garminnuvi
Latest
Garmin's 2013 nüvi sat nav lineup detailed on company's website (update: hands-on photos)
Yep, more Garmin stuff we haven't seen before. The website for the 2013 range of nüvi GPS sat navs is live, and there are a ton of new models in "Essential," "Advanced" and "Prestige" categories. As you can probably guess, models in the Essential series are the most basic, with standard navigation features and 4.3- or 5-inch screens. The Advanced series has slightly more to offer, such as traffic alerts and "Garmin Real Directions," which uses "easy-to-see buildings and landmarks" to guide you; there are a couple of 7-inch models in the Advanced series. The nüvi 3597LMTHD is the most feature-packed model, and the only one worthy of the Prestige label. It's got a 5-inch display, Real Directions, "HD Digital Traffic," free map updates forever and more goodies. The most basic model in the Essential line is listed at $120, while the 3597LMTHD is the most expensive, at $380. The full breakdown of every model can be found at the source link below. Update: We've added some hands-on and press pics, and the CES announcement PR can now be found after the break. It focuses mainly on the Prestige offering, but gives more detail on features which are also found on some of the cheaper models, too. %Gallery-174929% Zach Honig contributed to this report. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Garmin nüvi 3590LMT hands-on (video)
Garmin trotted out its latest line of nüvi navigation devices at CES this morning, including the 3590LMT. This ultra-thin device was on display at Pepcom this evening, sporting sleek curves and a commodious five-inch display. With the 3590LMT, users get access to Garmin's Digital 3D Traffic feature, giving them access to both real-time traffic updates and historical data. Joining the 3590LMT is Garmin's dedicated Smartphone Link app for Android, which provides users with the latest fuel prices, allowing them to plot out the most fuel efficient and cost-effective routes. The app is available for free, but the 3590LMT, unfortunately, is not. It'll hit the market next month, for about $400. For more details, check out our gallery below, and head past the break to peep our hands-on video.
Garmin nüvi navigators get refreshed, countless new models for 2012
It's time for Garmin to refresh its lineup and flood the market with a slew of dash-mounted GPS devices. In total there are six new series of navigators, with countless models scattered amongst them. The "essential" nüvi 30, 40 and 50 (top left) lines come in three sizes: 3.5-inch, 4.3-inch, and 5-inch sizes (we're sure you can guess which is which), and cover all the basics including a lifetime's worth of free map updates. Stepping up a notch to the "advanced" 2405 (top right) and 2505 series (4.3-inch and 5-inch lines respectively) nets you Garmin's Guidance 2.0 system. The software includes niceties like 3D traffic updates (for free, of course) and photoReal junction view for finding the right lane at off ramps. Last is the "prestige" line -- the nüvi 3400 series -- ultra-thin, 4-inch devices that looks more like a phone than a navigator. The 3400s turn in the frustrating resistive screen for a capacitive panel and upgrade to Guidance 3.0. The 3.0 edition sports all the same features as its lower numbered sibling, but adds pinch-to-zoom, lane guidance and text-to-speech for incoming SMS messages. Not overwhelmed enough yet? Check out the PR after the break. [Thanks, Devin]
Garmin's nuLink! 1695 attracts high-end GPS buyers, nuvi 2200 and 2300 mop up the rest
Looks like Garmin's cellular nüLink! service was something of a success -- it's now become the brand of the company's new top-tier GPS. The Garmin nüLink! 1695 replaces the nüvi 1690 with a model nigh-identical on the outside but for a larger, 5-inch touchscreen, but imbued with the traffic trending features of the 3700 series -- in other words, pretty much just what we expected. Unfortunately for spendthrifts lusting after its connected search functions (including traffic, weather, Google, fuel prices, flight times and more) and new integrated services store, the price is about what we expected as well, starting at $450 for the unit with a year of nüLink data and $5 a month thereafter. However, if that's out of your price range Garmin's not going to let you go without a fight -- it's also introduced no fewer than eleven new nüvi 2200 and 2300 series PNDs with a wide variety of features at nearly every wallet size. Press releases after the break, and find the full lineup at our source link.
Garmin nuvi 295W like a bolt from the blue, bearing email, camera and WiFi (video)
Ever heard of the Garmin nuvi 295W? Neither had we, until the GPS showed up spontaneously on Amazon. More Garminfone than PND, the device features the same 3.5-inch touchscreen, 3 megapixel camera and Garmin UI as its call-friendly counterpart, but without the front buttons, 3G data connection and subsidized price. That means you'll have to hoof it to a hotspot to send email, perform Google Local Search and upload geotagged photos -- all of which this unit can do -- but at least you'll have a dedicated GPS to help you get there. $280, available May 16th, see it in action after the break.
nuvi 885T reviewed - speech recognition 'great,' detour function 'not so much'
Sure, when we first caught wind of Garmin's nüvi 885T a while back it seemed like the hotness (if your measure of hotness begins and ends with a GPS), but how does it really stack up? GPS Magazine just got their hands on one of these bad boys, and they've been kind enough to share their thoughts with us. "Great," they say, "if speech recognition is your number one priority." Besides voice recognition, the reviewer was really into the Enhanced MSN Direct (traffic, fuel prices, flight statues and more), the ever-useful Where Am I? feature, MP3 playlist support, lane assist, and well behaved Bluetooth. Problems? For starters, MSN Direct for this model costs $50/year (or $130 for life), while many cheaper nüvis get it gratis. Additionally, a few oversights -- there is no way to exclude a specific road from a route, for instance, and a very limited detour function -- and this reviewer thinks that some users would be better served by another Garmin, such as the nüvi 7x5. But don't take our word for it -- for the exhaustive review hit the read link.Update: Then again, maybe it is too much to ask for users to get free, unlimited MSN Direct. According to Garmin tech. support: "No Garmin unit receives MSN information gratis. Some do have a free trial period, but Microsoft does not give the information out for free." Thanks for the heads up, guys!
Garmin planning Android-powered handsets for late 2009
Some interesting news is coming out of the Garmin camp this fine morning, including word that the company somehow managed to buck all manner of economic trends and boost its holiday sales by 50 percent over 2007. (Apparently peoples' 401(k) valuations weren't the only things getting lost this year.) The company also confirmed that its Nuvifone, which is getting a bit long in the tooth despite being unavailable, is indeed still coming -- but won't be hitting Taiwan at least until Q2 of next year, and there's no indication of whether we'll be seeing it a little earlier 'round these parts. Finally, and most intriguingly, is confirmation of what the company plans to do first with that freshly laminated Open Handset Alliance membership card: multiple new Android phones are said to be in the works, due for release sometime in the second half of 2009. No further information is available, and while the smart thing might be for Garmin to focus on getting its first handset out the door before drafting a successor, we think any excuse for a new costume on our favorite green Android is a good one.[Via GPS Tracklog]
A Holiday Gift Guide for the frequent traveler
If the favorite people on your holiday gift list spend more time in hotels and airports than they do hanging out with you, then we can help. This guide to gifts for the frequent traveler is sure to put a smile on the face of your friends or loved ones wherever their travels may take them in 2009. Power on the go With rare exceptions, it's almost impossible to find an airport or hotel room with enough power outlets for all of your electronic gadgets. Rather than challenging someone to a duel with presentation laser pointers to see who gets to use the one available airport outlet, I've come up with a more peaceful solution -- carrying a compact multiple outlet with me. Belkin's Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger (at right, above) can handle three AC and two USB devices simultaneously. It's tiny and light, and fits just in just about any laptop case. My personal favorite is the Monster Cable Outlets To Go Power Strip (below), which fits six widely-spaced grounded AC outlets in a very flat 8.5" x 2.25" x 1.8" box. This one works very well with those obnoxious adapters that cover two or three outlets by themselves, and is perfect for sharing a single power outlet with five total strangers. If more people carried these in their laptop cases, there would be world peace...at least in airports. It's also available in even more compact 3 and 4 outlet models. Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger: $24.99 Monster Cable Outlets To Go Power Strip -- 6 outlet: $29.95 More below...
