Archive for the ‘GPS’ Category
Garmin nuvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin has proven itself to be a leader in the market of GPS technology and this particular product definitely adds to its already great reputation of producing reliable navigation systems. This model if Garmin Nuvi is highly recommended for someone who is not willing to spend more than $200 for a GPS system and is in search of one that offers many interesting features.
The new interface of the system is what appeals to a lot of customers that has a turn sign indicator at a corner and also a speed limit indicator. The QWERTY keyboard is an added advantage as it makes the input of addresses very easy. It has a card slot into which memory card can be inserted and pictures can be viewed after transferring them form the computer. As the screen is 4.3 inches wide and very clear, it makes the experience a pleasurable one. It also has an internal antenna and the navigation between the different menu screens is very easy for any user. The battery life too, is very nice and so is the satellite reception, which is the key element of any GPS system. The direction prompts are also very easy to understand as the voice is very clear.
This is a very practical and hassle free device that comes with various features like the speedometer and gives the speed limits of different roads that are posted. It also has the capability to give the maximum and average speed of any trip. The voice tells the name of the street the user is currently on, and the turns that are coming up in a very clear manner. The refreshing rate of the device is very fast as the recalculation of routes is done almost instantly. It also comes with the latest maps and hence there is no update that has to be done as soon as it is purchased. The Points of Interest database on the device is pretty large and also includes the option of customizing it by importing POIs from the internet. There is also a feature of automatic time zone, which means the destination times are reflected in the time zone of the location without any alteration to the home zone. This device also includes a security feature of having to enter a pin before using it, so that the person who steals it may not be able to use it and the registration of the product at Garmin website might help in retrieving it.
The negative aspects of the device are very few and not of high importance anyways. The speaker does not sound good at its maximum limit making it difficult to hear when the windows are open in heavy traffic. There is also no audio out option for the device. The arrival time estimate of the GPS is not accurate and can sometimes be misleading. The map database includes all public roads, and it is unaware of private roads that can be accessed by public. The device assumes the vehicle is on a road actually when in fact he is going very near to it in parallel. The pack included only a car charger, whereas a USB one can be purchased separately.
It is a very reliable and user friendly device on the whole with amazing connectivity to the satellite, which is the thing that ultimately matters in a GPS system. The other features are more than pleasing and would definitely be an aid to the user in any kind of a situation.
Garmin nuvi 205W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
The Nuvi 205 is a very basic Gadget in terms of GPS systems that does exactly what it was made for and that too with efficiency. It can be very handy for casual use as it does not include any features offered by high end GPS devices like Bluetooth pairing capability, multi point routing, spoken street names and live updates. This is a very entry level unit that is simple to use and does not even need a reference of the manual to operate it.
The device has to be fed with the new updates by downloading them before use and this is a breeze as it does not take more than five minutes for the process. The size of the unit is very attractive even though it has a small screen as it is very compact and can even be carried in a purse. This, in fact, can be viewed as a security feature instead of leaving it inside the car. The speaker of the unit is very loud and the speech is very clear. The menu is very basic and simple making it very easy to navigate through different options available. It comes with an internal antenna making it attractive and portable from the outside. The windshield suction mount is very efficient and is an improvement when compared to the earlier models.
The basic job of acquiring satellites is done really well in this device and the time taken for doing it is also very less. It recognizes the current location and calculates the route to the desired destination pretty fast. It also displays various information like “Where am I?” which is very useful in case of emergencies, the estimated time of arrival to a destination, the current speed of the vehicle and the posted speed limit on a particular road, etc. The posted speed limit displayed is very accurate and changes on the same road are also reflected in the device. It also has the pedestrian mode in it and has the ability to recalculate a route instantly if a wrong turn is taken. The user also has the option of saying which routes to avoid, such as U-turns, tolls highways etc. while feeding it with the destination address. The points of interest preloaded on the device are adequate for an average user and more can always be downloaded from the computer along with updated maps, voices and icons using a standard mini USB cable. The unit also guesses the address/location after typing in a few letters which makes it easy for the user if he is not sure what exactly it is called.
There is no option of customizing the main menu or interface with this GPS and it does not say street names when a turn has to be taken, making the situation a bit confusing. The unit sometimes gives wrong directions like taking a left turn at a “no left” intersection as the map is not updated totally. The device seems to start all over again if it is disturbed in the middle of a route by plugging in the charger, or changing the volume.
If the user needs no bells and whistles of the higher end GPS systems and if solid and reliable navigation aid is what the search is for, then the Nuvi 205 is the best in its class.
