December 20, 2005

Our GPS Reviews

Listed below are links to all the GPS reviews I've written on GPS Tracklog. The list is kept up to date and there is a link to it on the sidebar labeled "Our GPS Reviews." If this long list is overwhelming, be sure to check out our Auto GPS buyers guide and Handheld GPS buyers guide.

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Garmin Auto GPS reviews

A note about discontinued Garmin auto units:

Most Garmin auto units without the flat form factor have been discontinued, as have older nuvis. In most cases, a newer Garmin nuvi is the best choice rather than one of these older units.

Garmin Fitness GPS reviews

Garmin Handheld GPS reviews

Garmin Marine GPS reviews

Lowrance Auto GPS reviews

Magellan Auto GPS reviews

Magellan Handheld GPS reviews

Mio Auto GPS reviews

Navigon Auto GPS reviews

TomTom Auto GPS reviews

Other GPS reviews

Dec 20, 2005 12:51:00 AM | Garmin, GPS Reviews, Hardware, Lowrance, Magellan, Mio, Navigon, TomTom

36 Comments

Duy

hello,

My name is Duy and I am a teacher to teach people how to drive a car. I want to buy a machine which can record where my car went. For example, after teaching my student few hours before a road test, my student will take a road test with a supervisor. I want to put the machine into my car so that it can record where the student drove my car because the supervisor will ask the student drive different routes such as 75, 78, 77, et... After the road test, the supervisor will write which route he/she asked the student to drive. For example, when I see the route 75 on the paper, I can checkthe machine in order to know what streets are includes in route 75... I want this information so that I can teach other students.

I am living in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

Please let me know what machine is appropriate to me.

Thanks

Duy

Posted by: Duy | February 20, 2007 at 11:51 PM

Rich Owings

Duy,

A GPS that records tracks will show you where the GPS has been. In most cases, a GPS with this capability will allow you to download the info to a computer. Newer Garmin GPS receivers like the nuvi and StreetPilot c500 series have a basic interface that does not allow this. The Quest, Quest 2, StreetPilot 2820 and other Garmins do have this. You can use Garmin's comparison tool (http://www.garmin.com/mobile/compare.jsp) to check this out. Units with this capability will show the number of tracklog points (usually 10,000). HTH.

Posted by: Rich Owings | February 21, 2007 at 10:58 PM

Benjamin

Great review of the suunto watch which I bought a while back (and had similar problem as the ones TFS reported). it was a big mistake and i wish i would have seen this review (although it of course wasn't available yet) before purchasing it.


http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2007/05/tfs-review-suunto-running-pack-t3-hrm-and-foot-pod/

Posted by: Benjamin | May 04, 2007 at 09:31 AM

shom

I wanted to know if you would do a review of the Mio C520 anytime soon. i see that you don't review Mio products yet.

Posted by: shom | May 31, 2007 at 03:56 PM

Rich Owings

shom,

I can't get review units loaned from Mio. They are totally unresponsive. I'll give it one more try, then I'll break down and buy one. Regardless, it will be several weeks before I get a review posted. Sorry about that.

Posted by: Rich Owings | May 31, 2007 at 04:18 PM

shom

I understand. Thanks for your efforts!

Posted by: shom | May 31, 2007 at 04:22 PM

shom

I am not sure, why, but my postings are appearing under different names!
Shom

Posted by: shom | June 01, 2007 at 10:34 AM

Robert

I am interested in seeing reviews that talk about personal use of these GPS units. Things like ease of use (touch screen...) quality of information, ie. called turns before they were reached, found addresses properly, quality of display, portability from one vehicle to another, signal retention, antenna internal/external.

Why an individual bought one over another based on some of these criteria or had to return one for another based on problems with the criteria as stated above.

maybe you could enlargen on the questions I would have as well or suggest another site with this kind of detail.

Regards, Robert [email protected]

Posted by: Robert | August 05, 2007 at 07:26 PM

lara

I am interested in buying (as a present) a gps for my husband, who drives a truck in urban NY (where he has to deal with no-truck highways) and travels to surrounding states. What would be the best for a truck driver? Cost is important. Thanks

Posted by: lara | September 25, 2007 at 09:41 AM

Rich Owings

Lara,

I'd suggest a wide-screen Garmin nuvi. The nuvi 200W is one option. The nuvi 650 adds spoken street names, so he'll hear it say "turn left on Highway 101 in 500 feet" instead of just "turn left in 500 feet." The nuvi 660 adds live traffic if that's important.

They should all have "truck" as a navigation option. Hopefully, that will route him away from "no truck" highways.

Posted by: Rich Owings | September 25, 2007 at 09:57 AM

Chris

I'm in the market for a GPS for my car that has large buttons for big mitts. I also want one that has traffic avoidance features. I have a TOMTOM ONE XL brand new and waiting to be opened but I learned about the Tele Atlas map system and would like to get over to the NAVTEC map system as I read that it is better (no personal experience). I'd like to stay below $500, preferably around $300-400.

Is the ONE XL the best I'll likely do for my needs? I've been looking toward the Garmin Nuvi 350, 660, and the Streetpilot c550 as possibilities but remain wide open to suggestions. I thought I found the pinnacle with the Navigon 7100 but they have small buttons. Damn.

Any recomendations?

Posted by: Chris | November 07, 2007 at 01:00 PM

Lynchmob44

Hi

I was looking at buying a Garmin 660 with bluetooth. I have recently purchased the LG Shine bluetooth phone. It is not listed as a "bluetooth tested" unit onthe site. Would you happen to know if the two units will work together?

Thanks

Peter

Posted by: Lynchmob44 | November 23, 2007 at 12:26 PM

Rich Owings

Peter,

I'm afraid I don't. Sorry.

Posted by: Rich Owings | November 23, 2007 at 12:37 PM

RM

I recently got a MAXX Digital PN3000 Explorer I GPS from Office Depot as part of thier after Thanksgiving sale. This GPS device also has a built in MP3 player, Ebook, photo capability, and also has a TMC input though not good manual on how exactly to use these additional features. So has anyone ever tested this device out and how it compares on features, functioning, performance, etc with the other better known GPSs out there? I also picked up a Mio Digiwalker C220 from Circuit City. So just wondering which one I should keep and which one to return. I have seen a lot of reviews on the MIO c220 but none on the MAXX Digital. Would appreciate some good advice on this. Thanks. RM

Posted by: RM | December 03, 2007 at 02:55 AM

Rich Owings

RM,

I'm not familiar with it, but I found this on the Explorer II...
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000TYQXMG?showViewpoints=1

These off brands are often not supported very well. Not that Mio is either, but they are improving. I liked the Mio 220, but it's not that bright of a screen, nor is it very intuitive.

HTH

Posted by: Rich Owings | December 03, 2007 at 09:59 AM

Paul

I'm a powered-paraglider pilot. Any recommendations as to what portable GPS would be best.
Some basic requirements would be;
Speed, Altitutde, and direction back to the landing zone.
Thanks

Posted by: Paul | December 31, 2007 at 03:33 PM

Rich Owings

Paul,

Check this out for more info on flying a powered paraglider with a GPS...
http://garmin.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/12/rogers-runway-u.html

I'm thinking a unit with a barometric altimeter and electronic compass would be best. Since you'll be wide open to the sky, a high-sensitivity chipset probably isn't required. Therefore, I'd recommend a couple of older models, the Garmin GPSMAP 60CS or the Garmin eTrex Vista Cx. If you can't find those, go for the newer models with the high-sensitivity chipset, the 60CSx or the Vista HCx.

Posted by: Rich Owings | December 31, 2007 at 05:11 PM

mobilityplus

I suggest anyone be wary before sending a GPS unit to the Magellan repair center. My experience ranks as one of the worst I've every had with a repair center. The net result is that the unit was not repaired. Instead the company sent a replacement unit with inferior features than the Roadmate 760 sent in to be repaired. Seven phone calls later I gave up because my complaints fell on unresponsive ears.

Posted by: mobilityplus | January 24, 2008 at 10:12 PM

Chad

I'm so confused with all of the GPS units out in the market. I'm a novice to the GPS world. I would like a system that is accurant, text-to-voice direction, and economical. I don't drive much. However, if I decide to drive in the city, like San Francisco, I don't want to get lost or take side streets that takes extra time. I don't need all of the extra gadgets. I suppose Blue-tooth technology is a plus. I would love any direction you can give me. Thanks.

Posted by: Chad | January 26, 2008 at 08:31 PM

Rashkovich

I have a 2005 GMC Denali XL truck with a GPS device in it - a great convenience.

A few questions: 1. I've never been able to figure out the make and model of the device and 2. neither the dealership not GM contacts were able to tell me how to update the information, so that the device has the latest navigational data...

Any advice?

Posted by: Rashkovich | March 31, 2008 at 09:06 AM

Rich Owings

If it was factory installed in a GM vehicle I would assume its an OnStar but maybe not. This is one of the problems with factory installed units. Support for updates can be lacking (and expensive when you do find them).

Posted by: Rich Owings | March 31, 2008 at 09:13 AM

Barry

I'm looking for a reasonably priced(250-350$)Gps with bluetooth and multi destination features can you give me a list of the units that have these? Thanks.

Posted by: Barry | July 05, 2008 at 02:55 PM

Rich Owings

Barry,

Sorry, but I don't have a current list.

I'd look at the Garmin nuvi 750 and TomTom GO 720. Bluetooth sound quality may be a problem though. It's bad on my nuvi 660 and on a TomTom 720 I tested. A more recent model, the TomTom 730 sounded better in my testing, but it's a little out of your price range. I haven't tested the nuvi 750.

Posted by: Rich Owings | July 05, 2008 at 03:35 PM

Debbie

I recently purchased a magellan 3225 than someone told me the tomtom's are more use friendly so I purchased a tomtom 130. They were comparable in price, so I am just wondering which one I should keep and which one I should return to the store. I do not travel a lot but with the price being so reasonable I thought it maybe a not a bad idea to purchase one just for a little bit more security when I am traveling. Could anyone give me any advice on what the better unit is?

Posted by: Debbie | July 06, 2008 at 12:39 PM

Ruth

I am moving to Detroit with my husband and three babies at the end of the month. I want to buy a very reliable and user friendly unit. Can you give me any ideas as to what might be a good idea?

Posted by: Ruth | July 17, 2008 at 08:28 AM

Rich Owings

Ruth,

I would go with a Garmin nuvi. Which one depends upon the features you want. I definitely recommend text-to-speech and a wide screen if you can afford it. The nuvi 260W fits the bill. The new nuvi 255W also shows the speed limit for major roads. This chart may help...

http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_comparisons/garmin-nuvi-comparsion-chart.html

Posted by: Rich Owings | July 17, 2008 at 08:40 AM

jean paul babineau

what is the best gps would you recomend for a truck driver i dont want all the fancy gadget just something that goes from point a to point b and something about trafic detail and accident report.and detour and speak detail by detail street imfo street name name exit.

Posted by: jean paul babineau | November 25, 2008 at 11:06 AM

Rich Owings

I would definitely get a Garmin nuvi. There is a comparison chart here... http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_comparisons/garmin-nuvi-comparsion-chart.html

Be aware that traffic reports are often inaccurate. Nevertheless, here are models to consider...

The 265WT has lifetime traffic, but NAVTEQ traffic coverage is limited.

The 255W is cheaper, but you'll need to buy the FM/TMC traffic receiver separately.

Posted by: Rich Owings | November 25, 2008 at 11:30 AM

Jesse

Hi, im looking for a good GPS.

The Garmin 755T and the Magellan Maestro 4370 have caught my eye.

I have not seen a review of the 4370 on your site though. Are you planning to do one? If not, could you please shed some light on the pros and cons of the 2, when put up next each other?

Thanks,
Jesse

Posted by: Jesse | January 14, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Rich Owings

The 4370 is almost identical to the 4350, which I reviewed at http://www.gpstracklog.com/gps_tracklog/2009/01/magellan-maestro-4350-review.html

I'm traveling and can't go into a long list of differences but, to be brief, the nuvi is greatly superior.

Posted by: Rich Owings | January 14, 2009 at 12:19 AM

joe

I wish to buy a GPS that when I travel to other countries I can down load the required software, example in USA or Europe

Posted by: joe | January 18, 2009 at 04:56 AM

Rich Owings

I don't believe you can download Garmin maps; you'll need to buy the SD card or disc. There are free maps you can download though, but many of those will not auto-route.

Posted by: Rich Owings | January 18, 2009 at 07:45 AM

AJ Bergman

Could you please do a review of the SONY NV-U94T unit. I was looking at a TomTom 730 or 930, but I understand that Sony may have a decent product in the U94T and would appreciate your review. Thank you.

Posted by: AJ Bergman | February 19, 2009 at 09:41 PM

Rich Owings

Wow, I checked Amazon and its got a 4.5 star rating from 19 reviewers! I'll see if I can come up with a press contact and get one. Thanks for the tip.

Posted by: Rich Owings | February 20, 2009 at 08:41 AM

michel delport

i cannot find for los angeles any data or review (good ratings anyway) for gps car systems where i can impose stret driving only directions. My wife will not take freeways, period. All reviews indicate so far that garmin and others constantly try to bring you back to freeways. millions of drivers do not use freeways. any recommendations? This should not impair selection of freeways (my favorite method) when i drive the same car. portability and larger screen is better, voice required, bluetoth if possible. But the main requirement is street only option.
Thanks

Posted by: michel delport | April 12, 2009 at 03:58 PM

Rich Owings

Most units allow you to avoid freeways in the settings. As you point out, the question is how well they do this. The only advice I can give is to get a unit from somewhere with a generous return policy (Costco, REI, etc.). I'd try Garmin and TomTom first.

Posted by: Rich Owings | April 13, 2009 at 07:43 AM

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