If you’re looking for a global positioning system (GPS) and are interested in consolidating some of your electronic tools (my girlfriend says electronic “toys”), you might want to check out the Garmin nuvi.
In this Garmin nuvi review, I will try to point out a number of very interesting and useful features in Garmin nuvi that you might be interested in.
The Garmin nuvi is not just a GPS by any means. It includes the following features not found in “just any old” GPS.
Navigation
Obviously, navigation assistance is one of the basic features that anyone will look for in a GPS. The Garmin nuvi 360 comes with preloaded maps of Europe or North America. Plus, it includes auto-routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names, and a fingertip touchscreen interface, making navigation easy.
But that is not all. It also supports configurable vehicle icons – fun, custom car-shaped icons in a variety of colors that show your position on the map.
Hands-free calling with Bluetooth wireless technology
The nuvi 360 along with its counterpart the nuvi 310 integrate wireless technology with a microphone and speaker allowing you to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial numbers using nuvi’s touchscreen keypad to make a call on a compatible Bluetooth phone. To answer calls, simply touch nuvi’s screen and speak directly into the built-in microphone.
Plus, easily find and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or from your phone’s call history log. Don’t know the phone number of your destination? Simply search and bookmark it from nuvi’s extensive database of points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions.
Enjoy Travel Kit full of entertainment and useful tools
Navigation is just the beginning. Nüvi includes many “must have” travel and entertainment tools, such as an MP3 player, an audiobook player with optional content from Audible.com, a JPEG image viewer, a world travel clock with time zones, currency converters and more . Additionally, optional software packages such as Language Guide(TM) and Travel Guides(TM) can be added for language and content support.
Customize with optional software
Optional software available on pluggable SD cards lets you instantly add new features to your nüvi, without connecting to your computer.
* language guide – contains five bilingual dictionaries and a multilingual word bank and phrase bank supporting nine languages and dialects. Even get a spoken pronunciation of each word or phrase
* Tour guide – gives you useful and comprehensive reviews and recommendations on restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife, sporting events and tourist attractions. The travel guide for the United States and Europe is currently available for purchase.
* Savings Guide(TM) – a “geocoded” local business coupon book that notifies you of nearby discounts on restaurants, hotels, shopping and more at thousands of participating entertainment businesses across North America.