Advantages: nice design, friendly software, pretty accurate preinstalled maps
Disadvantages: some map bugs, not-so-sensitive touchscreen

...I will start by saying that I never used a navigation device before, so for me, there is no term of comparison. I nevertheless had to buy one, considering that I usually travel across the country and I plan a sightseeing vacation in the south of France on my own. The reason why I picked Garmin was first that the internet and my friends made me believe this is one of the best choices available. Second, that it came with a proprietary set of maps, so I wouldn't have to chase them later. And third, because I liked the minimalistic design of both the unit and the software. Now, having using it intensively for 3 days, this is what I like and dislike about Nuvi 255W. It's a beauty, to begin with. It does help find your way around, and it actually helped me get home on streets that I never knew existed. One particular feature... Read review

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Advantages: Simple to use, convenient, compact
Disadvantages: Takes time to lock on signals

...What an item. After buying my Garmin StreetPilot I3 I was up and running withing minutes. It is an amazing piece of kit. The support from Garmin has been exceptional and software updates are sent to me when they are available. The only downside that I can mention is that when not using back-up batteries it does take a little longer to 'lock on' to the satellite signals. However having said that, if that is all that there is to complain about then thats a small disadvantage. I use my street pilot 7-8 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is unobtrusive, simple to use and easy to update. I also use it more for keeping an eye on my speed. When not actually navigating the display shows what speed you are doing, this can be in MPH or KPH. All in all, well done garmin... Read review

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Advantages: Highly portable, lightweight, waterproof.
Disadvantages: Sufficient but limited, non-expandable memory.

...Garmin are famed for their GPS products and narrowing down the criteria was the first step in a product that suited my needs. The product was not only half the cost of a colour, speaking model, but it was half the size and weight; crucial for what I needed. The review is based upon what I wanted to see when considering the unit, so hopefully will answer the questions of those considering similar qualities. Overview The unit is compact, with a good sized monochrome display, which can be horizontally or vertically “flipped” via the internal software. A scalable backlight function allows easy lighting and contrast enhancements to meet your needs. The map software that comes with the unit is Mapsource City select (mine was European mapset). Interface to your PC is via a serial port. The deluxe package contains everything you need to get... Read review

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Advantages: rugged, waterproof, reliable, accurate
Disadvantages: none

...My wife and i have a hobby called Geocaching and our Garmin Geko 201 is invaluable to us. Our hobby involves downloading co-ordinates to the PC, which we can then transfer to the Garmin via a serial cable. You can of course input them manually. My advice is to read the manual carefully as it may not be the most obvious piece of kit to use. (isn't that what manuals are for? ) Once you get used to it it is a very simple unit to use. It is rugged, waterproof and has a good battery life. I believe it is even possible to link to some mobile phones such as Smartphones but i have not tried? It has a breadcrumb feature so that you can retrace your step, current speed, average speed, distance covered and many more useful features that you will find handy, but; The most important thing is that it is accurate. We have to find objects the size... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent training aid for heartrate, pace, speed monitoring and recording
Disadvantages: Altimeter not 100% correct

...An excellent training aid. This item gives you heartrate, speed, time taken, lap times, for running, biking, and other sports. This can be downloaded to the included software as your training log and then uploaded to websites such as Google earth where you can view your training mapped against satellite images. I aren't too sure of the accuracy of the altimeter part of the satellite navigation product, but that does not bother my training too much. Another good feature is that on the website mapmyrun.com you can save your run course that you created and upload it to your Garmin and then train against the training pace buddy, with the Garmin telling you if you are behind or in front of the pace that you set. Also if you wander off the course the Garmin will warn you that you have strayed away from the intended path. Overall a must... Read review

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Advantages: Small, easy to use, works with 12v and 24v vehicles
Disadvantages: Slow to lock onto satellites sometimes, reflection from screen

...I have owned my Garmin i3 for a few years now, and I have had no problems with it. Garmin give you a free mapping upgrade for the first time, so after one year, or when the mapping goes from v7 - v8 you get a new card if you give them a call. I recently purchased the Europe mapping on Ebay (was a counterfeit, but works perfectly), holiday in Italy, hire car (centre of Florence!), took us through all the mad driving safely, whilst my wife was reading a map which the guy in the hire place gave us with a marked route out) Garmin chose the same route, and didnt get left from right mixed up either!! We used it all over the Florence area, brilliant, worth every penny!... Read review

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Advantages: Compact feature packed touchscreen, travel kit, mp3 player, bluetooth, phone dial pad, reads phone directory
Disadvantages: volume performance needs to be improved if it can be used as a mp3 player

...Garmin Nuvi 310 is an excellent piece of kit for people looking for affordable compact navigator with lot of features. Features Navigation I have bought UK maps preloaded, and the navigation menu provides options to go to an address or search from custom POI list, like Food, Fuel, Lodging, Intersections, Attractions, Shopping, Parking, Entertainment, Recreation etc. It also gives options to search a custom POI nearest to a location/address which I find very usefull, if you want to check facilities available at an address where you are going. Bluetooth Integration Using bluetooth you can take calls on Garmin and it has got good speaker + built in microphone, also a dial pad to dial directly from Garmin touch screen. Please do not use this feature while driving as this is dangerous and risky as it can distract the driver. Travel Kit... Read review

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Advantages: Price, Build Quality, Value for Money, Easy to Use
Disadvantages: Not the smallest GPS available, expensive carry case

...I confess to not being the greatest technical whizz kid around mainly because I cannot be usually be bothered to read the manuals. If you are similar to me, then this is the GPS for you. Garmin are renowned for their build quality, and this is of no exception and at a great price - I recommend looking at Halfords as they are pretty much the cheapest around and gives you the advantage of somebody to go in and grump at if something does go wrong! The machine's software can be updated simply through a USB cable - this I would recommend as the version that came with the machine had an annoying habit of freezing when inputting an address, since updating, this hasn't happened. You can also easily upload Points Of Interest (including Safety/Speed/Red Light Cameras to theme parks and abbatoirs to zoos etc) through Garmin's own POILoader. I... Read review

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Advantages: Build quality, accuracy, support.
Disadvantages: Features

...Perhaps I should make it clear that when writing this review I'm comparing the Garmin to the TomTom300 and TomTom One, which are the 3 products I've used in depth. All 3 of the above will perform, but on balance I'd probably go for the Garmin. From a style point of view, it may appear a little less sexy than the TomTom products, but where it scores is that it appears to have a slightly better map set and seems to work better in cities when you're surrounded by hi-rise buildings. It may lack some of the blue-tooth facilities, but I'd happily trade these for a system where the basic functions are more sorted. From a support point of view, although I've found the TomTom web site looks the business, my personal experience has been that it's not at all easy to use. Whilst voice support is readily available, it's not that good (lack... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to use
Disadvantages: loss of signal

...I can't imagine life without my Garmin. Those days before it seem dark compared to now when I charge off down the road knowing that all the information I need is strapped to my wrist. For starters I was suprised to find I had been further than I thought, which is a bonus. I was more of a runner than I thought I was. It's an expensive bit of kit, but worth every penny. It is motivational because I can't wait to upload the data onto the computer and study it. Was this run better than the last one? How much have I improved since last month? Oh yes, that's when I was chased by that dog! I could tell because my speed had suddenly shot up along with my heart rate. Heart rate, mmm that can be a little hit and miss. The garmin sometimes loses its signal shooting my HR up and giving me a false reading. I used to struggle to see the figures... Read review

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