Garmin Nuvi 660

The Garmin Nuvi series has proven to be a great success for the veteran navigation manufacturer. The Garmin Nuvi 350 impressed us not only with its solid performance but also with its travel-friendly features, and it consistently ranks up there as one of our readers' favorite GPS devices. Armed with navigation tools, travel guides, and multimedia capabilities, it is the ultimate travel companion. Now, the company's latest model in the series, the Gamin Nuvi 660, adds even more improvements, such as integrated Bluetooth and a larger screen, all while delivering solid performance. Now, here's the bad news. It costs a whopping $1,076.91, and you have to fork over even more cash if you want the expanded travel tools. If you don't need all that functionality, the Nuvi 350 is a solid alternative, or take a look at the HP iPaq rx5900 series.

Design
At 4.9x2.9by0.9 inches and 6.2 ounces, the Garmin Nuvi 660 is slightly bigger and heavier than its predecessor but it's still an ultraportable and sleek device that you can use in and out of the car. Plus, the extra size is for a good reason. The Nuvi 660 now boasts a larger, 4.3-inch display compared to the Nuvi 350's 3.5-inch screen. The touch screen has an impressive 480x272 pixel resolution that made maps look extrasharp and colorful. It's also still readable in direct sunlight.

You can access all the Nuvi 660's tools and enter information via the touch screen. The interface is clean, and the menus are clearly identified and intuitive, so there isn't a steep learning curve to operate the device. In fact, it's so easy to use that we didn't even have to crack open the user's manual once. In addition, the icons and onscreen keyboard are large, so we didn't have any problems with pressing the wrong buttons.

With everything handled via the touch screen, the Nuvi 660 can have a minimalist design, which we like. There's a sole power on/off button on the top of the unit, while there's an SD expansion slot, a mini USB port, and a headphone jack on the right spine. Finally, there is a flip-up patch antenna on the back that stores flush with the unit's surface in its closed state, so it doesn't add any extra bulk. Our only wish would be for external volume controls, but if you give the power button a quick press, it brings up a Quick Settings page where you can adjust the sound and screen brightness.

Garmin packages the Nuvi 660 with a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), an AC adapter, a car charger with an integrated FM traffic receiver, a USB cable, a carrying case, and reference material.

Features
The Garmin Nuvi 660 keeps many of the same features that we loved in its predecessor and adds some new tricks as well. First, the system now has integrated Bluetooth, so you can use it hands-free to make and accept phone calls. Once connected, just press the phone icon that appears on the Main Menu page, and you can start placing calls with the onscreen dialer or your phone book. If a number is listed for a point of interest, the Nuvi 660 can dial out to that business with a press of a button--perfect if you need to make a last-minute reservation at a restaurant or hotel. Voice-guided directions are automatically muted during incoming calls. There are also options to send text messages, synchronize your phone's address book and call log, and dial by voice, but these features aren't supported with all mobiles. You can find a list of compatible phones and services on Garmin's Web site, though we were able to successfully pair it with the Cingular 8525, which wasn't included on the list.

As far as navigation, the Garmin Nuvi 660 is equipped with a WAAS-enabled (Wide Area Augmentation System for better position accuracy) GPS receiver and comes preloaded with maps of North America. You get all the standard GPS features found in the latest systems, including turn-by-turn text- and voice-guided directions, automatic rerouting, and text-to-speech functionality, which allows the unit to speak actual street names. The system can generate directions by fastest time, shortest distance, or off road, if you're the adventurous type. The Nuvi 660 isn't just limited to use in the car, either; there are settings for pedestrian, bicycle, truck, and bus modes. Unfortunately, however, the system does not support multistop route calculation.

The Nuvi 660 has a detour function for avoiding certain portions of your prescribed route, but the system also now comes with an FM traffic receiver that's integrated into the cigarette lighter adapter, so you don't have to pay extra for an optional accessory. Traffic information is provided by Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network and can alert you to any upcoming congestion or road construction. With the purchase of the Garmin Nuvi 660, you get a complimentary three-month subscription to the service. After that, you'll have to pay $60 for three more months. Also, be sure to check that your city is covered by the network.

Maps are available in 2D and 3D view with day and night colors, and you can change your view so that either north or the direction in which you're driving is always at the top of your screen. Plus and minus icons on the map screen allow you to zoom in and out, and there's also a trip information page that displays your speed, direction, trip time, and so forth. Finally, the Nuvi 660 has a comprehensive POI database with all the major categories and more specific ones; you can even search for restaurants by type of cuisine.

Among of the greatest perks and differentiators about the Garmin Nuvi 660 are its travel features. Like the Nuvi 350, it has an onboard Travel Kit that includes an MP3 player, an Audible book player, a JPEG picture viewer with a slide-show function, a world clock, currency and measurement converters, and a calculator. You can expand the device's capabilities with one of Garmin's three optional software packages (available on SD cards): Language Guide ($74.99), Travel Guide (price varies depending on what region you want), and SaversGuide ($49.99). The former includes a multilingual word and phrase bank with support for nine languages and dialects and five bilingual dictionaries. Thanks to the Nuvi's text-to-speech functionality, you can also get a spoken pronunciation of each entry in the word bank. The Travel Guide provides reviews and recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and more, while the SaversGuide offers discounts at participating merchants.

Performance
We took the Garmin Nuvi 660 out for a test-drive in San Francisco, and it performed wonderfully. The unit impressed us by acquiring a satellite fix in less than a minute, and subsequent starts were much faster. The system precisely tracked our location as we drove around the city running routine errands. We also entered a specific destination, and the Nuvi 660 quickly returned with a route. The directions were accurate, and automatic route recalculation was also prompt after we got off track.

As we noted earlier, we were able to pair the unit with the Cingular 8525, and we had no problems making calls. The multimedia experience was as to be expected on a portable navigation device: it wasn't great, but it was fine for when you're in an absolute pinch. Music sounded OK through the system's speakers, though it was a bit muffled and soft; we plugged in a pair of Shure E3s, which improved the sound quality.


Product Summary

The good: The Garmin Nuvi 660 offers an accurate GPS receiver, text-to-speech functionality, and traffic capabilities. The versatile system also features a gorgeous display, integrated Bluetooth, travel tools, and multimedia functions.


The bad: The device is expensive, and there are no external volume controls. The system also doesn't support multidestination route creation.

The bottom line: If you can afford the hefty price tag, the Garmin Nuvi 660 is a solid-performing and versatile GPS device that offers all the navigation basics, tools for the world traveler, Bluetooth, and more.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Garmin International
Part number:  010-00540-00

General

Width
    4.9 in

Depth
    0.9 in

Height
    2.9 in

Weight
    6.7 oz

Acquisition Times

Cold acquisition times
    38 sec

Warm acquisition times
    1 sec

GPS System

Recommended Use
    Automotive

SBAS
    WAAS

Accuracy
    Position - 10 m, Velocity - 0.05 m/sec, Position - 5 m ( With WAAS )

Update Rate
    1/second

Connectivity
    USB

Traffic Services
    TMC (Traffic Message Channel)

Voice
    Navigation instructions

Antenna
    Built-in

Features
    Garmin Lock, Built-in speaker, Built-in microphone, Built-in FM modulator, 2D / 3D map perspective,                   Hands-free calling via Bluetooth, Optional external GPS antenna connection

Built-in Memory
    2 GB

Software Included
    MapSource City Navigator North America NT

Maps Included
    North America

Built-in Display

Type
    TFT - Widescreen

Resolution
    480 x 272

Diagonal Size
    4.3 in

Features
    Touch screen

Display Illumination
    Yes

Color Support
    Color

Display Menu Language
    French, English

Connections

Connector Type
    Headphones / line-out - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, USB, Antenna - MCX

Navigation

Waypoints
    500

Trip Computer
    Avoid highways, Quickest route, Avoid toll roads, Fast/short route

Digital Player

Digital Player
    Yes

Supported Formats
    MP3, JPEG

Miscellaneous

Included GPS accessories
    USB cable, Carrying case, Vehicle mount, AC power adapter, Car power adapter

Slot Provided

Slot Provided
    SD Memory Card

Battery

Battery Enclosure Type
    Integrated

Run Time (Up To)
    7 hour(s)

Battery technology
    Lithium ion

Environmental Parameters

Min operating temperature
    32 °F

Max operating temperature
    140 °F


Price range: $299.98 - $699.99

Review

It's been a while since we were excited about any handheld device from HP; don't get us wrong, the company has produced a solid line of PDAs over the years, but they've all been pretty status quo--until now. Today, the company introduced its HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion--a sexy and sleek handheld that not only offers the benefits of a Windows Mobile PDA but also integrates GPS into the mix. It's more refined than some of the other PDA/GPS combos out there, such as the Asus MyPal A636; plus, the PIM functionality gives it an edge over the Garmin Nuvi 350. Unfortunately, it stumbled a bit in the performance department. The rx5900 was slow to acquire an initial GPS fix, and the various functions took a toll on processor speed. All said, we still think the rx5900 is a handy device for on-the-go professionals, providing them with the tools for organization, travel, and entertainment. The HP iPaq rx5900 is expected to ship in mid-October and will cost $599, which is on the pricier side, but you do get both the PDA and the GPS capabilities, and it's on a par with other devices in this category.

Design
The HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion is a sleek device, both as a portable nav system and a PDA. The travel-friendly handheld measures just 4.7 by 3 by 0.6 inches and weighs 5.9 ounces, making it easily portable between your car and for use on foot. We really like its streamlined look and attractive silver casing and burnt-orange accents. In general, the device had a solid construction, but the glossy coating made it quite slippery in the hand.

The 3.5-inch, QVGA touch screen has a 240x320 pixel resolution and features an antiglare coating, which did a pretty decent job of keeping the display readable in direct sunlight, but colors tended to wash out a bit. As of this writing, HP will not offer a VGA model of the rx5900, which is shame since this type of device would really benefit from an extrasharp screen, but they did not rule it out for future Iterations of the rx5000 series. You can easily rotate the screen's orientation four ways with the screen rotation button on the right spine. In addition to this control, the right side also holds a power button, a small status LED (blinks blue for the wireless connections, amber for battery charge, and green for complete charge), and three more shortcut keys to the Quick Launch page, Navigation menu, and media player. All buttons are identified clearly by small icons, and they can be reprogrammed to open other apps.


We found the navigation toggle to be a bit loose,
but the Exit and Start keys came in really handy.

To the right of the touch screen, there is a nine-way navigation pad that lets you scroll through the various menus and options and is great for panning in and out of maps. Pressing the center of the toggle also acts as an OK button. That said, we felt the directional keypad was a bit loose, so we didn't always get the precise movements we wanted, and sometimes we had to press down on the control hard to get our commands to register. On a brighter note, we were big fans of the two keys below it, which let you exit out of applications and access the Start menu with the press of one button. As a result you don't always have to rely on the stylus, and one-handed operation is easier. We should note that the way the iPaq rx5900 is built and the orientation of the buttons makes it more comfortable to use in rx5900 landscape mode (horizontally) rather than portrait mode (vertically).

Overall, the rx5900 is easy to navigate thanks to its smart set of external controls and a feature called HP Quick Launch. This utility simplifies the interface by bringing together the five most essential functions of the device--Today, Entertainment, Navigation, Travel Assistant, and Internet--onto one screen, although we would prefer to see another option for the productivity tools.

There is a voice record button, a reset hole, and an SD/MMC card expansion slot on top of the unit, while the left spine has a port for attaching an external antenna for enhanced GPS reception, a mini USB connector, and a 3.5mm headset jack that accepts Walkman-style headphones. The stylus holder is located on the back, as is the rx5900's speaker. One note about the stylus: its placement on the lower left backside makes it bit awkward to access for right-handed users, as we found out during our test period.


HP packages the iPaq rx5900 with a healthy set of accessories,
including a windshield mount.

HP packages the iPaq rx5900 with a nice set of accessories, including a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a USB cable, a power adapter, a car charger, a protective case, and reference material.

Features
For HP, the GPS capabilities and the travel tools are the main focus of the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion. The handheld is equipped with a SiRFstarIII GPS receiver and comes loaded with maps of North America and TomTom Navigator 6 software. As such, from a GPS standpoint, the rx5900 has a similar feel and look to TomTom's stand-alone products. It supports text- and voice-guided driving directions (no text-to-speech functionality), automatic route recalculation, and a points-of-interest database. To get started, you enter your destination by address, city center, or intersection, then instruct the device to calculate directions based on a number of criteria, such as the quickest or shortest route, by avoiding toll roads, the required arrival time, and more. There's also an option to plan a walking route, which is great since the rx5900 is so portable. If at any time you want to avoid a part of your route, you can tap the Find Alternative icon, and the system will plot a new course. You can view maps in 2D or 3D mode. A status bar at the bottom of the screen displays useful information, such as the next instruction, remaining distance, and estimated time of arrival. There are also two icons in the upper right and left corners that let you zoom in and out of maps. You can add real-time traffic information, safety camera alerts, and other advanced nav features via TomTom's subscription-based Plus services.

In addition to the navigation functions, the iPaq rx5900 includes a copy of WorldMate 2006 Standard Edition to help with your trip planning. The app provides you with some handy tools, such as current times around the world, international dialing codes, a packing list, and converters for currency, clothing size, and measurement. If you have a long flight ahead of you or you just need to relax, you can keep yourself entertained by listening to your favorite tunes or watching video clips with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. The player supports popular formats including WMA, MP3, and WMV. Plus, Windows Media Rights Management 10 gives you access to audio and video content from subscription services, such as MSN Music, Musicmatch, Napster to Go, and Wal-Mart Music Downloads. You can also view photos, and there's a nifty app called HP Photosmart Mobile to help you create slide shows, share images via e-mail, and record voice notes with pictures. The handheld also comes with two preloaded games (Bubble Breaker and Solitaire).



The HP iPaq rx5900 comes equipped with an SD
expansion slot for more storage capacity.

For the road warrior, you can stay productive on the road, thanks to Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Edition, which includes the full Microsoft Office Mobile Suite. In addition to mobile versions of Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, and Outlook, the machine has a handy PowerPoint viewer; we were successfully able to open and view all three of the document types on the rx5900. As far as memory, the unit has 64MB of SDRAM for running apps and a whopping 2GB of flash ROM. In addition, you have access to the SD expansion slot for more storage capacity. Though there's no cellular wireless, the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion is well connected with integrated Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), so you can connect to a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices and make VoIP calls.

Performance
Performance was a bit of a mixed bag. As a GPS device, the HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion had a hard time acquiring a satellite fix from a cold start. It took the unit about five minutes to finally lock onto our position, which was frustrating. On the upside, subsequent starts were much faster, and the rx5900 did a good job of tracking our position. Directions were also accurate, as were route recalculations.

The iPaq rx5900 handled its PDA and entertainment duties well. As we mentioned before, we had no problems transferring or opening Office documents. The device also detected our test Wi-Fi access point immediately, and we were able to connect to the Web without a problem with relatively quick download times. Music and video playback were excellent with clear sound and fairly good picture quality. However, if you're listening to your tunes via the built-in speakers, take care not to place the device with the speaker side down. We also plugged in a pair of Shure E3 earbuds, and sound was even better. We did, however, notice a slight lag in performance when we had numerous apps open.

Clearly, battery life is a key factor for a mobile device like the rx5900. In CNET Labs performance tests, where we looped a video clip with all wireless radios off and backlight set to midlevel, the HP iPaq rx5900 1,700 mAh lithium-ion battery lasted for 4 hours of constant use, falling behind the Asus MyPal A636, the Garmin Nuvi 350, and the Pharos Traveler GPS 525. We also noticed that using any of the wireless options really took a toll on the cell; after a day and a half of use, we were running for the nearest electrical outlet. That said, if you're using as an in-car GPS device, battery life is less of an issue, since you can keep the unit juiced with the included car charger.

Product Summary

The good: The sleek and travel-friendly HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion offers integrated GPS, TomTom Navigator software, and useful travel tools. The Windows Mobile handheld also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The bad: The HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion was slow to acquire an initial satellite fix and had subpar battery life. The stylus is also placed in an awkward location.

The bottom line: The HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion delivers a sleek all-in-one navigation, productivity, and entertainment device to mobile professionals; we just wish it had better battery life.

General

Built-in devices
    Display
Dimensions (W x D x H)
    4.7 in x 0.7 in x 3.0 in
Weight
    0.4 lbs
Features
    9-way navigation pad
Packaged contents
    Battery, Power adapter, USB cable, Car charger, Car Holder, Windshield mount, Carrying case

Operating System / Software

OS provided
    Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC 

Memory

Installed RAM
    64 MB

Processor

Processor
   
    Samsung 400 MHzSC32442

Audio

Audio input type
    Microphone
Audio output type
    Headphone, Speaker(s)
Voice recording capability
    Yes

Display

Display type
    3.5 in

Expansion / Connectivity

Wireless connectivity
    Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
Port / Connector Type:Interface
    1USB
Cable(s) included
    1 x USB cable

Power

Battery installed ( max )
    Lithium ion
Power supply device
    Power adapter

Warranty

Service & support type
    1 year warranty

Review

The number of portable navigation systems coming out these days is pretty astonishing, but the thing is, we're finding that when it comes to the core navigation functions, they pretty much all offer the same thing--text- and voice-guided directions, extensive POI databases, automatic route recalculation, and so forth. So in order to differentiate itself from the competition, GPS manufacturers are adding more distinct and advanced features, and in the case of the Magellan Maestro 4250, this comes in the form of voice commands. With this function, you can operate the in-car GPS device with the sound of your voice. For the most part, it worked well during our test period, and we think it's a great safety feature. However, the functionality is a bit limited at this time, (e.g., you can't enter addresses via voice) and you have to create a pretty quiet environment in your car for optimal results. Voice commands aside, the Maestro 4250 is a solid mid-level portable navigation system that also offers text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and accurate directions. It's available now for $499.99.

Design
At 3.2 inches high by 4.8 inches wide by 0.7 inch deep and 6.8 ounces, the Magellan Maestro 4250 is more compact and lighter than the Magellan Maestro 4040. While the difference in size isn't significant, we definitely noticed that the Maestro 4250 felt less clunky and the slimmer design makes it that much more portable and easier to slip into a bag during travels. We also like that the company throws in a soft carrying case to protect the screen and case.

Though the overall size of the system may have shrunk, fortunately, the screen size didn't shrink. Like the Maestro 4040, it sports a 4.3-inch touch screen that shows off 64,000 colors at a 480x272 pixel resolution. Maps and text looked sharp and vibrant, and the display was readable in various lighting conditions. For the most part, the touch screen was responsive, but there were several occasions where there was a bit of a delay from the time we tapped an icon to the time the system actually registered our command. The system also froze in a couple of instances (see Performance for more).

The user interface is intuitive and simple to master. As with past Magellan products, the Maestro 4250 also includes the QuickSpell feature to aid in text entry. As you start to enter addresses on the virtual keyboard, QuickSpell grays out any characters that don't match the city or streets located in the system's database. It's quite handy and worked well during our test period.

On the right side, you will find an FM antenna input, a mini USB port, and an SD card expansion slot. The power button is located on top of the unit, while there's a reset hole on the bottom. Finally, the backside houses the speaker and external antenna jack.

The Magellan Maestro 4250 comes packaged with an AC adapter, a car charger, a USB cable, a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a protective pouch, and reference material. The vehicle mount is sturdy and easy to install, but the side-mounted cable connections make the overall setup a bit of an eyesore.

Features
The Magellan Maestro 4250 is equipped with an SiRFStarIII GPS chip and comes preloaded with Navteq maps of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska. To start planning a trip, you can enter a specific address; choose a point of interest; or select a location from your address book, recently visited destinations, or favorites list. The system has the ability to calculate routes based on fastest time, shortest distance, least or most use of freeways, and toll-free roads. Alternatively, if you don't need directions to a specific place, you can just tap the Show Map icon to get a general overview map, which can track you as you drive around the area.

The system provides guidance by way of text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, plus text-to-speech functionality, which Magellan calls SayWhere, so the system will speak actual street names. There's also a simulator mode that you can turn on to view a running demo of your trip before you actually hit the road. Maps are presented in 2D or 3D mode with day and night colors and a split-screen mode that shows the map on one side and your next maneuver on the other. For those who are interested, there is a trip computer that collects data, such as average speed, trip time, drive time, and trip distance.

So far all of the Maestro 4250 features have been pretty standard, but the unit does stand out from its competitors for one reason: voice control. While we're seeing this technology pop up in upcoming models, such as the TomTom GO 920, this is the first model with voice commands that we've actually been able to test. Unlike the GO 920, the Maestro 4250 doesn't allow you to dictate street addresses, but you can perform a limited number of tasks with the sound of your voice. This includes rerouting; finding points of interest; routing to your home address; and getting your current location, distance to destination, and roadside assistance. You can check out the Performance section for experience with this feature.

Other navigation functions include automatic route recalculation, a detour function, multidestination trips, and support for traffic capabilities. Using the included car charger, which has an integrated RDS/TMC receiver, you can get real-time updates on the road conditions. Magellan includes a complimentary three-month subscription to Navteq Traffic. With it, you can find out where there is congestion, lane reductions, road work, and accidents, and the Maestro 4250 can even reroute you around the area if you have this function selected in the User Option menu.

The points of interest (POI) gets a healthy boost, increasing the number of entries from the Maestro 4040's 4.5 million POI to 6 million. This includes all the major attractions, such as gas stations, ATMs, lodging, and restaurants by cuisine type, as well as more specialized categories, including camping grounds, golf courses, and movie theaters. While the database is extensive, we found some of the information to be out of date. For example, we did a quick scan of the restaurants around the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco, and found at least half a dozen listings that had been out of business for at least a year.

On a brighter note, the Maestro 4250 continues to offer access to AAA TourBook listings for AAA Diamond-rated lodging and restaurants, complete with information such as hotel amenities, restaurant description, and hours of operation, admission prices for certain attractions, and so forth. AAA members get a bit more benefit out of this feature since you can view listings for establishments that offer discounts to AAA members, and AAA-approved auto repair facilities. In addition, in case of an emergency, the unit will display the AAA member toll-free help number and your exact location, so you can give the operator all your information.

Finally, the system has integrated Bluetooth, so you can pair your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or smartphone and use the Maestro 4250) as a hands-free speaker system. With it, you can place and accept calls, view your call history, search the device's address book, and redial. You can also directly dial any number associated with a POI. Unfortunately, your phone's address book and call history list does not automatically synchronize with the portable navigation system.

Performance
As we stated earlier in the Design section, we experienced some performance glitches and delays with the Magellan Maestro 4250. There was some lag between triggering a task to the time it was actually executed. The first couple of times this happened, we thought the touch screen simply didn't recognize our tap so we pressed the icons again. This ultimately led to the system freezing, so we had to power on/off, and it got pretty frustrating.

For our road tests, we took to the streets of San Francisco, and from a cold start, it took the Maestro 4250 about two minutes to get a fix on our position under clear skies, while subsequent starts were almost instantaneous. The system did a good job of tracking our position on drives throughout the city. The receiver was strong enough to survive the skyscraper-lined streets of the financial district, but as expected, the signal dropped once we drove through the Broadway Tunnel. The good news is that the Maestro 4250 was able to quickly pick up our location again once we exited the tunnel.

We also entered our standard trip from the Maridio district (Marina/Presidio) to CNET's downtown headquarters. The system quickly created directions, and a quick glance at the maneuver list showed that the course was accurate. The voice prompts were loud and clear, and we were pretty happy with the text-to-speech directions. The voice wasn't too robotic and did a decent job with street pronunciations. We also like that the Maestro 4250 alerts you to upcoming turns by playing a chime. That said, there were a couple of instances when the voice prompt would tell us to make a turn right as we were passing the street. Fortunately, route recalculations were fast and accurate, but still, we'd rather have ample warning of upcoming maneuvers.

As for the voice commands, we found it to be useful and certainly a safer option than taking your eyes off the road to look for POI on the map screen, checking your current location, and so forth. However, it has its restrictions. First, be aware that you have to say, "Magellan" to activate the voice-command function and to get the best results, you're pretty much going to have to turn off your radio and roll up your windows. Once we did that, the Maestro 4250 did a good job of understanding our voice commands and performed all the functions. At times, we couldn't help but think it would be quicker to use the touch screen, but again, if you're driving, this is a safer option.

We had no problems pairing the Maestro 4250 with the Samsung BlackJack II, and was able to easily make and receive calls. That said, we found the call volume was pretty low. And again, we also wish all our phone's information was automatically synchronized with the Maestro 4250.

Product Summary



The good: The Magellan Maestro 4250 allows you to operate the portable navigation system with voice commands. It also features text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and traffic capabilities. The system provided accurate directions.

The bad: The Maestro 4250's points-of-interest database is a bit outdated, and we encountered some general performance delays and glitches. Voice control does not include address entry. The system does not automatically synchronize your cell phone's address book to the device, and call volume is a bit low.

The bottom line: Despite some minor shortcomings, the Magellan Maestro 4250 is a solid and accurate mid-level portable navigation system with a helpful voice-command feature.

General

Width
    4.9 in
Depth
    0.7 in
Height
    3.3 in
Weight
    6.9 oz
Localization
    North America

GPS System

Recommended Use
    Automotive
Connectivity
    Hi-Speed USB
GPS Functions / Services
    Distance, ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
Traffic Services
    TMC (Traffic Message Channel)
Voice
    Navigation instructions, Voice command recognition
Antenna
    Built-in
Features
    Preinstalled POIs, 2D / 3D map perspective, Built-in AAA Travel Information, Hands-free calling via Bluetooth
Software Included
    NAVTEQ ON BOARD
Maps Included
    USA, Canada, Puerto Rico

Built-in Display

Type
    LCD - Widescreen
Diagonal Size
    4.3 in
Features
    Anti-glare, Touch screen
Display Illumination
    Yes
Color Support
    Color

Connections

Connector Type
    Hi-Speed USB

Navigation

Trip Computer
    Trip distance, Avoid toll roads, Fast/short route, Most use of motorways

Miscellaneous

Included GPS accessories
    USB cable, Carrying case, Car power adapter, Automotive windshield mount

Slot Provided

Slot Provided
    SD Memory Card

Battery

Battery Enclosure Type
    Integrated
Run Time (Up To)
    4 hour(s)

Manufacturer Warranty

Service & support type
    1 year warranty


Price range: $279.95 - $499.99

Review

The last portable navigation system we reviewed from Mio Technology didn't fare so well in our tests. It's a shame, because the Mio C220 had so much going for it--affordable price, good performance, compact design--but its screen was a complete wash. Fortunately, Mio's latest GPS device, the Mio C520, delivers a better experience and packs in even more features at a wallet-friendly price of $399. For that money, you get a large 4.3-inch touch screen, integrated Bluetooth, multimedia capabilities, and accurate directions. It's certainly a better value than the Magellan Maestro 3100. That said, the C520 has its downfalls: the Bluetooth integration is limited, and real-time tracking and route recalculations could be better. If navigation and usability is of the utmost importance to you, and you can find a good deal on the Garmin Nuvi, you'd be better served by that device instead.

Design
The Mio C520 is one of the best-looking portable navigation systems we've ever seen. The charcoal-gray-and-silver color scheme is attractive, but even more alluring is the thinness of the device. At just 4.9 inches wide by 3.2 inches tall by 0.8 inch deep and weighing 6.7 ounces, it's extremely sleek, so much so that of all the multimedia-capable GPS models we've tested, the Mio C520 is one we'd almost consider using as a portable media player--almost (more on this later).

There's also beauty in the simplicity of the design. Aside from a power button on the top of the unit, there are no other external controls cluttering the device. Instead, all functions and text are entered through the C520's spacious, 4.3-inch touch screen. It displays 65,000 colors at a 480x272-pixel resolution, making the maps and images look vibrant and text sharp. Also, much to our relief, we could still read the C520's screen under sunlight, unlike the Mio C220 whose screen washed out to the point of being unreadable. We still wish there was a bit more brightness and contrast to the maps, but still, it's a much improved experience over the C220. We should note that some address and POI listings are hard to read since the font size is pretty small.

The interface and main menu system are user-friendly, with clearly marked and bubbly icons. For the most part, we were able to use it without having to crack open the manual, but things do get a little less intuitive as you dig deeper into the applications. For example, there are a number of tabs on the map screen that open and hide various navigation tools that require some time to learn and master. Also, some of the media player controls are hard to discern since their functions aren't identified. On a brighter note, thanks to the larger screen, the virtual keyboard is easier to use than the C220's, and it's also in QWERTY format, so you get the familiar layout and feel of your computer's keyboard. In addition, like Magellan's GPS devices, the C520's keyboard has a predictive function, which will gray out any letters or numbers that don't match street names or numbers as you begin to enter an address.

Other mentionables include an external antenna port and speaker on the back, and a mini USB port and 18-pin power connector on the bottom. There's also an SD expansion slot and 2.5mm headphone jack on the left spine. We are a bit puzzled and disappointed that the C520 isn't equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack for a better multimedia experience.

The Mio C520 comes packaged with a car charger, an AC adapter, a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a USB cable, and reference material. The windshield mount did a good job of securely holding the unit in place, although we think the cradle felt a bit plasticky and cheap, so take extra care when attaching and removing the system.

Features
The Mio C520 is equipped with a 20-channel SiRFIII GPS chip and comes preloaded with TeleAtlas maps of North America and 6 million points of interest. The basic navigation features are similar to the C710. The system can create directions by fastest, shortest, or most economical route; with or without toll roads, highways, u-turns, and so forth; and in various modes, including car, bicycle, and pedestrian. Other goodies include route recalculation, 2D and 3D map views with day and night colors, route simulations, and safety camera warnings. You can get read our Mio C710 review for a more detailed description of the Mio navigation system, but for this review, we'll concentrate on some of the unique and new features to the C520.

One welcome feature is the addition of text-to-speech functionality. This means the Mio C520 will now speak actual street names, allowing you to pay more attention to the road rather than the map screen, because you get more precise audible prompts. You also have your choice of 14 language and voices, but you can only get text-to-speech directions in English. To complement the voice-guided directions, there's a new split-screen view that displays various details about your trip. You can cycle through several views that give you the distance and direction of your next turn; a list of upcoming turns; nearby gas stations; current time; estimated time of arrival; speed; and more. There's an option to hide this panel altogether if you find it too overwhelming and just want to rely on the map and voice prompts.

With the integrated Bluetooth, you can use the Mio C520 as a hands-free speaker system for your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone or smart phone to receive and make calls. For outgoing calls, you can use the onscreen dial pad or select a contact from the device's phone book. Also, if a POI has a listed number, there's an option to dial out directly to that business. Unfortunately, you can't wirelessly transfer contacts from your mobile's address book to the C520, and call history synchronization isn't available on all phones. (See Performance for more.) A nice and unexpected bonus is that the unit works with Bluetooth stereo headsets (A2DP profile).

The Mio C520's media player is basic (though you get equalizer settings and playlist creation) and as we mentioned earlier, the interface is somewhat confusing and bare-bones. Still, you can learn to work with the player; the bigger problem is that the system doesn't always work with all supported formats. Mio says the C520 can play MP3, WMA, WAV, WMV, AVI, and MP4 music and video files, but we weren't able to view any WMV or AVI movies. Mio does include Ulead video converter software, however. Clearly, the most important function of this device is its navigation tools, but with the sleek design and large screen, we could have seen ourselves occasionally using the C520 as a portable video player, so the limited support is disappointing.

Performance
We tested the Mio C520 in San Francisco, and from a cold start, it took about three minutes to get a satellite fix under cloudy skies. Subsequent starts took anywhere from a few seconds up to two minutes, but once locked on, the GPS receiver did a good job of holding onto the signal as we drove throughout the city. We did notice, however, that the system was about half a block behind us when tracking our location. We also entered our standard trip from the Marina district to CNET's downtown headquarters, and the C520 quickly returned with accurate directions. The text-to-speech voice directions were helpful and detailed; the female voice was a bit robotic but we had no problems understanding her. We also missed several turns to test the route recalculation rate, and while the system was fast to give us a new and precise itinerary, we didn't find it to be very efficient. There were times when we knew a more direct route than the one recommended by the C520, but if you're completely new to an area, the C520 can be a lifesaver, getting you back on track to your destination.

For Bluetooth compatibility, we connected the C520 with the Palm Treo 755p and HTC S710 smart phones. We had no problems with the pairing process, and we were able to make and accept calls. However, we couldn't synchronize our call list from either phone. Multimedia performance was mixed. Music playback through the unit's speakers was surprisingly good with plenty of volume and richness, but again, we wish the C520 had a 3.5mm jack so we could plug in a nice pair of headphones. Watching an MP4 video clip was a less satisfying experience, as images often looked pixilated. The Mio C520's 1300mAH lithium ion battery is rated for up to 4.5 hours of GPS use and up to 8.5 hours of MP3 playback with the backlight off.

Product Summary

The good: The Mio C520 GPS device offers a thin and sleek design with a spacious touch screen. The system also has text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and multimedia capabilities.

The bad: The C520 was slightly off the mark when tracking our location, and route recalculations weren't always efficient. In addition, the Bluetooth and multimedia features are slightly limited in functionality.

The bottom line: The sleek Mio C520 is a good-value GPS device, packing in advanced navigation features, a large screen, and other extras for an affordable price. However, you can get a better user experience and smoother performance from competing systems.

General

Width
    5 in
Depth
    0.8 in
Height
    3.2 in
Weight
    6.7 oz

GPS System

Recommended Use
    Automotive
Receiver
    20 channel
SBAS
    WAAS
Connectivity
    USB
Traffic Services
    TMC (Traffic Message Channel)
Speed Camera Warning
    Yes
Voice
    Warnings, Navigation instructions
Antenna
    Built-in
GPS receiver
    20 channel
Features
    Calculator, Built-in speaker, Built-in microphone, Speed limit warning, Hands-free calling via Bluetooth, Optional external GPS antenna connection
Built-in Memory
    2 GB
Software Included
    MioMap v3.3
Maps Included
    Canada, USA

Built-in Display

Type
    TFT
Resolution
    480 x 272
Diagonal Size
    4.3 in
Features
    Touch screen
Color Support
    Color

Connections

Connector Type
    Antenna, Headphones/TMC - Sub-mini phone 2.5 mm, USB

Navigation

Trip Computer
    Avoid ferrys, Avoid toll roads, Fast/short route

Digital Player

Digital Player
    Yes
Supported Formats
    MP3, JPEG

Miscellaneous

Included GPS accessories
    USB cable, Carrying case, Charging cradle, AC power adapter, Car power adapter, Windshield holder

Slot Provided

Slot Provided
    SD Memory Card

Battery

Battery Enclosure Type
    Integrated
Battery included qty
    1
Battery required qty
    1
Battery technology
    Lithium ion

Environmental Parameters

Min operating temperature
    32 °F
Max operating temperature
    113 °F

Price range: $230.36 - $399.99

Tom Tom Go 720

Review
   
Portable navigation systems are a dime a dozen these days. A lot of the models offer many of the same functions, such as text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions and millions of points of interest, and they're all beginning to look alike with competitive pricing. So there's a real need for innovation to, not only capture the attention (and money) of the customer, but to keep advancing GPS technology. Well, TomTom is willing to answer the call, and its TomTom GO 720 is a good start. It brings a new Map Share community tool that gives you access to constant map updates for more accurate information, and a new safety option called Help Me aids you in case of an emergency. Plus, we applaud TomTom for making these enhancements to the core purpose of a GPS device--navigation--and not adding some superfluous feature like multimedia. On top of all that, the GO 720 is a sleek-looking and well-performing in-car GPS, so if you're looking for a middle-of-the-road system, this is a good option. The TomTom GO 720 is available now for $499.95.

Design
The TomTom GO 720 is a beautifully designed portable navigation system. Though more full-featured than the TomTom One, the GO 720 keeps a similar slim profile as the One and loses the extra bulk of older models, such as the TomTom GO 910. It's compact at 4.6 inches wide by 3.2 inches tall by 0.9 inch deep and 7.7 ounces, so you certainly won't have any problems transporting this unit between cars. You can even throw it into a bag to take along on trips and use with rental cars. As a bonus, it'll look good inside your car as well with its sleek black, silver, and charcoal gray color scheme.

The entire front side of the GO 720 is dominated by the 4.3-inch, antiglare touch screen. With a WQVGA resolution (480x272 pixels), the display shows off bright and sharp-looking color maps. For the most part, we had no problems reading the screen, but the map colors tend to wash out a bit in bright sunlight. That said, we had a better experience after adjusting the screen brightness under the Preferences menu, where you can also change map colors and turn on night mode. The virtual keyboard is spacious enough that most people won't have problems entering addresses. It would be nice, however, if the keyboard was in QWERTY format instead of alphabetical order for easier text input.

On the bottom of the unit, you'll find a 3.5mm headphone jack, a TomTom connector port, a reset hole, a mini USB/power connector, and a SD/MMC expansion slot, while there is a lone power button on top. There is a jack to connect an external antenna on the back as well as the speaker. We missed having external volume controls. As is, you have to go through several menu levels to do so, which doesn't make it easy or safe to adjust the audio on the fly.

The TomTom GO 720 comes packaged with a vehicle mount (windshield and dash), a car charger, a desktop cradle, a CD-ROM with TomTom Home software, and reference material. The car mount is as simple as you can get. There's only one piece, and it easily slips into a slot on the back of the GO 720. It securely held the unit in place, but we do wish there was an extra locking mechanism for the suction cup like some of the other systems we've seen, just to have that extra reinforcement and peace of mind.

Features
The TomTom GO 720 comes equipped with a 20-channel SiRFStarIII GPS receiver and maps of the United States and Canada and points of interest are preloaded on the device's 2GB internal hard drive. Now, there's always a lot of concern over the freshness of these maps, especially as new developments constantly crop up, businesses open and close, and there's constant road construction. While the GPS manufacturers often release map updates, the frequency can vary, so to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information at all times, TomTom has introduced a new feature called Map Share. It allows you to make adjustments to your maps (such as noting blocked roads, updating POI, adding new streets, and so on) and then share the information with other drivers. You can make the changes right on your GO 720, save them, and then upload and share them with other users via the TomTom Home desktop companion. You can also download changes made by other TomTom users, and if you're worried about the legitimacy of user updates, you can opt to only download data verified by TomTom experts.

To plan a trip, you can enter your destination by address, city center, postcode, or intersection, and you can instruct the device to calculate directions based on a number of criteria, including quickest or shortest route, avoid toll roads, and required arrival time. If at any time you want to avoid a part of your route, you can tap the Find Alternative icon, and the GO 720 will plot a new course. You can view maps in 2D or 3D mode. A status bar at the bottom of the screen displays useful information, such as the next instruction, remaining distance, and estimated time of arrival. There are also two icons in the upper-right and upper-left corner that let you zoom in and out of maps.

You can continue to get standard text- and voice-guide turn-by-turn directions, including text-to-speech functionality. The GO 720 supports 36 different languages for generic spoken directions and 8 for text-to-speech directions, which is more than most. Alternatively, you can download celebrity voices, such as Dennis Hopper or Curt Schilling, from the TomTom PLUS service or you can even record instructions in your own voice if you happen to love hearing yourself talk.

Another new tool on the TomTom GO 720 is the "Help Me" function. With a simple tap on the lifesaver icon, it will tell you where you can find the nearest police station, hospital, or car service center, based on your current location. In addition, there's a "Where am I?" option that gives you the name of the street you are on and the nearest intersections, so you can give this information to the tow truck service, family member, and so forth. It's a really nice safety feature that can come in quite handy in case of an emergency.

The GO 720 has integrated Bluetooth, so if you have a compatible Bluetooth cell phone, you can pair it with the GO to make hands-free calls. For incoming calls, you can either use the touch screen to accept or reject calls or turn on Auto-Answer in the Phone preferences menu to have the device automatically pick up after a certain time. Also, if a number is listed with a POI or emergency service from the Help Me menu, there's an option to dial out directly from the GO 720.

In addition to making calls, you can use the Bluetooth connection to access TomTom's Plus services, which include real-time traffic information, weather reports, and the location of safety cameras. There's also a cool feature called Buddies, which lets you see the location of any friends or family members who also have a TomTom unit. Just be aware that accessing these services means you're using the minutes from your cell phone's service plan, so use them accordingly. Also, it seems that Verizon Wireless and Sprint cell phones are not supported by the GO 720 at this time, while AT&T and T-Mobile customers should check for phone compatibility on TomTom's Web site. Unfortunately, the limited number of compatible handsets also means that the traffic services will only be available to a small number of users. That said, the good news is that TomTom has just released a traffic kit for $129.95 and $24.95 for yearly traffic service subscription.

Finally, the TomTom GO 720 has multimedia capabilities, including a music player, iPod compatibility, an image viewer, and a document reader. The system supports MP3s, Audible audiobooks, JPEG, and BMP file formats. And while the document viewer might seem like a strange addition, it can come in handy if you use it to download information about your destination and other POI along your route.

Performance
We tested the TomTom GO 720 in various parts of California, starting from San Francisco all the way down to San Diego. From a cold start, it took the unit about two minutes to get a GPS fix and subsequent starts took about that long or less. Once locked onto our position, the GO 720 accurately tracked us as we drove about town, although like most GPS units, it did lose its satellite fix when we drove through a tunnel and underground parking garage.

We also entered specific information for a trip from San Francisco to San Diego, as well as our standard test from the Marina district of the city to CNET's downtown headquarters. Route calculations were quick and accurate based on the list of text-based instructions. On the road, the voice directions were loud and clear, and the text-to-speech pronunciation of street names wasn't too shabby. We also missed several turns to test the route-recalculation rate, and the GO 720 did a good job of getting us back on track in a timely manner.

We experienced some difficulties installing the TomTom Home software on our PC, so we are working with TomTom to resolve this issue. Unfortunately, this means we weren't able to test the Map Share feature, but we will update this section soon. Music playback through the unit's speakers was impressive. We could have used a little more bass, but songs still sounded rich with plenty of volume. The TomTom GO 720's battery is rated for up to 5 hours of use.


Product Summary

The good: The TomTom GO 720 includes new features that give you access to up-to-date maps and safety information in case of emergencies. The sleek 720 also offers text-to-speech functionality, integrated Bluetooth, and multimedia capabilities.

The bad: The GO 720 is only compatible with a small number of Bluetooth-enabled phones, and there are no external volume controls.

The bottom line: The TomTom GO 720 delivers with sleek looks, good performance, and a full set of features that includes a map-sharing function for the most up-to-date maps and a helpful safety tool.

General

Width
    4.6 in
Depth
    0.9 in
Height
    3.3 in
Weight
    7.8 oz

GPS System

Recommended Use
    Automotive
Connectivity
    Bluetooth
Traffic Services
    TMC (Traffic Message Channel)
Voice
    Navigation instructions
Antenna
    Built-in
Features
    Built-in speaker, Preinstalled POIs, TomTom PLUS ready, Built-in microphone, 2D / 3D map perspective, Built-in FM transmitter, Hands-free calling via Bluetooth
Built-in Memory
    2 GB
Software Included
    TomTom HOME
Maps Included
    USA, Canada

Built-in Display

Type
    LCD - Widescreen
Resolution
    480 x 272
Diagonal Size
    4.3 in
Features
    Anti-glare, Touch screen
Display Illumination
    Yes
Color Support
    Color
Display Menu Language
    Czech, Dutch, Danish, French, German, Polish, Slovak, Catalan, English, Finnish, Flemish, Italian, Latvian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Hungarian, Norwegian, Lithuanian, Portuguese

Navigation

Trip Computer
    Back-On-Track, Fast/short route

Miscellaneous

Included GPS accessories
    Docking station, Mounting bracket, Car power adapter

Slot Provided

Slot Provided
    SD Memory Card

Battery

Run Time (Up To)
    5 hour(s)
Battery technology
    Lithium polymer

Manufacturer Warranty

Service & support type
    1 year warranty

Price range: $279.99 - $499.95