Garmin has improved upon their original 200 series of gps navigation devices by introducing the garmin nuvi 2 x 5 models by adding top of line features to their entry level device. Every new model is loaded with maps of the continental united states, hawaii and puerto rico.

Not only did they add these top of the line features but they also made some major improvements with this garmin nuvi 205 portable gps navigator. Let’s get started and start listing all the great improvements.

Improved Interface

This one improvement has many customers jumping for joy. For starters the new interface displays distance to and direction of your next turn, name of the road you need to turn onto, the estimated time of arrival, your current speed and speed limits. To top it all off, you simply enter in a destination and the garmin nuvi 205 portable gps navigator will take you there with turn by turn voice directions. Now you can pay more attention to the road.

Satellite Ephemeris Data Prediction

This hotfix allows the garmin gps navigator to remember the position of all satellites it is tracking when the device is turned off. It also calculates their movements so it predict where they should be the next time you use your garmin gps navigator device. This enables the device to locate the satellites much quicker which allows you to start navigating much faster.

Navigate by Photo

You can use pictures as your navigation guide by downloading pictures to your garmin nuvi 205 from garmin connect photos. This service is provided by Google’s panoramio photo sharing community.

3D Terrain Maps

These maps are shaded and show you when to expect hills, mountains and other natural features. These maps are also viewable using the 2D birds eye view.

Faster 333 Mhz Processor

This faster processor allows for smoother map drawing and vehicle icon motion through turns. This new feature makes for a more enjoyable navigation experience.

Send Addresses Directly To Your GPS device from Google Maps or Mapquest

If you hook up your garmin gps device to your usb port on your computer, then search for locations and transfer the address directly to your gps navigation device. This new feature requires a small plug in which you can get a garmin’s website.

Other new features are an automatic time zone transition and the ability to add dynamic MSN traffic and content with an optional receiver.

As you can see garmin has made their gps portable navigation devices even better so the user can have a very easy time getting to their destinations in a safe and timely manor. Garmin is one leaders in producing top quality gps products.



Thanks to Peter OBrien for contributing this article to our GPS blog:

Have you claimed your Genesis site?

Garmin is one of the top brands of GPS Units, which are available. One of the best features of Garmin GPS Units is the fact that the units have the ability to receive and download custom-made maps. You will need a specific computer program in order to create maps for Garmin GPS Units. This program is called cGPSmapper.

You can purchase cGPSmapper at its website: http://www.cgpsmapper.com. cGPSmapper is available for purchase in both professional and standard versions. You will have to purchase a registration key in order for the program to work. However, you can use cGPSmapper for thirty days without a registration key, in order to test the program out.

This program is available specifically for Garmin products. However, it should be noted that the cGPSmapper system was developed independently from Garmin. It was developed, in order to fill a gap where other GPS programs leave off, and it works quite well, if you know how to use it properly.

You need to make sure that you have a few necessary items or programs. These will be used to help you generate your map and download it to your GPS device. What you need will include cGPSmapper, geographical information on the generated area, a way to download the map to your GPS once it has been created, a program to generate and manipulate graphics (think Adobe or Paintshop), a Garmin GPS Unit, and if you want to add photographs to the mapping, then a program called OziExplorer is necessary.

To generate the map, you can use geographical photographs, maps from your Garmin GPS Unit, other maps, and aerials. Once you have found the images you want to use, you need to install your cGPSmapper program. You will be guided through the installation, so you should not have any problems with this step at all.

You are going to want to generate the map photographs. This may mean you are scanning them so the area can be mapped out or downloading them. Once you have done this, you can calibrate any images you have with OziExplorer. This is only if you want actual photographs of the area as opposed to a map.

Your map will need several points of reference on it. You can map these points and they will be imported specifically into your cGPSmapper program. The points of interest will give you the ability to generate the details of the map. Both waypoints and tracks can be saved in OziExplorer.

You will need to edit multiple txt files in order for the map generation to work properly. You can find out exactly what to put in these txt files by doing a search for custom map generation on Garmin GPS devices in your favorite search engine. These txt files should be placed in your cGPSmapper folder. You also need to modify another file called GenerateMaps.bat. You will be modifying your registry and can find out more information on this as well as a template you can use at the cGPSmapper website.

Once you have modified the batch file and the registry file you will find that two images have been created. You can navigate through MapSource or another similar program to find these images. You can navigate for maps with MapSource, and unlike other GPS programs, you do not need to use a CD to do this.

Your map should map the information that is listed in the registry. It may take you a little while for you to make certain that the image can be uploaded. If it cannot or there is a problem, then your MapSourcce will not even start. You will not have to worry about trying to download the file until you know it will load. Common problems include a wrong location where the file is stored and problems with the registry so check those two things first if you are having trouble with MapSource.

Once MapSource is up and running you can do little things like play with the zoom on the image to make things easier to see, tweak the image itself, and prepare the image to be downloaded. Now, comes the moment you have been waiting to complete.

The area on the map, which should be downloaded, needs to be highlighted. You should connect your PC to your GPS device or you can connect the two through Bluetooth technology. Once you are connected, use your GPS system to navigate on your PC to where you stored your map. Then you can click File >>> Send to Device.

When your map is loaded, you can use it on your Garmin handheld unit or Portable GPS system. The best part is that your custom maps will be stored so you can use them later, when you need them the most.



Thanks to Catherine Tower for contributing this article to our GPS blog:

Cell Phone Gps Tracking

In the field of marine navigation technology, the best you can have is the next generation basic 72 gps Garmin entry level system. You can never go wrong with this handy little device. It provides a low-cost but reliable solution for marine or land navigation. Its next generation technology gives you precise gps positioning by the use of correction data that it obtains from the System of Wide Area Augmentation (WAAS). Its position accuracy provided while receiving WAAS corrections is never more than three meters. This small unit offers a grayscale 4-level screen and is waterproof, tough and impossible to sink.

The most appealing attribute of this 72 Garmin gps for everyone is that it is lightweight and portable, with an in-built antenna. It has a screen and keypad which is backlit so that you have no difficulty in using it in darker conditions. It has a surprising number of 500 user waypoints complete with graphic symbols and names. It also has 50 reversible routes with different types of position formats as well as audible alarms when you use it for marine navigation for anchor drag, on your arrival at the destination, when you veer off-course and waypoints for proximity and a clock.

The display of this 72 garmin gps consists of easy-to-view large numbers and internal memory of a full megabyte to enable you to upload Map Source interest points. These are fabulous when using a navigation aid because then you can locate certain places which might interest you. The interest points enlist gas stations, toll booths, restaurants and hotels, school zones and a lot more. You can use all these points either to avoid them, or stop at them if desired.

Once you enter a destination in your 72 garmin gps, it is saved. You won’t have to put it in again when you visit that place again after some time. All you have to do is to re-trace the path in both ways without wasting any more time for locating it again. You can not only have these pre-set destinations in your system of 72 garmin gps, but also re-enter any number of new destinations to be used when you decide to visit them again.

A gps system in itself is a great aid for navigation. But when you opt for a Garmin product, the experience is truly great for then you have an amazing company backing you through their product sold to you. This company stands behind what it sells. So rest assured that you are getting the best when you price this 72 garmin gps. We guarantee your happiness and surprise at the nifty little device you have in your hands.



Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our GPS blog:

Magellan Roadmate Navigation

Can you answer Man2009’s question about GPS?:

There are various brand of portable GPS system on the market ie. Garmin, TomTom, Magellen, Navigon etc. Does anyone know what GPS system besides Garmin will automatically turn on the unit by the time you start your engine and also automatically turn of when you shut down the car engine.
By doing so, user will not manually turn on and turn off the GPS.

Please advice. Thanks.

Gps Personal Tracking Device

Today everyone requires a good GPS system to be installed in their cars. It is one of the most useful car accessories and the GPS market is flooded with different brands. Here’s a small checklist on how to make your pick from the available brands.



The mapping system should be given the first consideration – Check if the unit is able to completely cover your area.



Software and support structure – Your GPS unit needs to update regularly.



Check for the USB cables that come along with the system



Battery life needs to be carefully evaluated before the purchase



There are many competitive GPS systems, of which Garmin GPS and Magellan GPS are famous brand names. The most impressive of the lot is the Garmin Nuvi series. TomTom is also a good brand that is currently selling out in large. It is one of the cheaper brands and a good bet for an economical purchase. Another way to select a right model for personal use is to check online GPS reviews. They give ample information on technical aspects and pricing details. Here’s a quick comparison of the technical aspects for Garmin and Magellan models.

Garmin Nuvi



Receiver – 12 channels; SBAS – WAAS and EGNOS



Software – Garmin City Navigator



Maps – North America



Accuracy –Position - 10 m ¦ Velocity - 0.5 m/sec ¦ Position - 5 m ( with WAAS ) ¦ Velocity - 0.05 m/sec ( with WAAS)



Connectivity – Through USB



Other important features - External GPS antenna connection, hands-free calling via Bluetooth, built-in microphone, built-in speaker, alarm, calculator, games, clock, 2D / 3D map perspective, Garmin Lock, custom POIs, preinstalled POIs



Magellan



Software – NAVTEQ ON BOARD



Maps – Canada, USA, Puerto Rico



Connectivity – Hi-Speed USB



GPS Functions – Distance, ETA



Additional features - 2D / 3D map perspective, preinstalled POI’s



Thanks to ajax for contributing this article to our GPS blog:

Best Golf Gps