STEP AHEAD
Normally I wouldn't blog about an incremental upgrade to a highly rated GPS navigation device, even if it won PC Magazine's Editor's Choice again.
But this upgrade is notable for a couple of features that highlight how GPS devices for your car are evolving, in the right direction. First the background on the upgrade from the PC Magazine review of the new Garmin Nuvi 755T:
"Until the debut of its voice-recognition-based 800 series earlier this year, Garmin's nüvi 700 series had represented the company's top-of-the line offerings.
In fact, the nüvi 760, our Editors' Choice, earned one of the highest ratings we've given to a personal navigation device.
At that time, it was difficult to imagine how Garmin could make an already excellent product even better.
Alas, time marched on, and other manufacturers have upped the ante with features that go beyond those found in the first-generation nüvi 700s.
With the introduction of the nüvi 705 series, however, Garmin succeeds in retaining the Editors' Choice crown, which now passes to the brand-new nüvi 755T ($499.99 list).
SLIDESHOW (15) Slideshow | All Shots
In addition to the nüvi 755T, our focus in this review, the new nüvi 705 line includes three additional models: the 765T ($599.99), the 775T ($699.99), and the 785T ($799.99)."
Incidentally, why do consumer electronics companies insisting on naming their upgrades with LOWER model numbers? Just to better confuse their mainstream prospective customers?
That nit-pick aside, here are the two features of the new series that caught my eye, starting with this one:
"The most significant new feature shared by all four models is lifetime subscription-free traffic updates. With the introduction of these devices, Garmin has switched from Clear Channel's TTN (Total Traffic Network) to Navteq traffic. Traffic alerts on the older nüvis were subscription-based and cost $60 a year."
And then this one, which seems to be something every driver stuck in a multi-lane bumper-to-bumper traffic jam on a major highway, could use:
"Another major improvement is the lane-assist view (see the slideshow for an example), which shows you which lane you should be in as you approach an exit. It also shows the actual road signs you'll see as you approach major highway intersections. This is very similar to the Reality view first introduced by Navigon over a year ago in its 7100."
Both seem to be steps in the right direction, especially the no subscription live traffic updates. Look forward to actually trying out one of these new devices in action soon.
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