GPS reviews, news, tips, tricks and deals
UPDATE: Though still available and supported, Garmin has discontinued the nuvi 680. For newer models, check out my Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
UPDATE: MSN Direct is ceasing operations on January 1, 2012.
I’ve tried out the Garmin nuvi 680
UPDATE: Read our Garmin Astro dog tracking system review.
In perhaps the most surprising announcement from Garmin today, they unveiled their new Astro 220 GPS Dog Tracking System, and I just couldn’t resist leading with a picture of George and Astro from the Jetsons. I’ve placed an image of the actual Garmin Astro 220 below, after the jump.
Based on the incredibly popular Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, the Astro 220 is designed for hunters with hunting dogs, or any kind of sporting dog you would want to track. According to Garmin, the setup actually has two components:
"The dog’s transmitter (called the DC 20) and the user’s handheld receiver (named the Astro 220). The DC 20 is mounted into a lightweight neoprene harness that straps to the dog’s collar, around its chest, and behind its front legs. Users can also thread the unit directly onto a standard one-inch collar (a third-party e-collar is recommended for proper mounting) so that the unit fits on the back of the dog’s neck.
UPDATE: Check out our Garmin zumo 450 review.
Garmin today announced a second model in its zumo line of GPS navigation devices for motorcycles — the Garmin zumo 450. Basically, this is a stripped down version of the zumo 550, offering all of its features except for Bluetooth, XM satellite radio compatibility, and text-to-speech (the ability to call out street names).
Here’s a link to the the full press release announcing the Garmin zumo 450, which is expected to be available in March 2007, carrying a sure to be discounted suggested retail price of $799.
Garmin today announced the Garmin nuvi 680, a new flagship GPS navigation device in the nuvi line. As expected, this new nuvi (couldn’t resist) offers dynamic content from MSN Direct, including traffic, weather, gas prices and movie times. Offering content in 100 U.S. markets, 12 months of MSN Direct service will be included with the nuvi 680. After that it will cost $49.95 a year or $129.95 for the lifetime of the device. MSN Direct service is delivered via an FM signal, and the 680 comes with a receiver for it.
Otherwise, the nuvi 680 seems to be identical to the nuvi 660. Here’s the press release announcing the Garmin nuvi 680 and Garmin’s other new MSN Direct connected device, the Garmin StreetPilot c580. The nuvi 680 is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2007, at a sure to be discounted suggested retail price of $999.99. I’m including a few screenshots as we get our first look at the nuvi 680.
Yep, I finally broke down and bought a nuvi 660. From GPSNow of course (and I noticed today that Amazon’s price has gone back up). I gotta say, I was impressed with the speed of delivery. I ordered my nuvi on the day after Thanksgiving (Friday), and it was here Monday afternoon. Total shipping and handling? $7.55 for USPS Priority Mail. And no sales tax. Man, you can’t beat that!
So far, I’ve been very pleased with the nuvi. As always, Garmin comes through with very intuitive menus. This is one of their true strengths.
What else have I noticed?
UPDATE: This model has been discontinued. For a look at current models, check out our GPS for motorcycles page. The Garmin zumo 550 GPS is designed especially for motorcycles. The zumo comes pre-loaded with maps of Europe or North America, and Bluetooth allows for hands free cell phone calling through the cyclist’s helmet. This high-end unit includes the SiRFstar III chipset for excellent reception, an MP3 player, and optional XM radio, traffic and weather. TMC traffic alerts are another available alternative. read more
Many auto GPS receivers come with an integrated MP3 player, allowing you to control musical selections in your car via the GPS. Some even work with Audible audio book (.aa) files, or come with XM Radio receivers. Typically, playback is paused when navigation directions are announced; some units even rewind a couple of seconds when the music starts back.
There are a number of things to consider when purchasing a GPS receiver with an MP3 player; speaker quality, whether or not you can import playlists, the amount of disk storage available for files (if the unit doesn’t use an SD/MMC card for storage), how intuitive menus are, etc. The variations are too great to delve into here. Our GPS reviews link to many user reviews, so dig deep and check them out, or find a message board for the unit you are interested in, and search or ask.
This article in theday.com covers a lot of ground, focusing mainly on GPS for pedestrians, with a strong emphasis on the Garmin nuvi and its competitors. Here’s the most informative snippet from the piece, comparing Garmin, TomTom and Magellan for those on foot:
"…some devices are more helpful than others for walkers. Garmin says its pedestrian mode negates one-way roads so that walkers can be directed the wrong way. It also allows walkers to go through access roads in parks where cars aren’t allowed.
Similarly, TomTom International BV’s new entry-level $499 TomTom ONE device, 5.5 ounces lighter than TomTom’s next-smallest device, directs walkers in pedestrian mode down the wrong way on one-way streets or along pedestrian bridges or bike paths if those are the fastest routes. And the pedestrian modes on many cellphone services such as Sprint’s MapQuest Navigator enable users to find walking directions and eliminate restrictions such as one-way streets and right-turn-only intersections.
But on the Magellan devices, walkers using the street maps will be directed as if they were a car. Magellan expects pedestrian routing features to be available on its new products early next year."
Related posts:
Bluetooth is one of the hottest new features in GPS receivers, primarily because you can use them for hands-free cell phone calls, via the GPS receiver’s built-in microphone and speakers. Yet this technology can do so much more.
Address book syncing allows you to look up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or your phone’s call history log. Plus, you can look up points of interest (POI’s), find a restaurant and have your GPS call to make a reservation!
Each of the units listed below offer Bluetooth for hands-free cellphone use. Except where noted the links go to our own auto GPS reviews:
(Amazon link)A post showed up on Groundspeak (Geocaching.com’s discussion group) last night, with links to videos showing how to create custom maps for your Garmin GPS. The tutorials include info on loading the maps via MapSource and making your maps transparent, so that you can see Topo or City Select/Navigator at the same time.
