The Garmin Nuvi 660 performs well in all categories. The price point on this unit is very affordable. It has the highest overall rated very good score of all the GPS units indicating an exceptional value by “Consumer Reports”. Ratings of excellent for entering destination, information for driver, portability and color display. Ratings of very good for use of controls, routing options, routing time and mount design. All with a retail price in the $ 350.00. A tested battery life of approximately 4.5 hours, weight of 6.7 ounces, screen size of 4.4 inches, Bluetooth hands free calls (Allows the user to make and receive telephone calls using the unit’s internal speaker, microphone and screen.) and spoken street names (Commonly referred to as “Text-to-Speech,” this feature allows the driver to confirm directions with street signs without looking at the screen) It can also dial phone numbers of point of interest locations. This feature requires a Bluetooth compatible phone as well.
These results are the most current ratings from “Consumer Reports” magazine of the GPS units that are considered portable in auto GPS navigation systems. You can remove them from one vehicle and use them in another vehicle. The most recent use that I have heard of is by delivery people, which makes a great deal of sense. I have also had some very positive comments from two different older ladies about ease of use when traveling from rural areas about two hours outside a large city via much more rural roads and back without getting lost at all. This eased their minds about traveling these roads alone and getting home safely.
By: Diana Zagouris
Posts Tagged ‘Battery Life’
GPS Trekking: Take a Hike, But Don’t Get Lost!
December 16th, 2009
For those looking for a portable GPS unit for on-foot activities such as hiking. Here are a few features that you should be on the look out for when making a purchase decision.
This one is obvious, but make sure there is a visual map screen where you can see where you are relative to your surroundings. Some GPS receivers only tell you your longitude and latitude position.
Make sure that the unit was designed to be rugged enough to work and last in the environment you are planning to trek at. Things such as being water proof, shock proof, and weather proof are helpful if possible.
If you plan on trekking or camping for extended periods of time, you want a GPS unit that has a long battery life relative to the time you spend outdoors.
It’s important to have preloaded maps so you can find nearby roads easily and not get lost. Make sure the unit you buy supports as many routes as you think you’ll need.
Waypoints are a very handy feature. Make sure that your unit supports many user-entered waypoints.
Make sure the receiver is light to carry and small enough to fit into your traveling gear. Also make sure that the screen is clear and easy to read at a glance so you don’t have to spend too much time fumbling around for directions.
By: Simon Wyryzowski
How to Choose a GPS
December 9th, 2009
You’ve heard that new sport, geocaching, is fun. Or, you’re tired of getting lost on your travels. Welcome to the 21st century. Global Postioning System (GPS) has been around long enough that prices are reasonable and the technology is user-friendly. With myriad brands and models, how to choose?
If you want a GPS for both hiking and driving use, then a handheld unit would be the way to go. Some handhelds even have accessories to allow them to be installed in an automobile. But don’t rule out a PDA. More on that in a moment. For driving only, there are GPS receivers made just for vehicle use.
Handheld GPS receivers are either mapping or non–mapping. A basic, non–mapping unit can often cost less than $100 US and usually has/displays the following:
Location Compass heading Elevation above sea level Accurate time Satellite location and signal strength The ability to calculate distance traveled The ability to record your path as a set of waypoints The ability to navigate routes The ability to retrace your steps
Handheld mapping receivers do all the above plus have the ability to display maps. The maps are either pre–loaded or uploaded from your PC. Prices are reasonable for mapping units, starting at around $150 US.
Paper maps are strongly recommended whether you’re using a mapping receiver or not. Paper maps do not require batteries and probably won’t go defective. Also, a paper map gives you a “big picture” view of your situation — something lacking on the small screen of a GPS.
I mentioned earlier your considering a PDA with GPS capability. A PDA is bulkier and the battery life is usually shorter, but if you’re using a PDA anyway, then there are several ways to turn a PDA into a GPS. Some PDAs accept a GPS “sleeve.” That is a device that the PDA nestles into. Another choice is one of Garmin’s PDAs. Garmin is probably the most popular GPS maker and they have one PDA/GPS that is Palm–based and one that is Pocket PC–based.
Prices for automotive GPS start at around $250 US. These provide turn–by–turn guidance. Spend a little more than that and you get voice guidance. These are larger than handhelds in order to accommodate a screen large enough to be seen while driving. They are powered by the car’s electrical system and because of this, they can only be used in a vehicle.
Many automobile manufacturers now offer built-in GPS receivers as an option. Because they are built-in, the big advantages are security and aesthetics. They are quite a bit more expensive than add-on units and often have fewer options. I’ve also heard some stories of people having a hard time getting map updates.
A PDA/GPS is a good alternative for automotive use. Its screen is about the size of an automotive unit, so seeing the display is not a problem. They can also be powered by the car, eliminating battery worries. The Garmin PDAs mentioned above both come with the hardware and software for automotive use.
If you’re hiking, a basic handheld unit (without maps) will be fine since you’ll always have paper maps with you anyway (you will, won’t you?). An advantage to a handheld mapping unit is that they usually have more advanced features than the basic units. For driving, you have the choice of a handheld, in–car dedicated, or PDA. The handheld does have limited usefulness in a car, as it does not provide turn–by–turn guidance. For a more detailed look at how to choose a GPS, click here.
By: James Chartwell
