Garmin Launch New Nuvi Units At Cebit - 2x5 Series, 900t, 860 And 5000

Garmin have launched a handful of new nuvi devices across a wide price range and all use the new elevation-shaded base map.

The Nuvi 2x5 series is "the next evolution of the 200 series" and uses a new enhanced user-interface (UI) that not only always displays the current speed at all times but also has the 'next turn' information in the top corner as well as an enhanced Traffic screen. The 2x5 units also feature Garmin's HotFix technology which greatly improves GPS fix time. They can also make use of Garmin Connect Photo's - a collection of geo-tagged photo's that can be used for navigating to. They also use the new improved GTM-25 traffic receiver in which the aerial is integrated in the power-cable rather than as an external lead - you can add an external aerial if required still. They will be available from Q3 2008 with a range of mapping and screen sizes and prices will start form £139

The Nuvi 900T will initially only be available in Italy and it's main selling point is the built-in DVB-H digital TV. The programmes are sent over the Three network and so far is only currently active in Italy (as they are testing in Hanover at the moment we were able to see the TV in action). It feature a 4.3" widescreen, Text-to-Speech directions, lifetime TMC subscription. The safety aspects of a TV in your sat nav are discussed here.

The Nuvi 860 is Garmin's flagship device for Europe. It is the European version of the 880 recently announced at CES in Las Vegas and features fully voice-controlled menus - It even worked with MaFt's Yorkshire accent! We will post a video soon of the menu's in action but to give a bit more information about how it works, not only can you go through the menus one by one (eg tools, media player) you can, from the main screen, say 'MP3 player' to jump directly to it or simply say 'find nearest Italian restaurant' and away you go! The 860 comes with a steering wheel controller with 2 buttons - on and off for speech recognition. It connects by bluetooth but as the 860 has a dual-channel bluetooth set up it means you can still have your phone connected for hands-free calling. Also new to the 860 are a handful of games (which need to be bought from www.garmin.com/games) and front-facing stereo speakers. It will be available around May for £499 with European mapping and a lifetime TMC subscription. Both the 900 and 860 feature user-changeable batteries.

And, finally, Garmin goes BIG with the 5.2" Nuvi 5000! “The nuvi 5000 is ideal for those with larger vehicles that need navigation on a big screen” and users can save upt to 10 routes with multiple via points. These routes can then be optimised to get the most efficient journey for multiple deliveries. You can also select areas on the map to avoid in the route. The Nuvi 5000 also features a video-input that can be used, for example, to show the feed from a reversing camera or DVD player. The 5000 also has a handful of games that can be bought from www.garmin.com/games and is expected to be available from May 2008 at £499.