived with a bad suction cup on the holder but I repaired it. The maps are not updated so many streets, some major, are not intact. Works well but wish the maps were current. Its a 60.00 plus additional purchase for new maps.

Keyword : magellan

Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

Magellan Maestro 3250 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

POOR SUPPORT

Magellan will NOT support these refurbished units. This item comes with EXTREMELY OLD maps and software installed and Magellan wants you to pay $80 to upgrade it to the latest version. If this unit was factory refurbished, why doesn't it have the latest software? This unit goes back to Amazon.

Maestro

Maps need updating for additional fee, check Magellan's website. They do support what they sell...

Nice device but old maps. Awful Costumer service.

I bought this device and noticed that it doesn't have the maps of US continental states. I called the costumer service and they told me they would replace the item. they asked me to wait 5 business days for the new device to be delivered and then send the defective one back. But after more than a week I haven't received anything so I called them and they told me I should have sent the defective item first! I complained about what I was told before and they didn't have anything to offer to me but a simple apologies. I sent it back to Amazon and ordered another one which would give me faster access to the new device. The second item worked perfectly although the maps are two versions(years) outdated. So buy this item if you don't care about the old maps or you already have new ones. And if you received defective item return it to Amazon and don't bother calling the costumer service.

Great in USA and PR

I purchased this GPS because I want to use it when I visit Puerto Rico which I did last x-mast and it worked great. The map in the refurbished unit is the 2006 version. To update is almost $90. Don't like the address limiting option, you start entering the street name and only allows certain letters to be entered, I guess that is because they are the only available to complete the st. names that are available from the map, I hate that but not so much to pay more for the updated map. Other than that great GPS. Be advise that the refurbished unit has only 90 days manufacturer warranty.

Magellan 3250 3.5 in.

I did a lot of research on the CPS products. I purchased the Magellan as a christmas gift for my wife. Although she hasn't used it much she was thrilled. It not only does everything she wanted, but it is compact and can be carried in her purse. As a sales person she can finally do away with maps.

Keyword : magellan

Magellan RoadMate 1200 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Magellan RoadMate 1200 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

piece of junk

Bought this in Jan. 2009. Didn't receive any instruction that were of use. I could barely read the print on the single sheet of paper. It took me a while to get it out to the car to charge so I didn't use it right away. My mistake. Took it back in the house and programed a couple of routes around town just to see out how it worked. Battery had to be charged again so I left it in the car overnight plugged in and tried to use it the next day. Can't program it now I've reset it several times. It brings me to my location and that's it. Paper road map better than this thing.

LTC

This is the fifth Magellan Gps that I have owned. The first one was a MAP 7000 used in aerial navigation. It weighewd a ton and used 6 double A bateries that had a lifetime of about ten hours. All of the products have been very dependable. In the use of any GPS it is important to fly the plane or drive the car first. Program the GPS using Guggle Earth for land navigation and then listen to the commands, don't bother looking at it. It is very helpful if utiliZed correctly.

Love It!!

I bought this product for my daughter at Xmas. Two weeks later my daughter moved to Washington DC from Indiana. My daughter and I used the new GPS (right out of the package)to start my daughter's search for housing.........WOW! We did NOT even get lost once!!! It is so user friendly that even I had no problems navigating my way around the screens and using the different options to find the nearest Starbucks!! I loved the product so much that when I came home from DC, I bought myself one!! YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG OR GET LOST WITH THIS PRODUCT!!!!

Satellites don't always pick up your location

We live in Minneapolis, and have had several times where the GPS couldn't pick up where we were located, so we couldn't use it to map out our destination. It would stick on a previous location we had been, and even after driving for 30 minutes, it still wouldn't update our location. Each time this has happened it has been plugged into the car charger because the battery was low, so I'm not sure if that affects it, but we have been disappointed that we can't always use it when we want. I would expect that it would pick up our location in a city as large as Minneapolis, even while charging.

two units' battery and power supply went bad in a few months

I had to replace the 1st unit after a few months since it stopped charging. They replaced the cable but then they had to replace the unit. Now, the replacement does the same thing and will not charge. I've had the replacement now for 5 months. Spend a few extra dollars and get a unit that has good hardware components.

Keyword : magellan

TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

TomTom GO 730 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (Factory Refurbished)

Tomtom GO 730

This GPS is a little dissappointing for a few reasons. First, the screen does wash out on a bright day, especially if you have light colored upholstery. Second it is not the easiest unit to program. I have a Garmin 350 nuvi and it works a lot easier. Last, this unit does not allow you to remove any address seperately. If you want to remove an address you have to delete all you have programed in your list. I really don't like that, because now I have to reprogram all that I want to keep.

Tom Tom GO 730

Purchased as a refurbished unit. Works & Looks great. GPS function is excellent. Member to member updates provide current map changes. Easy to use. I like to listen to old time radio so i have stored mp3 shows and play back while on the road; meanwhile the TOMTOM is tracking my destination. Map updates occur 4 times a year at a reasonable price, not like Garmin which occurs once a year. Try a Tom Tom GO 730 you'll like it.

Free Map Upgrades! Hear that I said Free Map Upgrades

This is the first TomTom product I have owned and by far the best. I have owned Garmins, Magellans and some QVC special pieces of junk one of which I put in my driveway and ran over repeatedly with my truck. OK So it works and functions extremely well in the Philadelphia region. The latest maps have the latest road construction projects and I use Map Share to update other users and get my own updates. You cant do that with Magellan or Garmin. My garmin was purchased in 2007 and the maps are out of date. Update costs 89.95 to get the 2009 maps. A refurbished TomTom was 150.00. Its a no brainer. With magellan and Garmin you are buying half of a new GPS every year in updates. The only thing I have changed is to a mount that clips into my air conditioning vent rather than the suction cup mount. Thieves commonly look for suction cup marks on windshields and break into cars looking for a GPS or radar detector. The vent mount puts the GPS closer to my old eyes and puts the power cord out of the way. So if you want to save 90 dollars a year in update costs alone the TomTom is the way to go.

great product

Fast to acquire, and accurate. also fast to re calculate if you miss a turn.

refurbished TomTom

This product broke down after 1 week. Thank you for the replacement.Great customer service!!

Keyword : tomtom

Sony NVU84 4.8-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech

Sony NVU84 4.8-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech

Buy a Garmin

I purchased this to replace a Garmin c330. BIG mistake, I am a big fan of Sony products but they have a long way to go to match Garmin! My biggest complaint is when in map view this GPS doesn't show street names, some but very few. I like to use my GPS to explore and this is poor in that area. Also their is no trip history, it is also difficult to zoom in and out, I am going to sell this and buy a Garmin 255w

Keyword : sony+gps

Sony NVU44 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech (Red)

Sony NVU44 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech (Red)

poor performance

I have purchased it as we have a second car after just moving to another state...boy i regret this purchase. In comparison to my Garmin 360 it's like night and day. this sony will guide you through 20 mp/h streets through one family houses neighborhood while there is a highway right next to it, and i'm talking miles of driving. we use it ONLY if it's absolutely necessary. Luckily for me o got it on sale for ~$80 but even then i would recommend to pay a bit more and get garmin instead.

GREAT GPS!

Im a first time GPS owner but I have had this little thing for a few months now and it is indispensable. Don't let its small size fool you, this thing can do just about everything. The only complaint I could make is that the directory for entertainment, food, is largely incomplete. Overall this thing is really great, but I got this product for about $100 elsewhere.

OLD MAP

I bought this GPS thinking it was coming with a SUPER SUCTION CUP mount which would not require a dashboard adhesive disk in order to mount it on the dash. Wrong, unlike the description says, it came with regular windshield suction cup and adhesive disk. So, I'd have to mount it on my windshield and wipe the ring mark off before getting off my car to avoid jerks breaking my car's window to steal gps. Disappointded, but not a huge problem, I thought. My biggest disappointment came from the fact that it came with old map which seem to be several years old and what's worse is that Sony seems not to be willing to update it any time soon. It failed to accept the house numbers of buildings such as 24 hour fitness that I've been going for the last 2 years. Also, POI does not find the WAL-MART which opened more than 2 years ago. It looks like Sony is selling the device with a 2006 map data. I've been using this for 3 days, and I am returning it tomorrow.

Great GPS

Pros: Text to Speech, Split Screen at intersections, Accuracy.... SONY Cons: None so far Having owned 2 TomTom Ones 2nd Editions that did not have Text to Speech, I decided to buy something that did and was fortunate to be able to find 2 of these NV-U44 units last week. I think I bought the last 2 in Jacksonville, FL. I had originally bought 2 of the larger NV-U94T's for $155 each new with the 4.8 inch screen. I thought that they just took up too much room when mounted. Granted, the U94T performed perfectly and the picture was great, but after giving more thought to the fact that I had no need for the Bluetooth or optional monthly fee traffic features, I decided to go with this less expensive little brother Sony U44. While I was impressed with the 94T, the U44 is like the 94T, but in a 3.5" display without Traffic and Bluetooth. The maps are the same as the 94T and are version 2008. That means they have current maps for now, but as new roads are being built....what is current today will be obsolete tomorrow. With the prices of a GPS being driven downward at an astronomical rate, it is almost as cheap in some cases to buy a new unit than to pay to upgrade maps. The text to speech is very nice. You can put it in a cupholder if you want and let it instruct you on turns without even having to mount it on the dash or windshield to view. The U44 is very accurate in directions, speed , mileage and ETA. The touchscreen is responsive. I use a rubber tipped stylus pen from my PDA to speed up the process and tap the numbers, etc. That helps since my fingers are big and I can tap one key at a time much faster. If you are looking for a great GPS, you will not go wrong with this unit. My gut feeling is that Sony is getting out of the GPS business. They had these on their website for $79.99 and their other units reduced anywhere from 50% to 70% within 5 months of coming out in production. All have been cleared out and posted as no longer available. I bought mine new for $59.99 each(regular price $249.99), but I suspect that since Sony no longer carries them that the price is being driven up on the web. I see them ranging in price online from $69 to $250.

Excellent Navigator

The Sony NVU44 is excellent. It is accurate and easy to use. I use it daily at home in Ohio and it worked perfectly on a recent vacation to Hawaii.

Keyword : sony+gps

Sony NVU74T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Text-to-Speech

Sony NVU74T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic and Text-to-Speech

Best Gps for the money

Pros: price,great poi seaches,updates from sony Cons: Documentation on use is bad. Have to read detailed user guide and play with the unit to get to the advance features. Menus and interface could be better Summary: I spent about two week looking for a good gps that would not break my bank and still have good features with technical support. I bought a Mio 200, Magellan 4250- refurbished, and Navigon 2000s.I returned them all. This Sony unit was the best purchase and had the latest maps and software available. Bluetooth is the excellent. You can pair as many phones as you want and then select one for use. I still have not figure out how to work the gesture command- I will call Sony-no big deal. Directions are great and it rerouting is fast (after I preformed a firmware update.) POI search is the best that I have seen and gives the latest phone number on the screen to call from the gps. If you like a gadget with a lot features this is for you. Non technical persons could be overtake by all the functions but should be able to use the basics to get from point A to B Not bad for $149.99. I would recommend this device to all.

THE BEST GPS IN THE MARKET

I love this GPS,easy to use,my hand free phone calls come out extra clear,using the Fm connection is fear,"not the best",any way this unit is great for the money.

Keyword : sony+gps

Garmin nüvi 885T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct Service

Garmin nüvi 885T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with MSN Direct Service

I love everything about this GPS

This is the first time I write a review on amazon and thats because I very much loved this GPS. This GPS is excellent in every way... I have no problems with it at all... got free update for the newest version of the map and firmware... The sound is fairly loud the voice recognition works great even with my English accent as English is my 2nd language... Buy It You Will Not Regret also buy the (Garmin Portable Friction Dashboard Mount) Instant of the windshield mount that comes with it the Friction Mount is much better.

Amazing unit!

I did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews regarding all of the top gps units, but always kept coming back to Garmin! I own two Garmin GPS units, one for my bicycle, and a hand held, and have had great experiences with them both. This unit does exactly what it says with very little complaints from me! The basics, such as maps and directions, have been great...has not let me down with directions and quickly recalculating when needed. The extra stuff that this unit offers is what I bought this for, such as the MSN goodies. The traffic is great, sice I live in a servicing area, Albany NY, it is accurate and timely (although we typically do not have the bad traffic as other cities), the weather is a nice touch, with the radar being a cool thing to show off! The gas prices, movies, airport all work well and are another great feature. I was able to upload the current map software from my laptop at home with no problem, and I will probably buy the map update option as well. The hands free is amazing, just a touch of a button with the device mounted on my steering wheel and I can control every aspect of the unit, and it works great even in my fairly loud Honda Civic. I love this feature, it allows you to toggle through menu's or go directly to what you want in a touch of a button, never taking your eyes off the road. I use the fm transmitter becuase I use the music player, and have no complaints. I have no problems getting a good FM signal, I just 106.9 and it is loud and clear. The music player works great too, and I can access it via hands free as well! The music will fade down and the voice of the GPS will chime in over to inform you of where you need to be going. I also use the bluetooth works great with my iPhone. When my unit is turned on it automatically connects to my phone, and it works great to make calls, imports the phone book, and you can use hands free to find a number to call. I am not able to access text messenging via the GPS, but that's no big deal for me. I did have a problem with the mount falling off of my window a few times, but making sure it is clean and moistening it a bit seemed to do the trick. We are taking a long car trip in a few weeks, looking forward to seeing how it handles then, we are traveling through a lot of MSN coverage areas, so I look forward to seeing how it makes the transitions and displays traffic and weather. I'll repost when I get back. Great unit, amazing capabilities, and a lot of fun!

Otherwise beautiful GPS ruined by poor telephone implementation

If you are like most people who use a GPS in their cars, you will want one that allows you to talk on your cell phone through the GPS. Just buy one that has blue tooth, right? Unlike on my prior GPS, the Nuvi 680, my Blackberry Storm coupled with the Nuvi 885T sounds terrible, like the voices are under water. Although other features like lane assist and voice commands are major improvements over prior generations, the phone sound quality makes this a major disappointment.

A Great Unit

Over the years, I've owned nine Garmin GPS units. I've used them for sailing, hiking, horseback riding, geocaching, driving a charter bus and limousines, and on my own vehicles. Based on my experience and Garmin's support, I don't even consider any other brand. But I still do my homework before I buy any unit. My wife and I usually find ourselves deciding to do something or go somewhere while we're already driving, so I thought the voice recognition Nuvi 885T would be a good idea. But I was concerned about reviews stating the unit's volume was too low and the remote didn't fit steering wheels. I also noted the mention of a free map update that wasn't. I telephoned Garmin, and as always, spoke with an American speaking English without an accent. They took the time to explain the volume controls to me and warned that there were two volume controls. They also took the time to measure the opening of the remote so I felt comfortable it would fit on my car. I bought the unit. The unit worked perfectly right out of the box and I was amazed at how fast it acquired satellites inside my house. The quick start instructions are well written and easy to follow and I soon had the unit connected to the internet and Garmin so its software could be updated, and the map could be updated as well - free. I can also update the map free again if Garmin updates the map within 60 days after the first update. The remote also fit the leather-bound steering wheel on my 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport with room to spare. We found the volume on the unit adequate as long as the radio wasn't turned up too loud. Then we had fun with the unit. It works as advertised and it solved our problem of inputting destinations while we were driving without leaning forward to touch the screen. The lane assist pictures are awesome, but I wished they would stay on the screen just a little longer (so I could show them off). The roadway speed limits on the screen are great. We even got a traffic alert from MSN without a destination programmed into the unit. The only disappointment I had so far is that Garmin is allowing customers to download its Eco-routing software free, but it's not compatible with the Nuvi 885T - yet.

Cutting edge as of March, 2009

I wrote a scathing review on the Garmin 785t. A Garmin CSR replaced the original 785t with a new 785t which was worse. In a surprise move, they replaced the second 785t with the 885t. This unit is awesome and I very highly recommend it. In our family we have a Garmin 250 and a 880. The 885t's voice recognition is superior to the 880. Satellite acquisition is on par with the fastest of my experience and the need for recalculating was recognized within 2 seconds of passing the recommended turn. Graphics are top drawer and in my opinion, well superior to Tom Tom (before buying a Tom Tom, monitor the current suit brought by Microsoft against Tom Tom for OS patent infringement). I am also pleased at the responsiveness of Garmin's CSR staff. All I did was explain the continuing problems and they spontaneously offered the 885t as a replacement. At a time when customer service is suffering from reduced staff due to budget cuts, Garmin did the right thing here and have won a loyal customer for now. The nuvi 885t is a cutting edge unit at a fair market price. Will likely retire the 250 in place of a second 885t shortly.

Keyword : garmin

Sony NVU44 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech (Gun Metallic)

Sony NVU44 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Text-to-Speech (Gun Metallic)

poor performance

I have purchased it as we have a second car after just moving to another state...boy i regret this purchase. In comparison to my Garmin 360 it's like night and day. this sony will guide you through 20 mp/h streets through one family houses neighborhood while there is a highway right next to it, and i'm talking miles of driving. we use it ONLY if it's absolutely necessary. Luckily for me o got it on sale for ~$80 but even then i would recommend to pay a bit more and get garmin instead.

GREAT GPS!

Im a first time GPS owner but I have had this little thing for a few months now and it is indispensable. Don't let its small size fool you, this thing can do just about everything. The only complaint I could make is that the directory for entertainment, food, is largely incomplete. Overall this thing is really great, but I got this product for about $100 elsewhere.

OLD MAP

I bought this GPS thinking it was coming with a SUPER SUCTION CUP mount which would not require a dashboard adhesive disk in order to mount it on the dash. Wrong, unlike the description says, it came with regular windshield suction cup and adhesive disk. So, I'd have to mount it on my windshield and wipe the ring mark off before getting off my car to avoid jerks breaking my car's window to steal gps. Disappointded, but not a huge problem, I thought. My biggest disappointment came from the fact that it came with old map which seem to be several years old and what's worse is that Sony seems not to be willing to update it any time soon. It failed to accept the house numbers of buildings such as 24 hour fitness that I've been going for the last 2 years. Also, POI does not find the WAL-MART which opened more than 2 years ago. It looks like Sony is selling the device with a 2006 map data. I've been using this for 3 days, and I am returning it tomorrow.

Great GPS

Pros: Text to Speech, Split Screen at intersections, Accuracy.... SONY Cons: None so far Having owned 2 TomTom Ones 2nd Editions that did not have Text to Speech, I decided to buy something that did and was fortunate to be able to find 2 of these NV-U44 units last week. I think I bought the last 2 in Jacksonville, FL. I had originally bought 2 of the larger NV-U94T's for $155 each new with the 4.8 inch screen. I thought that they just took up too much room when mounted. Granted, the U94T performed perfectly and the picture was great, but after giving more thought to the fact that I had no need for the Bluetooth or optional monthly fee traffic features, I decided to go with this less expensive little brother Sony U44. While I was impressed with the 94T, the U44 is like the 94T, but in a 3.5" display without Traffic and Bluetooth. The maps are the same as the 94T and are version 2008. That means they have current maps for now, but as new roads are being built....what is current today will be obsolete tomorrow. With the prices of a GPS being driven downward at an astronomical rate, it is almost as cheap in some cases to buy a new unit than to pay to upgrade maps. The text to speech is very nice. You can put it in a cupholder if you want and let it instruct you on turns without even having to mount it on the dash or windshield to view. The U44 is very accurate in directions, speed , mileage and ETA. The touchscreen is responsive. I use a rubber tipped stylus pen from my PDA to speed up the process and tap the numbers, etc. That helps since my fingers are big and I can tap one key at a time much faster. If you are looking for a great GPS, you will not go wrong with this unit. My gut feeling is that Sony is getting out of the GPS business. They had these on their website for $79.99 and their other units reduced anywhere from 50% to 70% within 5 months of coming out in production. All have been cleared out and posted as no longer available. I bought mine new for $59.99 each(regular price $249.99), but I suspect that since Sony no longer carries them that the price is being driven up on the web. I see them ranging in price online from $69 to $250.

Excellent Navigator

The Sony NVU44 is excellent. It is accurate and easy to use. I use it daily at home in Ohio and it worked perfectly on a recent vacation to Hawaii.

Keyword : sony+gps

Garmin Colorado 300 Bilingual Handheld GPS Unit with North American Maps

Garmin Colorado 300 Bilingual Handheld GPS Unit with North American Maps

Colorado 300 is a Good Value for the Money.

I have had a lot of experiences with GPS units and systems. It seems that a lot of people are expecting too much from these inexpensive GPS units. None of the relatively low cost handhelds that I have used or tried come with detailed maps. You are not going to be able to get Google Earth levels of detail in a handheld GPS, at least not today. With optional map software you can get good details of limited areas. That said, I do take issue with every handheld GPS manufacturer's inference that useable Maps are included with their units. The Garmin 300 is described as "with North American Maps". True but it will only show Main Roads. If you were expecting your street to show up, you will be disappointed. I knew this would be the case so I did not factor the lack of detail into my rating score. I bought it for accuracy, a useable compass and primarily for tracking while trail riding. The Colorado 300 that I bought worked properly right out of the box. It quickly acquired satellites and determined position correctly. I never had to use the manual, all the functions were easy to use and understand (but probably not for a novice GPS user). I really like the menu wheel and its functionality. Easy and quick to get to any of the functions and settings. One function that worked much better than early GPS units was the Compass. The Compass in the Colorado works in any position, all the others that I had with a Compass required it be level to the ground. I am surprised that one reviewer said they were able to use an 8gb SD card as Garmin says the Colorado 300 will only accept a 4gb non-HC SD card. Garmin said that HC SD cards are unreliable if used in the Colorado 300. I cannot find a 4gb non-HC SD card, Garmin's response was to use a 2gb non-HC SD Card. At this point though, I am not planning on buying any additional map software but perhaps later.

Just What I Expected

I've been using GPS for quite a few years now. I actually started off learning on Survey Grade GPS (for work of course), and it peaked my interest and before long I had received my first consumer grade GPS. Since then I have went through several models with my most recent purchase being the Garmin Colorado 300. For me, the price was right, and since I already owned the Garmin MapSource TOPO maps, it didn't make much since to purchase a higher model with the same maps already included. I have used the unit for a couple of weeks now, and feel I have gotten in enough use to write a short review. Initial impressions of the unit out of the box where that it looks well constructed, with a large screen, and easy to get to buttons. I quickly installed the batteries, and let it find it's first satellites and get it's location. I then proceeded to go through the menus, locating where everything was, and getting myself acquainted with the GPS. I found it to be fairly intuitive, easy to use, and the menus were easy to locate. I actually learned to navigate through everything fairly quickly. I suspect it has something to do with previous use of GPS units, and being somewhat familiar with basic GPS menu configurations. Some of my friends who have previous GPS experience also found navigating the menus of the unit to be fairly easy as well. For someone new to GPS, I can understand all the new icons, menus, shortcuts, etc. being intimidating or confusing. It is a little more than a turn on and play type device, something I think many people have gotten use to from using digital cameras, MP3 players, and other user friendly electronics. A first use with a GPS can be a little tough, there are a lot of new terms and ideas to learn, but it's an easy learning curve that only takes a short time to begin to understand. The basemap was just what I expected. I'm afraid that many of the disappointments in GPS unit basemaps are that many people expect map levels found in dedicated navigation units. Something that will be hard to find in a handheld recreational use unit. Different uses require different maps, and it's always going to be hard to satisfy everyone. Something that Garmin is itself working on, with the 400t, 400c, and 400i units. You can now by hand held GPS units that have included topo maps, coastal maps, and inland lake and river maps. A huge step up from having to buy a GPS unit, and then buy a separate set of maps to load to the GPS. I, myself, already owned the separate TOPO maps, so just purchased the base model. I found that loading the maps to the GPS was fairly easy and straight forward. Once loaded the maps are rendered very nicely, with 3-d views also available. I have also been able to run Pocket Queries from [...] and load the GPX file that [...] sends directly to the Colorado. Making Paperless geocaching a snap. I found the process rather easy, and it adds a whole new spin to geocaching. With just the press of a button I have the cache details in front of me, and with another press of a button I can look at the past five logs, or the hint. So far, this has been one of the greatest features of the GPS. The only real downfall I have with the GPS is battery life. I only got about 10 hours out of a set of Duracell AA Alkalines. A real drop considering I'm use to getting close to 30 hours out of my eTrex Legend HCx on the same type of batteries. I have since bought a set of rechargeable 2500 maH Ni-MH batteries to use, and have been seeing better times out of those. In general my likes are: large screen size, uses regular SD Card, Geocaching capabilities, the ease of use after the small learning curve. Dislikes: Short battery life, screen can be hard to see at times with backlight off. I would (and have) recommend this GPS to my friends.

Great Product

This a great gps if you are out there camping or simply on the road this you may want to buy.

Not as good as Expected

Product i received had problem staying up. It abruptly shutdown without warning fewminutes after power up. Amazon sent me a replacement. The replacement fared better But after a couple of days wouldn't work saying "Cannot find system software" OR "Missing system software". I am trying to work it out with the customer support.

New generation of Garmin GPSs

I've used two other Garmin outdoor GPS before and I was expecting this new device. After a month of using, I'm almost decided to switch back to Garmin 60 CSx. Colorado +: - display - gc listings - holders (car, bike) - wig Colorado -: - battery consumption - gc listings (listing is sometimes bad formated) - roller, buttons, menus (60 CSx is much more powerful and faster to control, search...) So if you need listings/wig then buy Colorado. In case having PDA or smartphone, take 60 CSx...

Keyword : garmin

Garmin nüvi 500 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin nüvi 500 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin 500 - Very Nice

The Nuvi 500 hundred works very well in the car and on the trail. The "Where Am I" function is very useful for saving the current location or for finding near by intersections and emergency services. The included topo maps are great for hiking and driving. I bought the Nuvi 500 because I like to hike and sometimes I need to drive to a coordinate instead of an address (rural locations or geocaching). The detail is amazing. If you need a multifunction GPS, I would give the Nuvi 500 a try.

Best value for an allround GPS

I puchased this unit for mountain biking as well as driving. I am happy to say that it does both very well. The mapping is great. It's waterproof. I couldn't be happier with the unit.

An Excellent Multi-Functional GPS

Let me start by saying that I currently own and use several different GPS units: Garmins Nuvi 750, Colorado 400t, Rino 130 (a pair) and a Dash Express (I've also owned Garmins 2720, 2820, Nuvi 350, and a 60CSx in the recent past). I have so many of them because I use them for different purposes: * Automobile navigation: I travel all over the country and always take a GPS with me for use in my rental cars. * Walking in urban areas: I love to stroll around great cities and a good GPS not only keeps me from getting lost, it helps me to find areas of interest. * Hiking in rural areas: As a birdwatcher I find a hand-held GPS receiver essential. Getting lost in the desert or the woods is no fun at all. * Bicycling: I love to just bike and then try to figure out how to get home later. A GPS makes it easy to find my way back. * Geocaching: A wonderful hobby that involves finding things that others have hidden using coordinates posted on the web. A GPS is an absolute necessity if you want to do this. So, why did I buy yet another Garmin, the Nuvi 500? It is a part of my eternal search for one GPS receiver that is appropriate for all of these endeavors. It is important to understand that no GPS is perfect, nor is any one model ideal for everything. However, some accomplish some tasks well but are useless for others. The Nuvi 500 (and it's brother the 550) are useful for all of my needs. Instead of comparing it to other models that are more specialized, let me grade the Nuvi 500 in how well in works ,right out-of-the-box, for each task that I wanted it for: * Automobile navigation: C+ There are much better units for this purpose if that is all you are going to use it for. Still, it gets you there. One major feature that I miss in the Nuvi 500 is Text-To-Speech (or TTS). This is where the unit pronounces the names of streets and roads. With it a GPS will say "Turn right on Broadway Street". Without TTS is will say "Turn right at the next street". However, the unit will give you the street name in writing on the GPS display screen. TTS is not something that I need when walking or bicycling, but it is really helpful when driving as it is not always easy to read and drive. Also, the display is somewhat small, especially if the dash is deep and far from the driver. Although you can buy an optional FM traffic receiver, some units, like the Dash Express, have this feature built-in, plus it can connect via the internet and get real-time traffic info. My Garmin 2820 has built in satellite radio, however it is pretty big and needs to be plugged in. * Walking in urban areas: A Here is where the Nuvi 500 shines. First, it is small enough to fit in a pocket (although I do wish that it was thinner) yet it's big enough to see the display without squinting. However, my favorite feature is the user-switchable batteries. Most GPS receivers use built-in rechargeable batteries; nice but when they run down you either have to find a place to plug it in and recharge it or you are stuck without a usable GPS. The Garmin Nuvi 500's back opens up and the expended battery can be swapped out with a fresh one. This is a HUGE benefit for anyone using a GPS in any place other than a car. Another nice feature for the urban tourist is that you can download photos from a special web-site and not only see them on the Nuvi it will give directions to where the photo was taken. Cool. * Hiking in rural areas: B The Nuvi is not as ergonomic as those units designed to be hand held. It is a flat, rectangular device without a textured surface, still it is very usable outdoors. What I like about the 500 is that it comes loaded with both City Navigator and Garmin's Topo Map (the 550 does has more North American coverage but does not have topographical coverage). Both units feature "digital elevation model" (DEM) mapping which shows you shaded contours at higher zoom levels, however, the Topo maps will show much, much more. Details like elevations, streams, small bodies of water, trails, landmarks and many other features that can really be useful when you are out in the boonies. * Bicycling: A I had my Garmin Colorado mounted on my Trek 7300 bike and although it looked funny (I have photos of it on Amazon's Colorado 400t page) it worked O-K. Still, it did not come with the same type of street maps that the Nuvi does (I could have purchased it for about $100 and downloaded it onto the Colorado if I wanted to) and it was not as intuitive to use as the Nuvis are. Also, the Nuvi 500 really looks nice on my handlebars. Since it is waterproof (as is the Colorado) you don't have to worry about a rainstorm. * Geocaching: B+ If you haven't geocached and don't ever plan on doing it then you might want to skip this part of my review. However, if you are on of the many thousands that enjoy this growing hobby (over 600,000 geocaches have been placed worldwide) this is a GPS that can take you from your driveway to the cache and back effortlessly. Like the Colorado (and similar models such as the Oregon) you can download cache information directly to the GPS. Other Garmins can download the coordinates but the Nuvi 500 (and the 550) will display the cache information, hints, logs and just about everything that you need to successfully find what you are looking for. You can also record the results of your search (found, did not find, needs repair, etc.) for later transfer to the geocaching website. I've used the Nuvi 500 to find caches and it took me right to it. I'll still use my Colorado but if I only want to take one GPS with me, it'll be the 500. Additional things that I like: The Nuvi 500 lets you change your mode of travel (car, bike or on-foot) from the main page. It will then customize you directions based on your mode of transport icon (for instance, you can navigate one-way streets much differently on bike or on foot vs. by car). Another nice touch is when you choose a destination a little tab slides out from the "Go!" icon on the screen which shows your Usage Mode (car, bike, etc.) the Distance and the Time based on your chosen mode of travel. My 750 does not have this feature. Another thing that I like is that you can easily program the Nuvi 500 for on-road or off-road use. If you are traveling on foot you are not restricted to directions that require you to stick to the streets. Somethings that I am not crazy about: The specs list the battery life as "up to" 8 hours. I set the backlight to 50% and got 5 hours of use. Still very usable and with a second battery (which I bought with the unit and highly recommend) you can get 10 hours of continuous use without needing to recharge it or turn off the backlight completely. I also wish that the housing had a textured finish on the outside edge, giving you something to help you to keep your grip. One final gripe: I can understand why Garmin does not include the AC charger with other Nuvi models but this one should really come with one. After all, it's billed as a multifunctional GPS, not an automotive GPS. I am very happy with my new Garmin. I will be recommending this unit to all of my geocaching, birdwatching and bicycling friends. If you're are looking for a GPS that does it all, so far this one is the best. UPDATE 12/03/08: The price has dropped a couple of hundred dollars since I purchased it only a month ago. Now the value is even better! Grab it while you can. TR

Amazing Crossover Device

Alright, so it could've had save-able tracks and it is NOT an Oregon for off-road but it is an amazing crossover system. I have uploaded 500 geocaches using the premium member feature from Geocaching.com: Pocket Queries. I set a point in a field behind my house using Google earth and then sent the coordinates via USB cable to the Nuvi 500. It got me within 20 feet. Not too bad, I would say. Even tiny family owned local stores show up on the Nuvi 500 maps. Its super easy to switch between road maps and the topo map feature, just click off of the road map to switch to touch navigated topo maps. The more you zoom in, the more POI's show up. As far as i can tell Garmin loaded every POI my hometown has to offer and if it isn't on the map, chances are you can search for it on the Nuvi 500 and find it. It's perfect for me, a young driver, going off to college with big interests in being out of doors and also wanting turn-by-turn directions to get where im going. I'm a new Geocahcer and the dedicated Geocaching feature seems flawless. At time the Nuvi 500 seems a little bogged down with processing information but settings of detail levels can help speed up the process. The compass feature seems to work decently, however i rarely us it, relying instead, on zooming in on the topo map as i get closer to a geocache to find my way. The Nuvi 500 hooks up to my Mac, is quickly recognized and then opens as a removable mass-storage device with just under 1GB of free space. (500 .GPX files takes up only 5-600Kb). There is a picture viewer, you can send addresses and coordinates from google maps straight to the device and the street level mapping even in large cities seems flawless. No new maps or major firmware updates are available yet. Overall, it is an amazing system and worth every 385$ i spent on it. (much cheaper than 500$ at best buy).

Keyword : garmin

Holux GPSmile 52 Voice GPS Navigation System with US & Canada Map, MP3 player, photo viewer.

Holux GPSmile 52 Voice GPS Navigation System with US & Canada Map, MP3 player, photo viewer.

Great bang for the buck, you just have to work a little for it

The GPSmile 52+ is a device that, on the surface, seems mediocre at best. The hardware itself is a gem, easily on a par with PNAs costing twice as much or more. There are no bells and whistles (Bluetooth integration, subscription-based traffic updates, etc) but the machine includes the venerable SIRFstar III receiver, a battery that actually lives up to its advertised capacity, and just a solid, high-quality overall feel. What really handicaps this unit out-of-the-box is the provided Smart2Go map suite. The software itself isn't bad - directions are reasonably good (though GPS directions should NEVER be completely relied upon no matter how good or expensive the unit) and the information display on the map screen is nice and complete. However, the maps themselves are terribly lacking in detail and the street names, which are squeezed into each road illustration using a small font, are almost unreadable with the GPSmile attached to your windshield. Ditto that for the compass, now that I think about it. That nice, complete information display also blocks up much of the screen to the left of your position cursor so unless you zoom way out (which makes the street names even harder to read) you can barely tell what streets are to your left until you've already passed them. The software also takes an unusually long time to calculate routes and the zoom function is very annoying - far too many zoom levels and an over-sensitive slider are a recipe for frustration. Hardware issues are much less problematic. The screen looks a little washed-out when "light" colors are on the screen (can be worked around a bit by tinkering with the backlight setting), and the GPS cold-start acquisition time is a lie (I've waited 2+ mins to get a lock before), though this seems to be a common issue not at all limited to the GPSmile. That's about it - as I said earlier, this unit is surprisingly well-made considering its price. It's obvious that Holux can sell this so cheap because they paid bottom dollar for the GPS software rather than cutting corners on the device itself. They're also apparently saving money with their "tech support," which is possibly the worst ever. No response to several emails I sent regarding map updates, which you're supposed to get one year's worth of for free, though if you're smart you won't be needing them anyway (keep reading). So after using the GPSmile with the stock software for awhile, one starts to feel like they got what they paid for - i.e. one of the cheapest PNAs on the market. But then you stumble across GPSPassion Dot Com and learn how to unlock this unit and suddenly everything changes. By simply swapping a few files on the GPSmile's SD card, you can get into the guts of the device and have it behave like kind of a stripped-down PDA. This will enable you to try virtually any navigation program that's designed to run on a WinCE 4.2 device, of which there are probably about a dozen. Route66 and Destinator 6 seem to be popular choices, though my hands-down favorite has been iGo 2006 (which is essentially the same program that comes with Mio devices as well as a few others). So in sum, if you don't want to unlock the GPSmile then you're going to get what you pay for, but if you want to spend a few minutes and upgrade to quality navigation software like iGo or R66 then you'll suddenly find yourself with a quality PNA worth about twice the amount you paid for it. Wouldn't be surprised to see this device building somewhat of a cult following before long. Good luck and enjoy!

With a little tweaking this is a great unit!

I appreciate everyone who writes a thoughtful review. Consumers need to stick together. At this time there is only one other review of this unit on Amazon. The other reviewer had some routing difficulties that are not unique to this device. These types of routing issues have been the subject of many comedy routines. It is almost a subplot in the Robin William's movie RV. Anyone who has used one of these car navigation units can identify with the comedy. I purchased my first portable moving map GPS, a Garmin 95AVD about fifteen years ago for our airplane. Since that time I have used several types of later generation units. Laptop based GPS software, and even moving map software that runs on my phone. While there are major differences between the units... everyone that I have ever used comes up with routes that must be overidden by the common sense portion of my brain. To me the software that comes on GPSmile seems about average. It is pretty easy to use, has tons of POIs (Points of Interest), the routing is not any worse than a lot of other units I have tried, it has a lot of information available on the main map page, and I actually like the slight British accent. I still admit however that I prefer some of the other mapping software. If one does a google search using the terms, "gpsmile 52 unlock", the first result that comes up today is a thread from the Gpspassion forum that tells exactly how easy it is to get to the WindowsCE operating system and install software that for me at least works better and easier. Every software package has it's own set of followers. Some actually prefer the Smart2go software that comes on the GPSmile. What you are buying here is a tiny windows computer with a sensitive GPS receiver and bright 3.5" touch screen display. Out of the box the unit has some pretty good versatillity. It also plays videos and music, and displays pictures and text files. But the thing to remember is that it is a computer and you can run what ever software you want. The software I added to the device is is just plain easier to use. It's so easy that after I demonstrated how it worked to my elderly mother... She wanted one. I purchased a second unit for my mother; she can sometimes get confused trying to find her way home. Once you add home to your favorite location list, it takes about three pushes on the touch screen menus to have the new software route you back home. It won over my wife also. This GPSmile not only has a beautiful screen, it plays video, music, and displays pictures right out of the box. With some tweaking it is capable of playing or displaying files of nearly any format. I am also adding other software. I love the device. Sometimes bigger is not better. The thing has a robust little suction cup mount that hold it in place just below our rear view mirror. The map is very readable but doesn't block your view. The thing is made in Taiwan and a reviewer on another site reported that they basically provide almost no customer support. I would ask however if anyone here has tried to call HP customer support lately? The last time I did I wasted several hours on the phone and finally had to figure the problem myself. It least with Holux I am not even tempted to try. I have one of their blue tooth GPS units also; I found the help to be almost non-existant.

No smiles for the GPSmile

On so many levels the Holux GPSmile 52 Plus looks like a winner. First is the stunningly low price. Second is all of the quality hardware. A nice 3.5 color touch screen, the wonderful SIFR III GPS chipset and a new speedy 400 MHz CPU. The sleek device even sports a hidden antenna and a battery that is reported (on the box) to last up to 10 hours. An initial look at the software suggests that it is not a slouch here either. The GPSmile 52 Plus can also be your media center with the ability to play MP3, video and even display e-books. You can customize your routes in many ways and even route multiple destinations in a single trip. Wow, this sounds like a no-brainer, right? Wrong! This is why I would not recommend this GPS unit: The unit clearly was designed for a British market. Although, the accent sounds interesting the actual language can be confusing. For instance, instead of saying "Turn right" it will say, "Next opportunity turn right." It also gives distances in yards while all other GPS units I have used give distance in feet. OK, so you saying the above is no big deal, how about this. The unit has a very strong tendency to stick to the street. When you are "off road" like in a parking lot, the unit will tell you that you are actually on the street closest to you. Sometimes these streets aren't even accessible to your vehicle leading to all sorts of confusion as the GPSmile 52 Plus will then calculate a new route based on this information and it will start to issue command like: "Turn left in 75 yards and then left." This is extremely confusing. Most other GPS units will say something like "off road" or "please proceed to the route." OK, if this doesn't bother you, how about this? The following three "experimental routes" were run. Route One. From an office building to my home, about 14 miles. The unit had been set on my regular route choice (fastest). First, it thought I was on the street instead of a parking lot and so the initial directions left out the first turn of the trip. The computer wanted to take me to the toll way (reasonable) which normally would be the fastest route. I chose to take some major streets instead as it was rush hour. Other GPS units might try to get you back to the toll way once but then recalculate the route according to the new directions. However, the Holux started to issue demands "Make a U turn" (mostly illegal where I live) and repeated it every single block for about 4 miles. I then stopped the car and cleared out the destination and asked it to recalculate. The Holux wanted me to back-track to the toll way. Here again it continually gave the command "Make a U turn in XXX yards" over and over again until I had gone about 2/3rds the way home and had passed the toll way. It was one of the most aggravating driving experiences that I can remember. I have used other GPS units in this same maneuver without any problems. Route Two. From the same office building I routed to my office about 6 miles away. This would not involve a toll way so I was sure that the GPSmile would get it. It correctly routed my trip. I made the last turn with my office about 2 miles down the street on the left. All of a sudden the Holux started to issue "in XXX yards, turn around." It did this several time which totally confused me. It was only when I reached my office that I realize that the unit wanted me to go a block past my office and make a U turn in an intersection so I would eventually be on the side of the street where my office was. This would have been an illegal and dangerous maneuver. Instead, I pulled into the parking lot at which point the GPSmile recalculated a route that ran me through several miles of residential streets. This was despite the fact that I was at the destination. What would most other units do? They would say something like, "Destination on the left." Route Three. From my office to my home, around 6 miles. I was in the middle of my large office parking lot so the unit didn't stick me on a street. However, when it calculated my route it placed me on the inaccessible residential court to the north of my office building. If I took the instructions seriously the unit would have had me drive up an embankment, through a fence and into a backyard. Then trough a house to reach the cul-de-sac. Not only useless, but dangerous direction. The GPSmile 52 Plus did not make me smile. There are may cheap GPS unit available that do work. Avoid this one.

Keyword : tom+tom

TomTom ONE Portable GPS Automobile Navigator (Refurbished)

TomTom ONE Portable GPS Automobile Navigator (Refurbished)

Greay Portable GPS for the Price!

This is one of the most featured-packed portable GPS system one can get for under $200.00. I did a lot of research and decided to buy a used or refurbished One rather than get the 3rd edition which lacks a lot of features like advanced trip planning and multiple via points. I have only been using my refurbished TOM TOM One for a week but so far so good. I highly recommend it for someone who wants a simple GPS with some advanced features that may come in handy for long road trips. It is definitely a better bargain than the Garmin Nuvi 200 or Maegellal Maestro. If you can't find a used/refurbished TomTom One or One (LE), go for the Tom Tom One XL. It is the same exact device but with a wide screen. My one complaint is that the suction cup mount arm is too short. When mounted, it is quite a stretch for me to interact with the device. I think I will have to buy a ProClip mount for it and my Jetta.

Couldn't be happier!

I bought mine retail before X-Mas, so this is not a refurb review, but as far as the unit goes, it's great! I have been using it regularly in Texas since purchase and it has always given 100% accurate directions. Easy to use, love the voice navigation and the screen is easy to see in any light (including bright sunlight). We took it on the first big family trip last week and it performed like a champ. Took me straigt to every door we asked it to. We had paper directions as a backup but never had to pull them out. I have never used the traffic on it, but for navigation it's a winner in my book!

OK operation, lousy battery life

This GPS unit works fairly well if plugged into power, but it has unacceptable battery life. I charged the battery overnight twice but it still only holds a charge for about 10 minutes. The GPS functions are good, not great. If you don't arrive at your programmed destination, you are constantly alerted to keep moving unless you program a new destination. To end a destination early, you have to go several screens into the interface - very inconvenient. I ended turning off the voice directions most of the time. I bought a refurbished unit, and I have read several negative reviews of model One refurbs since, so I suspect Tomtom dumps their inferior refurbished products back on the market. Very disappointing. I will avoid refurbs and Tomtoms from now on.

An outstanding GPS but unfortunately Refurbished units are a Crap Shoot

TomTom One is an absolute delight to use in the Northwest area. Its fast, accurate, very easy to setup, and intuitive to use. But, I had to return the first two units to get one that worked. Despite the issues noted below, I would buy a TomTom again. They are really very good at what they do when they work. The first one locked up. After two hours of online trouble shooting, TomTom sent a replacement. This one worked but had to be reset after each use or it would not start. More online troubleshooting, and finally a replacement that worked. My online search indicates that about 15% of users experience the lockups and reset problem, even on new units. One gets the impression that failed units are being recycled with little or poor refurbishing. (Perhaps their repair work is outsourced?) Very well trained & friendly online support, but other than reloading faulty software, there is little they can do but authorize a replacement. If all you want or need is a simple to use get from here to there navigation without add-on frills and entertainment, you will love the TomTom One. It makes for a fun trip. However, be prepared for frustration with refurbished units. It would be smarter and much less frustrating and very worthwhile to search for a new unit at discount.

Bait and switch

I ordered a NEW TomTom One GPS from Amazon on October 2, 2007. I was sent a refurbished unit. I emailed Amazon 4 times starting October 3 to resolve the issue and had one "I am sorry" reply. I called and was told nothing can be done on the phone. I wrote a letter to Amazon on October 8, 2007 with copies of their ad advertising a new unit. It is now November 4, 2007 and I have had no reply of any type. The unit was charged to my card within within 8 hours of the order. I have a unit I can not review because I can not open the box without losing my ability to be able to return the GPS. I have no GPS that I can use and my money is gone. Amazon has made no attempt to reply to me in a month. No real service available. Careful what you buy - they do not reply. NO REAL REVIEW OF THE UNIT AFTER A MONTH AS I CAN NOT USE THE UNIT UNTIL THIS DISPUTE IS RESOLVED. EWB

Keyword : tomtom

Navigon 2000S 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Navigon 2000S 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Navigation is reliable, but the unit has some issues

I bought the 2090s from Radio Shack. It is simply a re-branded 2000s. One reason I chose it was the included two year subscription for "Fresh Maps". Having accurate maps is essential and map updates are expensive, so the two year subscription has significant value. My unit came with a windshield mount, dashboard mount, car charger and USB cable. The latter is needed for installing map updates and can also be used for charging the unit. Regarding charging, at first it seemed like I had a bad battery until I learned that there's a difference between putting the unit into "sleep mode" (a quick button push) and turning it off. Sleep mode will save the current state, so if you're in the middle of navigating somewhere and make a stop the unit will pick up where it left off when you're back on the road. Sleep mode though continues to draw power from the battery. To prevent the battery from going flat you have to press and hold down the power button for 5-10 seconds - then the unit will properly turn off. This is not convenient and it is not explained in the minimal documentation. I learned about it by searching the support section of the navigon web site. I find the navigation function very accurate. I've been testing by programming local destinations and observing the route choices. The GPS does not always choose what I think are the best roads so sometimes I ignore it and it quickly recalculates the route. The map display is pretty bland much of the time which I think is good (less distracting). However it kicks in the color and animation during special transitions such as approaching freeway junctions. The display and voice commands are very specific about which lanes to use to stay on route, and the timing of voice cues is accurate. The screen has a day and night mode. The brightness for each mode can be set separately, and the night mode uses darker maps which is easier on the eyes. The switch between day and night modes can be set to "automatic" however the time cannot be set. The unit switches at 6 AM and 6 PM, and that doesn't correspond well with actual sunrise and sunset times. Fortunately, you can just touch the screen and instantly switch from one mode to the other. The only function that the 2090s handles poorly is "points of interest". It nicely displays POI icons on the map as you drive, so it's easy to pick up on gas stations, restaurants, etc. nearby, however it is not possible to search the POI database using the names of specific locations. For instance, if I want to find a Starbucks in my area I can't just enter the name. I have to drill down through category menus. If I choose the wrong category I don't find the listing even though it is in the database. Starbucks is easy because there's a "cafe" category, but other stores do not clearly fall into the listed categories. This is really frustrating and if the "points of interest" feature is important to you I would consider this a deal breaker. Generally I'm happy with the unit since I primarily use it for navigation, but I'm only giving it three stars because of the poor "points of interest" feature, the lack of included documentation and sleep/battery issue.

Cant ask for much more in an entry level GPS.

I was concerned with reviews of previous navigon models, however after hearing that some of the interface and response problems had been corrected in the new navigon line, I decided to give it a shot. This is a sleek, intuitive unit. It acquires a signal very quickly, calculates routes quickly and gives great voice commands and directions. I like to set my navigon to "fast route" as opposed to optimum or shortest route. The interface is easy to use and its easy to enter destinations. I calibrated the touch screen with a stylus and it is very sensitive. Smart speller is a great time saving feature. Auto day/night mode is also very handy. Reality view and lane assist are excellent navigation tools which I want in any navigation system I purchase in the future. My only major gripe with this model is that it is NOT compatable with lifetime traffic subscriptions according to Navigon USA. There is no USB to USB mini cable included for charging with the PC, but I already had one handy. If you want lifetime traffic, go with the 2200t. I got my 2000s for under 100 [...] but im thinking about upgrading. Im going to stick with this product line. It would be perfect for me if I only had traffic capabilities I would give it five stars.

Good unit with a lot of futures

The Navigon 2000S offers advanced lane guidance and other visual aids for complicated intersections. The portable navigation device also has text-to-speech functionality and improved general performance. Satellite acquisition somteimes is a little slow

Looks great on the screen but is lacking a lot.

I took a chance on this having no reviews yet. That was a huge mistake. 1. It will only charge when the car is running and mine would not hold a charge more than 60 sec. and it would turn off. 2. You don't get a USB cable so it can charge in the house. 3. They don't have tech support for this as it is the bottom of the line. I did get a guy to talk to me who told me mine was a dud and to order up a few models. 4. I tried to set it to take me home and it missed each turn and told me after we passed the street that now I needed to turn. 5. this one had no instruction manual in the box. there is a quick start card but it tells you nothing about how to assemble the mount and attatch the unit. You have to download it at the site. 6. You have to pay $99 fee for road updates via the internet but as I said you get no cable to do that with. So mine had to go back the same day it arrived. I did find another brand that is 95 five star reviews and went with that one as it comes with everything you need the USB cable, A/C adapter CD ROM, car charger, window and dash mount and instructions.

Keyword : navigon

Garmin nüvi 265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Garmin nüvi 265WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

The Garmin 265WT is awesome

I really don't have much to add that hasn't already been said in the other 5 star reviews. The Garmin 265WT is a great GPS that is very user friendly.

Has some cripling functionality, but overall does what it is supposed to do

This GPS is fairly easy to use for a person that is somewhat intelligent. Meaning if you give it to a person who does not easily get along with electronics, person may have to read the manual couple of times as not everything is obvious. The menus, they are easy for someone that ever used a cell phone, but could have been simpler as some features I find burred within menus and require several clicks to get to. The construction of the unit looks good and not cheap. The best feature so far was Bluetooth which sounded pretty good for me and worked without any problems. The one thing to mention is if you dial the wrong number, hitting the hang up / disconnect button does not work until someone already picks up the phone on the other side, so about 5-10 seconds delay, oops :). I have used it first time on a local highway, going to a nearby furniture store. It took me the longer route as instead of making a right and a left into the shopping mall, it had me drive past it then all the way around, adding about 2 miles and extra 10 minutes in traffic. It did the same thing going from the store back to the house, so instead of making a right out of the mall and left onto the highway, all within 200 yards, it had me make a left and drive in a huge roundabout which was very frustrating. When driving on the straight road that I need to travel on for about 10 miles, there are no splits as it is a straight highway, it keeps telling me go straight 2 miles, then in two miles it will change and say go straight 1.5 miles, very annoying and hard to tell when to change lanes if unsure of where you are going. Last thing to mention which is a huge drag on the usefulness of the unit is that you CANNOT select East or West streets, meaning if you wanted to drive to 1 East Main Street, the unit puts you into 1 West Main Street automatically, and there is no way to tell it otherwise. As a workaround I ended up using the map to add a point where I thought that address would be and then the unit routed me just fine. So my suggestion is to look these up on Google maps first then enter the destination on the map before leaving the house. When coming out of my house, it maps the directions correctly, but then it puts me off the road on the map and keep telling to get to the local road that is about 3 turns, and 1/2 mile away, so if I were lost in the local street where i live I would be really displeased. Once I get to the highway, it starts working just fine. Overall, it is not a bad unit if you need it to navigate a familiar route in traffic (cause it has free service) or getting to a new destination without having to print Google maps, and be able to locate nearby points of interest when already on the go. It does have several good features and several malfunctioning ones as well, most of which should be possible to correct with a software update, if Garmin were to acknowledge and release working fixes this would be the best and most affordable unit with a feature set that is indispensable in every GPS.

So far so good...

I bought this for my boyfried for Christmas so he hasn't used it yet but I can say that I was told it would take approx. 5 days to arrive and I got it in 2! He specifically requested this model after doing some research so I have no doubt it will live up to expectations.

I din't think I had this much to say......hope it helps

I like this product. The screen is easy to see and understand. getting around the menu seems to be a challenge at times, I'm sure that if I could find the owners manual it would help me figure this out. The list of points of interest was fairly complete, it even had the general store / gas station in my SMALL town. I used this to travel from NH to Va (Norfolk) and wanted to go the way it told me to, but it sure would be nice to be able to change the route beforehand, if desired. The traffic updates feature was nice but I have not been able to use this info to aviod the problem area yet (I've really only used this on the one trip. I'm sure I will continue to learn to use all these features along the way.) I bought this model because I had used A Nuvi 350 for the same trip earlier in the year and was inpressed with that model but decided that this model had more features which I would like as I learn to use them. On some roads the speed limit shown on the screen does not match the posted speed limit, I doubt that Garmin will cover the speeding ticket.... Overall I trust the Garmin brand, my handheld GPS is a Garmin and it has worked great for Hunting, boating, snowmobiling, etc. In the future I plan to continue to purchase Garmin porducts, not that I hope to need any for a while.

Got me to all the addresses

I bought this GPS to use when I went on a house hunting trip to Panama City FL. It found all the addresses that I entered, inclucing some new streets (less than 2 years old). Pros: Found all the addresses. Cons: The new I-10 bridge from Pensacola to Milton, has been in place for about 3 1/2 years, and it showed me driving over water. Hwy 331 was reworked last year and it showed me in the woods, and kept trying to tell me find the road, nagging me bad. Other thoughs: You have to get used to the voice it uses. It has trouble with French names here in Biloxi. Big screen helps you when driving and trying to find an adress. Closing thoughs: I have a another GPS unit that I haved used and I like this one better. Got a good deal on it.

Keyword : garmin

Navigon 8100T 4.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Free Traffic Alerts

Navigon 8100T 4.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Free Traffic Alerts

Very Disapointed in This Unit

Navigon 8100T 4.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Free Traffic Alerts I had high hopes for this unit, I admired the panarama views and thought that this might be a good replacement for my Garmin Nuvi, I recieved the unit, very minimal instructions come with the unit, If you do purchase one download the full manual from the Navigon website. I followed instructions and first message I recived was APP Navigon.exe has performed an illegal error, not a good sign, I ok'd that message turned unit off and then back on again and got an memory allocation failure. left unit off all night called Navigon tech support the next morning and all they could do was send me a new SD card. I was needing the GPS that day for a road trip so I passed on that and just decided to return to Amazon. I wont say that you will have problems out of the box like I did but I was very disapointed in this unit.

Too many resets

I had this product for a little over two weeks and during that time I had to do a soft reset 4 times. The first time the bluetooth stopped communicating with my cell phone. The second time I had to reset it to get satellite acquisition. The third time was to get the speaker to work. The straw that broke the camel's back was when it started speaking in German even though it was set to English. A soft reset was needed again. I gave up and returned it today. Too bad, I really wanted to like this product but navigon couldn't give me a satisfactory answer.

Good Image Worst product

I bought 3 units of the navigon 8100T. Each unit can not receive the signal after at least 15 minutes driving. The worst one needs to wait 45 minutes. I have to reset every time to avoid the problem. The battery power ca not last long. I have to return then all.

A little GPS with big features

I've had a chance to play with the Navigon 8100T and it seems to be a solid performer. Graphically speaking, it features a graphics accelerator that allows for almost smooth scrolling in 3D mode and even more smooth scrolling in 2D mode. The visuals are very good, especially the 3D Panorama view where you can see surrounding mountains or hills in perspective with 3D shading. In 2D mode, the display is crystal clear with a lot of detail. One of the few gripes that I have is that the fonts chosen aren't the best and sometimes hard to read. Another is that the POIs aren't always easy to find if you do not know the exact city their located in. Fortunately, there is a feature called Direct Address which allows you to set up three POI categories for direct lookup without need of knowing the city. Upon choosing one of those direct address POIs, it will return all of that category that it has in its database for the surrounding area. The 8100T features millions more POIs than its 7200T relative (one of the glaring weaknesses of the 7200T), so consequently, there are POIS all over the place on your display if you are zoomed in at maximum. There are 32 categories of POIs each with its own icon, and fortunately you can choose which of these categories you want to appear on your display so that you are not inundated with them. The unit features an autozoom which zooms out the faster you travel and vice versa. The traffic features from TMC are very good. When the unit picks up on a traffic delay, they unit notifies you with an on screen icon with distance from the delay, plus a voice announcement. You also have a choice whether you want to be rerouted around the delay area. I'm not sure if this was a bug or something, but I was traveling on a surface street and the unit told me that there was a traffic delay ahead and wanted to reroute me away from it... I didn't think that they tracked surface street delays. The unit features quick recalculations and a choice of fastest time, optimum time & distance, and shortest distance routes. The routing seemed all right with no weird directions. It pretty much tries to route you in a straight line if it can depending on your routing choices. Bluetooth pairing was a little flaky when I tried going to it from my Palm Treo 700p. Apparently it has to be done a certain way otherwise it will not pair. I had to open my phone to discovery, then when the Navigon saw the phone, it asks you to input any 4 digit code. You then have to input the exact same code into the phone otherwise it will fail. All in all, this is a very promising device. If Navigon takes the suggestions given to it to heart, many of the weaknesses could be fixed. Personally I would like Navigon to add the 3D Landscape view that the 7200T has. The graphics system would easily be able to handle it. I don't know why Navigon chose to not include that in the 8100T (they probably thought the 3D Panorama view was enough). An interesting sidenote of sorts.... Since this device runs Windows CE, some enterprising individuals added Windows CE Explorer to it and then was able to load other GPS software like iGo, TomTom, and Mio to it and be able to select which one they wanted to run. See this link here at YouTube: [...] After playing with the 8100T, I would recommend it.

Device reboots when you try to enter Navigation mode

Device reboots when you try to enter Navigation mode. I have emailed Navigon to see if a fix exists or if they will replace the item, but have not gotten any response yet.

Keyword : navigon