Best Garmin GPS Systems

Garmin GPS Systems -- an Introduction

Garmin is the market leader in car GPS systems. They sell about half the GPS systems sold. One of their secrets is their product line. Garmin makes everything from entry level GPS devices to ultra-high end, top of the line models. There is truly a Garmin GPS device for everyone.

With so much to choose from, consumers can get confused. Don't worry. This lens will take the confusion out of the process, so you can pick the perfect system for you.

Garmin's main car GPS systems are the StreetPilot and the nuvi. The StreetPilot line came on the scene first. The nuvis are later arrivals.

Although StreetPilots are great GPS devices, they're bulkier and heavier. They also don't offer all of the features that the nuvi line offers. There are a lot of people, though, who are die hard StreetPilot customers. So, I'll cover those first.

Garmin StreetPilots

On the low end, you've got the Garmin StreetPilot c330, which currently sells for about $250. It comes preloaded with U.S. maps and tells you where to turn (just not with street names). There's no Bluetooth™ or real-time traffic.

For about eighty dollars more, you can upgrade to the StreetPilot c550, which adds Bluetooth™, real-time traffic, and mp3 player capability. It also pronounces the street names -- instead of just telling you "turn right here," for instance.

Spring for yet another seventy dollars, and you can get the c580 with digital picture viewer and what's called MSN® Direct (traffic, etc from MSN®) piped directly to the device. At slightly less than $400, that's a lot of GPS device for the money.

But honestly, I'm biased. I really like the Garmin nuvi line. I think they're a phenomenal series of products.

Garmin nuvis

There are five numbered series in the nuvi line, 200s, 300s, 600s, 700s, and the new 800s. The nuvi 200s are the entry level devices, the 700s the high end. Let's take a look at each of the series in order.

Garmin nuvi 200 series

Starting at less than $200, the nuvi 200 line offers excellent GPS systems at an affordable price. The nuvi 200 is their base unit. It comes preloaded with maps of the United States, millions of Points of Interest (locations of hotels, Starbucks and hospitals), and can store and display your digital photos. You can upgrade and get maps of Canada and even Europe. There are widescreen versions, where you can get a 4.3-inch screen. If you're just interested in quality, but basic GPS navigation, then the 200 series is probably right for you.

For another hundred dollars, you can get some serious upgrades!

Garmin nuvi 300 series

The nuvi 300 series adds real-time traffic and weather, Bluetooth™ for hands-free calling, mp3 player capability, and actually saying street names, instead of just saying "turn left."

At my website, the nuvi 350 outsells every other GPS device, not only those made by Garmin, but Tom Tom and Magellan as well. The nuvi 350 does everything, except Bluetooth™, and costs around $300. Bluetooth™ is only a $20 upgrade to the nuvi 360.

All the 300 series have regular sized screen, 3.5-inches on the diagonal.

To get all of these features with wide screens, you'll have to move up to at least the 600 or 700 series.

Garmin nuvi 600 and 700 series

The main difference between the 300 series and the 600 series is the 600s all have wide screens.

The nuvi 650 is just like the 350, but with a 4.3-inch wide screen. It costs only about $50 more. Bump up to the
All the 700 series adds to the mix is multiple destination routing. With this you can designate more than one destination, and the device will plot the best route to cover them all!

The 800 line is brand new as of this year. Amazon is not even selling them yet. As I get more information about them, I'll add to this lens.

For more information, take a look at my website.">