UPDATE: Read our Garmin nuvi 200 and nuvi 250 and nuvi 270 reviews.
At CeBIT today, Garmin announced three new entry level nuvis -- the nuvi 200, nuvi 250 and nuvi 270. The difference bewteen the three are the level of mapping detail. The 200 has preloaded maps of the 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The 250 adds Alaska and Canada, while the 270 also incoroprates maps of more than 30 European countries. Suggested retail prices are $399.99, $499.99 and $599.99 respectively, with an availability date of April. The entire 200 series sports a 3.5 inch display.
Garmin continues to improve the nuvi series; the 200, 250 and 270 are a little thinner, thanks to an internal antenna, rather than the flip-up type found on previous nuvis. As with other nuvis, the 200 series includes voice-prompted directions, picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter and world clock. The Garmin Lock security feature is provided as well.
So what's missing? Well, at least some of my predictions about this unit appear to be true. Nowhere in the press release does it mention an MP3 player or the ability to add a traffic receiver. Stay tuned. I'll be updating this post as more info becomes available.
UPDATE: It appears that, while it provides voice-prompted directions, the nuvi 200 series does not call out upcoming street names. So you'll get "turn left in 500 feet" rather than "turn left on Highway One in 500 feet."
This is SO frustrating. I had so much hope for this new series from Garmin. All I want is SirfIII chipset, Navteq maps and Street names. I DON'T want an MP3 player, audiobook, jpeg viewer etc.
Why can't anyone provide a GPS unit with the above features for under $350? The TomTom One comes close but it has TeleAtlas maps and (supposedly) an outdated POI database.
What am I supposed to do? Can anyone recommend a good GPS for me.
Posted by: Royce | March 16, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Royce,
The new TeleAtlas maps are getting positive reviews. I don't recall hearing anything about the POIs, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn they had improved them too.
Other than that, I'm not sure what to suggest. The nuvi 350 is getting close to your price range (Amazon has it right now for $399), but you would be getting a feature that you don't need.
Posted by: Rich Owings | March 16, 2007 at 01:21 AM
Rich, thank you for your response. Even though the TomTom One has no "text to speech" option, I really like the unit because of it's low price. The ONLY factor preventing me from buying it is the TeleAtlas map issue. I've spent a lot of time combing the internet for reviews and information on the new maps, but strangely, I can hardly find any useful information on how good the updated maps are.
All the past reviews that I've read of the TomTom One state that it's a great unit only hampered by the poor maps and POI database. Well, the maps have been updated. The reviewers should now do a follow-up review to see how good the new maps are. How else can the buying public know if the new Teleatlas maps are as good as Navteq ones.
Posted by: Royce | March 16, 2007 at 01:53 PM
Royce, I've used both the old maps TomTom acquired from Tele Atlas as well as the new maps. I've seen a significant improvement in the new maps. I've also conducted a study:
http://www.gpsreview.net/navteq-vs-tele-atlas/
comparing NAVTEQ maps and Tele Atlas maps here in the USA. I haven't done a study as exhaustive regarding their POI database, but anecdotally(my own experience) it is improved. TomTom also just released a free POI update of retail store locations.
Posted by: Tim | March 18, 2007 at 11:22 AM