Garmin nüvi 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 550 for my son for Christmas in Dec 2008. In February, when I began travelling for my work, I purchased the same unit from Amazon for myself. I have carried it in my briefcase and use it in a rental car to assist with locating my client site. However, I pulled it out one day in June, some 4 months after purchase and found that it just turns on, and then shuts itself off. I emailed the tech support at Garmin and am still looking for assistance to resolve this. The unit has not been damaged, I have charged the battery in the car and through my computer, with no resolution. I have sent my Amazon receipt to Garmin so that they know this unit was purchased legitimately. However, still waiting (some 3 weeks now) for instructions on how to get this unit repaired or exchanged for one that works.

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Delorme Earthmate PN-20 Handheld GPS (with Topo USA 7.0 & 1-GB SD Card & Reader) Review

Prior to ordering the PN-20 the only GPS I had used was the navigation in my wife's car. I selected this unit so I could do some geocaching and, since my wife sells real estate, I thought it would be nice if we knew her signs were on the right property. Based on reading reviews, I was expecting a capable device, a poor instruction book, and a fairly steep learning curve. I was not disappointed in any of these areas.

Yesterday, after loading some maps we took it around Hood Canal and went up to Port Townsend. We had the top down on the miata. If you zoom out a bit the unit did a pretty good job of tracking where we were, with useable maps that let us see where we were. As others have said, you don't see very far down the road like in a road navigation system, but you get lots of contours, points of interest, and things to talk about along the way. Although I have made the trip many times, I can't believe how much I learned new about the area we were travelling through. The battery lasted about 10 hours.

Now about the instructions. There should be a card telling you to go to Delorme dot com and click on technical support. Then you need to visit the forum and read the stickies on how to install the SD card, how to install the Topo disks, how to get around the endless frustration you will experience if you hit the software cold like I did. There is a wealth of material in the forum that can lead you out of the frustration you will be feeling if you embark on your own to figure out this device.

It is ironic that a device that is intended to provide guidance is packaged by people who can't create a simple route of instruction to get you up and going. But the good news is that if you go to the forum you can learn to do some amazing things. I have located my first geocache and I have learned how to get corners of property coordinates into my pn-20 to the point that we can better assess where the property really is and that the sign is probably in the right spot.

In sum, I think the Pn-20 is a bargain and plenty capable of meeting my needs.

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TOPO! Explorer Deluxe Review

This isn't the 1 to buy. Topo! uses USGS data. It is a long way from what we have come to expect and use when compared to Google Earth. As you zoom in, the maps get fuzzy. If you export these maps to a gps unit, the maps look the same as on the computer. Zoom in and they get fuzzy.

The engine that Topo! is built on seems to operate in in an odd way. Certainly not smoothly as in Google Earth. The data on the DVD is only basic. You have to connect to the web and the "store" to see more mapping detail. It isn't a free standing program that can be used in the field unless you have already downloaded the detailed maps.

Need topo maps for your Magellan? Try Topo USA. Topo! isn't the 1 for you.

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Garmin nüvi 500 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Review

This little box is a mixed blessing. you will have a love hate relationship with the 50 something women's voice. I bet Cal Trans road workers have found 100s of these little boxes at the side of the road, thrown from vehicles as drivers lost their last bit of patience with the little demon. I bought this Item with the intended use of a little driviing , a little hiking, a little mountain biking, just what it was designed for. Here are the facts. It stranded me in a small town some place in New Mexico. I took the advice of the little box instead of my wife and paid for it dearly. I spent 30 minutes trying to get back on the freeway I didn't want to get off. My wife just smirked and said ask the women in the little box. The little women just kept repeating herself, " In .2 miles turn right... turn right " While hiking she lost her way and couldn't see the forest through the trees. Good thing I knew where we were so I could get us home safely. The topos are pretty weak. Well there you have it. Don't expect much and at times you will be amazed at what it (she) can do.

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Garmin TOPO Topographical Maps of Australia (micro SD/SD Card) Review

TOPO Austrailia microSD/SD Card







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Magellan 950-0116-001 TOPO Topographical Maps of Canada for Magellan Triton (SD Card) Review

Magellan Canada TOPO SD Card







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Garmin US TOPO 24K Topographical Maps of United States Mountain Central Region (microSD/SD Card) Review

For the first time Garmin is beginning to roll out 24K Topo maps on very convenient microSD cards. ( includes SD card adapter ) No computer needed, just put it in your unit and go. No fuss, no muss !

All I can say is it is about time !

They are starting with the western states and going east. If your state is not covered yet, please be patient. They are all coming.

This is the highest level of mapping detail available for your Garmin unit. They work best on the new Colorado and Oregon series units as you will see see 3-D views and color terrain shading on these units only. Very Nice !!

These are a must have for hikers, geocachers and any outdoor enthusiasts.

Highly recommended !!

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