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Tech Gear - Portable GPS Navigation

Consumer Electronics Show 2006

I opted not to get the $2500 in-car GPS navigation system since I can get around pretty well around where I live in the Detroit area. There are times when I do wish I had a GPS navigation system, such as when I drive to Chicago or take trips and have to rent a car.

At CES I saw a highly portable GPS called Nuvi 350 by Garmin. It is a little larger than a pack of playing cards but unlike its predecessors it is oriented in landscape mode so the screen is wider than it is tall. This unit is only 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches, weighs 5.1 ounces and its display resolution is 320x240 in 64,000 colors.

Here are a few features that make this unit very distinctive:

	Uses a touch screen for command input -- the only button is ON/OFF!
	Onboard memory is already preloaded with US maps and 6 million points of interest, and still there is 700MB left for supplement maps, MP3 files, and audible books.
	Obviously it has an MP3 player.
	Photo viewer!
	Additional storage via SD memory slot so you can add more GB for your MP3 music files or optional software modules: language translator, a travel guide, and more!
	Flip-up antenna makes it very portable without the need to deal with an external wired antenna, which is available as a separate option.
	Optional FM Traffic receiver to provide on-screen Traffic Message Channel alerts in certain metropolitan areas. This gives you traffic flow alerts to congestion so that you can pres a button to get an alternate route.
	Built-in battery with 8 hours of operating time so you can play your music in the hotel room.

Needless to say I was impressed by all these features packed into a unit this small. Of course, since it was released at the end of 2005 it sports the latest (3rd) generation in accurate GPS chips from SiRF, but I do admit that it is a bit pricey at $900. Still, this is the same price as a much larger unit, the Magellan Road Mate 760 that I was thinking of getting. I'm just hoping that in 6+ months, the price will drop far enough to make it more compelling for me to get one.

Update of 04-02-2006

Well it didn't take long but the price on the Nuvi 350 model has come down a bit. It is now below $700. The reason for this is that a new model, the Nuvi 360, is coming out in June. The new model adds Bluetooth hands-free speakerphone capability to connect with your cell phone. This is a welcome edition for anyone to add a valuable safety feature for their in-car phone use, but it is not for me since my Acura TL has Bluetooth capability integrated to its 5.1 DVD Audio stereo system as a standard feature.