Hands-on with Garmin's latest GPS lineup

Garmin really didn't hold back on the releases this year, what with the new nüvi navigators, Forerunner 405 watch and Colorado handheld. We got a chance to handle a few of these, and we must saw we're pretty impressed by the thin form factors and sharp touchscreens. The new MSN Direct features probably won't revolutionize your GPS experience, and features like news snippets seem downright gimmicky when faced with the full-on internet access most of us currently enjoy on our phones, but plenty of folks will still find use for the gas price tracker, live traffic updates and movie times, and the interface really couldn't be simpler.

Gallery: Hands-on with Garmin's latest GPS lineup

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[nxtiak @ Jan 6th 2008 12:27AM]

I like the black color. About time they did.

[RWD fan @ Jan 6th 2008 12:31AM]

Any word on their long ago promised OS X software?

[nxtiak @ Jan 6th 2008 12:34AM]

Their new model the Nuvi 5000 (5.2 inches of screen) is NOT portable in the sense that it has NO BATTERIES. It requires to be PLUGGED IN. That's ridiculous.

[nxtiak @ Jan 6th 2008 12:40AM]

Is the Colorado TOUCH Screen? Garmin's website doesn't say anything.
I have the 60csx and only difference with the Colorado are: bigger screen/more resolution, size/weight, built in memory (the 60csx can take microsd), wireless transfer to other Colorado units, and maybe touch screen.

[JB @ Jan 6th 2008 2:13AM]

No the colorado is not touch screen it uses the rock n roller scroll wheel, joystick thingy.

[Philpott @ Jan 6th 2008 12:47AM]

and I just got a Garmin for Christmas. Oh well.

[Mke @ Jan 6th 2008 1:40AM]

Me too! But I love it! It works perfectly.

[Paul Barwick @ Jan 6th 2008 2:26AM]

Just where were you doing 78.3 MPH?

[Zelatio @ Jan 6th 2008 2:33AM]

How has this series changed since the 650ishes? Except for the form factor, the stuff on the inside is still the same.

[Mike @ Jan 6th 2008 4:45AM]

Sorry Garmin, I've been a happy owner of a Nuvi 660 for a year now, but unless some major functionality steps are made in the next iterations, I'm buying a TomTom next time round...

[Galley @ Jan 6th 2008 8:30AM]

Love the stats screen!

[Speddy @ Jan 6th 2008 9:56AM]

They STILL need to improve their map data. An interstate ramp near me, built 5 years ago, still shows up (on their 2008 maps update) as not there. I guess I work in a field (that's what shows up...and that data is corrected on Rand McNally database). Who does Garmin get their info from, 1990's Santa Claus?

[Jeebus @ Jan 7th 2008 12:05AM]

Get a TomTom. They allow you to submit updates of map data.

[Marc @ Jan 6th 2008 11:47AM]

Its nice to see that Netscape's logo didn't disappear with the death of Navigator.

[geognerd @ Jan 6th 2008 11:29PM]

Garmin gets their data from NAVTEQ. Alert NAVTEQ to the old map data in your area by going through their Map Reporter website:

http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/