Sat Nav Reviews

Garmin Nuvi 1390 is one of the five 1300-series GPS devices released by Garmin and it is tagged as the most sophisticated of all five. There are many features onboard including those one can expect from a high-end satellite navigation device. It is an ultra thin device and very simple to use as well. Available at an expensive price, the device delivers best of the navigation assistance on road.

Design Features
Garmin Nuvi 1390 is 25 percent sleeker than the previous models of the manufacturer. Having the dimensions of 12.2 x 7.5 x 1.6 cm, the device carries a weight of 161.6 g. The lithium ion battery is designed to support the usage time of 4 hours. A wide screen of 4.3 inch size is what this sat nav device offers for best viewing. The device is easy to install with its windshield mount.

Navigation Highlights
Lane guidance is offered by the upcoming turn indicator of the device. This feature enables the user to take the right turn while driving and is available for 3D viewing. Junction View is another feature that becomes active as the user approaches a highway intersection.

The pedestrian mode for Garmin Nuvi 1390 works fine to take a user on foot to his destination. Going further, the sat nav device has CityXplorer maps available for the device helps a user on public transport to reach his destination conveniently. These maps can be purchased at an additional cost for many major cities of North America and Europe.

The sat nav device enables the user to find a street address expediently. The database of Points of Interest in the device stores 6 million POIs including fuel station, bank, ATM, hospitals and many more. Another useful feature of the device is that it allows the user to save his Home address. The device has a personal address book that saves and stores the location addresses as Favorites.

Like many other advanced Garmin GPS satellite devices, Nuvi 1390 too offers the features called Where Am I that enables the user to save his current location. One feature that distinguishes the device from many other models is the availability and support of Bluetooth technology.

Yet another salient feature of the device is called ecoRoute that helps the user to prepare accurate mileage reports and save money. The user can prepare fuel and mileage reports, change the vehicle profile and perform a number of other functions using this feature. The World Clock feature can be used to let the device display the current time in 3 time zones chosen by the user.

Nuvi 1390 is a fast and responsive device helping the user quickly use its features. Other advantages of the device are good text-to-speech quality and admirable routing engine performance. The user interface is friendly enough to let the user make best out of the device.

Some drawbacks of the devices are less sensitive traffic receiver and the additional cost of CityXplorer maps. However, these drawbacks are easily overruled by the benefits offered by the device.

Garmin launched its new sat nav device called Nuvi 205 to replace the old Nuvi 200. The device offers basic but reliable navigation on road. Nuvi 205 is the first member of Garmin’s 2×5 sat nav devices family that later on launched other models including Garmin Nuvi 205W, 255, 255W, 265T and 275T. Though priced aggressively, Nuvi 205 is rich in features that were not found on many other GPS models before.

Design Features
Nuvi 205 has the dimensions of 9.7 x 7.1 x 2 cm and it carries the weight of 175 g. A 3.5 inch screen is what the device uses as its display. The QVGA TFT screen offers the pixel resolution of 320 x 240 and white backlight. The user can easily access the features of the device with touch screen functionality offered by it. The battery present in the device offers 4 hours of usage time.

Navigation Features
Nuvi 205 comes preloaded with the maps of the 48 US states, along with Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The user in Europe can also purchase the maps of one region of the European Union. Compared to the Nuvi 200 models, the 205 model has faster map drawing speed. Another improved feature of the device is the map screen that shows things like speed limit and indicators for upcoming turns. While the speed limit alerts the user about the permitted speed in different areas, the upcoming turns provide lane guidance.

One highlight of the device if the HotFix GPS technology that offers faster start-up times. The technology enables the sat nav device to acquire the GPS signal from a satellite at a fast rate. The device allows the user to find a street address or locate a nearby point of interest.

Another good feature of Nuvi 205 is that it allows the user to add an addition stop to the already planned route. The ‘Where Am I’ feature of the device helps the user to learn about his current location. The current location of the user gets saved in the address book. Besides, the pedestrian mode of the device helps in navigation on foot. Moreover, the sat nav device can also be used off-road.

The high performance GPS receiver further makes Nuvi 205 an attractive sat nav device. That combined with excellent routing engine performance helps the device to have a competitive edge over other sat nav models. Photo navigation and support for MSN direct are some features that help Nuvi 205 to perform better than Nuvi 200. Also, the 205 model has double capacity to save 1000 waypoints than Nuvi 200 with the capacity of 500 waypoints.

Real time traffic alerts can be received on Nuvi 205 by connecting an FM traffic receiver with it. Automatic map zooming, bright screen, user-friendly interface, POI data base of 6 million and automatic time zone transition are other good features of the device. The device lacks some advanced features that are found in more expensive devices, but it is still useful for basic navigation needs.

Nuvi 1490 Traffic offers a number of improved features over other Garmin Nuvi devices already existing in the market. For example, it might look identical to Nuvi 1390T, but offer bigger screen size and support for multi-destination trip routes. In fact, the bright screen of 5 inch is among the first things of the device that attract attention. Thus, one can expect higher level car navigation assistance from the device. Here is a review of some of the main features of Nuvi 1490T sat nav device.

Design Features

The first good thing about the design of Nuvi 1490T is that it is about 25 percent slimmer than the previous Nuvi devices. The device measures 13.7 cm x 1.6 cm x 8.6 cm and carries a weight of 221 g. The lithium ion battery offers usage time of 3 hours. And of course, the highlight of the device is the 5 inch screen with touch functionality. The LCD screen offers the resolution of 480 x 272 pixels and ensures more brightness than many other models.

Navigation Features

Nuvi 1490T offers enhanced pedestrian navigation with the help of features like CityXplorer maps. The maps for North American and European cities are available and can be used while travelling on public transport. Walking route calculation is another advantage offered by the device.

The device helps the user to find the street address or a point of interest like a restaurant, fuel station, bank, ATM, hospital or any other. The current traffic conditions can be evaluated with the real time traffic data offered by the device. So, it is easy to calculate the shortest routes and alternative routes in case of delay on a particular route.

Nuvi 1490T features Garmin’s very own ecoRoute feature that helps the user to save both money and time. The feature is not only easy to use but it automatically runs in the background. With the help of ecoRoute, one can prepare fuel mileage reports and obtain updates on fuel prices.

Availability of Bluetooth further enhances the functionality of the device. A compatible Bluetooth enabled cell phone can be paired up with the device and the user can enjoy the hands-free benefit. Another feature of the device is to access the destinations with no official street address by simply entering the latitude and longitude coordinates.

High quality text-to-speech and Lane Assist are other features of the device worth mentioning. The device allows the user to save up to 10 routes before starting the trip. Route optimization is also a useful feature of the device. ‘Where Am I’ to find user’s current location too is featured by the device.

Fats and responsive interface, loud internal speakers, speed limit alerts and automatic map zooming are among other features worth an appreciation. The extra cost of CityXplorer maps and non-customization of maps might appear as small drawbacks in front of the huge advantages the device offers.

Nuvi 1490T from Garmin definitely boasts of a new breed of sat nav devices that provide more functionality and assistance to the users.

TomTom START2 is the upgraded version of the entry-level START sat nav launched last year. The START2 resembles its predecessor in terms of physical design but carries some new features for enhanced navigation utility. The new member of the Start series from TomTom is the cheapest sat nav model from the manufacturer and that makes it a practical solution among users with restricted budget. Here is a detailed review of the TomTom START2 to make you familiar with the device.

TomTom Start2 Design

Like most of the sat nav devices manufactured these days, TomTom START2 too is a small and compact design with the ability to be carried in a pocket. The replaceable coloured casing called StartSkins is an attractive feature of the device and is inherited from its predecessor.

The device packs a 3.5 inch screen with touch functionality, 320 x 240 resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. The device has a mount that is conveniently installed on the vehicle’s windscreen and can be tilted or rotated for comfortable viewing. So, no installation is required and transfer from one vehicle to another is easy.

TomTom Start2 Navigation Highlights

Though, some might consider the device to be basic, the set of navigation features definitely make it a good device especially for the first-time sat nav users. The device come preinstalled with the maps of the UK and Ireland. The main highlight of the device is definitely the easy-to-access menu installed in it. The options like Plan Route and Browse Map makes it simple for the novice users to use the device most suitably.

IQ Route technology is another great feature of the device as it makes use of actual road statistics to plan the route towards the intended destination. The real road data is compiled from the analysis of years and thus, contributes effectively towards fastest route planning. Latest map guarantee further makes the device useful, as the device updates its map database with newly released maps using this feature.

Going further, the device has map Share technology that helps the user to share self-updated maps with the TomTom community of sat nav users. So, one user can receive the corrections made by other TomTom users and that too, free of cost. Voice and visual instructions are of high quality that makes it easy for the user to follow the instructions. Both 2D and 3D navigation viewing is possible with the help of the device.

The ‘Help Me!’ menu is a common feature of the TomTom devices and START2 is not an exception. The menu provides the list of emergency numbers and route to emergency service providers whenever the user needs them while driving on road.

TomTom Home accessibility, lightweight of 128g, advanced lane guidance and many such features make the device useful. As mentioned earlier, the low-budget users and those who don’t have the experience of using sat nav devices can easily consider TomTom START2 to be one of the best devices available for them. The lack of advanced options might not attract the high-end users, but the device is capable of finding a good share in the market.

Garmin Nuvi 255W sat nav device represents the new generation of satellite navigation devices that carry impressive features and are available at affordable price tags. The device has a wide screen and boasts of many advanced features that were earlier found on the expensive sat nav devices. The thin sleek body is well constructed and makes it an enjoyable experience for the user to install the device in a vehicle.

Nuvi 255W Design Highlights

Garmin Nuvi 255W is a thin design measuring 4.8 x 2.9 x 0.8 inches and weighing approximately 173 g. The device features a 4.3 inch widescreen with 480 x 272 pixels resolution and display type of WQVGA colour TFT. The wide screen allows the user to have better viewing of map details and driving directions. It is easy to view the screen clearly even in bright sunlight. The lithium ion battery offers usage time of 4 hours to make it a useful navigation device, no matter whether the user is on foot or in a vehicle.

Garmin Nuvi 255W Navigation Features

The City Navigator® NT Street maps come preloaded in the device. The user needs to enter the destination name using the touch features of the screen and the device prepares the most convenient route to take the user to his destination. Turn-by-turn voice guidance and 2-D and 3-D maps help the user to conveniently follow the route on his trip. The device makes it a convenient experience further by using the text-to-speech feature to announce the names of the streets and exits aloud. So, the driver doesn’t need to take his eyes off the road.

The device has a huge database of Points of Interest like ATMs, fuel stations, hotels and restaurants. Custom Points of Interest can also be added to the database. The alerts announce the upcoming Points of Interest so that the user is able to know about them in advance.

HotFix is another feature of the device that helps the user to calculate his position quickly. This automatic feature helps the user to save his overall time of journey. Another good feature of the device is the ‘Where Am I?’ emergency locator that helps the user to learn about his location.

Terrain Modelling is an interesting feature of the device that helps the user to visualize the terrain of the area he is passing through. Speed limit icons displayed on the screen are useful for the user to drive within the safe driving limits.

Apart from those mentioned above, the Garmin Nuvi 255W offers many other features, including JPEG picture viewer and world travel clock. Calculator and various measurement tools are also accommodated by the device. The device allows the user to download the features like Google Panoramio pictures and MSN Direct content. EcoRoute, Garmin Lock, traffic message channel and FM traffic compatibility are the other features worth mentioning.

Garmin Nuvi 255W Specs

TomTom extended its range of XL satellite navigation devices with the launch of IQ models. Designed to be slim and compact, the TomTom XL IQ model is a pocket-carried device with impressive design and good features to boast. It can be admitted that the IQ model is among the highest quality satellite devices manufactured by the manufacturer.

TomTom XL IQ Design

Talking about the design features, the TomTom XL IQ sat nav packs a 4.3 inch widescreen for enhance clarity and visibility. Moreover, the screen offers touch functionality to offer easy access to the user while driving. Designed in shinning black color, the device has a luxurious look and feel.

The general interface of the device is similar to what you might have seen in other models from the manufacturer. TomTom XL IQ uses EasyPort arrangement to get mounted inside the vehicle. This is an advantage to the user as the device can be easily moved from one vehicle to another.

Navigation Features

The sat nav device comes preinstalled with TeleAtlas European maps of 42 countries. Another highlight of the device is the Map Share technology installed by the manufacturer. The feature allows the device user to add, delete or update the maps and even share it with the other people using the TomTom XL IQ sat nav device.

IQ Routing is indeed the main highlight of this TomTom sat nav device. The feature calculates the best possible routes by making use of the real speed statistics on various roads. This makes the IQ model different from other sat nav devices that make use of maximum speed statistics to calculate the routes. IQ routing feature allows the user to choose the smartest path and save his time, money and fuel while travelling to his destination. The statistics used for calculating routes are prepared for every single stretch of the roads. So, the conclusions about best possible routes are more accurate using this device.

Advanced Lane Guidance is another feature of the device worth mentioning. The feature allows the device users to choose the right lane at motorway exits and complex junctions. By using this feature, the user can avoid taking wrong lanes and can save time and fuel. Safety camera alerts come preinstalled in the device and they allow the user to keep his driving speed within the safe limits. QuickGPSfix too comes installed in the TomTom XL IQ sat nav. The feature allows the sat nav device to quickly connect with the GPS satellites even when the signal is weak.

Some of the other features of the device include ‘Help Me!’ menu and compatibility with TomTom Home. The USB charger and the car charger are the accessories available with this sat nav device. The device weighs 186g which makes it easy to carry.

TomTom XL IQ represents the sophisticated design with best of the satellite navigation features. Some features like Bluetooth hands-free are missing in the device but there are many other features that compensate for the same.

TomTom XL IQ Specs

Garmin Nuvi 1340 belongs to the 1300 series of satellite navigation devices from Garmin. The series is 25 percent slimmer than the previous offering of the manufacturer and Nuvi 1340 is an ultra-slim design that can be easily carried in a pocket. The manufacturer has added some new features in the device that further improves its utility as a sat-nav on the road.

Nuvi 1340 Design

Even if it is a slim device, Garmin Nuvi 1340 accommodates a 4.3 inch widescreen with touch functionality. The device weighs 162 g and is suitable when travelling in a public transport. The touch screen enables access to look up addresses and contribute towards safe driving.

Garmin Nuvi 1340 Navigation Guide

Nuvi 1340 is pre-loaded with City Navigator® NT street maps of Western Europe. The voice-guided turn-by-turn directions help the driver keep moving in the right direction by speaking out the street names. Using the digital elevation maps with higher zoom features, one can easily learn about the surrounding terrain.

Nuvi 134o SatNav Features

The CityExplorer maps enable the device to provide basic pedestrian-based directions and help you learn about the public transport facilities available around. EcoRoute is another useful feature of Garmin Nuvi 1340 that allows the driver to calculate the fuel-efficient route to reach his destination. This further helps the diver to save time and money spent on the fuel

Lane Assist is a feature found in Garmin Nuvi 1340 that assists the driver to avoid frustration caused by last minute lane change. The feature helps the driver to learn about the appropriate turns at various intersection and exit points. The device has the database containing millions of points of interest and it enables the user to add custom points of interest at his will.

The HotFix feature assists in calculating the position of the user. Another useful feature of the sat nav device is the speed camera warning system. The feature enables the user to receive real-time alerts while walking, driving or even travelling in public transport. The speed alerts and the alerts specific to the road and direction of the driver’s trip help the driver to avoid accidents.

Traffic alerts offered by the Garmin Nuvi 1340 assists the driver to avoid congested routes. Auto re-route is the feature that helps in calculating fast off-routes. Choice of route set up and route avoidance are other features of the device. The device also features photo navigation for geo-tagged photos.

Some of the travel tools packed inside the device include JPEG picture viewer, currency and measurement converters,  calculator and travel clock with different time zones. The lithium ion battery of the device provides support for 4 hours. Garmin Lock offers safety against theft.

Garmin Nuvi 1340 is a plug and play device that makes it easy to install and transfer from one vehicle to another. The street maps for the UK, Ireland and 22 Western European countries facilitate the use of the device in multiple areas.

With support for numerous features, Garmin Nuvi 1340 proves to be a compact and capable device for satellite navigation.

Garmin Nuvi 134o Sat Nav Specs

If you want to the best in personal navigation system, Tomtom Go920  is the smart choice for you. It functions with an enhanced positioning technology with voice address input using high sensitivity and QuickGPSfix GPS chipset. It uses the map of Europe, Canada and US and also Tom Tom’s Map Share technology. The unit also includes hands free car kit, traffic information, FM transmitter and Bluetooth remote control. You will the GPS Navigator very easy to use. It fits in your pocket, hand or car perfectly. The unit is also easy to operate with user friendly, award winning, latest version of software with large touch screen, by which you can navigate, find alternative, change preferences or use mobile phone. You can use the voice address input facility in which you have to state the city and enter the destination by speaking address with your voice. In this device, you will find it very easier and faster to input the address. The state/ country selector displays the selected area names for easier input and accurate listing. With the help of the navigator you can easily search a location and select for your travel plan. You have to simply choose the way to find your desired destination, house number, street number, postal/ ZIP code. As there is no need of any installation procedure, you have to simply plug the portable GPS Navigator and go.  Before buying this tomtom go 920, it’s better to compare tomtom go 920 uk prices for better shopping.

The Vexia Econav 480 is a new GPS navigational system ideal for UK and Ireland. The Econav 480 comes with 2 GB of internal memory with micro SD memory card expansion. The 4.3 inches wide screen gives you a clean and accurate travel paths. The touch screen allows you to query faster. It also has 3D navigational view, tunnel mode and lane assistant.

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Becker Traffic Assist 7977 Satellite Navigator has everything which makes a capable GPS navigation device for installation in automobiles. It can effectively guide you to cover miles on the road, without worrying about following of wrong route or getting lost on the way. Endowed with a variety of features, this device happens to be the true representative of a GPS capable navigation device.

The navigation device features SIRF III GPS technology to add value to your driving experience. The 2 GB memory card is capable of storing road maps of as many as 40 countries from Europe. The instructions for on road guidance are available in 22 languages, increasing the versatility of this wonderful device.

The dimensions of 126 x 81 x 20.8 mm comply with current industry standards. Also, the weight of 202 g makes it’s a perfect device to be installed in your car. The slim-line design is well-complimented by the presence of a 4.3 inch display. This TFT screen is capable of offering features like touch screen functionality and high-contrast viewing. It lends support for 16.7 million colors to facilitate convenient viewing in both day and night modes. The brightness of the screen is an automatically adjustable feature offered by this device.

Becker Traffic Assist 7977 Satellite Navigator offers internal flash memory with the capacity of 128 MB. Apart from this, SD card slot can be used to increase the capability up to 2 GB. Another useful feature of this device is that it facilitates 2D as well as 3D map viewing to match your convenience level. The points of interest are store din huge number, making it easy for the user to locate important points, like hospitals, hotels and fuel stations, on the way.

In order to meet the requirements of European roads, the device has been endowed with approximately 4,000 road signs, which are of great significance for novice travelers on these roads. One of the major highlights of this device happens to be the Lane Assist feature, which inform the car driver about most appropriate lane on road to travel in. It is an important feature to abide by the road rules and maintain efficient driving on road.

Traffic Message Channel is another advantageous feature of Becker Traffic Assist 7977 Satellite Navigator. This feature not only displays the information about heavy loads of traffic, but also informs the driver about spots, which are vulnerable to accidents. Various types of alerts, like Speed Limit alert, assist the driver to maintain an eligible driving level.

Other features, which need to be mentioned here, include Bluetooth capability for hands free calling and wireless file transfer. The MP3 player as well as video player forms other great features of this device. USB port and picture viewer complete the list of most significant features of Becker Traffic Assist 7977.

The navigation menus are easy to use and even a novice user can conveniently navigate through them. In a nutshell, it is an impressive design to accompany you on road and ensure convenient driving experience.

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