The nuvi 755T offers full coverage mapping for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It also comes preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for North America and Europe. The preloaded map data features nearly six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. It features 3D buildings, lane assist and lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ. Take advantage of Garmin’s first premium traffic service without subscription fees. 3D navigation with lane assist provides drivers a clear picture of what lies ahead on their route, including road sign detail and arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. Some areas even offer a 3D view of buildings. Steer clear of traffic with nuvi’s integrated FM traffic receiver. Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Auto time zone will automatically adjust your time zone while navigating Garmin Connect Photos – associate your favorite images with saved locations DEM maps show you shaded terrain contours at various zoom levels High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception Turn-by-turn directions with voice guidance Easy-to-use, Touchscreen interface Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more Simplified PC connectivity, using USB mass storage Configurable vehicle icons allows users to select a fun, and customized icons Dimensions – Width 4.8 x Height 3.0 x Depth 0.08 (12.2×7.6×2.0cm) Weight – 6.48 ounces (183.8 grams)

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars The new Garmin
Another winner from Garmin as expected. New features like “traffic” and “eco routing” makes the unit even more of a pleasure to own. This is actually my third Gramin product and so far all of these units have worked flawlessly. My only reasons for upgrading is to hand down the previous units to family members. The larger screen is absolutely wonderful and easy to use and so far it has located every address within a half block or so. I do use the unit in my daily work as a lot of the locations I have to find are somewhat remote in nature and as earlier said, so far excellent. A must have for any serious Road Dawg.

5 Stars Works great, even nicer if you downlad extras.
Some of the reviews here are not quite accurate. The 775t model powers up in 20 seconds, then you have to hit agree or wait 10 more seconds for the “Warning”, after that you are ready to “where to?”. I have to enter 3 of the first letters of my 9 letter city, then it comes up, enter address and directions and map displays up in 1 second. The unit will auto power on when

it is connected to supplied car charger. When you turn the car ignition off, the 775t gives you a choice of leaving the power on or off.

The voice on my unit is load and clear, I happen to like the downloaded voice of Team Garmin’s Matt White.

The “Where To?”-Points of Interest is a great feature. Need to find the closest gas station? Hit Fuel- Names and addresses pop up, click on the business and phone number shows up. No more digging for the phone book. The GPS

has icons for gas, food, fuel, transit, lodging, and even shopping, banks, and hospitals.

Suggestions for new owners: This unit does not come with a case. This unit charges the GPS battery attached to your computer with supplied USB cable. Unit works fine inside your home-gives you indoor playing time. Go to Garmin site for free upgrade and download extra voices, and vechicle icons. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours at the Garmin site.

I look foward to using and playing with my new GPS 775t. This GPS is easy to use. I just wish it came supplied with the lastest maps, and all the voice and icons already on the unit, and the case.

1 Star No better than the cheapest garmin

Not worth it. Bad unresponsive touch screen. mounting unit is overdone and could be expensive to replace. All Garmin really did here is over clock the CPU, add a crappy FM transmitter and other stuff I don’t need.

I think the Magellan or tom tom look like better buys, regardless of what the sales people say.

I just cannot justify 1.5X increase in price to the base model. it is no faster, and the touch screen is worse. Same mistakes GPS wise with this model as the base.

3 Stars Probably a good GPS but mine broke after a month
A lot of features on this Garmin, I was very happy with it but unfortunately it broke, it restarts by itself when you try to turn it on, if it’s plugged to car power, it restarts continuously. I will go with another model.

1 Star Awful. Worst customer service I have ever seen to boot.
The device stopped working in 2 weeks, apparently all of them do. some sort of a technical flaw. I actually gave it to my husband as an early birthday present, since we were moving abroad. The device died before his birthday. Even though it was known to be flawed, the customer service people (hold time approximately 20 minutes each time. From abroad – expensive!) refused to send me a replacement until they received the faulty unit. again, from abroad – expensive, and the turnaround took 7 weeks. The person I spoke to insisted I send back eveything – the mount, USB cable. Guess what I get back $40 in shipping and 7 weeks later? Just the device. I don’t even know if this one works, since I can’t charge it. Now its been 4 weeks, I called many times, they keep “losing” the package with the wires and mount. We are in a country where we don’t speak the language, are constantly lost, and I have spent about $150 in long distance calls. No one ever calls me back, no one has EVER responded to my emails, and no one has offered anything for my troubles. No one has even apologized! Oh, and because this product came with free updates of maps for 60 days but mine broke after only 15, they will not give me the free updates now, because the 60 days passed. They just could not care less about people. Horrible company, awful customer service – hold times as long as 40 minutes – zero sympathy, zero accountability. And to add insult to injury, my useless replacement unit came with a 10% off your next purchase coupon. Like I would EVER buy anything from Garmin again!

Buy/More Info

WINDSHIELD PEDESTAL NOT INCLUDED. MOUNT BASE ONLY.

The new open front design is suitable for devices with power jack located on the bottom of the unit.

Ideal for California and Minnesota drivers where windshield mounting solution is illegal by state law.

Attach your windshield GPS device to this heavy duty friction mount base and transform into a console mount. It sits securely on your dash, console, or any other surface. It can be removed easily for use in another vehicle. This mount base works Garmin, TomTom, Mio, Magellan, and most of GPS devices utilizing windshield mount.

Product Specification:
-Product Weight: 1 Kg (2.2 lb)
-Mounting Surface Diameter: 80 mm
-Product Diameter: 15 0mm

Windshield suction cup pedestal is not included.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Wonderful Alternative to Windshield Mount/Docking Station
I agree entirely with the other reviewers on how well this works in the car as opposed to the windshield mount. However I found it works great as docking station for my TT 630. The TT 630 comes with just a usb cord and no docking station so I set this on my desk for home charging and updates, then pick the whole thing up and go. Pretty slick!

5 Stars Works perfectly
Works very well. I tried the supplied button from the TomTom for a dash mount and it was worthless. I didn’t like it on the windshield since it blocked my viw at times. This holds th unit just fine and stays put on my Honda Pilot dash without slipping. For anti theft I just pick the whole unit up and hide it in the glove compartment.

5 Stars A must have for your GPS
If you own a GPS for you car, you need this. This heavy base sits on your dashboard with a slip resistant bottom. You use the suction cup base of your GPS to attach it to the smooth plastic of the base. Then you just place it on your dash. Why would you want to fight with constantly sticking and removing it from your windshield? When I park my truck, I just put the GPS, base and all, into my center console compartment. Anyone looking for electronics to steal won’t see my GPS. Better still, they won’t see the suction rings on the windshield which is a sure give away that there is a GPS in the car.

5 Stars If I could give this 5 plus stars I would….do NOT buy the Bracketron, buy this
This is an incredibly stable pad. Awesome in fact. I had tried the Bracketron UFM-100BL Nav-Mat GPS Friction Dash Pad and it slid all over. It endangered not only the unit but me and my passengers. It knonked my wife on the knee pretty hard. You had to constantly be on edge that it would fall off.

This item though is like super-glue. It sticks on EVERY turn and I am using it on the same exact dashboard the Bracketron would slide constantly on. This has not slid once on any turn, sharp U-turns included. I can not get it to budge. As an added bonus it is much smaller than the Bracketron hence easier to transfer between cars or stick in a glove department. It is usually priced higher than the Bracketron but it will be the best extra few dollars you have spent.

5 Stars WORKS GREAT!
I couldn’t imagine this thing clinging to the dash when I made quick stops and sharp turns but it does. Works great with my Tom Tom with plenty of clearance for the cable connection at the bottom. Buy with confidence!

Buy/More Info

The NUVI 1490T 5″ Ultra Thin GPS Navigator features a widescreen ultra slim design (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode and text-to-speech. The n vi 1490T offers pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps. CityXplorer maps are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the nuvi. The nuvi’s enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin’s new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems. Steer clear of traffic with nuvi’s traffic receiver by receiving alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Junction view – View realistic images of upcoming junctions where available Multiple point routing with route planner Map data is provided by NAVTEQ Bluetooth wireless technology, enables hands-free calling with a compatible phone ecoRoute – Drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel Speed limit indicator – unit displays speed limits for most major roads Public transit – Navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. feature – Find closest hospitals, police stations, gas stations, nearest address, intersection and coordinates Bright 5 diagonal color display; 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT display with white backlight Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time Built-in travel kit includes picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator MicroSD memory card slot Offers 3-D mapping, or 2-D overhead view Dimensions – 5.4W x 3.4H x 0.6D;

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star repackaged mediocrity
i owned a 660 for many years and had a good experience with its performance. it only had to be returned once for service.

i was excited when they announced the 1490T. i have used it for about 20 hours of travel and have several observations:

1) it’s cheaply made and promises far more than it delivers.

A. unlike the 660, it does not come with a case. That is separate. Add $40 to the total price.

B. They don’t have the case in stock!!! Won’t be available until end of September.

C. The clamp that holds the unit to windshield, unlike the 660 is very primitive and requires 2 hands to match 2 little bumps and grooves. it cannot be easily removed either. worse, the top and bottom are not easily distinguished and require close observation for proper assembly.

D. The mapping system that supposedly has lane assistance information is active about 1/3 of the time. DO NOT COUNT ON THIS FEATURE.

IN SHORT: EXPENSIVE, DOESN’T COME WITH CASE, HARD TO MOUNT AND DISMOUNT, AND FEATURES ONLY WORK SPORADICALLY

1 Star Buyer Beware
Either I have a lemon or this GPS is just not worth the money. First, it freezes up when I need it the most. Like on the I10 in Los Angeles. In a test drive, in Miami, to a restaurant I know how to get to, when I could see the restaurant, this GPS instructed then me to drive 2 miles East then 1 mile South then 1 mile North then 2 miles West (get it…I just drove in a circle) and it just could not get me there. Also, the voice is not easy to understand. A street named Fairfax was prounced Farrah-fex. Very confusing. I’ve used Magellan GPS systems in the past. They are significantly better. I regret buying this Garmin. I had used a website rating system that reported this as being the best choice. Wrong. Buyer Beware.

2 Stars Needs Work
The nuvi 1490T was my first ever Garmin. Like other reviewers, I found the display to be big, bright, and very clear. The refresh rate was also very good, and there was much to like about the unit. Since I have never had a Garmin before, I did not find the “lack of detail” others have complained about to be a problem. The spoken directions were very clear, and plenty loud. Quite unlike the nuvi 885T I tried next.

But there were problems, too, most notably with the traffic features, which when accessed caused the unit to reboot every time. No fix bug fix was available at the time (early August), so I wound up returning it. In addition, I was disappointed that the nuvi couldn’t fetch addresses out of my Bluetooth iPhone. (Apparently, the iPhone is willing to share, but the nuvi didn’t know how to ask). Other aspects of Bluetooth connectivity worked pretty well, though in a rather cumbersome manner, such that I doubted I would make use of the Bluetooth features much until they improved. And yes, battery life is shockingly short.

I think the unit has lots of promise, but that unrealized potential comes at a premium price.

5 Stars Nearly perfect
This GPS is as close to perfect as possible. With such a large screen, manipulation is easy and self-explanatory. Spoken directions give proper warning, and the named streets on the map will clear up confusion on tricky corners. The Bluetooth connection works very well. The only issue I have is that caller’s names will not always appear on the incoming call window. Also, if there was a way to include text message reading, that would be extremely useful while driving.

Other than that, I’ve already used this to guide me half way across the country and love it!

5 Stars Grtaet Product
This is a wonderful Product. I took a Business trip to Tennesse from Wisconsin and without the garmin GPS I would have been late to several meetings. I can not say enough about how the garmin got me where I wanted to go when I made a mistake. On the way back to Wisconsin I did not do what garmin told me to do in the Chicago area (go on the tollway) and spent an hour in a I94 parking lot before I got to an exit that garmin suggested. I took the exit and was directed throught Chicago streets and back on I94 past all the traffic. Beleave me I will do what I am told the next time.

Buy/More Info

Neither deep foliage nor steep canyons will faze the rugged Garmin eTrex Legend HCx navigator. Equipped with a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, the unit locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover. The advantage is clear: whether you’re traipsing through thick woods or strolling near tall buildings and trees, you can count on the Legend HCx to help you find your way when you need it the most. Adding maps to the Legend HCx is easier than ever thanks to the device’s microSD card slot, which accepts cards preloaded with MapSource data for your land and sea excursions. Just insert a MapSource card with detailed street maps, and the Legend HCx will provide turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Plus, the card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you needn’t worry about it getting wet.

Besides appreciating its small size, users will also be happy with the Legend HCx’s unique button layout, with five buttons located on either side of the unit. The benefits of this design are twofold: First, the Legend HCx is a breeze to operate with just one hand, and, second, with the buttons on both sides of the unit, the bulk of the front is dedicated to the 256-color, sunlight-readable TFT display. This makes it easy to distinguish map details regardless of the time of day.

The Legend HCx basemap, meanwhile, contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads, and coastlines–in short, a host of helpful details for your outdoor adventures. Other details include an IPX7 waterproof housing that withstands inclement weather, a speedy USB interface, 1,000 waypoints with names and graphic symbols, a track log with 20 saved tracks, a hunt/fish calendar, a built-in patch antenna, and a geocaching mode. The Legend HCx, which runs for up to 25 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), measures 2.2 by 4.2 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.

What’s in the Box
eTrex Legend HCx, basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software, USB cable, wrist strap, quick start guide, user’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Much improved model
I had previously owned an Etrex Legend (about 5-6yrs old) it was okay but had a short battery life, took a long time to locate satalittes, worked only so-so in the woods( new one works great doesn’t loose satalittes). Finally the display went out so I decided to buy a new model (much better features) rather then repair the legend. I’m really glad I did eTrex Legend HCx is really great, locates satalittes fast, has great features and battery life is about 25-30 hrs. I aloo really appreciate the USB connection (instead of the serial). I use the GPS for hiking, biking and kayaking. Another plus is that it comes with a bike mount adapter that works with my old bike mount bracket.

All in all I really like this GPS

5 Stars Feels Like the Sweet Spot Between Price & Performance
I’ve been using the HCx Legend for about a month now and I’ve been very, very pleased with it. I use this unit mainly for hiking and backpacking; anywhere from well established trails in state parks to the deep back-country of southern California. This is not a unit I would suggest for use while driving. Maybe in the hands of your navigator, sitting shotgun, but this not a drivers GPS unit in my opinion. For hiking, and some casual Geocaching, it’s been an excellent companion and tool.

Some of the things I really like about it are, for one, that the buttons are located on the side of the unit near the top. This becomes particularly relevant when the unit is actually in use IN your hand. Your fingers are at the top, the display is at the bottom and you can manipulate the buttons without your hand blocking the display. This may sound like a minor thing, but it’s not.

Another thing I’ve come to appreciate is it’s relatively small size and… well… “roundedness”. The Legend doesn’t have one of those protruding antennas which, for some reason, always seems to be a problem for me somehow; always poking something or taking up space. The Legend is small, round and “pockets” easily (yes, I’m using a noun in the verb tense, deal with it; you know what I mean).

Let’s see… What else to say about this unit. Well it’s got WAAS. Believe me, you want that in a GPS unit. It acquires satellites quickly and I’ve never been at a loss for a good, solid signal (very confidence inspiring when you’re deep in the back country). The color display is nice, details are easy to read and work with. The little thing that looks like a button on the top left of the units display is actually a tiny joystick, or mouse, that you use to move the pointer on the display and/or make menu choices by pressing down (much like a mouse-click). I find this a niftier solution than using buttons or a scroll-wheel sort of thing. Battery life seems pretty good to me using either alkaline or NiMH (I prefer to use the latter) and there’s a setup option where you can choose which type of battery you’re using in the device since the two types of batteries have different discharge profiles. Sweet that it also accepts SD cards for additional map storage.

Regarding the use of 4GB memory cards: Previously my review stated that this unit worked with 4GB memory cards. Well, now it appears that while the unit will in fact ACCEPT a 4GB card, it will only RECOGNIZE 2GB. That’s still a ton of maps but a little disappointing nonetheless. However, just to give you an idea of how many maps that is: I have 24K TOPO maps for ALL of CA, NV, UT and AZ, as well as street level maps for just over half the United States (west to east from California to around Kansas and border-to-border north to south), all loaded on a single 2GB card with around 300MB of memory remaining on the card. This is using Garmin TOPO maps and free street-level maps from gpsfiledepot dot com (an awesome source for free maps for your Garmin GPS by the way).

If you like to go geocaching this unit should get your consideration. Lots of options specifically for geocaching in particular. I can easily upload cache locations right off geocaching dot com, modify the entry if I need to, add a quick note and be off ‘caching in no time.

The Legend also has a lot of cool features that are just plain sweet to have even if you don’t use them every day. The only thing missing on the Legend that I can think of that some of the pricier units have is the Altimeter. The Legend has the Compass, the Tracking/Backtracking options (”bread crumbs”), the Odometer, a Proximity Alert… All the cool “bells-and-whistles” type stuff.

Map facts you should be aware of: 1) The unit ships with a VERY basic install of maps. By this I mean interstates and major through-streets and that’s about it. If you want TOPO maps and/or city navigation (residential & side streets, points of interest, stuff like that) you’ll have to buy, and install, Garmin map products. 2) Garmin map products are NOT cheap. You might want to research how much they get for their TOPO maps and/or City Navigator software packages if you’re new to the whole GPS thing. With a little research you can also find places that offer Garmin-compatible maps that are (legally) free to download and install. The proprietary nature of GPS units and the maps they work with is not unique to Garmin either. If you go with, say, Magellan, you’ll need Magellan map products; you can’t “mix and match” as far as I know.

All in all I love this unit. It does it all and does it with a nice, compact form-factor. I really can’t see spending more on a GPS unit. This one does so much for the price it really feels like I hit the sweet spot between price and performance.

Pro-Tip: Get a screen protector, one of those tough plastic sheets that people put on their iPods and such. The ones designed for the Microsoft Zune work well, even if a bit too small to cover the entire display, they do protect the essential part you really need protected. A set of protectors will set you back about $8 or so. That’s pretty cheap insurance.

Regarding the use of 4GB memory cards. It appears that while the unit will ACCEPT a 4GB card, it will onlyr recognize 2GB. That’s still a ton of maps but still a little disappointing I guess. Still, to give you an idea of how many maps that is: I have 24K TOPO maps for ALL of CA, NV, UT and AZ as well as street level maps for just over half the United States (west to east from California to around Kansas and border-to-border north to south) loaded on a 2GB card) with around 300MB left over.

4 Stars Excellent. Amazing battery life
I use several GPSs, in-dash, bluetooth in my older phone, my Iphone’s a Magellan 315 and a Microsoft USB GPS, and I think this is among the best in terms of speed and accuracy. Its form factor makes it ideal for hiking and backpacking trips. And the best of all, it’s infinite battery life.

I put two AA alkaline batteries when I got the GPS (Energizer, which are not the best in town in my opinion), and they lasted for my initial testing, the whole 4-day hiking trip and they’re still going. It’s amazing. In my Magellan I used almost a set of batteries per day.

I’m sorry I don’t have the exact number of hours I kept it turned on, but I’m sure it was more than 24.

The details of the waypoints are very good, including the time, and other features included in the mapping software, like you can review day by day, average speed, highlight the segment you select in the map, etc.

Not rocket science by I nice GPS/Software bundle for the price.

Note that this model does NOT have altitude profile that’s nor temperature reading that are features you might want to have in a new gps. However you can create the altitude profile for your track using the waypoint data.

I’m really happy with it. I would recommend it.

5 Stars Garmin eTrex HCx has indoor GPS sensitivity
The eTrex HCx is much faster and more sensitive than older Garmin products. I can get fixes anywhere within my house; my old StreetPilot 2610 only works 1ft from a window. It is compact and lightweight. I loaded Citi Navitagator 8 on it and plan to add topo maps for the southwest. I got a 2G SD card for $6 and and loaded CitiNav maps for the entire western US and eastern seaboard using about 900M of space. Figure that the 1G left over will be enough for my topo maps. I went to the MyGarmin website and got a Citi Navigator 8.0 unlock code for an additional unit at no cost (we had purchased it earlier for our Garmin StreetPilot). I am told the new 2009 version only unlocks one unit.

The user interface is not intuitive but after reading the manual and using it a few times it gets easy. The screen though small is bright and clear and I have no problem reading it from my dashboard. The turn-by-turn navigation works well; just like a PND, except that there is no audio. I got this unit mostly for hiking and am looking forward to taking it on the trail.

5 Stars Garmin ETREX ledgend HCX
Unit works great. It even picks up satellites indoors and does not loose them once they have been quickly acquired. Much better than the regular Etrex model that loose the satellites in heavy tree canopy or indoors. Color screen is a bonus with the ability to change color to your liking. Extra micro XD card slot allows you to put maps on the unit for a better location perspective. Many other options that I don’t even use.

Buy/More Info

Gilsson is a leading manufacturer of Garmin and Magellan compatible GPS (Global Positioning System) accessories, including amplified external GPS antennas, GPS power and data cables, GPS carrying cases, GPS data cards, and GPS mounting brackets.This product is designed for Garmin StreetPilot III, GPSMap 60CS, 76 series GPS.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer’s web site.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Works great, but not necessary.
I bought this to use with my Garmin GPSMap 60CSx. It works great, but is a little “clunky” with the huge adapter for the serial cable port. What I found, though, is my phone charger cord for my Motorola phone is the same adapter for the usb data cable for this device. So – I already had a power cord for this GPS. Didn’t need this adapter. Either one will power the unit in the car.

4 Stars Nikonuser1
It works. I could drive around with this connected to the 12V output on the car and not use the batteries in my Garmin GPSmaps 60CSx. When it came, I had a really difficult time pushing the connector onto the GPS slot. It finally started to go and after I connected and disconneeted several times it fit okay.

5 Stars Works like a charm
What can I say. It plugs in, it works my GPS. Does what it says it will and no drama. Wish other thing in my life worked as well

4 Stars Power without batteries!
I got this Garmin compatible cigarette lighter power adapter for my Garin GPS 60CSX. It works great in my vehicle. It powers the gps unit without using up your batteries. The only complaint I have is that it will come out of the unit easily if you handle the unit to much. Other than that it great that is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 stars. It shipped quickly and got to me in a timely manner as well.

4 Stars Save the batteries
This is perfect for not using the batteries on your unit and just keeping it plugged into the vehicle to run it. I also use it on my bike.

Buy/More Info

With easy-to-use Touchscreen displays, the nuvi 255 can route to addresses, restaurants, hotels and more with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance. nuvi 255 will include text-to-speech, which will prompt you to “Turn right on Main Street.” New appealing features include MSN Direct compatibility, HotFix, Garmin Connect Photos, digital elevation maps, automatic time zone updates and smoother map updates. nuvi 255 is compatible with an optional MSN Direct receiver (GDB 55). This optional MSN Direct receiver provides premium content such as traffic updates, weather, gas prices, enhanced movie listings, stock info, news, local events and a send-to-GPS feature for trip planning. nuvi 255 has broader map coverage and comes preloaded with City Navigator NT road maps for North America and 6 million points of interest. The map data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Bright 3.5 diagonal color display; 320 x 240 pixels; QVGA TFT display, with white backlight High-sensitivity GPS receiver for improved performance and reception Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time and more Built-in travel kit includes features such as picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator Configurable vehicle icons – allows users to select a fun, customized car-shaped icon; users can download additional choices Offers a three-dimensional mapping perspective or 2D overhead view Built-in lithium-ion battery – lasts up to four hours depending on usage Dimensions – Width 3.8 x Height 2.8 x Depth 0.8 Weight – 5.2 ounces

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very Nice
I have had this little GPS for over a Month now and I must say this is a nice little unit. I also own two Magellan GPS units and I like this one just as well, if not better. I originally purchased one of these 255s for my son before he went off to college. I liked it so well I purchased another one to mount on my motorcycle. I used a Ram Mount kit and it all works perfectly. Very good buy!

5 Stars Great little GPS.
This is a very basic GPS, but for the price it does a very good job and I’ve had no major problems with it.

4 Stars Unnecessary option
When I bought the Garmin nuvi 255, Amazon asked me if I wished to purchase the Garmin vehicle power cable. Not knowing that a cable was included with the GPS, I bought it, as well as the dashboard mount. After receiving the GPS, I found that a vehicle power cable was included. Don’t buy the second one unless you need it.

Even after downloading the latest map from Garmin, I noticed errors in road information for my area.

4 Stars It gets me around
I picked this one out because I was used to the screen format on my parents’ GPS. I like how the top has an arrow to show you the direction of your next turn, the distance til the turn, and the name of the turn. It also gives you the speed limit, but it is not always right. This one has a few male and female voices to choose from, and it speaks the street names out loud.

It is pretty easy to figure out how to use the different features if you play around with it for a few minutes. You can program your home and favorite addresses to find them easily. You can also search for businesses near you, near your destination, or along the route. The businesses usually have a phone number in the GPS so you can call to reserve a hotel, etc. While you are driving, you will see a little car on the map to indicate where you are. You can press the green bar on the top to see future directions and the full map of your route. You can also zoom in and out on the map.

Usually the GPS finds a good route, but it does not know which routes have high traffic which makes them take longer than expected. You can get around this by setting a via point to direct the GPS in the direction you want it to go. Occasionally the route is confusing, usually when there are multiple turns in a row, but you will get where you’re going. You don’t have to worry about missing a turn because it will recalculate and put you back on track. There is a detour option that you can use if you come to a traffic jam or some other problem. So far I have not liked the detour route it gave me, but I don’t know if there was a better one because I was in an unfamiliar area. At least it got me back on track eventually. Usually it finds the satellite signal fast and rarely loses the signal. Overall, I like this GPS. It is very easy and helpful once you get used to it.

5 Stars The best affordable GPS
This is my first GPS. I have read all available reviews about other brand GPS. This is the best & affordable GPS. It has everything, Text to speech with good voice quality, 2010 map update free to download, receives signal & re-routes fast , sturdy built , reliable windshield mount. I received it brand new well packaged with in 4 days of ordering .Thanks amazon.

Buy/More Info

This rugged, all-weather collar has an integrated GPS transmitter and antenna that work with the Astro 220 to ensure that your dog will never be lost again. Plus, it’s specially weighted so the antenna will always point to the sky for optimal signal. When teamed up with the Astro 220, this system will have you hunting in no time. The DC 30, in combination with the Astro 220, pinpoints your dog’s position every 5 seconds and runs for 17 hours. You can extend the battery life of the DC 30 by changing the position transmit rate from 5 to 10 or 30 seconds, enabling the DC 30 to work up to 36 hours in the field on one charge. You will know if your dog is pointing, sitting, moving or treeing. Where it’s at. Where it’s been. How fast it’s moving and how far it’s gone.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars redesign of the original astro (orange) transmitter
The original astro came packaged with a small rechargable orange transmitter and a velcro harness to put it on your dog. Anyone mixing velcro and dog hair knows what happens next. There was also a plastic clip you could use to screw the transmitter onto your dog’s existing collar, but my dog broke 2 of those clips giving chase.

When the DC30 came out it was a major improvement. Garmin realized that the heavy transmitter would sag down where the dog tags hang, so the put it there intentionally instead of forcing it on top.

The passive antenna in the original unit was replaced with an active amplified gps antenna sewn into the collar facing the sky. A small thin cable is hidden in the collar to carry the gps signal down to the transmitter below.

Finally, the transmit antenna was redesigned for vhf frequencies and realizes 1dB more gain over the previous transmitter – not alot but still an improvement.

In short, the DC 30 makes the astro a real dog tracker. I bought the collar separately and was immediately impressed. No longer did I have to scrape dog hair from the velcro on their earlier design!

5 Stars Exclent new Product! Awesome design!
With the initial purchase of the Astro system more than one year ago,I have purchased two more, old design DC-10s, and all three broke the antennas or lost the sleeve after the first or second hunting. They are definitely not properly design to hunt in difficult dense bushes . The antenna in the old DC-10 is terrible and get damaged when the dog has to cross a barbed wire line and the neoprene harness tends to deteriorate quickly. Recently I bought one of the new DC-30 and am very satisfied. It is a totally new concept. Rugged, easy to clean after the hunt and always stays in the proper position in the neck of the dog thanks to a very balanced weight design. The new antenna which is much more flexible and thinner stays at the side of the neck and never moves from the upwards position. Really Garmin had made his homework with the DC-30! Have used it in several hunting trips and the collar is like new.I am buying more to replace the old ones.

5 Stars Exelent product
We bougth it for the hunting with ouer dogs. It is exelendt and a lot of my friends will buy the product soon.

Greatings from Germany

KJS

5 Stars Tried to purchase this item multiple times.
I have tried to purchase this multiple times to have it canceled on me. They claim that it was previously purchased. This is frustrating. The product is an excellent product, I am trying to purchase an additional collar. Problem always seems to buy with the seller antonline.

5 Stars Why two prices?
I have tried several times to purchase the DC30 from Amazon. It lists one lower price (in this case $163) on the first hit from Google. Then you go to the Amazon website and it rings it up at $195. We used to call that deceptive advertising. Maybe it is called creative marketing now.

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Neither deep foliage nor steep canyons will faze the rugged Garmin eTrex Vista HCx navigator. Equipped with a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, the unit locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover. The advantage is clear: whether you’re traipsing through thick woods or strolling near tall buildings and trees, you can count on the Vista HCx to help you find your way when you need it the most. The Vista HCx also includes a built-in electronic compass that provides bearing information even when you’re standing still, along with a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. You can even use the altimeter to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions.

Adding maps to the Vista HCx is easier than ever thanks to the device’s microSD card slot, which accepts cards preloaded with MapSource data for your land and sea excursions. Just insert a MapSource card with detailed street maps, and the Vista HCx will provide turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Plus, the card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you needn’t worry about it getting wet.

Besides appreciating its small size, users will also be happy with the Vista HCx’s unique button layout, with five buttons located on either side of the unit. The benefits of this design are twofold: First, the Vista HCx is a breeze to operate with just one hand, and, second, with the buttons on both sides of the unit, the bulk of the front is dedicated to the 256-color, sunlight-readable TFT display. This makes it easy to distinguish map details regardless of the time of day.

The Vista HCx basemap, meanwhile, contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads, and coastlines–in short, a host of helpful details for your outdoor adventures. Other details include an IPX7 waterproof housing, 1,000 waypoints with names and graphic symbols, a built-in patch antenna, a USB interface, a hunt/fish calendar, sun and moon information, and a geocaching mode. The Vista HCx, which runs for up to 25 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), measures 2.2 by 4.2 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.

What’s in the Box
eTrex Vista HCx, basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software, USB cable, wrist strap, quick start guide, user’s manual.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Garmin vista HCx
I bought this to take on trips outside driving my auto, ie, cruises, bus tours etc. I have had it 1 month. It is quick on the trigger to locate ones self. The detail map of the US was a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for and it is quality. One key feature, it comes with a world map (base map) which is ideal for outside US.

4 Stars A very capable little GPS receiver!
I just received mine, and took the advice I read on a GPS forum: First, load the disc into my computer, which loads the drivers. Second, connect the GPS to my computer and update to the latest firmware if needed (on Garmin’s site) BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE to insure I won’t have the technical problems some other reviewers are having. I did this, and my receiver functions flawlessly, except for one minor annoyance concerning the altimeter/barometer, described later in this review. The functions and capabilities are not intuitive to someone new to using a handheld GPSr; the learning curve is quite steep. The manual doesn’t help much in that regard, it seems written for someone who already knows how to use a receiver and just needs to learn the functions of this particular model. I purchased the book ‘Outdoor Navigation with GPS’ by Stephan Hinch, and that has been a big help. The basemap is basic, but serves well for learning purposes. I did manage to load some free detailed TOPO maps into my 4GB micro SDHC card (not included, available on Amazon) and they work very well in this receiver. Garmin also sells a variety of maps on CD/DVD and micro SD cards, but they are expensive. The screen is nicely readable in sun, overcast and open shade, but in dimmer lighting I need to use the backlight. My annoyance concerns the barometer/altimeter correlation. Setting the barometer to the correct pressure causes the altimeter to read 50-60 feet low. Conversely, setting the altimeter correctly causes the barometer to read .03hg high. I would like to be able to calibrate each function separately from the other, and once that is done enter ‘OK’ to enter the user settings for each function, without the calibration of one function affecting the other. This is discussed by others on the GPS forum that I mentioned earlier, so it is not just my unit that is affected. I do make the correct setting to the altimeter and will live with some inaccuracy with the barometer reading. If you don’t want to spend a lot of time learning to use a receiver, look at the more basic models; but if you are ready for a bit of a challenge learning to use a receiver with some bells and whistles, and will eventually load maps, this might be the one for you. NOTE: One reviewer states Lat and Lon are not displayed; but out of the box Lat and Lon are displayed on the Satellite Page and automatically updated as I move, and the Compass, Odometer and Highway Pages can be easily configured to display the updating Lat and Lon.

3 Stars No Lat and Lon
The main reason I bought this unit was to track my latitude and longitude as I walk or drive. But it does not have a screen that shows this simple task.

2 Stars Issues with Garmin Vista HCx
Sadly my old Vista Cx died again due to a malfunctioning power button. Like the first unit, which exited service after only about two weeks of use, the warranty replacement died about two years later the same death. Cannot turn it on reliably anymore, it takes about 20 tries to get it running. Failed attempts result in a software crash, making it necessary to remove the batteries and start anew….

Anyway, this review is about the new high sensitivity model HCx. I elected to buy a vista again since there still does not seem to be any serious game in town when it comes to outdoors GPS units. As promised, the HCx indeed has a much higher sensitivity and works even in some basements. No more last signal in the woods etc. This part of the device works great and I was very happy to have upgraded. However, it is upsetting that Garmin did not bother to fix some of the severe shortcomings of the old Cx model like the Atari-stone age like limit on the number of tracks (20!!!) and waypoints one can have in there, despite the option to put SD cards of up to 4 Gb in there. Ridiculous!

Furthermore, the unit shows the same strange SD-card “turning-the-device-off” problem like I encountered on the old Cx: The device works fine with SD cards as long as one NEVER connects the thing to a computer as “USB storage” device (i.e. as hard drive). Putting in a fresh card into the Garmin and then loading maps from Mapsource without using the “USB storage” feature seems NOT to cause this problem. However, as soon as one connects the device as USB storage unit to a computer (for example to copy the daily track-log to your hard drive to use it in Google Earth) the SD card gets somehow altered (i.e. the computer seems to write something on the card, even if one only copies items from SD to computer). This has the consequence that the Garmin henceforth cannot be turned off anymore properly as long as this card is inserted in the SD slot: After shut down a continuous beep is emitted, which can only be killed by removing the batteries. If the ‘tainted’ SD card is removed before STARTING the Garmin the effect goes away.

I was not able to find a way so far to restore such ‘tainted’ SD cards, i.e. various attempts to reformat such cards failed so far. This has probably to do with the fact that to format a card it needs to be connected to the computer as USB storage device, i.e. it gets immediately ‘tainted’ again once the formatting process is over, before it can be removed. The consequence is to either dump the card in the trash after each download of data and load the maps to a new one using direct copy from Mapsource, or to accept the fact that turning off the device in future means to remove the back panel and take out one of the batteries.

That Garmin apparently does not bother to fix such issues after several years has in my opinion to do with their quasi-monopoly in this market segment. Their disregard for their customers is apparent in all of their interactions with customers starting with the abysmal customer service extended over the phone to the greedy non-transferability of maps between devices, and extremely expensive map upgrades.

Bottom line: Great GPS sensitivity in a 1980’s Atari style package (did I mention the included laughable Mapsource software, which works about as well as 1980s style DOS software?). You could really do better Garmin! Can’t wait to get my first GPS enabled iPod touch!

5 Stars Small but
I am a pilot and I always wanted to have a personal GPS but I was told that due to the aircraft speed, the GPS will not work properly, well now I fly an A-330 and it is a great companion works very good, fast and very accurate. On days OFF is nice to have it to got out and search for some nice place.

The only issue is that some times with no reason it make a sound when is OFF and I have to move the batteries out to cancel that sound.

I am very happy with my GPS

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Jump-start your training with the Garmin Forerunner 50. This sleek sports watch is ideal for running, cycling, and other fitness activities, and it includes a wireless heart rate monitor. Plus, it automatically transmits workouts to your computer so you can analyze, store, and share data using Garmin’s online community, Garmin Connect. Add Garmin’s Foot Pod (not included) to track your speed, distance, and calories burned while running, or add a Speed/Cadence bike sensor (not included) for tracking your cycling workouts.

Jump-start your training with the Forerunner 50. Click to enlarge.

With ANT+ wireless technology, your workout data is automatically transferred to your PC when your device is within range–no cables, no hookups. Click to enlarge.

Continuously track your heart beats per minute and wirelessly transmit the data to the Forerunner 50. Click to enlarge.

Add the Garmin wireless Foot Pod (not included) to track your running speed, distance, and calories burned while on the treadmill or pavement. Click to enlarge.

Get the Data You Need
Train inside or outdoors. The Forerunner 50 provides you with instant workout data, including training time, pace, distance, lap pace, lap time, lap distance, average and best pace, calories, and maximum and average heart rate. It also records both lap and detailed data. Available in three different versions, the Forerunner 50 comes bundled with different accessories (also available separately) to help you track your progress for whatever moves you.

Listen to Your Heart
Forerunner 50 with wireless heart rate effectively tracks and records your heart rate while you work out, providing instant feedback about how hard your heart is working. The included digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute, which is wirelessly transmitted to the Forerunner 50. Even train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level. And well after your workout is done, Forerunner 50 is still working, wirelessly transmitting your training data to your PC.

Measure Speed and Distance
Garmin’s wireless Foot Pod (sold separately) lets you track your running speed, distance, and calories burned while on the treadmill or pavement. Just snap the Foot Pod into a clip on your shoelaces, and it’s ready to send data to Forerunner 50 as soon as you start moving. After your workout, Forerunner 50 automatically transfers the data to your computer when within range.

Track Your Ride
When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor (sold separately), Forerunner 50 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike and measures your pedaling cadence and wheel speed as you ride. You can even use it to train indoors because the sensor attaches to your rear wheel.

Run, Sync, Store, and Share
You’ve logged the miles, and now you want to store them. With Garmin’s innovative ANT+ wireless technology, your workouts are automatically transferred to your computer when your device is within range. No cables, no hookups. The data’s just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize, and share through Garmin’s online community, Garmin Connect, or the Garmin Training Center software.

What’s in the Box
Forerunner 50 watch, USB ANT Stick, Heart rate monitor, Owner’s Manual

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Garmin Forerunner 50 Sports Watch
I was so impressed with the watch and price that I had to get one for my running friend.

5 Stars Great yet simple product
This was a bargain for $50. Watch is simply to use and the upload to your computer is even simpler with the USB ANT stick. The HR monitor is very comfortable. I use it for both running and mtn biking. Still trying to get the right tension for the strap but virtually no movement when running but some slight movement when mtn biking since I am manuevering around a lot. Only downside is that memory storage on the watch is minimal but those who need more can simply buy a higher level Garmin model. For me, this simple Forerunner 50 worked out great.

5 Stars The best Heart Rate monitor for 50 dollars
The UI has a few minor design flaws, but who cares?! the watch costs only 50 dollars!! Its an awesome watch for that price, and it works really well.

2 Stars Nice technology …poor durability
I have owned this watch for about a year and half. The function of the watch is fairly nice and I had no issues with software (pc), pairing, accuracy etc. My main dissapointement has been with maintenance. I am a person who wears their sports watch all the time, for general day to day use as well. After about 9 months, the battery was gone. I believe Garmin recommends having it replaced by a watch shop. I was able to do it myself but it was tedious and a bit nerve racking. Then after about a year the band started to fall apart. Again you have to send it in to get it replaced taking probably a week or two with shipping. So I taped up the break with some electrical tape and kept using it. After a few more weeks it broke again. So now I guess I will have to send it in.

My first sports watch was Casio basic chronograph. I think it lasted 10 years. I had to replace the battery once and the band a couple of times (from Walmart). Technology advances are great but companies like Garmin need to spend more time on the basic durability and maintenenace.

3 Stars This is not a GPS device.
I bought this to wear while running, thinking I was getting a device which would use GPS to track my distance and pace.

This is not a GPS device. It’s a sports watch.

Unless you plan to use this with the foot pod, the device will not help you track distance. The package includes the ANT stick (for transferring data to your PC), and a heart rate monitor. The package does NOT include the foot pod. The foot pod is an additional eighty dollars.

I am returning this Forerunner 50 and buying the 205 (currently the same price as the 50 and the foot pod combined), which I believe has the GPS feature that I want.

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Simple navigation at an affordable price–that’s n