TomTom Rider 2 GPS Navigator for Motorcycles and Scooters Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received this unit for Christmas primarily for my bike, but once I purchase the car mount adapter it will be used in the car as well.
This is an excellent unit, to say the least. One reviewer mentioned that it's too difficult to turn the unit on- I say "hogwash". The pushbutton is stiff, yes, but that's done to keep the unit from turning on accidentally while in your jacket pocket or carry bag (and with a touch screen, you can well imagine how much mischief one could accidentally create if it turned on without your knowledge). Ditto with the Scala Rider headset- you don't want the thing accidentally turning on, running the battery down, do you?
Another reviewer mentioned that it doesn't have a "speedometer" or trip meter function- it most certainly does have a speedometer, and what I assume is the "trip meter"- but since TomTom set the unit from the factory to eliminate as much extraneous information as possible, you have to activate it in the menus. Once that has been activated, it'll be there until you turn that feature off. In fact, there are a great number of features you can turn on and off in the menus.
I found the documentation to be adequate, and to the point. The printed documentation is to get you up to speed until you charge the units and turn them on- it's easy sailing after that. The unit is very easy to use, and it has tutorials right on the unit, so in my opinion further paper documentation is rather redundant- actually, I think it's pretty smart on TomTom's part to include tutorials on the unit itself rather than supply a printed book- that way I don't have to carry around the book, as all of the information is already on the unit! They really don't say much about the bike power cable, but I can certainly understand why- it's not possible to provide information about every bike out there, and if you aren't familiar enough with your bike, or can't figure out how to install it, it's probably best to get someone who is (like your bike dealer) to do the installation.
I've got a Motorolla Razr phone, and the TomTom easily hooked up to my phone via Bluetooth, and it painlessly downloaded all of my phone numbers I have stored on the phone (thank you for providing this helpful feature!).
I do wish that it gave the street name when it gives you instructions to turn, but I soon got used to how it works- not only does the display give you very clear instructions on where to turn, it also gives you the street name. Once you get used to it, it's easy. But I would like the option of hearing the street name (my PDA does, but the map display isn't as easy to see as the TomTom). While playing with the unit as my father-in-law drove the car, I discovered one potential issue with having the street name spoken to you- what happens when the street name is changed, but your maps haven't been updated? If you rely on the spoken street name, you might miss it- it's best to take a glance at the screen to make sure you're taking the correct turn (I found one such road- the name has recently been changed, but the map showed the old name instead). Still, I'd prefer to have it spoken, and visually double-check the map.
Overall, I give the TomTom an A-. TomTom, if you're reading this, I'll give you an A+ if you guys update the software so that it'll give you the street name by voice- then you'll have the best bike GPS available! However, I'd still buy the unit as is. It would just increase the functionality by including this feature.

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Developed for bikers by bikers, TomTom RIDER is one of the smartest navigation solutions for motorcycles. Switch on and go right out of the box. Just mount the unit on your bike, and you're ready to hit the open road. Turn-by-turn spoken directions guide you safely door-to-door to any address in the United States or Canada.

Rugged waterproof device, anti-glare screen, integrated sun visor, and gloves-on operation give bikers just what they need while riding. Navigation instructions are spoken via in-helmet Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset for great audio quality, external noise cancellation, and added safety and convenience. Itinerary planning helps riders to make the most of their time on the road. And with a choice of routes--including shortest, fastest, non-toll roads, and avoiding highways--you can explore the world your own way.
TomTom RIDER can even be used for safe hands-free calling with your Bluetooth-enabled phone.
TomTom has the most accurate maps, and with TomTom Map Share technology, you instantly can modify street names, street direction, points of interest, and more on your own device.
Included universal RAM mounting kit securely fits most bikes. Optional car mount kit accessory makes it easy to transfer from bike to car.
The TomTom RIDER is the ultimate in smart and easy bike navigation.
RIDER Features
Maps of United States and Canada with TomTom Map Share
Spoken Instructions
Glove-friendly Touchscreen
Waterproof
Cardo scala-rider Bluetooth headset
Universal RAM Mount
Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling
3.5-inch Touchscreen
Car Mount Kit--Optional Accessory

All TomToms Feature
Plug & Go--Works right out of the box.
Preloaded Points of Interest--Easily find millions of gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more on your route.
30-Day Latest Map Guarantee--Up to date, off the shelf.
TomTom Map Share--Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share.
Help Me! Emergency Menu--Easily access local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals.
TomTom HOME--Always up to date.
Traffic Ready--Optional RDS-TMC traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic events to minimize potential delays.
Fuel Price Service (optional)--Know more, pay less.
Why TomTom? TomTom believes that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. TomTom develops smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.
Easy to Use
Award-winning navigation software
Plug & go

Best Maps
30-Day Latest Map Guarantee
Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share

Best Routing
QuickGPSfix
Traffic ready

Leader in Safety
Help Me! emergency resources menu
Safety preferences menu

About TomTom Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high-quality products and services.
TomTom is a leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further its commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so that the company can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.
TomTom has its own mapping company!
Did you know that every year, roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.
What's in the Box TomTom RIDER, Memory card (SD card) with software and maps, USB cable, High quality Cardo scala-rider wireless Bluetooth headset for in-helmet spoken instructions, RAM Mounting kit

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Rand McNally 528881469 7-inch Intelliroute TND 700 Truck GPS Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well as one of the first to get this I figured I'd give a review. The screen is great. It's pretty clear and seems tough enough not to need a screen protector. The plastic that was on the screen out-of-the-box left glue residue which was a pain to remove. It comes with a stylus that works great but navigating around with your finger is easy and works just fine. I usually just have to tap it with the back of my finger. When you get it, charge it for a few hours before you use it at all. I'm not sure if my over sized good laptop even was charging it. So use the wall outlet. It comes with nice cables for both wall outlet and 12 volt, as well as a good usb cable. The supplied mount is excellent and easy to use. No tools required. The screen part snaps into another flat part on the mount and you have to make sure it's clicked in all the way or it will drop out.. AFTER IT IS FULLY CHARGED, plug it in the pc and get your first free lifetime update. The software loads fine and tries to start up each time you use the computer. I stopped that and made a shortcut to start it myself. There are no options I saw to disable it from auto starting... I used ccleaner/tools/startup to disable it. The program DOES use a lot of resources when running, but you only need to update once in a while.
My first drive with it was Tampa to El Paso. It saves my height, width, weight and hazmat class. I was hauling hazmat. It gave a killer route that would have saved time but I had to alter it for the company fuel stops and routes. It tells you everything you need to know. Where travel centers are and what they have, scales and weigh stations and much more which can all be symbols on the map if you wish. YAY now i don't have to buy an iphone. Some stuff in the manual says parts are for future use so I'm guessing the updates are going to give even more. You can manually adjust the zoom. The automatic screen zooming works great. One time it was dark and cloudy with a cool looking sky and I looked at my screen and saw the exact same thing as I approached a ramp. You can save all your addresses and stops and put notes in them for phone numbers and gate codes etc. Then make groups (folders) for your addresses so you can find them even quicker. I sat there for 9 hours like a jerk and typed in all the company terminals and drop yards. It was fun. I'm saving each new stop now with notes too.
Once the GPS kinda got confused and mixed up my current rout with a completed one. It may have been my fault but I don't think so. I just restarted it real quick and it worked fine again.
I also used it in my car. It's easy to switch between truck and car mode. I drive a medium large car and the 7 inch unit was a bit to big and did obstruct my view a little.
The voice is fine and easy to adjust. The thing is nice and it works good. The traffic and road updates for life. I don't have to use internet or buy a netbook (with gps) and software... I'm happy I got it. I don't get lost anymore.
I like the TND 700. I'd just like to tell Rand Mcnally that since we spent as much on this as for a laptop, please make this the best and keep updates and innovations coming to us for the next few years at least. I'm kinda expecting you to make the software on the unit and on the TND DOCK (pc software) a bit better. I'd also like to be able to set up routes INTERSTATE to INTERSTATE to INTERSTATE to FINAL in order to comply with company route solutions. Sometimes we can't take all those better routes the unit suggests. You can make this worthy of five stars with just a little more effort. Well, I gotta haul A$$. Joe

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Like its award-winning predecessor, the IntelliRoute TND 500, the Rand McNally IntelliRoute TND 700 GPS device gives truckers much more than just maps and navigation. It offers detailed information about truck stops, rest areas, weigh stations and other points of interest for truckers, as well as tools to help drivers estimate the profitability of a route. And with its seven-inch screen and high-definition display, the IntelliRoute TND 700 redefines readability and usability. Other exclusive features include an oversized stylus, larger buttons, a louder speaker, and tools like a calendar and notepad to help professional drivers complete their routes with greater ease and efficiency.
Large, Seven-Inch Display and Powerful Speaker The IntelliRoute TND 700 sets itself apart from other GPS devices with its large, seven-inch, high-definition screen, over-sized buttons, and stylus--all of which are designed specifically for a truck cab. And unlike GPS devices designed for passenger cars, this truck navigation unit has a speaker that is twice as powerful as typical car speakers, amplifying the sound above cab noise so spoken directions come through loud and clear.
35-Percent More Truck-Route Information Even before your truck has started, you can determine the best route to take by entering your truck's length, width, weight, height, and HazMat information. The IntelliRoute TND 700 has 35-percent more truck routing information than other GPS units. Enter as many as 10 stops and use the device's preferences tools to pass up tolls and construction without missing weigh stations, rest areas, or repair services. Connect the included USB cable to a Windows-compatible computer with internet connection for free updates including road construction.
The IntelliRoute TND 700 provides turn-by-turn directions with spoken street names. The patented Smart-Time feature calculates the local time as well as the time at your destination--handy when traveling across multiple time zones.
Included in the IntelliRoute TND 700 is searchable truck-stop information from The Trucker's Friend National Truck Stop Directory. You can find the nearest truck stop or search more than 70 amenities like showers, restaurants, Wi-Fi, and more!
Customized Trucker Business Tools Loaded with all of the innovative tools featured in the IntelliRoute TND 500, the IntelliRoute TND 700 introduces more tools vital for truckers. A new calendar feature helps you keep track of important appointments and dates. Also, you can keep all of your reminders and notes together in the same place with the handy notepad feature.
Drivers can reduce time-consuming manual calculations with the IntelliRoute TND 700. Drivers can track miles driven in every U.S. state or Canadian province for organized bookkeeping and fuel-tax reporting. User-set timers and logs keep track of driving time and time on duty.
The IntelliRoute TND 700 was designed to partner with America's #1 trucker's atlas. Drivers can cross-reference to the page and grid of the Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas.
The Quick Planner tool helps determine the profitability of routes. A commercial-grade address book organizes thousands of entries, and allows you to group them the way that works best for you.
With so many helpful tools, off-duty truckers may find themselves switching the IntelliRoute TND 700 to car mode and bringing it along for family trips.
The IntelliRoute TND 700 is backed by a one-year parts-and-labor warranty.
What's in the Box IntelliRoute TND 700, windshield mount, truck charger with extended length cable, 120/240V home charger, quick start guide, and USB cable.

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Clarion MiND 4.8-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator (White) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)6/3/2009 Update
I've been using the device for a few weeks now. It has a lot of potential and things can be done, but many applications/features lack the quality of a mature product: inconsistent and unfriendly interface, missing features etc.
Major issues:
1. Small POI database. Only 2 mln POIs, and so far, no way to buy or import additional POIs. Big problem for me, and no easy way around. Finding missing POIs using Google at home takes longer than on a regular GPS unit with built-in POIs. You cannot use Google on the road (or it is much more difficult). Some GPS devices have 6 or more millions of POIs; you can really appreciate it after using the limited 2mln Clarion's database.
2. POI search speed can be from 10 seconds to 3 minutes!!! depending on user's entry. 3 minutes - it is just an absurd number. It must be fixed.
3. No Bluetooth hands-free calling. (The GPS is supposed to work with a phone. Why not hands-free calling? I need a BT headset? How many more electronics should I carry?)
4. Bluetooth dial-up network (DUN) doesn't work with my phone. I was surprised because it was one of the major selling points. Clarion provides only a list of compatible networks and my network is on that list. No list of compatible/supported phones.(My phone's DUN works with my other devices)
My hope is that Clarion will keep releasing updates and improving its functionality.Written before 6/3/2009
The great:
1. Integration with the Internet:
a) You can send POIs from the Internet to ClarionMiND. Even with good GPS units finding POIs may be difficult: you either don't find it or you find too many. ClarionMiND lets you plan your trip on your computer at home using Google Maps, and send POIs to the device. Great feature!!!
b) Great desktop-class Internet browser. You will be able to do everything you can do on your desktop at home, including Flash videos.
c) Google search, and it is integrated with navigation.
2. Navigation (I will update this review on route quality after I use the unit more):
a) So far routes look good.
b) Lane assist. It shows which lane on a multi-lane road you should take.
c) Nice job with voice directions. For example, it tells you something like, "go to the right side of the road" in order to prepare you for right turn.
d) All info needed for navigation is on the screen: compass heading (N, NE, E...), arrival time, distance, next and current street.
e) auto-zoom.
3. POI
a) Very fast search
b) You can preview POIs on the map. This is something nice and unique. You can select a single or a group of POIs and see them on a temporary map.
4. Address entry
a) Very fast.
b) QWERTY keyboard
c) Predictable entry. Only valid keys are active. As you keep entering data, it shows what was found at the top of the screen.
d) It remembers previous entry, and lets you re-start search from any level: state, city, street.
5. Hardware:
a) Gorgeous, high-resolution, large screen
b) Touchscreen works well. It is responsive.
c) Dedicated hardware buttons for Home, Top Menu, Music/Sound.
d) Great to hold in hands
6. Free Internet traffic. So far, I didn't find if it is integrated with navigation. There will be an option for radio traffic which, most likely, will be integrated.
7. Internet weather, news, email etc
8. Fast GPS lock. Less than 30 seconds.

The bad:
1.POI database is small. I couldn't find retail stores like, Walmart, Target, Costco etc
2.The car mount is awful. It is a few 100s dollars device with a "$1" mount. Very difficult to mount/dismount.
3.After you mount the device, it automatically limits its Internet functionality. Result: you cannot use the Internet in your garage when the device is mounted. You have to dismount it 1st, check the Internet, mount it again. AWFUL!!! If they wanted to make it safe, they should detect vehicle speed from the GPS.
4.Addresses are not displayed in the American format (number street, city zip), but as zip city street number.
5.Keyboard
a) Inconsistent keys. Sometimes, it is character-only; sometimes, characters and digits.
b) Inconsistent behavior: to accept, sometimes you have to click "Back", sometimes "Enter"; sometimes something else.
6.Too many keystrokes needed to see the route overview.
7.Current time is not displayed during navigation.
8.The device gets very hot.
9. Video player doesn't accept many video formats.
The bottom line:
It is a great navigation device: very fast, detailed spoken commands, plenty of details on the screen, great map, good routes. The device could be a perfect GPS but they have to add more POIs, BT hands-free calling, and polish the interface. ClarionMiND works very well with the Internet: it will have more or less of a practical meaning for different people.

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ClarionMiND is a completely new type of mobile Internet device created by the car audio and navigation expert Clarion. As a Next Generation Navigation plus Internet-Based Entertainment device, it provides GPS navigation, and with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled cellphone, the Internet can be accessed via a full browser anytime and anywhere. ClarionMiND has a new interface that allows you to navigate the real-world and the unlimited possibilities of the Internet at the touch of a finger. Standard Features: Available in Black, White and Red; 4.8-inch TFT WVGA Touch Screen; Built-In Navigation; Built-In WiFi; Stylus and Quick Reference Guide; Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery; Cigarette lighter and AC Adapter; Windshield Mount Kit. Hardware: Intel Atom Processor Architecture; 4.8 inch WVGA(800x480) Widescreen LCD Display with touch screen; Simple Three Buttons (Home, Control,Audio); Built in stylus holder; Headphone Jack; Built-In Speaker / Amplifier; Inter-changeable Li-Ion Battery and extended battery is available as an option. Storage: 512MB DRAM; 800MHz Clock Speed; 4GB Solid-State memory for Storage. I/O: MicroSD Card Slot; 2 USB Port (Standard 2.0/Mini); Built-In WiFi b/g; Built-In Bluetooth 2.0 EDR for Dial-up Networking (phone tethering) uses phone as a modem; Built-In SiRF GPS III 20-Channel GPS Antenna/Reciever; USB media control to external MP3 thru RealPlayer; Docking Station Connector for optional NK1. Dimensions: 6.61in(W) x 3.78in (H) x 1.06in (D) with Standard Battery; 6.61in(W) x 3.78in (H) x 1.42in (D) with Large battery (Option); Total Weight : With Standard Battery: 11.64oz With Large Battery: 13.76oz (Option.

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TeleType 710060 WorldNav Truck Routing 7 Inch Portable GPS Unit Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There are a couple of things that I wish were different about this device. First of all, during the day, it's really hard to view the screen because of glare from the sun. The manufacturer recommended purchasing something from Best Buy or wherever that would go around it like a "visor". Also, it doesn't give much notice before you have to take an exit. I was already on an exit one time when the automated voice told me to take the exit. This could have been from the reason below.
The first time I used it, it worked fine. The second time I used it, it kept stalling in the "route directions" mode. I called the manufacturer and they are sending me another SD card (the card that has all of the currect mapping info. that you insert into the GPS). They said that they had gotten a bad "batch" of the cards and that the new ones should work fine. Keep this in mind if you get one that has problems. Also, keep ALL of the warranty/manual, etc. paperwork in case you need to return it. You can't return it wouthout those.

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TeleType introduced the first portable GPS for truckers understanding the need to support commercial drivers. This large 7-Inch touch screen GPS is great for professional truck drivers, bus drivers, and RV'ers. Insures that routes will follow roads that are suitable for truck travel, and the commercial driver can rely on the routing as it takes into account commercial truck restrictions such as bridge heights and clearances, load limits, and commercial restrictions. Typical truck configuration would be 13'6'' height, 80,000 lb weight, and 53' length. Easily change the specifications to suit your truck including oversized and overweight vehicles.Hands free navigation instructions can be heard through your radio (with appropriate jack). Includes trucker friendly points of interest such as rest areas, truck stops, weigh stations, restaurants, hotels, and more. English, Spanish, and French text to speech instructions pronounces street names and exit numbers.

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TomTom GO 2405TM 4.3-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I liked this product a lot. The interface is smooth and it navigates very well to most destinations. I tested it driving around town for a couple of days and also included a longer trip. The only miscues I had were: (1) it thought a store I found through the POI was about a half mile further down the road than it was; and (2) from a parking lot, it wanted me to drive through the woods to reach a nearby highway (instead of driving out to the main road).
I have built in navigation systems in my wife's Honda Pilot and my BMW M3. This easily blows both of those systems out of the water. I see myself taking this with me when traveling to avoid using the rental car systems.
There were some unexpected pros to this:
- I loved the windshield mount and the way the cord attaches to the mount while the unit attaches through magnets - very clean and easy to take in and out of the car.
- the telephone bluetooth integration is perfect. It easily works with my blackberry 9700, downloaded my phonebook and easily routed my calls. It also will read emails and text messages for me.
- the speaker is very loud and the voices are easy to understand
- the battery lasts (nearly) forever - I would easily consider taking a weekend trip only running on batteries.
Some cons:
- the traffic integration is terrible. It only works when connected through the DC cord (not on battery - it seems the transceiver is part of the cord), and it takes forever to locate a Clear Channel traffic signal (I live outside NYC, with tons of high power Clear Channel signals nearby). The unit also seems to include downloaded traffic, but that appears limited to ongoing construction and known congestion (the kind that is always there) - not an accident on the highway.
- the screen is beautiful under ideal conditions, but is highly reflective and not good at an angle. It found myself constantly adjusting it when driving down the highway in bright sunlight.
- I couldn't figure out how to keep it zoomed out. On long trips (a few hours), I like to keep my navigation zoomed out so you can really see your progress. This keeps automatically zooming in each time there is one of those "stay in the left lane to stay on the highway" directions.
A note for bikers - the unit includes the ability to navigate for walking or biking too. However, there is absolutely no way I could figure to mount this to a bike. There is nothing on the unit itself to attach a zip tie or anything, and I could not locate a bike mount that would work with the magnet attachment this requires.
Overall, this is a great unit and TomTom has done a great job with the interface and (most) routing. I deducted one star (would be one and a half if possible) for the traffic integration and the screen reflections.

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The TomTom GO 2405TM offers Superior Driving Intelligence with Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates. Complete with premium maps of the US, Canada & Mexico, you can navigate to virtually any address – including over 7 million points of interest, like gas stations, restaurants, hotels and more. With TomTom maps, you have one million more miles of mapped road in the US than you would using other GPS brands – making TomTom maps the most accurate and dependable in the industry.

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Garmin nüvi 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So, finally I got my nuvi. It was a tough choice: many GPS carriers are available, and each has many models that come in vast variety of flavors. I've narrowed it down to Nuvi 550 for the following reasons:
1. Text to speech to me is really annoying. I want my GPS to tell me when and where to make a turn, and not worry about spending extra time looking off the road to confirm street signs. Although with latest update, TTS capabilities are now available for this model (use Garmin's WebUpdater).
2. I wanted my GPS to help me out more than just driving directions. I hike, I camp, I travel all over, and not just North America. I wanted the versatility of being able to navigate and pin point my location on the highway, in the mountains, offroad, and not just be able to locate nearest gas station. Before Nuvi 500/550 I would have had to purchase 2 GPS units: one for the car, one hand-held (e.g. Colorado series).
3. I needed it to be durable, and reliable. 8 hour battery life + waterproof function to me are the two features I'm very very happy with. To date, my little nuvi took 2 falls (one on the rocks, and another one flying off down some stairs -- don't ask), and I'm happy to report gadget is functioning flawlessly. I'm not advocating it's indestructible, but it does have durable construction indeed.
4. Satellite communication is superior for the product. Leafs, heavy cloud cover, even indoors, I get fair reception. It does have its quarks rarely, but overall, it pin-points me within 10' radius. Gotta love it. With the latest firmware update location has been even more precise, so it's worth doing it asap. The update also adds a variety of language options and scooter mode, which is really neat.
Here's something to be aware of... This model unlike 500 does not come with topo maps or marine maps. It felt like a fair trade because it gave me Canada, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and all of US maps (includes Alaska and Hawaii) vs. 48 lower states+topo in the other model only. But here's a catch. No mapSource software. There are so many free topo maps (and for that matter many others -- e.g. Israel maps, which garmin does not market) available, but there's no way to load them. Because of the proprietary interface, mapSource is the easiest way to take advantage of all these resources. There is third party software available, but it's not the easiest thing to use. Another annoyance is that unit does not come with any case. There are not hard to find, but still.
So, besides lacking the software, this is a great unit worth every penny. I found LCD display to have good visibility in a daylight, volume was great - I could hear it just fine with stereo on, and overall display was smart and simple. It's small and light, so it's easy to carry it around, and suction cup for the windshield is great, no need to get any extras. I also like the fact that it has swappable batteries. On long trips with no access to electricity, just bring a few extras, and you won't get stuck. Really no learning curve to using it, and performance is fantastic. Great investment, no regrets here.

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nuvi 550 Perfect for crossing over the threshold from city to backcountry, the Garmin nuvi 550 provides a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with turn-by-turn navigation in a ruggedized, waterproof exterior that you can use while hiking, biking, or boating. With its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, nuvi 550 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons--whether in the city or out in the wilds. And it easily switches modes (driving, walking, biking and boating) to navigate through your active lifestyle depending on your activity. Other features include a 3.5-inch touchscreen, microSD memory expansion, geocaching GPX file capabilities for complete cache descriptions and hints, and Garmin Connect Photos--enabling you to associate your favorite images with saved locations.
The nuvi 550 offers detailed City Navigator NT street maps for the United States and features digital elevation maps that show you shaded terrain contours at higher zoom levels. The map data, provided by NAVTEQ, features over six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions.

Weighing 7.6 ounces and measuring less than an inch thin, the nuvi 550 fits easily in a purse, backpack, or jacket pocket. The 3.5-inch color touchscreen display (with 320 x 240-pixel resolution) is easy to read even in direct sunlight, and the nuvi's easy-to-use interface means you'll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Simple controls and sub-screens make it easy to enter or search for destinations and get data about your trip. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nuvi takes you there with turn-by-turn voice directions, 2-D or 3-D maps and smooth map updates as you navigate. Its digital elevation model (DEM) mapping shows you shaded contours at higher zoom levels, giving you a big picture of the surrounding terrain. In addition, the nuvi accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

Garmin's HotFix capability automatically calculates and stores satellite locations, greatly reducing satellite acquisition time so that you can turn the unit on and get going. With HotFix, your nuvi 550 remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to 3 days after the device was last turned off.

Conveniently plug in optional preloaded microSD memory cards for all your outdoor activities on land or water. Just insert an optional Garmin MapSource card with detailed street maps (such as for locales outside the United States), and the nuvi 550 provides turn-by-turn directions to your destination. And with optional BlueChart g2 Vision maps, you'll get everything you need for a great day on the water including depth contours, navaids and harbors.

A user-replaceable lithium-ion battery will give you up to eight hours of battery life (depending on use). In addition to an AC charger, the unit also ships with a 12-volt power adapter for vehicle charging, as well as a windshield suction cup mount.

Specifications

User modes: Driving, Boating, Bicycling and Walking
Expansion: microSD card slot for optional mapping and data storage
Wherigo player
Geocahing: Supports Geocahing.com GPX files for complete cache descriptions and hints
Dimensions: 4.21 x 3.35 x 0.9 inches (WxHxD)
Display size: 3.5-inch QVGA color antiglare TFT screen (320 x 240-pixel resolution) with white backlight touchscreen
Weight: 7.6 ounces
Battery type: user replaceable lithium-ion
Battery life: up to 8 hours depending on use
Waterproof standard: IEC 60529 IPX7

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos

Play Wherigo Wherever You Go This nuvi GPS device is compatible with Wherigo, the latest GPS-based activity from geocaching pioneers Groundspeak. Wherigo (pronounced "where I go") is a toolset for creating and playing location-based multimedia experiences in the real world. Using the Wherigo platform, Wherigo authors can build exciting adventure games, historical tours or other innovative activities.

3D Terrain MapsIf you add topographic maps to your device, then you can view them as shaded relief terrain so you know when to expect hills, mountains, forests and other natural features. Topographic terrain maps are viewable when using the 2D "birds-eye" view.





What's in the Box Garmin nuvi 550, preloaded City Navigator North America NT1, lithium-ion battery, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disc, quick start manual

Which nuvi is Best for You? Note: All nuvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
Device

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Clarion NK1U Mind In-Car Dock Station Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Clarion Mind with this unit for traffic report in the Miami area. I get no signal no matter how I position the antenna south of 836. I get great signal if I am in the Hollywood / Ft. Lauderdale area. For my daily commute, it is useless since I do not get any traffic signal. Unit is easy to install and setup. Signal aquisition is horrible in my area, but it is not Clarion's fault.

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With ClarionMiND docked into the NK1U, you will receive traffic information via RDS-TMC, hear voice guidance from your car speakers and get automatic day/night screen switching. A lifetime subscription to RDS-TMC is included so that you can enjoy this convenient feature with no extra cost

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Garmin nüvi 3790LMT 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Map & Traffic Updates Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Received the Garmin 3790T four days ago. I upgraded from a from a Garmin Nuvi 760. My first comment is Wow! The size and physical design of this beauty is amazing. That's the same word that comes out of most people mouth's when I show them my new toy. Physical beauty aside this new unit really is a huge step up from my 760.
The 800 x 480 pixel glass screen is incredibly clear and a huge enhance over my old unit. The multi-point screen works great. Everything about the 3970 is an improvement from the old 760.
One interesting point is the 3790 picks slightly different routes than the 760 used to. I assume this is the nuRoute/trafficTrends in action.
Hands down my favorite feature on the 3790 is Voice Command. When I originally bought this item I had concerns about how well this feature would work. Let me tell you it works great. I can navigate to some place, add stops or phone someone without ever having to pull over or take my hands off the wheel. What a huge safety improvement.
Another seemingly small item they improved that I really like is the zooming. The map zooms in as you slow down and out as you speed up. It does it very smoothly and provides the perfect amount of data for my tastes.
The traffic data is also very useful in urban areas and well presented. However this area contains my only complaint about the product. Using the traffic feature causes small little adds to occasionally pop up on the screen. They are unobtrusive and don't happen very often so far but I would prefer to find a way to turn them off.
All in all I love my new Nuvi. It is one of the best purchases I've made in years.


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Experience uniquely personal navigation from the elegantly slim nuvi 3790LMT. It features a multi-touch glass display, nuRoute technology with trafficTrends and myTrends, voice-activated navigation, 3-D building and terrain view, lane assist with junction view, hands-free calling compatibility and subscription-free traffic alerts.
Less than 9mm thick

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TomTom GO 2535TM 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I like all the information that is displayed on screen, although I think it can be grouped a little bit better. I like being able to see the POI's on the screen.
Magnetic mount works good, traffic avoidance was great. The unit kept me up to date on whether I was taking the best route to avoid the traffic.
However, I very much disliked having to press a button to activate the voice control. The Garmin 2460LMT lets me say "Voice Command" and automatically comes on. As much as I would like to keep this, the Garmin voice control feature wins out.

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TomTom GO 2505TM 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been using TomTom Car Navigation products for several years now. This is my 4th unit. The last unit I possessed was the 'TomTom GO 740 Live'. So I was excited about the newest offering from this company. Having used this product for a few days, here's my 2 cents.. (please remember, this is being reviewed in relation to other TomTom products. I am not comparing this to units from other manufacturers)
The Good..
** This unit is sleeker and better looking than any of the previous models.
** The 5" screen makes a world of difference compared to the 4.3" inches on most other models. So if you can, opt for the 2505 and not the 2405.
** The screen is brighter than other models. Seems to hold well in bright sunlight.
** Very crisp and pleasing visuals. The text and graphics are sharper and more responsive.
** Extremely quick planning and re-planning of routes - that's the new Turbo Routing feature. Works pretty well.
** The car dock is very innovative. Sturdier and better mechanics. The magnetic process needs a little getting used to, especially when undocking.
** The automatic time zone setting for the Clock is a nice feature.
** Comes with Lifetime Map updates and Traffic.
The Bad...
** There is no docking station! You need to plug the USB cable manually for syncing/charging with the PC.
** For Traffic updates, the unit needs to be plugged into the car charger since the RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver is integrated into the car charging cable.
** No LIVE services. So if you need Google service or latest gas prices, you are out of luck.
** No memory card slot. So if you run over the 4GB limit, better start deleting stuff.
** No FM transmitter. No option to play voice through the the radio.
** No music player.
** No compass option.
** Comes preloaded with only 1 English 'Computer' voice - 'Stephanie'. No options to download Voices!! Seriously, TomTom??!! (Update: TomTom says more will be available soon. No timeline yet).

The Ugly..
** As others have documented, no customization is possible - yet. Cannot update/download Voices, POIs, Maps, Color Schemes etc. You live with what comes pre-loaded. No timeline on when options would be available.
And a couple of irritants:
** The 'next street name' that displays at the top right hand corner is too small to read relative to everything else on the screen.
** When making a phone call using the unit's bluetooth, the call status bar at the top blocks the 'next street name'. And you can't get rid of that status bar until you hang up. That's pretty dumb.
In short, this is not quite a step up from the 740 as I had expected. The focus here seems to have been on the style, not much on the substance. Having used this for a couple of weeks now, I've grown to like it. Extremely efficient and accurate. If you're looking for a product that can accurately and efficiently get you from Point A to Point B, this is the one for you.
This seems like a product that was rushed into the US market without the proper support structure behind it. This is the US version of the TomTom 'Go LIVE 1005' launched recently in Europe. The customer service reps know very little about this product. There are no User Manuals online yet. The PC sync to the web-based MyTomTom is an utter joke.
Bottom line, if I had to do it all over again, I'd stick with the 740 until TomTom gets its act together on this one.



Click Here to see more reviews about: TomTom GO 2505TM 5-Inch Portable Bluetooth GPS Navigator with Lifetime Traffic & Maps

The TomTom GO 2505TM offers Superior Driving Intelligence with Lifetime Traffic & Map UpdatesΔ. Complete with premium maps of the US, Canada & Mexico, you can navigate to virtually any address – including over 7 million points of interest, like gas stations, restaurants, hotels and more. With TomTom maps, you have one million more miles of mapped road in the US than you would using other GPS brands – making TomTom maps the most accurate and dependable in the industry.Sleek New DesignThe GO 2505TM boasts a slim design, crisp, sharp graphics & intuitive user menus. And, using gestures on the 2505TM\'s sleek 5.0" glass touchscreen, you can easily swipe your finger to move from screen to screen, or pinch-to- zoom, for easy map viewing.Bluetooth and MoreMake and answer calls safely while driving with your compatible Bluetooth mobile phone, on your TomTom GO 2505TM. See incoming call information, make and answer calls and talk hands-free easily through your TomTom. Navigation functions will operate without interruption. And, with Voice Recognition, you can relax and let your hands stay on the wheel – TomTom responds to 130 different verbal commands, making navigation easier and safer than ever.Lifetime Traffic and Map Updates IncludedAlways outsmart delays with Lifetime Traffic. The TomTom 2505TM receives live traffic updates automatically to give you the most up-to-date traffic information available. As soon as a delay is found on your route, TomTom will alert you and, if you choose, will automatically re-route you to an alternative, faster route. And, only TomTom has IQ Routes, an exclusive technology that evaluates routes based on actual traffic speeds, rather than static, posted speed limits; TomTom will recommend the fastest route for the time of day, so you\'ll always be directed to the quickest, most-efficient route. TomTom is the only GPS with the technology to grow more intelligent each day. While other GPS devices remain static reporters of programmed information, TomTom devices are dynamic and ensure that your maps are always up to date. TomTom\'s Lifetime Map Updates let you start fresh every few months by downloading our latest full map edition, while TomTom Map Share On-Demand Updates lets you download verified updates from other drivers in between the full map releases, and as often as you wish. You\'ll never miss your exit with Advanced Lane Guidance; enhanced graphics show you exactly which lane to take in complex multi-lane situations. Secure your GO 2505TM to your windshield or dash, using the click & lock magnetic mount.What's in the BoxGO 2505TM PND with pre-loaded maps, Fold & Go EasyPort mount, USB cable, car charger with integrated traffic, adhesive disk, documentation, and redemption code for Lifetime Maps
All TomToms Feature
Plug & Go--Works right out of the box.

30 Day Latest Map Guarantee--Up to date, off the shelf.

TomTom Map Share--Modify your own map and benefit from others' verified changes with TomTom Map Share.

Help Me! Emergency Menu--Easily access local emergency providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.

TomTom HOME--Always up to date.

Fuel Price Service (optional)--Know more, pay less.

About TomTom Founded in Amsterdam in 1991, TomTom has established itself as a global leader in navigation by being an innovative company with a strong brand, clear customer focus, and high quality products and services.
TomTom is the world's leading navigation solutions provider with navigation products sold in 30 countries and in over 20 languages. To further our commitment to car navigation, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas maps in 2008 so we can continually provide the most up-to-date maps and intelligent routing.

We have our own mapping company! Did you know that every year roads change by up to 40% in high-growth areas? Tele Atlas manages this by using the world's most comprehensive systems to identify and incorporate these changes into our maps with unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy. All TomTom devices benefit from the Tele Atlas advantage--more coverage, more points of interest, and more freshness and accuracy.

Why TomTom? At TomTom, we believe that personal navigation should be as easy and safe as possible. We develop smart technology that gives you straightforward solutions, innovations to make life easy.

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