Garmin portable GPS systems for cars, compare GPS units, reviews and ratings

There are many different models of Garmin portable GPS systems for cars on the market. All come with a variety of prices and features. If you are like I was when I first started looking for a GPS. you may be unfamiliar with some of these features. This along with the pure number of available portable GPS systems, makes finding the best portable GPS for your needs a real challenge.

In the table below, we compare GPS units by Garmin based on the most popular features. To explore detailed information on any listed Garmin nuvi GPS unit, just click on that unit and you will be taken to the detail page for that particular Garmin GPS navigation system.

On the detail page you will find the review for that Garmin portable GPS unit along with ratings for that Garmin portable GPS based on owner surveys.

CHART DEFINITIONS:

• $: Garmin portable GPS suggested retail price. This is the price that Garmin lists for that product. Chances are very good you'll be able to purchase the unit for a better price than that listed.
• Scrn: This column shows the screen size of the unit measured diagonally. This is purely a matter of preference although the larger screen may be easier to read.
• Speak Steet Names: This used to be called "text to speech". With this feature the system will tell you to "in .5 miles turn left on Jones street". Without this feature the system would tell you to "in .5 miles turn left". This is a very desirable feature. With it you do not have to look at the map to confirm that you are on the correct street.
• Map: All Garmin GPS navigational units come with preloaded maps. This column indicates which maps are preloaded with the unit. Examples: NA=North America (US+Canada); EU=Europe; US49+PR=Lower 48 states plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
• BT/MP3: The unit is bluetooth compatible and can communicate with some cell phones providing hands free calling. Depending on the unit, the speaker and microphone do not provide the best quality sound.
• MP3 Player: Allows you to download MP3 music and play it on your unit. Sound quality is not the greatest.
• Multi Point: Multi Point Routing allows you to set up multiple destinations and create the most efficient route. Great for deliveries. However, a simple alternative would be to pre-set destinations to favorites.
• Traf (Traffic):
Garmin offers three traffic options. MSN Direct (see description below), Navteq traffic and The Total Traffic Network. When there are traffic alerts they appear on your screen via various symbols, depending on the situation. Although traffic information would be a great feature, it still isn't up to the quality we would like to see. Check the coverage for your area before you buy any of these services. Total Traffic Network provides incident, event, construction, congestion and impact information for customers, and is the leading company in North America providing a traffic subscription service to consumers. Click here to see coverage provided. Total Traffic Network coverage Navteq offers incident and construction information which is available in all markets. Average speed/flow information along select expressways is available in all markets except Toronto. Click here to see coverage map. Navteq coverage map Both offer lifetime subscriptions and they're not very expensive.
• MSN: MSN® Direct is an information service that uses a FM wireless data casting network to deliver location-based services to navigation systems. Services available today include:
  • Traffic reports
  • Send to GPS
  • Gas Prices
  • Weather Reports
  • Doppler Weather Maps
  • Movie Information
  • Local Events
  • Stock Quotes
  • News Headlines
  • Flight Status
  They broadcast data to 134 cities in the US and Canada, including the top 100 biggest cities in all 50 US states and five Canadian provinces. Click to see the MSN Direct coverage map.
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• Lane: These units have Lane Assist which tells you in advance what lane to be in for the up-commin turn.
• Where Am I: An emergency feature that gives your coordinates, address and location to nearest hospital, police and fuel.
• FM: Allows you to set your GPS to broadcast over your car FM radio.
• Locate: A Garmin Portable GPS feature that remembers your location when you turn the unit off and take it with you. Allows you to find your car in large parking lots and amusement parks.

Garmin Portable GPS Comparison Table

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** These units will be available second quarter 2009.

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With a few exceptions, all Garmin portable GPS nuvi systems have the following features:

• Touch Screen
• JPEG picture viewer
• World Travel Clock (not found on the 5000 model)
• Currency Converter (not found on the 5000 model)
• Calculator (not found on the 5000 model)
• At least 6 million POIs (preloaded points of interest such as hotels, restaurants, ATMs, etc.)
• Custom POIs (you can add your own points of interest)
• Auto Re-Route (gets you back on track if you miss a turn)
• Route Avoidance (allows you to avoid highways or tolls)
• Choice of Route Set-up (you can choose faster time, shortest distance, off road)
• Add Maps (user can add additional maps)
• Garmin Lock (anti-theft feature)
• Garmin Garage (you can download custom car icons and voices to your Garmin portable GPS)

Some items not listed on the chart above because they are only available on a few Garmin portable GPS units.

• Voice Command: This is a pretty cool feature. It allows you to communicate with your GPS via voice. Best of all it really works! This is currently only found on Garmin portable GPS nuvi models: 855 and 885T.
• Multi-Mode: You can switch modes to be used as a Garmin portable GPS for: hiking, boating, auto or motorcycle and it's Waterproof. Garmin nuvi GPS models 500 and 550 only.
• Data Card:All units have a memory card slot to allow increased storage of maps, pictures, audio books, etc. They either use a SD card or a Micro SD card.

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