Garmin Nuvi 750 Review (nüvi)

Garmin released the Nuvi 750 recently and unfortunately, it's not much different than their previous 4.3" GPS navigation unit. However there are still key features that makes the Nuvi 750 one of the best, if not the best on the market.

Let's get a few things straight with this particular unit. Forget about any Bluetooth feature on any portable GPS navigation devices. The current technology and quality of Bluetooth connectivity with GPS units is still very early and very poor. Wait a few more years until wireless communication, especially through Bluetooth comes through.Fortunately, you won't have to spend extra money on this unit since it doesn't feature a Bluetooth interface, saving you frustrations with the technology and almost 200 dollars from a similar, Bluetooth-equipped unit. As always with Nuvi units, the screen is quite clear and crisp, easily visible in any light condition on its 4.3" LCD touchscreen.

It does have text-to-speech technology, allowing it to actually announce every street name instead of just "Turn left in 50 yards". Though this is great technology, keep in mind that most text-to-speech technology is featured in virtually every GPS navigation unit being released the second half of 2008.
Some of the key feature of this unit is the FM transmitter and an audio line output, allowing the unit to put out audio such as directions and alerts through your car's audio system. Another key feature of the unit is its built in MP3 player, audio book, as well as an image viewer. This will allow you to turn your Garmin Nuvi 750 itno a versatile media unit, capable of playing your favorite songs. There is even an MSN Direct expandability option, which will allow you to receive information regarding movie times, weather, and more about your nearest major US city. In addition there is also an option for users to expand the unit to be able to receive traffic.

The Garmin Nuvi 750 does not have XM NavTraffic, but who needs that anyway when you have FM-based traffic receiver. However, let's not forget Garmin's signature "Where Am I?" feature which allows a driver to find the nearest hospitals and other emergency facilities.According to a plethora of user reviews, this unit stands as one of the best in reliability, performance, and ease-of-use. And we would agree with all of them. Test it out for yourself!

Garmin Nuvi 270 Review (nüvi)

As always, Garmin produced another simple and cheap GPS navigation unit that will certainly be one of many backbone products of the late 2008 year. The Nuvi 270 is for the world traveler and intercontinental businessmen (or businesswomen) always on the go from nation to nation.The unit is much like the previous Garmin 3.5" navigation devices such as the Nuvi 250. However, there are still some important new features that we will cover here.

What's New
Most late-2008 release GPS devices will include the high sensitivity WAAS system built in. The feature is not evident anywhere on the device (no status bar, no display, etc.) but with the Nuvi 270, you will experience a much more accurate and smooth GPS service. WAAS was used by the aviation industry prior to being globalized in navigation electronics. Yes, you will use a similar system to that of a Boeing 747 flying over your house. You will also receive signal much faster and you will also be more unlikely to lose the signal (unless in covered areas of course), thanks to the WAAS receiver.

The Garmin Nuvi 270 also has built in maps for the United States, Canada, and surprisingly, the complete European map database. As we said before, this could be such a useful device for the international traveler, easily mountable on any rental car.

What's the same
The Garmin Nuvi 270 has an identical design as their previous Nuvi release. The unit features a 3.5" LCD touchscreen with easy to read text and bright contrasting colors, buttons, and icons. In addition, it's just over 3/4" thick, allowing it to be compact yet versatile. Because of the small screen, the Nuvi 270 has a great battery life with up to 5 hours on its own lithium-ion power source. Just like its previous counterparts, it has an SD card reader with a USB connection both for map and firmware updates.

There wasn't a whole of change in this release. But Garmin has made it right around the same affordable price for essentially 2 upgrades to their previous Nuvi 250. All around, it's compact, versatile, and offers a simple navigation companion for your intercontinental travels.

TomTom GO 730T Review (Tom Tom 730)

The TomTom GO 730T may be considered a more advanced GPS system. It is virtually identical to the TomTom Go 930, except that it does not feature the innovative accelerometer. They're essentially upgrades from the older TomTom Go 920 and 720, but it features a couple of new features. We'll start the review with the current features and end the review with the new features.

The TomTom Go 730T features a very nice 4.3" touchscreen LCD with 400 MHz processor that will definitely eliminate any laggy or sluggish navigation performance. In addition, whereas most GPS navigation devices today features a 16MB or 32MB internal RAM, the TomTom 730T features a larger 64MB RAM with 2GB internal flash memory. The combination of these features sets the TomTom Go 730T far above most navigation units with speed and fluid performance.
There is also an SD and MMC card reader, allowing users to play their favorite music on the TomTom 730T. There is also a built-in FM transmitter that will allow users to use their FM radio to receive music from the TomTom 730T. From experience, it is very difficult to get a clear signal on any FM transmitter built-in a GPS device. Most users will need to really park their car and find the right frequency to set the strongest signal. Don't expect the FM transmitter as the way to listen to your portable media!

A great feature of the TomTom 730T is the ability for it to interface wirelessly with Bluetooth capable devices. This will allow drivers to make hands free phone calls while displaying the caller ID and call status on the unit's 4.3" widescreen display. Don't forget that for Californians, it is mandated by law that drivers use hands-free kits when making phone calls; the law comes into effect July 1, 2008-- giving authorities the right to fine drivers $25 for the first offense and $50 per additional offense.

The TomTom 730T could interact with other TomTom "Buddies"; which are TomTom users capable of networking. Imagine going out and seeing your friends out there-- the unit will indicate where they are! In addition, it is capable of receiving local weather information, traffic condition, and other TomTom Plus add-ons and services.

This portable GPS navigation device is definitely one of the most high-performing GPS devices as of late. The high-tech key features of the TomTom 730T are its innovative Lane Guidance system that notify drivers of actual lane changes on the plotted path. This gives the high something worth buying for as it is virtually unheard of in the GPS world. If that doesn't gain your attention, the TomTom 730T features the unique ability to retrieve historical vehicle speeds within a path, instead of just posted speed limits. This gives the user a much more accurate reading of the fastest route. However, the unit is a bit pricey for the lack of 3.5mm headphone jack auxiliary output. But it does have a lot of fun features that keeps you connected with your TomTom friends, as well as hands free calling.

Note: TomTom 730 is the standard version without traffic services; the TomTom 730T features traffic services