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The Garmin Nuvi 260 and 270 models are less expensive, portable GPS navigators. The 200 Nuvi series overall is the entry level series of the very popular Garmin Nuvi range of portable/personal GPS navigators with features to aid the traveller.

Both 260 and 270 models have a QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) antiglare TFT 3.5 inch (diagonal) color touchscreen display. Other useful features are a picture viewer, calculator, currency converter, unit converter and world clock.

Models in the Garmin Nuvi 200 series include the 200 and 250 as well as the 260 and 270. The specification for models in the series is identical except the;

• 200 is preloaded with maps for lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico or regional coverage in other areas,
• 250 has a basemap of US including Alaska and Hawaii as well as Canada and Puerto Rico preloaded,
• 260 model has text-to-speech for speaking street names, preloaded with maps for lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico or regional coverage in other areas,
• 270 model has transatlantic maps (North America and Europe).

If you are looking for other features you may wish to look at our comparison of Garmin Nuvi models.

Customer Reviews and Price Comparisons Garmin nuvi 260 and 270

Both models have excellent ratings and reviews from customers and reviews on Amazon. The nuvi 260 has bestseller status. Read the hands on user reviews and get the prices for

Garmin nüvi 260 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin nüvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Newegg.com also has strong positive ratings and plenty of user reviews. Check these and the competitive prices for

GARMIN NUVI 260 3.5″ Automotive GPS Navigation

Check the excellent prices and customer reviews at TheNerds.net for

Garmin nuvi 260 GPS (City/Vehicle, 3.5" LCD - MPN: 0100062131)
GPS, NUVI 270, CITY NAVIGATOR NORTH

Check Buy.com for a price and user reviews on the Garmin nuvi 270 Portable GPS System - 3.5 LCD Touch Screen w/ Preloaded Maps

Resources

Get an idea of the features and navigation interface for the nuvi 260 with Garmin’s Flash demonstration.

Garmin provide an extensive FAQ database for their GPS products.

Garmin’s nuvi 200 models have their own minisite.

You can compare the Garmin nuvi 260 and 270 with other models using Garmin’s comparison database which gives you side by side comparisons with differences highlighted.

Specification Garmin Nuvi 260 and Garmin Nuvi 270

The Garmin Nuvi 780 shares all features of the Garmin Nuvi 680 Auto GPS navigator. Additional features include:

Qwerty or ABC keyboard – choose your preferred on-screen keyboard layout

Car locater feature - notes the position of your car when removed from windshield mount – a handy feature if you’re prone to forgetting where you parked your car.

Where Am I? - feature allows you to find closest hospitals, police & gas stations, nearest address & intersection.

MSN Direct for U.S. compatible - MSN Direct brings location based services direct to your GPS unit. For a subscription you can have access to services for 100 of the largest cities across the US. Services include local traffic reports, weather reports, local gas prices and local movie times.

Auto sort multiple destinations – ideal for a delivery route where want the most efficient route to visit multiple destinations.

Battery life expectations are shorter at 5 hours as opposed to 7 hours for the Nuvi 680.

If you would like speech recognition for navigation using voice commands you need to look at the Garmin Nuvi 880.

Resources

Garmin provide an extensive FAQ database for their GPS products.

You can compare the Garmin nuvi models using Garmin’s comparison database which provides side by side comparisons with highlighted differences.

The nuvi 700 series owners manual (PDF).

Garmin’s nuvi 770 scooped the Engadget readers and editors choice awards for the 2007 GPS Device of the Year.

Customer Reviews and Price Comparisons for the Garmin nuvi 780 Vehicle GPS

Amazon customers have voted with their wallets to give the Garmin nuvi 780 best seller status. Read their hands on reviews and see what Amazon’s price is for the Garmin nüvi 780 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

The Garmin Nuvi 880 and 850 share all features of the Garmin 770 and 780 Auto GPS navigators. The primary difference is the inclusion of Speech recognition allowing navigation using voice commands.

Lesser differences in specifications include:

• Larger Screen of 4.9″W x 3.1″H x .7″D (12.4 x 7.8 x 1.77 cm)
• Removable Battery
• Up to 4 hours battery life as opposed to 5
• MicroSD card (not included) vs SD card
• Internal dual speakers as opposed to single speaker
• Remote control

The sole difference between the Garmin Nuvi 880 and Garmin Nuvi 850 is the lack of Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling with the 850.
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• 200 series (200, 250, 260 and 270) - entry level series which is light on the budget with a 3.5 inch screen QVGA (320 x 240 pixels). Series features integrated antenna. No multimedia features or Bluetooth. 200 and 260 models have maps for lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico or regional coverage in other areas while 270 model has transatlantic maps (North America and Europe). The 260 model has text-to-speech for speaking street names.
• 200W series (200W, 250W and 260W) W is for widescreen with a step up from the 200 series to a 4.3 inch WQVGA (480 x 272 pixels) widescreen. No multimedia features or Bluetooth.
• 300 series (300, 310, 350, 360 and 370) - 3.5 inch screen in common with 200 series Multimedia playback and Bluetooth features available.
• 600 series (600,610,650,660,670 and 680) - Step up in screen size and resolution from 300 series to 4.3 inch WQVGA Flip up patch antenna
• 700 series (710, 750, 760 and 770) Series features a 4.8 inch WQVGA screen. More extensive route planning features than previous series. Series features integrated antenna and sleeker, thinner design than the Nuvi 600 series. All have integrated FM transmitter and are Traffic ready. All come MSN Direct compatible.
• 800 series (850 and 880) Series shares features with the 700 series with main upgrade being speech recognition (navigate with voice commands) using a remote attached to the steering wheel. There are dual internal speakers as opposed to one with the 600 series. The 800 series use microSD cards. The only difference between the 880 and 850 models is that the 850 doesn’t have Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling.

Pioneer call their AVIC-F500BT a hybrid device as it will function as and in-dash navigation device as well as a personal navigation device (PND) when removed. For portable use the AVIC-F500 has built-in speakers and a rechargeable battery. The at 5.8 inches, WVGA resolution touch display is large enough for easy in-car viewing.

Navigation

Maps with navigation guidance are available in two views: overhead and movable 3D. Destinations can be input using the touch screen or voice recognition. Audible navigation instructions also include text-to-speech pronouncing street names providing confirmation that you are on track without looking at the display.
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Technorati Tags: Pioneer, AVIC-F500BT, hybrid device, personal navigation device, e in two views: overhead and movable 3D. Destinations can be input using the touch screen or

Garmin’s Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled fitness device shares most features with the Forerunner 305 however, with its smaller size and circular display it can truly be called a GPS-enabled sports watch. As Dan Bartel of Garmin has said, Runners no longer have to choose between fashion and function. In line with its fashionable look, the Forerunner 405 comes in a choice of either black or green. There are also versions with or without a heart monitor and for the North American, European and the Pacific regions.

Garmin have managed to keep minimize the number of buttons on the Forerunner 405 by introducing a touch sensitive bezel (ring around the watch face). Most functions can be accessed by tapping, holding or running a finger along the bezel even if you are wearing gloves. To get an idea of how the bezel works have a look at the video by Garmin.

Technorati Tags: Garmin’s Forerunner 405 GPS-enabled fitness device, touch sensitive bezel

Garmin’s Colorado series includes four handheld GPS navigation devices designed to meet the needs of those with outdoor interests including; hikers, campers, anglers, boaters, joggers and geocachers. For the rigours of outdoor use the Colorado units have a rugged metal-plated build, built-in antenna and are submersible (IPX7). They can work in a wide range of ambient temperatures - the extremities of which most individuals would not like to experience namely -4 to 158 Fahrenheit (-20 to 70 Celsius).

Accuracy is excellent at +/- 10 feet as delivered by a high sensitivity SiRF Star III WAAS enabled GPS receiver. The SiRF delivers some of the best GPS satellite acquisition times available. The units are powered by two AA batteries delivering up to 16 hours of up time.
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The garmin nuvi 260W is an extension of the nuvi widescreen models which already includes the Garmin nuvi 200W and Garmin nuvi 250W. It’s specification is identical apart from the addition of text-to-speech capability.

Text-to-speech enables a GPS device to read street addresses rather than simply provide turn left or turn right instructions. It’s a handy feature that provides confirmation you are on the right track without taking your eyes from the road.
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Technorati Tags: widescreen, text-to-speech