Yup, here's Garmin's CES lineup

Whoa, Nelly! Garmin just did the deed and loosed a swarm of details on its jam-packed CES 2008 lineup, and sure enough, there aren't too many surprises. We'll let the new nüvi lineup get us started. First up, we figured you Americans should know that the previously Euro-only pink nüvi 200 is headed your way in Q1 for $249.99. Next up is the currently unpriced nüvi 260W, which looks to boast the exact same features as the nüvi 260 save for that luscious 4.3-inch touchscreen that this one is rockin'. Right on cue, it's the nüvi 5000 ($799.99), which you can catch more on -- along with the now official nüvi 780 / 880 (pictured above) -- right over here. Hungry for more? Head on past the break.

Gallery: Yup, here's Garmin's CES lineup

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Keeping things rolling is the all new (but totally known) Colorado lineup, which will indeed consist of the four models that were hinted at earlier. As for the Colorado 300, it'll feature "a worldwide basemap with shaded relief," while the 400t caters to hikers needing "3D elevation perspective and US topographic maps." As for the 400i, it'll provide anglers with "shoreline details, depth contours and boat ramps for US inland lakes and navigable rivers," while the 400c acts as one's "coastal companion, providing chart coverage for the coastal US and Bahamas."

The only real surprise in the bunch is the Garmin Mobile PC, which is being dubbed "a navigation package that turns laptops and other mobile PCs into powerful navigators." Essentially, this critter isn't much more than a vanilla USB GPS dongle until you check out the software, which gives lappies the same interface already found on the nüvi / StreetPilot. The software alone will run consumers $59.99, while the GPS 20x bundle will add an additional $40 when it lands in April. Enough chatter -- check out the bevy of pics in the gallery!

[FuzzyCat @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:04PM]

I'm looking forward to the Garmin Mobile PC stuff and I guess pretty much everyone with a carPC is too. I just wonder how much they've thought about integration with other in car applications (music etc)...

[Jerod @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:40PM]

Glad they are finally putting support for GPX files on their units. Geocachers rejoice! Scratching the 60CCSX off the top of my "I want it" list... writing in the 400t.

[Brett @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:32PM]

Magellan already has "Find nearest [XYZ type] restuarant]" voice recognition.

The 3 biggest problems with the Nuvi 700 series are:

1) can't remove a particular road from a route
2) detour function is useless
3) speaker/mic for bluetooth is worthless (like most PNDs)

Did they address any of the three above?

[RyanTV @ Jan 3rd 2008 10:27PM]

other than the Colorado, there is nothing really revolutionary here. not really even anything worth a product revision if you ask me.

[YouFaceTheTick @ Jan 4th 2008 2:52AM]

They better enjoy these silly high prices while people are still suckers to pay them. There's no reason for any GPS device to run over $300. The tech's old, the chip's ancient, the mapping software nothing special - Garmin, TomTom, et al are bilking people at this point.

[nathan.wong @ Jan 4th 2008 9:03AM]

The Garmin product line is too large and is very confusing. You'll also find that there's a feature that will exist on one unit, but not on the next, but the one that doesn't have the feature is the one you'll want, so you're in a catch-22. It's ridiculous. The only thing good right now is their stock price. Incredible.

By the way, YouFaceTheTick, I think you're right that prices will be dropping faster than gas prices in the coming year.

[Nick @ Jan 4th 2008 10:08AM]

is that really the UI? i'd want something that looks like google maps.. not something that looks like it was made in microsoft paint.

[Jeebus @ Jan 4th 2008 1:23PM]

Considering the size of Garmin, their products are second rate. Slow UI update, low on features, outdated maps and POIs. All that and overpriced too.

[geognerd @ Jan 4th 2008 3:55PM]

The prices listed are retail prices. They might be the going price for the first week or two, then they will drop. At least at reputable GPS retailers. As for the "Microsoft Paint" user interface, clarity is the most important thing for an automotive navigation device. You need to be able to make out road names and the centerlines with just one glance because you are driving. Having a fancy map with lots of detail may be good for viewing in your web browser, but less is more when you are driving. If you don't like Garmin, where are you going to go? Magellan's Triton handheld has been a disaster since launch. Magellan and TomTom have terrible customer service. Magellan's outsourced (Indian) support reps are useless and likely have never handled a GPS receiver. At least Garmin's people are in Kansas and speak English natively. Garmin is also more generous and faster with warranty repairs. They may cost more, but their stuff just works and they stand behind their product.