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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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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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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Pharos Trips & Pics is a combined package of a GPS receiver/logger and geo-logging software which enables consumers to record their trips and photo locations and display them on a map. Trips & Pics will work with any digital camera so there are no compatibility problems. You just need to carry the GPS unit with your camera. As well a being useful for travellers, Pharos Trips & Pics can be a useful tool when hiking, biking or camping. Potential professional applications are also numerous and could include law enforcement, news photography, geological surveying, real estate and wildlife management.

The Trips & Pics hardware is a Pharos’ iGPS-500 receiver and battery unit combination that easily slips into a pocket. GPS data logging intervals can be varied from one second up to five minutes. There is also an off-switch for power conservation if you are stationary or not taking pictures. The unit charges quickly and battery life is about 24 hours. Data can be logged for between 1 ¼ and 45 days depending on the pattern of use. Data logged allows the software package to provide a record of time, location, heading and speed.
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The Garmin 7200 and 7500 StreetPilots have identical features apart from the 7500 including dead reckoning capabilities for when a GPS signal is not available. Both models are available in North American and European versions (different maps) while the 7200 has an Australian version. The 7200 or 7500 StreetPilots are preloaded in internal memory with City Navigator NT for North America or Europe with full cover Australian maps available for that version. Both models have high end features and prices to match. Not only are navigation features covered comprehensively but also entertainment/multimedia features.

The large, 7 inch, widescreen, WQVGA (480 x 234 pixels) touch screen display is the distinctive feature of the StreetPilot 7200 and 7500. The size comes from Garmin designing these StreetPilot models for use in large vehicles where there is a greater distance from the driver to the navigation screen. It should be noted that the screen has an auto dimming backlight to adjust to different ambient light conditions.
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NAVIGON is working to build a reputation for affordable yet, top feature packed GPS navigators. It’s rapid grab of market share and quick population of bestseller lists since its entry into the personal navigation market nine months ago are evidence that consumers agree with it’s focus. In March, NPD Group reported that their Retail Tracking Service was showing that NAVIGON had achieved an 11.5 percent (unit volume share) and fourth position in the personal navigation category. Picking up awards at the recent 2008 International CES for the NAVIGON 5100, NAVIGON 2100 and NAVIGON 7100 has certainly helped boost of NAVIGON’s range.

The NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max have a slim, stylish piano black casings and a wide, 4.3 inch, anti-glare, color, touchscreen display (WQVGA, 480×272 pixels). NAVIGON have used a Nemerix NX3 GPS receiver in their NAVIGON 2100 max models. Either a USB 1.1 drive or an SD memory card can be used to load data. The LiPo/LiIon battery will power operation for up to 3 hours depending on what features are being used. The only difference in specification between the NAVIGON 2100 max and 2120 max models is the maps they are boxed with. The 2100 max comes with maps of the continental U.S. while the NAVIGON 2120 max has the continental U.S. and Canada.
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GPS Technology Reviews reported on the testing of this new GPS navigator during its extensive testing phase in May 2007. The Dash Express is the first of an evolutionary change in GPS navigation devices to encompass Internet connectivity and add location based search functionality and capture and communicate traffic information. Dash Navigation like to refer to the concept as a social network on the move. Internet connectivity allows drivers to search for and download information about their destinations in the car.

Dash Navigation have emphasized that they have put their initial focus with this new product on providing better traffic reporting/information and better search/destination information. From looking at the Dash Express’s capabilities, user testing and customer reviews it is apparent that the Dash Express is the GPS device to buy if you are seeking traffic and POI search strengths in a GPS. A typical satisfied purchaser would be using the Dash Express to make quicker trips using current, accurate traffic information, get accurate time to destination estimates, score the lowest fuel prices and find up to date information of services in areas local to them. You also won’t find some common GPS features on the Dash Express (see below) including any multimedia functionalities, like a MP3 player. A unique theft-deterrent feature available is the ability to wirelessly disable your Dash Express.
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TomTom’s new look flagship GO X30 series includes the TomTom GO 930 and GO 730. The specifications for the two models are identical apart from the GO 930 including;

• a larger 4 GB of internal flash memory compared to 2 GB for the GO 730,
• Enhanced Positioning Technology which uses a combination of movement and gravity sensors to determine position when a GPS signals are not available such as in tunnels or driving in an urban canyon between buildings
• maps of Europe as well as the maps of the United States and Canada on the GO 730

All the GO X30 models have 4.3 inch, WQVGA (480 x 272 pixels) LCD widescreens. GPS navigation is powered by a high sensitivity GPS receiver making for better GPS signal reception in low signal strength areas such as in urban canyons. There is an SD slot for loading digital data such as maps or music. The units are light enough (7.7 ounces) and of small enough form factor of 4.6 x 3.2 x 1 inches (118 x 83 x 24 mm) to be considered portable. The estimated 5 hours of operation from the lithium-polymer battery is a useful time period.
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The TomTom ONE 130 and TomTom ONE 130S are TomTom’s new entry level portable GPS navigators to replace the TomTom ONE. The compact size of the previous model has been retained despite a new windshield mount which can be left on the device and a new, larger, more powerful speaker. The LCD touchscreen remains at 3.5 inches.

As mentioned, the new EasyPort mount can be folded flat on the 130 or 130S for easy transport or moving between cars. It will fit in a shirt pocket. Attaching the EasyPort mount to the windscreen (dashboard mounting disc also included) is a simple sequence of pushing it against the windscreen, sliding it to the right position (if necessary) and twisting the lock nut. An opposite twist removes it. As well as being convenient, the built-in mount ensures you keep the mount and display together for their next use. The video below shows how simple mounting the unit with the mechanical locking system is.
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The only difference between the NAVIGON 2120 and recently reviewed NAVIGON 2100 is the preloaded maps. The Navigon 2100 GPS Navigator was recently honored by a 2008 International CES Best of Innovations Design and Engineering Award in the In-Vehicle Accessories category. Quoting the CES Awards Announcement in regard to the Navigon 2100: Slim, easy-to-use and affordable, the NAVIGON 2100 surpasses the basics to deliver an intelligent, premium navigation experience in an innovative package.

The NAVIGON 2100 comes with maps of continental U.S., while the NAVIGON 2120 is preloaded with maps of all the U. S. and Canada, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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