The TomTom GO 700

The last time we reviewed a GPS navigator, it was a Garmin Nuvi. The most famous navigation company is of course, TomTom. It's the largest manufacturer of GPS systems in Europe.



In addition to it's navigations devices and software, TomTom also has several services to which users can subscribe. More on this a little further down. The unique feature of the TomTom GO 700 is that it uses bluetooth to commnicate with a handsfree device. This is a new feature that also allows you to use the device itself as a handsfree component.

For example, if you get an incoming call, the TomTom GO 700 will display the call on its' screen. You can also use it to dial numbers and control your mobile...all without having to lay a finger on your mobile phone itself.

Another first for the TomTom GO 700, is the integration of a hard drive. Till now, GPS navigation systems have always relied on SD cards for the storage of maps. Now, with a built in hard drive, you don't need to fiddle around with SD cards. Some people may find this less convenient, but I feel that most users will appreciate it. In addition, all the maps of North America come pre loaded onto the hard drive

The screen has been improved too. Though nowhere close to the colors that can be displayed on a laptopp or even a PDA, it can now display 4,096 colors instead of the usual 256 colors that it used to display. It no longer has the clunky visuals that make you think of a child's drawing.

Integrated with the TomTom GO 700, is the ability to subscribe to all the TomTom services. So if you want live traffic updates, or the ability to spot speed cameras in advance, you can pay a monthly subscription fee of $4.99 a month, or $49.99 a year.

"Map Share" is another service that allows you to share your modified maps with other users. For example, if you find that a road is blocked, you can input it onto the screen, and those who have allowed your updates to reach them will be kept informed of the change, and their GPS systems will change their routing behavior accordingly.

So pick up the TomTom GO 700 now at www.pricealerter.com

GPS - The Garmin Nuvi 880

Even been in a new city, and needed to get somewhere fast? You have the essentials - a car, and a map. You think that's enough? Not really.

Does you map tell you where the gasoline bunkers are? Can you find a path to your destination in such a way that you can drop in on a Chinese restaurant that is within your budget on the way? Add to that the fact that you want to take a route that has minimal traffic. Your map can't help you out with any of these things. Welcome to the age of the GPS.

Global positioning systems are devices that help you navigate through a city, with all the relevant info that you need. Many Cell phones, Palmtops, and Pocket PCs have GPS's built into them nowadays, but they come nowhere close to replicating the functionality of full blown GPS systems.



The Garmin Nuvi 880 is a case in point. It comes from a long line of Nuvi Series, that have provided rock solid performance. First introduced in the CES 2008 show, the Garmin Nuvi 880's most outstanding feature is it's accurate voice recognition.

Till now, voice features on GPS's had been restricted to the device giving you instructions. Like 'turn here', or 'keep going straight'. The actual voice recognition facilities have been shaky at best. You would require a quiet stretch of road, and speak with crystal clear clarity into the system for it to understand what is being said. That limitation is powerfully addressed with the Nuvi 880.

It recognizes just about everything you say, and you can instruct it verbally. You can activate the voice mode via the remote, which attaches onto the steering wheel, and you can say "Find address xyz", and it will tell you how to go along. It comes built in with City Navigator® NT, which has millions of Points of Interest (POI), like restaurants and theatres. You can tell the Nuvi 880 what you're interested in, and it will take you there.

Also bundled, is the MSN Direct service which gives you minute by minute updates on Traffic. You can instruct Nuvi to take the path of least resistance.

All in all, a great companion on the roads. Keep this guy with you, and you can travel all over the place with ease.

Find the best prices for it at www.pricealerter.com