The Garmin 3.5 inch touch screen 205 and 255 and the 4.3 inch screen 205 W and 255W are what Garmin refer to as their 2×5 model auto GPS navigators. All have improved features over earlier models including improved mapping and routing features, faster satellite acquisition (HotFix), navigation by photos, FM traffic updates and dynamic content from MSN Direct. With these models Gamin has included higher end features in what is an entry level auto GPS series.

Garmin Nuvi 2×5 Model Differences

Specifications for the Garmin Nuvi 255 and 255W and the Garmin Nuvi 205 and 205W are identical apart from the W suffix models having the larger widescreen and accepting SD cards as opposed to miniSD cards.
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GPS navigation device manufacturers know that a quick time to first fix is a selling point with consumers. Running predictive calculations of satellite positions while the GPS navigator is off is one way to speed up the time taken to establish a lock on a few GPS satellites so that navigation can begin is to. It works by giving the restarted GPS device a head start by knowing where to start looking for GPS satellites. Time saved with this technique makes possible warm start ups taking as little as 3.5 seconds.

Starting with the Nuvi 205 of the Nuvi 2×5 models, Garmin has based their product on STMicroelectronics’ Teseo GPS engine. As the result of collaboration with Rx Networks, their GPStream PGPS product is included. It enables the behaviour of GPS satellites to be modelled based on broadcast ephemeris readings for accurate prediction of satellite positions up to 5 days ahead. A single broadcast ephemeris reading allows the accurate prediction of satellite orbits which are developed and refined every time new broadcast ephemeris is obtained.

Custom Search

A useful, convenient feature available with Google Maps and Mapquest allows you to download a location you’ve found (GPS coordinates and address) directly to your TomTom or Garmin GPS navigator.

Sending an Address from Google Maps to Your TomTom GPS Navigator

With TomTom home running and your TomTom navigator connected to your PC, search for and find your desired location. You then click on the send link bringing up a popup Send to web form. To finish you pick the GPS link and TomTom from the Brand dropdown box and click send. The address will be transferred to your TomTom navigator and saved as a favourite. It’s that simple!

Harman Kardon’s GPS-310, GPS-510 and GPS-810 all have a compact form factor for use in the car or out. The models have clean lines with no buttons on the front face as all inputs are through the touch screen. The 4 inch LCD touch screen (4.3 inches on the GPS-810) is WQVGA (480×272 pixels) which is a popular size for portable media players. This makes sense as these Harman Kardon GPS navigators have significant portable media player capabilities.

Navigation with Harman Kardon GPS

The navigation map screen can be viewed in 2D mode with the route displayed from top to bottom of the screen, 2D North mode with North at the top of the screen or 3D mode with a three dimensional map displayed with the route from the top to the bottom of the screen. It’s possible to zoom in and out from the displayed map.
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Because there are lots of differing reasons for people to purchase GPS navigator for their car, there is a matching wide variety of features and functionalities available. Following is an exploration and explanation of some of the common ones you will need to consider.

GPS Receiver

Probably the most common GPS receiver included in automotive GPS navigators at the moment is the SiRF Star III chipset. The SiRF Star III family was a watershed development in GPS chip architecture for GPS manufacturers and provides excellent fix times, excellent sensitivity for gaining a lock even in weak GPS signal areas such as urban jungles or densely forested areas. SiRF now also provide SiRFDiRect technology which provides accurate positioning even when a GPS satellite lock cannot be maintained (eg. in a tunnel). SiRFDiRect works through the utilization of miniature heading and acceleration sensors to provide dead reckoning data.

Consumers will likely hear more of Texas Instruments new NaviLink 5.0 which has a very small 25 mm x 25 mm footprint and performance similar to a SiRF III.
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The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy have reported that one in three pets is lost during its lifetime. As their figures also show only a 10 chance of return, it’s likely that the Zoombak ZMBK200 Advanced GPS Dog Locator is an investment that will pay off.

The Zoombak GPS Dog Locator continuously determines your dogs location and actively broadcasts its position so that you can recover it quickly before it comes to harm. Also speeding the recovery time is the automated warning that your pet has strayed outside the safe area you have nominate for them. You will know your dog is straying into to danger without having to keep a constant eye on them.
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