It's no secret that Garmin makes some of the best GPS units around. But with 27 different nüvi models to choose from, figuring out which one is right for you can be difficult. Want text-to-speech but don't care about Bluetooth? Want a wide screen but not text-to-speech? Traffic? Lane Guidance? Choice, choices, choices!
I've put together a decision tree that walks you through the nüvi jungle, and helps you buy the right nüvi with just the features you care about:
Very helpful diagram. The only thing I see missing from your decision tree is the choice of whether or not one would want maps of Europe. As someone who lives in the USA but plans on traveling to Italy next year, this is an important feature in my decision making process.
Very nice chart and very good idea. I wish I had one of these for lots of other products out there. I had to pick a GPS out for my dad last year and this would've saved me tons of time (and is also when I found your site). But, I'm happy to know I picked the same one this chart comes up with. :-)
Yeah, the Nuvi 270 is selling for $130 and the EU maps sells for $149, this world is going crazy when you can buy the hardware cheaper than the software that is included.
For God sake, this is not a HP printer.
What is Garmin going to do when Mitac used Magellan name and their manufacturing abilites to compete with Garmin for the $69 or less PND in the near future?
I think MID will be the next interesting product that offers GPS nav software along with a great camera and cell phone.
You forgot the Garmin Zumo if they own a motorcycle and some handheld stuff, but for a start, this is a great flow chart Fletch.
Thanks
Great work Fletch. Nicely done
nice chart... but...
how do you end up with "do you want voice recognition" if you said NO to "do you want to control your GPS using your voice"?
if anything, the YES to that first question should branch off to 850 vs 880.
That's exactly what the chart does. If you want voice recognition, then you have to go with the nuvi 800 series.
my point was... aren't the two question basically the same? what's the point in asking the second one?
a "yes" to the first question would go to a branch for a question to branch to 850 or 880...
a "no" would EXCLUDE ALL 8xx series from that "side." meaning, there's no second question to give 780 vs 880 options.
No - the two questions are not the same. The nuvi 800 series does have an upcoming turn arrow on the map screen. And the nuvi 700/705's don't have voice recognition.
If/when Garmin releases an 8x5 model, that'll be a different story.
Not sure why you're confused by this.
Go to garmin.com and use their chart, it's much easier.
"No - the two questions are not the same. The nuvi 800 series does have an upcoming turn arrow on the map screen. And the nuvi 700/705's don't have voice recognition." (I assume you meant "800 series does not have")
What two questions are YOU talking about?
Cause I'm asking about the question that is "Do you want to control your GPS using your voice?" and "Do you want Voice Recognition?" Are you telling me they're different?!? Cause last I check, Voice Recognition was for control.
If you wanted voice recognition at ANY time, the first question already asks you that... it doesn't matter what other features it may or may not have... isn't that the point of the chart? if you want this, these are your options, if you DON'T these are your OTHER options. In this case, the first question ENDS the chart if you want voice (unless you go to a 850 vs 880 question)... at which point, the BUYER just looks at the specs of the device to see what else it has. However, the problem is, how "important" is the voice recognition? Can you go without it? IF you're "iffy" about voice (saying no to the first question, then saying yes to the second time), then... you now have to give a basis of importance to each and every feature... in which case, you have to change the layout to start with the most important feature to "you" (the buyer). OF course, then, each person is different.
If you're gonna reintroduce questions, then you're better off as "Anonymous" said, use the Garmin.com chart.
Being a bit picky aren't you? IMO, Fletch did exactly right at the very start of the chart. Leads you directly to the 800 series with the very first question if voice recognition is your most important feature. Indicating again at the bottom of the chart is certainly not confusing for most of us. Why it seems to bother you so much is the source of my confusion. It gives you one more chance to see the difference between the 780 and 880. Very well done.
Great Chart, Fletch. I don't understand the confusion by some. May be they just can't separate an "egg white from the yoke" or have difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time.
Good chart. But in the choice between the 255 and the 265T, you may want to say "Will you pair a cell phone for hands free calling via Bluetooth OR Do you want to recieve traffic alerts and avoid traffic jams?"
For me personally, I don't care much about the Bluetooth (particularly since the review of the 256WT said it's Bluetooth function was weak) but the free lifetime traffic made me choose the 256T.
I have been doing research on the myriad GPS units on the market. I stumbled upon your site (which is now in my Favorites)
This is probably the most informative site I have ever used. Thanks for information that is organized and easily understood.
Extremely helpful chart. Thanks for developing and posting it.