GPS reviews, news, tips, tricks and deals
Update: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 1490T review.
The Garmin nuvi 1490T was announced today, a 5-inch wide version of the recently unveiled 1200 and 1300 series units. This will be a relatively high-end model, with lifetime traffic alerts, lane assist / junction view and Bluetooth. It also brings something to the table not found on the 1200/1300 models – multi-destination routing.
UPDATE: The Magellan eXplorist 710, introduced in the fall of 2010, is another dual-use unit worthy of consideration.
UPDATE 2: Garmin has a new dual use entry with their Garmin Montana series.
I want a GPS that does it all; this has got to be one of the most frequent requests I hear.
Several companies have tried to create GPS receivers that will work well on the road or in your hand — for backcountry use, geocaching or what have you. The latest example is the Garmin nuvi 500 series, pictured above at left.
UPDATE: Read our hands-on Magellan RoadMate 1470 review. I’ve also posted a page for the Magellan RoadMate 1440.
It’s official now; Magellan has introduced three new models – the RoadMate 1340, 1440 and 1470. Each of the new models offers their One Touch interface, AAA TourBook, text-to-speech, Highway Lane Assist, exit POIs and multi-destination routing.
Here are the details:
UPDATE: Read our hands-on Magellan RoadMate 1470 review. I’ve also posted pages for the Magellan RoadMate 1220 and 1440.
Though there’s been no official announcement, Magellan quietly rolled out three new RoadMate units at CTIA last week, and one – the 4.7” Magellan RoadMate 1470
The new models add features to the entry-level RoadMate series that were previously found only on the Maestro line. For example, the RoadMate 1470 includes Magellan’s new “One Touch” interface, multi-destination routing, highway lane assist, and AAA TourBook features.
I’ll post details on all the new models as soon as the info becomes available.
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For information on current models, check out our GPS for runners page.
The Garmin Forerunner 405CX 
UPDATE: A new model, the Garmin Approach G3, brings most of the G5’s features in a smaller package and at a lower price.
UPDATE 2: Another new model, the Garmin Approach S1, has a sports watch form factor.
UPDATE 3: An even newer model, the Approach G6, is more pocketable than the G5 and adds worldwide courses.
The Garmin Approach G5
This ruggedized waterproof unit includes thousands of preloaded U.S. golf courses, touch-targeting, manual pin positioning, course preview, digital scorecard, computer scorecard review, and a high-sensitivity receiver.
Here is a link to check out the list of pre-loaded courses, and the Garmin Approach G5 web pagewhere you can download more courses as they are added (7500+ were available in the first update!).
have been posted at AmazonI’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
price at AmazonRelated posts:
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.
The TomTom ONE 140
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For current recommendations, please refer to our auto GPS buyers guide.
The Garmin nüvi 855
read more
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a list of current TomTom models and their features, please see our TomTom comparison chart.
The TomTom XL 340-S
read more
UPDATE: Read my Garmin Forerunner 310XT review and my Garmin Forerunner 405CX review
Garmin has announced two new GPS fitness watches, the Forerunner 310XT and Forerunner 405CX.
Garmin Forerunner 310XT
The 310XT (pictured above at right) is a waterproof, multi-sport unit, featuring 20 hours of battery life. Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, the 310XT is clearly aimed at multi-sport athletes. It can categorize the various activities in a workout and log transition time between them. The 310XT uses both audible signals and/or vibration alerts, so you won’t miss your milestones.
It will be sold on its own or with a new waterproof, soft-strap heart rate monitor, which is expected to be available this summer. While it won’t transmit heart-rate data underwater, the strap can be worn under a wetsuit to shave down transition time. The suggested retail price is $349.99.
