Garmin today announced seven new nuvi GPS models: three new 2x5T
models and three new 7X5T versions. Before you yawn at the thought of
yet more Garmin nuvi GPS models, the new units are actually delivering
some exciting new features.
All the new nuvis will include free lifetime traffic - no more
subscription or annual fees. The new 2x5T models add Bluetooth and
traffic to the nuvi 250 series. The new 7x5T models are the first
Garmin models to feature lane assistance, accelerated map-drawing and
routing capabilities, and 3-D transparent view of buildings in when
driving in cities.
Here's the details on the seven new nuvis introduced today:
| |
nuvi 265T |
nuvi 265WT |
nuvi 275T |
nuvi 755T |
nuvi 765T |
nuvi 775T |
nuvi 785T |
| Lifetime Traffic |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Screen Size |
3.5" |
4.3" |
3.5" |
4.3" |
4.3" |
4.3" |
4.3" |
| Garmin HotFix |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Text-to-Speech |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Transatlantic Mapping |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Lane Assist |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| 3-D Transparent Map View |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Accelerated map-drawing |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| MSN Direct |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Price |
$299 |
$349 |
$349 |
$499 |
$599 |
$799 |
$699 |
All seven new models are expected to hit store shelves in October.
The traffic and Bluetooth are nice additions to the nuvi 2x5
line-up, but the most exciting new features are the 7x5's lane assist
and 3-D transparent map view. According to Garmin's press release, when
driving in areas where the GPS contains detailed 3D models of
buildings, the nuvi 7x5's will display a 3-D map view with the
buildings superimposed on the map.
Also good news is the nuvi 7x5's increased speed. I haven't actually
tested a new model yet, but I'm told the new accelerated map-drawing
and routing capabilities are "impressive". I'll be able to report more
on that once I get a nuvi 7x5T to test.
Garmin is also touting a new feature called "Garmin HotFix", which
sounds exactly like SiRF's InstantFix, a feature that improves start-up
time and lets the GPS almost instantly determine your location
(provided the GPS has been turned on within the past 7 days). If
Garmin's HotFix is really a re-branded InstantFix, that's very good
news indeed, as it's a good sign they're using SiRF's high performance
GPS chipset.
I asked Garmin if the company plans to roll out any of the new
features (lane assist, 3-D transparent map view, Garmin HotFix) to any
of the existing nuvi models by way of a firmware update, and was told
that there are currently no known plans in place to do so.
I also asked if we'd be seeing a nuvi 8x5 model anytime soon, and
was told that no plans have been announced for an 8x5T series nuvi. The
lack of an 8x5T model may leave some high-end buyers with a bit of a
dilemma: "should I buy a nuvi 800-series for the voice recognition
features, or do I care more about the new 7x5T's lane guidance,
3D'ness, and lifetime traffic?" For the rest of the buying spectrum,
the new nuvis good on paper, adding some important features and upping
the ante in the increasingly competitive GPS market. | 
