Dissecting the Garmin nuvi series

Dissecting the Garmin nuvi series

from GPS Tracklog by Rich Owings

It seems that Garmin is trying to create a nuvi for everyone, but with so many models in the marketplace, they’ve also created quite a bit of confusion. So here’s the low down on the various nuvi series available in the US. I’ll go through each series in numerical order; below that is a chart which breaks them down by date of introduction. These are fairly broad strokes — for more details, see my Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

• 200 series – This was Garmin’s first budget, entry-level lineup. It includes the nuvi 200, 250, 260 and 270. All have a 3.5″ screen. The 200 series was the first nuvi group with an internal antenna, giving them a less obtrusive profile. Introduced in March 2007; DISCONTINUED.
• 200W series – The 200W, 250W and 260W added 4.3” wide-screen models to the 200 series. Introduced in June 2007; DISCONTNUED
• 2×5 series – A subsequent entry-level line added several new features, including speed limit and trip log display. Like the 200 series, the “W” models sport a 4.3” wide screen. Introduced in March 2008.
• 2×5T series – Updated the 2×5 series, adding free lifetime traffic and Bluetooth. Introduced in August 2008.
• 295W – An oddball, and not really part of the 2×5 series, the 295W is the first nuvi to offer WiFi. Introduced in May 2010.
• 300 series – The original nuvi series, it has more features than the 200 series. Introduced in September 2005; DISCONTINUED
• 465T– A trucker-friendly model introduced in March 2009
• 500 series – “Crossover” models designed for driving, hiking, cycling and boating. Based on the 2×5 series and introduced in July 2008
• 600 series – An early high-end line, this group includes the nuvi 650, 660, 670 and 680. Marrying a 4.3” wide screen and nuvi 300 series features, it was introduced in September 2006; DISCONTINUED
• 700 series – These units incorporate the high-end features of the 600 series, with the internal antenna found on the 200 series. Introduced in August 2007; DISCONTINUED
• 7×5T series – Another high-end line that adds lifetime traffic (except for the 785T), lane assist and 3-D buildings to the nuvi 700 series features. Introduced in August 2008.
• 800 series – The first nuvis with voice recognition. Introduced in January 2008; DISCONTINUED
• 8×5 series – The second-generation voice command nuvi lineup. Introduced in January 2009.
• 1200, 1300, 1400 series – This newer line is thinner and lighter than previous generations, and adds some features formerly found only on higher end models. Introduced in March 2009.
• 1600 series – The first connected nuvi. Introduced in September 2009.
• 3700 series (pictured above) – At 9 mm, the thinnest nuvis to date and the first to use historic traffic data (trafficTrends) and have the ability to switch to portrait orientation. Expected to hit the market in Q3 2010.
• 5000 – Another one-off model, this was the first nuvi to offer a 5” screen. Introduced in February 2008. DISCONTINUED
• x7x and xx7x models – The transatlantic 270, 275T, 370, 670, 770, 775T and 1370T models cross geographic as well as nuvi series boundaries, offering pre-loaded maps of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
• x8x models – The 285WT, 680, 780, 785T, 880 and 885T models each come with an MSN Direct receiver; that service is being discontinued as of January 1, 2012.

By date:

Series	Introduction date	Status
300	September 2005	Discontinued
600	September 2006	Discontinued
200	March 2007	Discontinued
200W	June 2007	Discontinued
700	August 2007	Discontinued
800	January 2008	Discontinued
5000	February 2008	Discontinued
2×5	March 2008	Current
500	July 2008	Current
2×5T	August 2008	Current
7×5T	August 2008	Current
8×5	January 2009	Current
465T	March 2009	Current
1200, 1300, 1400	March 2009	Current
1600	September 2009	Current
295W	May 2010	Current
3700	July 2010	Current

Easiest Way to Use a GPS when in Europe

from GPS Lodge by Scott Martin

Going to Europe this summer? no traveler should be without a GPS when driving in a foreign unfamiliar country. It's just to easy to get a GPS equipped with European maps to make sure you can get from one place to another. I mean, getting lost is a problem everyday, but it just wastes way too much time when you only have a limited amount of time touring a great country.
Don't have a GPS? Get one with Euro Maps built In

• Garmin Nuvi 275 - Standard Screen (3.5 inch) GPS with maps of North America and Europe - plus Bluetooth - $176
  
• Garmin 1370T - Widescreen (4.3 inch) GPS with maps of North America and Europe - plus Bluetooth - $248
  

Have a Garmin GPS? Add Euro Maps
I am going to talk about Garmins exclusively here because it's just too easy and too convenient to get maps and add them to a select set of units. It's as simple as adding an SD card in the side slot. That covers: Nuvi 200, 300, 600, 5000, 700 & 800 Series, Streetpilot 7200, 7500 & C-Series & Zumo. I just bought the SD card for a single country - a bit cheaper than all of Europe. How to install? Take the SD card out of the pack, and slide it in the SD card slot. It's that easy.
If you are a GPS geek and have a handheld, the product is actually a micro SD card in an SD card adapter, so not only does it fit the auto GPS units, but a wide variety of handhelds including: Colorado Series, Edge Series, and newer Etrex Series. You can get the Garmin City Navigator for Europe or you can get individual countries - details at Garmin for finding the right product.