Garmin GPS
Garmin GPS devices and accessories continue to be the most user-friendly on the market today. If you have no idea where to begin with GPS tracking, you may want to start with Garmin Mobile, a downloadable GPS service that works with your current smartphone including Palm Treo, Samsung, Blackjack, Motorola Q, T-mobile dash and more. This service is also compatible with the Blackberry Pearl 8100, 8300, 8310, and 8800. With Garmin Mobile, you get 24/7 navigation, turn-by-turn coverage of North America including six million points of interest, and Garmin Online to help with traffic, driving and weather updates.
Garmin also manufactures GPS equipment that can turn you laptop into a powerful street navigator. The GPS 18 (#010-00321-00) is a very inexpensive GPS sensor that is bundled with nRoute and MapSource City Navigator software. It functions like the downloadable phone software, but is designed specifically for a laptop. To use the GPS 18, all you have to do is download the software, plug the receiver into your USB or serial port and start navigating. The GPS 18 is different from the phone navigating service because the maps are displayed on your laptop screen so that they are easier to view and can be saved on your laptop for easier retrieval. The GPS 18 also offers turn-by-turn directions with voice prompts for hands-free driving. It is perfect for people who travel for business with a laptop and want to keep everything in one place.
If you are ready to buy a separate and independently operating GPS tracking device from Garmin, you will find that each series of their GPS navigators offer models that are loaded with features and options for professional use, but also offer basic models of the same type for beginners or users who don’t need everything that comes with the more expensive GPS equipment.
For example, if you have never used a GPS navigator, you might want to start with something like the nuvi 200 (#010-00621-10). This model is inexpensive and acts like a personal assistant for users who will be taking it with them in a back pack or a purse. The design is small and light, but still features preloaded City Navigator NT map data for the continental US, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, with alternative European information available instead, if requested. The full-color, sunlight-readable touchstone screen offers easy navigating with 2d and 3d maps, turn-by-turn voice directions and also lets you add personal points of interest such as restaurants or a hotels. Like most models, the nuvi 200 lets you use SD cards to add more features like the Garmin Travel Guide.
The nuvi 770 (#010-00657-00) is in the same series and serves a similar function as the nuvi 200, but has a lot more features. It is a bit more expensive, but is worth the upgrade if you rely on GPS tracking to make getting around simpler and faster. First of all, the nuvi 770 comes with many more maps with millions of points of interest, including Europe, and has a widescreen display to easily view them. In addition, its advanced features include an FM transmitter, MP3 player, traffic alerts and more memory for storing pre-planned routes. It also comes with a “where am I” feature that lets you instantly figure out where you are in relation to points of interest like a hospital or a police station in case of an emergency, and if you leave the car; it remembers where you are parked. With a built in microphone and speaker, you can pair the nuvi 700 with a Blue tooth compatible phone for hands free calling.
There are many other different and more complicated models and accessories, but you can be sure, if you need personal assistant with navigating, Garmin has one that fits your skill level and price range.
Posted in General GPS Information
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