Archives for 2011

Garmin nuvi 40 review

September 19, 2011 By Rich Owings 119 Comments

Hands on with the best entry level Garmin nuvi yet

UPDATE: This model has been replaced by the nuvi 42 (49 states) and nuvi 44 (US + Canada).

The Garmin nüvi 40 is a 4.3” navigator in Garmin’s new 2012 Essential series. The models in this series are meant to be basic navigators at a budget price, lower than what we’ve previously seen for Garmin entry-level models. Nevertheless, they do come with some features not previously found on low-end nuvis, such as speed limit display, lane assist and junction view.

Garmin Montana 600 video and menu tip

September 15, 2011 By Rich Owings 2 Comments

Apparently it’s video week at GPS Tracklog. I’m still learning iMovie after my recent move to Mac, so I’m not claiming pro quality.

Filed Under: Featured, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport Tagged With: Garmin Montana 600, Garmin Montana series

Garmin portable friction mount review

September 12, 2011 By Rich Owings 11 Comments

Filed Under: Auto, Featured, Garmin auto GPS, GPS Reviews Tagged With: Garmin portable friction mount

Garmin Montana 650

September 11, 2011 By Rich Owings 11 Comments

The Garmin Montana 650 is one of three models in Garmin’s newest handheld series. With it’s huge 4” touchscreen, I had initially thought the Montanas were targeted to the motorized crowd (ATV’s, etc.), but after spending over a month with one, I’m convinced that a lot of hikers and geocachers will be attracted to it as well. Before we get into the details, here’s some info on the rest of the series…

Filed Under: Featured, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport Tagged With: Garmin Montana 650

Sneak peek at the Garmin nuvi 2012 series

September 6, 2011 By Rich Owings 13 Comments

UPDATE: The nuvi Essential series is already shipping.

UPDATE 2: Read my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 40.

UPDATE 3: The Garmin nuvi Advanced series is now shipping.

UPDATE 4: Read my First Looks – Garmin nuvi Advanced series post.

UPDATE 5: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 2495LMT review.

UPDATE 6: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 2555LT review.

UPDATE 7: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 3490LMT review.

Thanks to the FCC, we’ve gotten access to the Garmin nuvi Advanced and Prestige series owners manuals, and have been going through them with a fine-toothed comb, looking for new and returning features. Here’s what we’ve learned:

Filed Under: Auto, Featured, Garmin auto GPS Tagged With: Garmin nuvi Advanced series, Garmin nuvi Prestige series

Garmin Montana 600 review

August 30, 2011 By Rich Owings 129 Comments

Hands on with the Garmin Montana 600

The Garmin Montana 600 is one of three models in Garmin’s newest handheld series. With it’s huge 4” touchscreen, I had initially thought the Montanas were targeted to the motorized crowd (ATV’s, etc.), but after spending over a month with it, I’m convinced that a lot of hikers and geocachers will be attracted to it as well. Before we get into the details, here’s some info on the rest of the series…

Filed Under: Featured, Garmin handheld GPS, GPS Reviews, Handheld/Sport Tagged With: Garmin Montana 600, Garmin Montana series

TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M brings apps to your dash

August 29, 2011 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M.

TomTom is announcing the GO LIVE 1535 M today which, according to them, is the first PND to feature apps. Now we could quibble over that characterization, but nevertheless, they are debuting a device with Yelp, Trip Advisor, Expedia and Twitter.

Filed Under: Featured, TomTom auto GPS Tagged With: TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M

Garmin nuvi Essential series in stock

August 25, 2011 By Rich Owings Leave a Comment

UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 40. I’ve also posted pages for the nuvi 40LM and nuvi 50LM.

Yes, that’s right; although they were just announced yesterday, the nuvi 30, 40 and 50 series are already available. Not only that, but it turns out that there are more models than we thought. GPS City has apparently beaten everyone to the punch – here’s what they have for you:

Filed Under: Auto, Featured, Garmin auto GPS Tagged With: Garmin nuvi 30, Garmin nuvi 40, Garmin nuvi 40LM, Garmin nuvi 50, Garmin nuvi 50LM, Garmin nuvi Essential series

Garmin nuvi Prestige, Advanced and Essential series announced

August 24, 2011 By Rich Owings 39 Comments

UPDATE: The nuvi Essential series is already shipping.

UPDATE 2: Read my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 40.

UPDATE 3: The Garmin nuvi Advanced series is now shipping.

UPDATE 4: Read my First Looks – Garmin nuvi Advanced series post.

UPDATE 5: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 2495LMT review.

UPDATE 6: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 2555LT review.

UPDATE 7: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 3490LMT review.

UPDATE 8: Read my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 3590LMT.

Can Garmin really introduce 15 new models and at the same time simplify the nuvi line? That’s what they appear to be trying to do. Taking a page from Navigon, their recent acquisition, Garmin is rolling out three new series, the Prestige, Advanced and Essential lines. And while we don’t have an estimated street date, they are referring to these as their 2012 line. UPDATE: The product pages are showing a fourth quarter availability date.

Filed Under: Auto, Featured, Garmin auto GPS Tagged With: Garmin nuvi Advanced series, Garmin nuvi Essential series, Garmin nuvi Prestige series

GizzMoVest protective GPS case review and giveaway

August 16, 2011 By Rich Owings 29 Comments

GizzMoVest protective GPS cases are manufactured by a small Goleta, California company. Made of a combination of materials (a soft-knit interior, a high density plastic, and a very grippy exterior) the case shown above gives plenty of protection for the device. I’m not sure it would prevent damage if it were ran over by a truck, but it seems likely to save it against many drops on rock, concrete, etc. Now you would still need a screen protector, and as you can see, the front of the Garmin GPSMAP 62 series case is open, allowing access to the buttons. So while it could always hit a rocky protuberance screen first, a case such as this should dramatically reduce the chances of significant damage from most spills. In fact, the case results in a recessed screen (whereas the 62 series screen on a bare unit is flush), further reducing the chance of screen damage.

Filed Under: Featured, Garmin handheld GPS, Handheld/Sport Tagged With: accessories, GizzMoVest