April 19, 2008

TomTom GO 500 - GPS Navigation System

TomTom Go 500 GPS Navigation System

TomTom has come a long way in bringing out unique navigation systems that are both stylish and user friendly. TomTom Go 500 is an all-in-one car GPS system that runs with V 5.0 navigator software unlike other models using Tele Atlas Maps.

This portable unit comes with 3.5 inch transflective display screen providing visible images in any light conditions. With intuitive touch screen, route planning is just a few taps away. TomTom Go 500 GPS system features advanced navigation with improved data entry systems and revised menu systems for quick and accurate access. There are number of additional menu options added for features such as setting destinations, changing the screen colours from day to night time and much more. The keys in this unit are quite bigger, thus easier to use on the move.

TomTom Go 500 Portable GPS Navigation SystemMemory

This unit comes with an internal memory with a capacity of 32MB. The memory of the unit can be expanded using SD memory card.

TomTom GO 500 features pre-installed maps of Europe. Going door-to-door across the country is not a problem with these maps, since it has all the major roads (trunk roads and motorways). TomTom's top down viewing facility and 3D viewing adds to your navigational experience.

Points of Interest and Turn-by-Turn Voice Directions

TomTom GO 500 Sat Nav System has integrated speakers with CD quality volume. This provides clarity audio for hearing turn-by-turn voice directions. This unit has thousands of points of interest.

Bluetooth

This sat nav unit comes with voice communication capabilities that allows using it hands free. When the driver's phone is connected via Bluetooth wireless technology, the driver can easily make and attend calls during navigation just at the tap of the GO screen. This functionality works even when your phone is in your pocket or bag. The microphone and integrated speakers with professional quality helps to enjoy blue tooth feature to the maximum. Accessing your mobile phonebook is also possible with this unit.

TomTom PLUS Services

This unit is TomTom PLUS services ready, offering information on congestion charge areas, extra downloads for maps, voices, points of interest and weather conditions.

Ready to Install

You do not require any technical knowledge to install this GPS device. It fits perfectly in to the car mounting kit provided. You can just mount it in your car dashboard or windshield.

Battery

TomTom GO 500 use Lithium-ion battery, which lasts for 5 hours on a single charge.

Comparison

If you want an efficient model without handsfree, you can try TomTom Go 300.

As a navigation device, TomTom GO 500 comes with comprehensive features for all your routing needs and worthier enough for the money spent.

General Information
Brand TomTom
Model TomTom GO 500
Maps included (Countries) Great Britain
Mapping display (2D/3D) 2D / 3D
Screen size in diagonal inches 3.5 inches
Memory
Total Capacity
Free Space
Internal Type
Expansion Type
32GB
-
Yes
SD Memory Card
Battery Type Lithium-ion battery
Battery life 5 hours
Weight 1.8Kg (boxed)
Dimensions (L x H x D) cm 11.4 (W) x 5.8 (D) x 9.1 (H) cm
Portable or fixed Portable
Warranty 12 months
Additional Features
Touch screen Yes
Searchable postcode digits Yes
Spoken audio directions Yes
Dynamic routing Yes
Points of interest (POI) Yes
Live traffic information Yes
SiRFStar III GPS Chipset facility No
Software Included TomTom GO Great Britain
Bluetooth Yes
Multimedia Features
Music No
Photos No
Video No
FM Transmitter No
iPOD No
Accessories
PC Cable Yes
Car Power Adapter Yes
Mounting Bracket Yes
Carrying Case Yes
AC Power Adaptor Yes
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March 14, 2008

Garmin Nuvi 680 Sat Nav System

Garmin, the market leader of GPS systems, has come up with a new product in its Nuvi line up - Garmin Nuvi 680. It resembles its predecessor Nuvi 660 except for the MSN Direct Support. This widescreen road companion is compactly designed and packed with handy features including door-door directions and on demand travel info that guides you throughout your journey.
 
Physical Aspects
 
Garmin Nuvi 680 weighs as low as 176 grams and measures 4.9 inches width, 2.9 inches height and 9 inches depth. Its sleek design allows you to flip the unit comfortably in your pocket.
 
Display
 

Garmin Nuvi 680 GPS Sat Nav

The widescreen 4.9 inches touch screen displays bright picture that allows viewing detailed maps, photos, driving directions etc in vibrant colours. The screen is sunlight-readable that facilitates easy reading.
 
MSN Direct Support
 
This model of Garmin Nuvi offers one year free MSN Direct service that offers virtually any kind of information such as weather and traffic, movie times, gas prices and much more via a plug-and play receiver built into the unit 12V power adaptor.
 
Easy Navigation
 
Nuvi 680 navigation system features preloaded City Navigator NT street maps and a huge database of points of interest (POIs) that helps to find the nearby restaurants, hotels, fuel stations and much more. Just enter a destination at a touch of the screen and Nuvi assists you there with turn-by-turn voice directions and 2D or 3D maps without any hassle. It announces street names to eliminate the trouble of finding the address. On top of everything Nuvi 680 allows you to customise important points of interest including schools, hospitals, restaurants and the proximity alerts notifies you about the upcoming POIs.
 
Talk Hands-Free
 
Garmin Nuvi 680 sat nav incorporates Bluetooth Wireless Technology integrated with a speaker and a microphone. So, you can talk hands-free and there is no risk when you are concentrating on road.  Making a call is simple and easy by dialling with the keypad and answering calls involves tapping the screen and speaking directly into the built-in microphone. You also have the convenience to dial from your personalised phone book and with one touch dialling for POIs; you can call for any information or reservation.
 
Perfect Entertainer
 
Garmin Nuvi 680 includes travel tools and entertainment features such as audio book player, JPEG viewer, MP3 Player, currency converters and much more. Music and voice prompts can be heard with Nuvi’s wireless FM transmitter. SD cards plug in comes as optional that helps to include travel guides and language translation software.
 
Safety Features
 
The unit comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature and there are configurable vehicle icons that ease up tracking your vehicle on screen.
 
Verdict
 

Though Nuvi 680 is not a major upgrade, the MSN Direct service is a prominent feature. It is no doubt a suitable GPS SatNav device for people expecting a comprehensive Satellite Navigation System.

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May 31, 2007

TOMTOM 510 TRAFFIC & IPOD CONNECTION GPS Receivers

Tomtom 510 Traffic & IPOD Connection GPS receiver takes you to the new generations. It gives you the complete solutions for the problems you face while TOMTOM 510 TRAFFIC &IPOD CONNECTION GPS Receivertravelling. This device contains the complete map of United Kingdom and the details of the major European roads for navigation.

This device has included with the free traffic updates feature that gives you the information of all the latest traffic news which in turn allows easy navigation. Clear voice instructions option offers effective and clear voice guidelines to your destination point. It has an in built speaker fixed in the device that gives out efficient and clear sound.

There is a safety camera alert facility that makes a good security protection and this will record every thing and also helps avoiding the bitter experiences while travelling.

Bluetooth is the latest wireless connectivity option that allows hands free calling. There is a good display touch screen monitor of size 4 inches width. With the help of this brilliant display you can view the route maps to your destination very clearly.
 
Plug and play function offers a flexible connectivity to you.  Since Tomtom 510 Traffic & IPOD Connection GPS receivers are of carry case type you can move it to any place easily. There are home dock and car kit options attached along with this device. 

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May 9, 2007

NAVMAN ICN330 Satellite Navigation System Review

Attractive in its looks the new Navman ICN 330 satellite navigation system has high quality display features. The device hasNavman ICN330 an attractive display screen that has a size of 2.83 inches. The display screen is of the latest colour liquid crystal display type. This new LCD TFT display screen supports a display resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. It is also to be noted that this display screen is an anti glare display screen that shows brilliant images even in bright sunlight. The physical aspect of the Navman ICN 330 satellite navigation system is also impressive. With attractive looks the device weighs just 212 grams. The navigation system has its dimensions measured as 125 x 79 x 40 mm. The device has a memory capacity of 32 MB SD RAM. The integrated loudspeaker that navigation system has is also of high quality. The device is integrated with a rechargeable Li-Ion battery. The battery has a life time of 3.5 hours. The 3D map display of the Navman ICN 330 satellite navigation system has made navigation very easy. The device also has the facility of bringing you back to the correct path if you miss a turn or go the wrong way with the help of back on track feature. It also has various points of interests that give the details of the nearest hotels, petrol stations, hospitals, ATM's and more. A key advantage of the device is the multiple routing features it supports. It also allows you to store your favourite destinations and it also supports postcode address search. The device gives you clear and loud voice instructions along with the visual instructions.

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May 6, 2007

NAVMAN ICN530 Satellite Navigation System Review

Integrated with a rechargeable battery the new Navman ICN 530 satellite navigation system offers a long life for the device.Navman ICN530 The integrated Li-Ion battery promises a maximum of 4 hours of battery life. The device comes in a lightweight of just 200 grams and its dimensions are defined as 120 x 80 x 22 mm. It is easy and possible to connect the device to a PC with the support of the USB port. The navigation system has receiver type as SIRF STAR III generation 2 for better and efficient reception of signals. The high quality loud speakers allow you to hear the voice instructions very clearly. The device also has high ability of storing the details with an internal memory of 64 MB SD RAM. The Navman ICN 530 satellite navigation system guides you to your destination by giving you clear turn by turn instructions. You can choose from the mode of display, it can be a 2D mini map or 3D moving map. Another special feature of the device is the user customizable routing options the device has. The device also gives you the route summary of very trip you make. The Navman ICN 530 satellite navigation system has a range of advanced features integrated in it. It has the facility to bring you back to the right tract if you go the wrong way or miss a turn. The device also features various points of interests that that give you the details of the nearest petrol bunk, hotel, hospital, parking stations and more. You can also store your favourite destination points in this. The device also supports full post code address search. It gives you clear and loud voice instructions to your destination. Another special feature of the device is its multiple routing options. It can also give you the latest traffic updates. The Navman ICN 530 satellite navigation system has a very brilliant display screen. The display screen is an anti glare screen that gives clear images even in bright sunlight and the size of the display screen is 3.5 inches. This colour display screen is a highly sensitive touch screen that helps in easy navigation.

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