Excellent comparison test. One feature I found interesting was search by district, I had not heard of that before. One thing I seldom see mentioned in a GPS review, yours included, is the ability to search for address street first or city first. I find street first much more convenient, except for common names like Main, First, Broadway, etc, which list too many city options. As far as I can tell, Tomtom does not let you search street first. This shortcoming, along with the TeleAtlas maps, would keep me from choosing Tomtom. Another thing I'd like to know about is cost of map data updates.

GREAT review. Thanks. I am looking into buying a 910 and your review provided me with lots of helpful info thank you.

yes, great review but one note: the Garmin c550 can search by zip/postal codes unlike what the review states.

Mike - Sorry I didn't make that clearer in the review. Although Garmin advertises that you can search by zip/postal codes on the c550, that does not work in North America. I contacted Garmin Support about it, and they told me that the postal code search feature only works in areas where postal code search makes sense. Here in the US, searching for an address by postal code is of little value (according to Garmin - I disagree, however, and think it's useful here too). So, in the UK, for example, the c550 can search by postal codes. Hope that helps clear up the confusion.
--Fletch

Excellent review and site. It'll help narrow down my choice which also includes the 2730.

One question, though. Can you explain what you mean by this:
"Unlike the 910, the Garmin C550 does not announce the maneuver after the first voice instruction (not a huge deal, since some users like this feature, and others don’t)."

Thanks!

Hi Robert,
I mean that the 910 announces the next turn, and then the next thing you'll have to do after that. For example, "in .5 miles turn right, followed by a keep to the left."
The Garmin only announces one instruction at a time.
--Fletch

Thank you for your great review... I made my choice... I go for Garmin! I just hope everything apply in Canada too!

Great comparison. I've been using an earlier TomTom for a little while now and have been really happy with it, but really want to try out one of these newer units. Also, I haven't had any problems with the TeleAtlas maps that come with it and think that the user feedback feature for constantly improving their maps is really a good feature.

Hi. You have a great website. There is definitely no other like it out there. I've been trying to make a decision on which GPS device to get and need your opinion. For $450, would you get the Garmin C530, Garmin NUVI 350, Magellan 6000T, or the Magellan 2200T?

It seems like Garmin is more user friendly but I love how the Magellans have more sophisticated routing options.

The main negative thing I've read about the Magellans is that they are slow to calculate and/or reroute. Do you think this is true from your testing?

I am not considering TomTom because they do not use Navteq mapping data.

Thanks for your help,

Peter

Peter - thanks for the nice words about my site!

Within your price range, I would recommend the Garmin Nuvi 350. It's come down a lot in price since it was first introduced (as of today, Amazon is selling it for $490). At the new reduced price, it's similar in price to the Garmin c530 (Amazon has the c530 at $497), but the nuvi 350 adds text-to-speech, so it reads aloud the street names.

The Nuvi also adds some features that you may want, like photo viewer, mp3 player, and audio books.

The routing engine is more sophisticated on the Nuvi (and c530) than on the Magellan 2000 series, so the Garmin will choose better routes.

The Magellan 6000T is kind of a lemon -- lots of people have been reporting screen lock-ups. Also, in my testing I found the interface needlessly complex.

So, my advice is the Nuvi 350 if you care about the text-to-speech and don't mind a slightly more complex interface. If all you want is simple navigation that even your mother could use, then I'd get the c530.

Hope that helps!
--Fletch

Thanks, Fletch.

I think someone else said this about your site first, but you're providing a huge service to us all.

Peter

I've been doing my research on these units for a long time and I think I'm finally going to get a nav system but I'm leaning towards the Magellan RoadMate 860T. If you compare all of the GPS systems on features AND price, I think the 860T is the winner. I've found knock-out deals and with a free 15 month TravelKit subscription ($150 value) it seems to be the clear winner (I'm in DC so this will be a lifesaver if it works). If I'm missing something here, PLEASE let me know!!

I've been doing my research on these units for a long time and I think I'm finally going to get a nav system but I'm leaning towards the Magellan RoadMate 860T. If you compare all of the GPS systems on features AND price, I think the 860T is the winner. I've found knock-out deals and with a free 15 month TravelKit subscription ($150 value) it seems to be the clear winner (I'm in DC so this will be a lifesaver if it works). If I'm missing something here, PLEASE let me know!!

Patrick - do NOT buy the RoadMate 860T. It doesn't have the new 20-channel GPS receiver (SiRF). Instead, the 860 has the outdated 12-channel receiver. This means you will lose reception behind buildings, canynons, bad weather, etc.
Also, the price tag of around $700 for the 860T is a horrible deal. For $50 more, you could get the nuvi 660. If you're partial to Magellan, get the RoadMate 2200T. Otherwise, I'd say get the Garmin c550.

Hope that helps!
--Fletch

Yea, Magellan 6000T will show your currently location--but not accurately. I had one and sent it back because of its inept routing and the fact that the current location could be programed to match the measured lat/lon but if the unit was turned off it lost the location and would be off by several blocks--in my case puttting my house at a location that doesn't exist. The locate button was why I bought it and it is useless in an area you don't know. The clock loses time so badly it will get so far off it turns the unit to night mode during the day.

Wow, this is what I call a review. I have been researching for a couple of months to find the right GPS and your site is the only one with such a comprehensive review...this site should come up as the first hit in any search engine every single time. Friend of mine has recently replaced his Nuvi 350 with 360. I was pretty impressed with his unit and was trying to decide between Nuvi and GO910 (I was starting to lean toward GO910 with Bluetooth and wide screen), and this article convinced me that NAVTEQ is the right way to go and was just about to order a 360 until I saw your review on the Nuvi 660. Now, I have to decide whether the extra cost is worth 660 or stick to 350/360. Whichever I decide, I would like to thank GPS magazine for this site. I'm a technology consultant for a $19 billion corporation and I'll be sure to let my colleague know about your site. Warmest Regards

Fletch,

This review/comparison is very helpful. Purchase of a model will depend on several factors. Which has the brightest and most contrast screen - and is best to see in sunlight? I live and will be driving in rural areas, how well do any of these units function in small cities and in rural areas? I also drive a lot to state parks and wilderness areas - are these preloaded as POI? Can I use the maps on the units to select an area and have them derive a route - like to a state park? Also, what if I know a specific GPS coordinate and want to drive to that location? Can I use my PC to create POI or destinations and load them to the device?

Thanks a lot for this incredibly useful web site.

Mike

Mike - All these units will function very well in small cities and rural areas, although the NAVTEQ maps are more complete in North America than Tele Atlas, so you should probably go with a Garmin or Magellan, as they use NAVTEQ maps. Signal reception is excellent for all units that use SiRF's chipset (most new GPS units do).

As for the POI database, yes - most national parks and landmarks are in the large POI databases included in all three models.

You cannot locate an area in the middle of nowhere on the map and have the unit route you there -- you'd need a Geocaching GPS for that. You can browse the map and tap a valid street address and have it route you there.

As for long/lat coordinates: of these three only the TomTom lets you enter coordinates as a destination. If you need this feature, I'd suggest looking at the Garmin Nuvi 660. It's a better unit than the TomTom and it will let you route to coordinates (and browse the map and tap an area to go to).

Hope that helps.
--Fletch

Fletch,

Thanks for the response. I guess the one question I was really asking was wether you could browse the map and tap an area then have the device map to that location (without having an address). Does the Magellan 3000, Nuvi 300/350 and Nuvi 660 do this?
Also the 660 screen is wider, but does that give you a larger map since verticle height would seem to translate to seeing more of the map?
These are the three models I am leaning toward, and it is difficult discerning the advantages and disavantages without trying out each one.

Thanks

Mike

Mike - sorry I wasn't clearer. The Garmin nuvi 660 will let you tap any area on the map (even if it's not a valid street address) and route to it.

I think the nuvi 660 is the best GPS out right now. I'd go with the 660 -- it does what you want and is a great unit overall. Only drawback really is that it's a bit fragile (wouldn't take it into the woods Geocaching if I were you).
Hope that helps.
--Fletch

I noticed that since my last post, the 860T has been discontinued. That's fine with me I guess but now I'm really leaning towards the 6000T. After everything I've read, I just think Magellan products might be a better choice than Garmin or TomTom products. Plus I find the price of the receiver, the traffic service and the integration of the traffic service to be better than the rest. Anyone disagree? I'm planning on buying within the month. Thanks!

Here's another question I just thought of. I've noticed that there are bluetooth adapters out there now for iPods, will the 6000T pick up the signal?

Patrick,
I was thinking the same thing. The Scosche devices are pretty cheap on ebay. But I'm 99% sure that the 6000T (or any GPS that I've sen) does not have the A2DP Profile (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) which you would need to get bluetooth stereo received by the 6000T.

Does anyone know if the 6000T plays mp3 and mutes for the navigation voice? That is, it truly works while navigating? I would assume so since it implies that in the "features list" while it doesn't in the 2200T but I just thought I would ask.

Thanks, Fletch, for all your helpful info!
I have had the Magellan 6000T now for a week, having driven ~100 miles around Atlanta. So far, I LOVE it! It has not made a single mistake that I can tell, and re-routes very fast if _I_ make a mistake or detour. (getting in the correct lane in ATL is not so easy sometimes). It did lock up once, when I did some very fast nonsensical button input when it was in my hand (yes it is hard not to push buttons by accident when holding it, but except when fiddling in my living room, it is on its sturdy mount, and buttons don't get pressed accidentally.) I am amazed how well it does prounouncing street names, and if the 2nd turn you are about to make is coming very soon, it DOES give you a two-turn instruction, "Right turn in point five miles, followed by a left turn." I have yet to try out the MP3, photo, or pc Tools. I bought it to navigate, not as an entertainment center. It does that very well on very tricky surface streets of Atlanta.

Awesome review - what are the main differences between the Garmin c550 & the nuvi 660 other than price.

Thanks for the great review here. I was almost set to get a the Garmin 350, but I'm torn with the TomTom 910. I live in Europe (Germany), so the mapping might be better with the TomTom.

Given my location, which one would you choose if you were me?

TIA! --sher

Fletch,

I'm really doing my research on all of these and here is my prediciment.

I'm leaning towards the Garmin since it's got the "truck/bus/etc." features as I drive a 26' box truck that's 12'6" high for deliveries here in New York. Do you know if I select "truck" or "bus" will it route me around low bridges? I couldn't find that ANYWHERE. The only one I know that does that for sure is Copilot Truck 9 for laptop's and I don't want to carry my laptop around.

I REALLY love the Magellan feature of the route optimization since I do go places that I'm not sure which is the best to go to first. Usually they're each in a small town outside each other and about 5-10 a day so I mean I can look on a major map for the cities and just put my paperwork in order and just calculate the next stop after each trip, but I really like this feature in this. Also is the only difference between the c530 and c550 the voice speaking capabilities and bluetooth and other stuff? I don't need any extra stuff like that I was looking at the c530. Please email asap, thanks!!!

.Adam.

Here's a feature nobody comments on: I've got 2 nice cars with black interiors, and the TomTom 510's and 910's seem to be the only ones that offer black faceplates as accessories. Does the Garmin 360 or 660 offer black faceplates? A silver GPS unit in a black interior is going to look bad...

Hi,

Excellent website, excellent review. I have been using Garmin Streetpilot 2610 for 3 years and loved it. I never had a TomTom.

I just moved recently from the USA to UK. I am looking to buy a new GPS here in Europe. I've seen for the same price (GBP 199) the TomTom ONE Europe and The Garmin Nuvi 300. Which one is a better value for the money?

Also there is the C510 for only GBP 149. Should I consider that?

Thank you in advance.
Kind regards,
Valentin

A feature of particular importance to me is multi detination routing. I know Magellan units off this. Do any og the Garmin units off this feature?

Thanks

Trying to decide on a basic,1st, GPS unit, don't need music,pictures,etc., that takes,or has Europe, incl.Ireland/Scotland GPS maps as part of the system.
Screen size 4" plus.
After research leaning towards the Garman 660.
Comments/suggestions please.
Thank You

I can't believe Garmin can't just update their software to do multi-destination optimization as well as some of the routing capabilities of the Magellan?? Wouldn't this be possible for them? It seems only to make sense.. these features seem pretty valuable.

Fletch

I juust ordered a TT GO 910 for use in Western Europe, ie:France,Gertmany & Switzerland, to avoid leasing a car w/GPS,$$$.Do you think The accuracy will be as good as it is in the US?

In real, economical and technical sense Magellan has a good body & a good user interface, according to me.

I just purchased a Magellan 6000T on ebay for 235.00, brand new. Do you think I got a good deal? I have been searching the internet for one for weeks. It gets so confusing.