Online Shopping Reviews

Garmin’s line on the nüvi 260W gives you the most sought-after navigation features, while eliminating many of the premium add-ons. The result is a portable navigation device that gets you from point A to point B with reliably, efficiently, and in style.

The pocket-sized navigator with it’s gorgeous wide screen display that lets you see more of what’s around you as you drive, and detailed NAVTEQ maps. Fast satellite lock of a high-sensitivity integrated receiver.

It is amazing how the Garmin nüvi 260W is so accurate that it lets you know if you pulled into the wrong driveway 15 feet away from yours. It is also easy to use, it’s that user-friendly that you don’t even need to use the manual.

You can download new voices on the Garmin site. The screen is very clear and refreshes quickly. You can even use polarized sunglasses and it will not distort the screen colors.

The PIONEER AVIC-X910BT 5.8-Inch In-Dash GPS Navigation receiver with DVD playback, bluetooth, convenient turn-by-turn voice guidance and built-in maps that put the world at your fingertips. This includes major points of interest, such as restaurants, ATMs, gas stations, entertainment venues and more.

Pioneer has re-named a slightly modified AVIC-F900BT to the AVIC-X910BT, as well as the AVIC-F90BT and AVIC-F700BT. Hardware changes are a new DVD drive, a new Apple chip to support new Apple devices and a minor update to the faceplate. The software changes (which are available, for a fee, from Pioneer for existing F-series customers as a 3.0 update) include:

- An update of the Windows CE operating system that runs underneath the user interface, which is responsible for the increase in responsiveness of the unit over the F-Series running on version 2.0.

- Updated navigation software from iGo 8.0 to iGo 8.3, this gives all the new map features advertised, like heading-up in 2D map mode and traffic signs.

- It now responds properly to steering wheel inputs with a remote adapter by going through pre-sets instead of incrementing the tuner.

One feature listed in the book is the display of incoming Short text messages (SMS). I have yet to have incoming SMS notifications display on this unit. The unit itself promises a lot, and in most ways, it does. Spec-for-spec, there’s no unit (apart from Pioneer’s own Z110BT) that comes close at *any* price. The nearest the competition can come is the Kenwood DNX9140, however, its voice control does not allow true voice commands, which the Kenwood DNX9140 responds very fast to voice control, it requires you to be looking at the screen and giving commands like “Line 4″, “Next Page”, basically just duplicating pressing the screen with your fingers, except you have to talk instead of poking where you’re looking.

The AVIC-X910BT delivers on most all its promises, but the main gripes from the previous series still exist, which are well-covered in reviews of the F900BT, F700BT and F90BT. For the price, this is an impressive unit.

I really like the PIONEER AVIC-X910BT and would not go back to the portable Garmin GPS, although we still have it for use in our other vehicles and when we are hanging around planning a trip. It’s great having the GPS built-in, many times we are out running around and decide to go some place, we can enter whatever we want to find right in the GPS and it tells us where it’s at.

The Magellan Maestro 3100 Portable Auto GPS System delivers the best navigation experience at an entry-level price point. Pocket-sized, powerful, and re-engineered for easy use, its fresh graphics, intuitive interface, and friendly voice will guide you turn-by-turn as you enjoy the drive. If you don’t like reading directions, you’ll love the Magellan Maestro 3100. It’s simple to use and ready to guide you to virtually any destination in the 48 continental United States. Just turn it on and go. Its thin, sophisticated design and attractive, intuitive touch-screen graphics make driving a pleasure. Enter an address or select from 750,000 preprogrammed points of interest (POIs) with just a few screen touches. SiRFstarIII™ gives you the fastest GPS position accuracy in the industry.

Additional Product Features

• Turn-by-turn voice and visual guidance: Enter an address or POI and get there quickly and safely
• Graphical interactive maps: Built-in maps and destinations for the continental U.S. mean you’ll always know where you are and where you’re going
• Rechargeable battery: Navigate when you don’t have access to power
• SmartDetour™: Automatically prompts you to route around suddenly slow freeway traffic
• Auto night view: Adjusts color and contrast for easy night viewing
• 750,000 points of interest (POIs): Optimized database to easily find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, and more, with smart location search by name, category, and region
• TrueView: Pop-up visual of upcoming turn
• Map View: 3D bird’s-eye and standard map views
• Reception: Integrated antenna for clear GPS signal

What’s in the Box
Magellan Maestro 3100 Portable Auto GPS System, flexible windshield mount, dash mounting adhesive disk, cigarette lighter power adapter (12-24 watts), quick reference guide, reference manual CD, and USB cable.

I’ve been watching the market for car GPS units for several years. Never could pull the trigger because the cost/benefit was always too high. Finally, there seems to be a set of new models from several manufacturers that allow sub-$200 prices. These units do everything I need. After some internet checks, I bought the Magellan 3100, and in its first day of trial, I am loving it. Advantages include small size, internal battery, fast & accurate satellite fix, good re-routing, very nice mounting system. Just flat out works. The only thing I could get with greater investment would be frills. I feel I am really missing NOTHING with this model. (Don’t need fancier speech, bluetooth, big screen etc). So my conclusion: strong buy recommendation.

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