Compare Navigation Systems

Recommended dash-top and handheld devices for Car Navigation , Hiking, Geocaching, Boating, and off-road recreation

GPS Car Nav Comparison Chart-A

Compare Garmin and TomTom car navigation systems rated: 7 to 9+

GPS Car Nav Comparison Chart -B

Compare side-by-side: Garmin, Lowrance, Mio, and Navigon car navigation systems rated: 2 to 6+

Garmin Nuvi 700-series Comparison Chart

Coma pre features of nuvi devices specifically designed for use with Garmin TourGuide® data/content.

Compare Garmin Handheld GPS devices

Side-by-side comparison chart of portable Garmin GPS devices for recreational activities, like hiking, geocaching, biking, boating, and team play.

Compare Lowrance, Magellan, DeLorme and Bushnell Handheld GPS devices

Side-by-side comparison chart of devices from Garmin's competitors

Vehicle Navigation and GPS Touring Equipment

GPS Car Navigation Comparison Chart-A

Travel By GPS review

Garmin nüvi 880 The safest car navigation system is one that does not require you to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel. The nuvi 880 can be controlled simply by speaking commands, allowing you to safely navigate using only your voice. A 3-month subscription of MSN Direct service is included with purchase of nuvi 880. In addition to real-time traffic, MSN offers up-to-date weather, gas prices, and more.

Garmin zumo 550 The best GPS for motorcycle enthusiasts is the Garmin zumo 550. Designed by bikers, the zumo’s bright, touch-screen display has big buttons and left-handed controls. Mounts for use in car and on motorcycle are both included.

TomTom GO C930T TomTom caters to international travelers. You'll want to take the 930 T with you wherever you go as it comes pre-loaded with transatlantic maps and entertainment software. Built-in maps of the United States, Canada, and 41 countries in both Western and Central Europe.

Garmin nuvi 500 The nuvi 500 is the best multi-purpose unit from Garmin. It is loaded with features for on- and off-road adventure. The nuvi changes navigation characteristics depending on mode of travel. The nuvi 500 comes with road and terrain maps. For marine use, you may opt to purchase more detailed maps of inland lakes and coastal regions.

Garmin StreetPilot 7200 The widest display is found on Garmin StreetPilot 7200. The 7” display is perfect for use in large trucks and RVs. And the big, bright screen is easy to see from anywhere inside the cab. The 7200 can be used as an XM satellite radio. Subscription required for XM services.

Hover mouse over features below for more information	Garmin nüvi 880	Garmin zumo 550	TomTom GO C930T	Garmin nuvi 500	Garmin StreetPilot 7200
Multi-mode	~	~	~		~
Glove friendly	~		~	~	~
Speech recog'n		~		~	~
Speaks st. names				~
Bluetooth				~	~
Auto-sort			~
FM trans		~		~
MP3 Player				~
Picture viewer
Digital camera	~	~	~	~	~
Geocaching	~	~	~		~
Traffic compatible	free, 3-mos.
SD card slot
Waterproof	~		~		~
Photo nav		~	~		~
Rating	9+	9	8	8	7
Touch Screen
Auto routing and turn by turn directions

Compare features of Garmin, Lowrance, Mio, and Navigon car nav systems

Travel By GPS Review

Mio DigiWalker C720t Mio is a favorite of gadget lovers. The DigiWalker C720t doubles as a personal digital assistant with multi-media and contact management software. The C720t includes the equipment necessary for receiving traffic alerts and a 90 day service subscription. Traffic alerts limited to coverage areas.

Lowrance XOG Lowrance, a leader in marine navigation, extends its expertise into on- or off-road navigation with the XOG “crossover” GPS. The XOG comes preloaded with street maps of the United States. Optional maps include: satellite imagery, enhanced USGS topographic maps, and Bureau of Land Management Maps.

Garmin nüvi 205 The most economical car navigation system from Garmin is the nuvi 205.

Navigon 7100 Navigon's exclusive 3D Reality View™ maps show roads and interstate exits as you see them – with actual road sign text - and lane position indication. Free lifetime traffic. Also, destination information includes Zagat® ratings and reviews for hotels and restaurants.

Hover mouse over features below for more information	Mio C720t	Lowrance XOG	Garmin nüvi 205	Navigon 7100
Multi-mode	~		~	~
Glove friendly	~	~	~	~
Speech recog'n	~	~	~	~
Speaks st. names	~	~	~
Bluetooth		~	~
Auto-sort	~	~	~	~
FM trans	~	~	~	~
MP3 Player			~	~
Picture viewer				~
Digital camera		~	~	~
Geocaching	~	~	~	~
Traffic compatible	free, 3-mos.	~		free, lifetime
SD card slot				~
Waterproof	~		~	~
Photo nav		~		~
Rating	6+	5	4	2+
Touch Screen
Auto routing and turn by turn directions

Garmin Nuvi 700-series Comparison Chart

The nuvi 700 series is particularly suited for GPS tours with advanced navigation features. I highly recommend these units for use with commercially available GPS tours. The multi-point routing capability of these devices provide spoken turn-by-turn directions for navigating point to point for up to 10 tour points. Read my review of nuvi 760 here.

Model	Screen Size W x H	Map Coverage	Bluetooth	On-the-fly information	Price Check
nuvi 750	Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag)	United States and Canada	no	FM traffic and MSN Direct compatible	at Amazon at Adventure Station
nuvi 760	Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag)	United States and Canada	yes	FM traffic and MSN Direct compatible	at Amazon at Adventure Station
Nuvi 770	Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag)	"TransAtlantic" (United States, Canada, and Europe )	yes	FM traffic and MSN Direct compatible	at Amazon at Adventure Station
nuvi 780	Wide 3.81" x 2.25" (4.3" diag))	United States and Canada	yes	FM traffic compatible and MSN Direct included	at Amazon at Adventure Station

Hiking, Geocaching, and Other Off-road Recreational Activities

Compare Garmin Handheld GPS devices

Side-by-side comparison chart of portable Garmin GPS devices for recreational activities, like hiking, geocaching, biking, boating, and team play.

Oregon 400T Oregon 400T is the best Garmin for Geocaching – the high-tech treasure hunting game. The preloaded 3-dimensional terrain maps cover the entire United States, GPS map coverage for other regions, inland lakes and costal areas can be purchased separately.

Rino 53HCx The best Garmin for locating your friends as well as yourself, is the Rino 530HCx. Purchase detail GPS maps separately. Two-way, position reporting requires others in rage with similar equipment.

nuvi 500 The nuvi 500 is the best off-road Garmin for use while hiking biking, boating or driving. The preloaded street and topographic maps of the lower 48 states, GPS map coverage for other regions, inland lakes and costal areas can be purchased separately.

GPSMAP 60CSx The GPSMAP 60CSx is the best Garmin for hiking in the backcountry. Purchase detail GPS maps separately.

GPSMAP 76Cx The best Garmin for use on land and sea is the GPSMAP 76Cx. It Floats! Purchase detailed GPS maps separately.

Hover mouse over features below for more information	Garmin Oregon 400T	Garmin Rino 53HCx	Garmin nuvi 500	Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx	Garmin GPSMAP 76Cx
Touchscreen		~		~	~
Preloaded maps		~		~	~
Wireless data exchange		~	~	~	~
Autorouting on roads
Digital compass			~		~
Barometric altimeters			~		~
SD memory card slot
Two-way Radio	~		~	~	~
Position Reporting	~		~	~	~
Weather reports	~		~	~	~
Picture viewer		~		~	~
Support for "paperless" Geocaching		~		~	~
Waterproof
Built-in basemap
TbGPS Rating	9	7	6	4	2

Compare Lowrance, Magellan, DeLorme, and Bushnell Handheld GPS devices

Side-by-side comparison chart of devices from Garmin's competitors

Magellan Triton 2000 Magellan Triton 2000 includes best features for documenting your travels. Create a multi-media travel journal using the digital camera and voice recorder and then share your adventure with others with National Geographic Topo! Explorer (sold separately).

Lowrance XOG the XOG “crossover” GPS. Designed for use in the car, on the trail, or on the water, the XOG adapts to the situation The XOG comes preloaded with street maps of the United States. Optional maps include: satellite imagery, enhanced USGS topographic maps, and Bureau of Land Management Maps.

Lowrance iFinder Expedition C For those of you who like to make your own maps, the Lowrance iFINDER Expedition C includes special feature for collecting map data in the field. Use Map Create software (sold separately) for creating customized topographic maps for use with iFINDER.

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 DeLorme PN-40 displays more map types of than any other recreational GPS receiver. The PN-40 comes bundled with Topo USA 7.0 software with complete U.S topo and street maps included.

Bushnell ONIX 400 The ONIX400 displays weather radar images overlaid on detailed terrain maps. Weather radar imagery is provided by XM Satellite Radio services. Other XM services, like music channels and sports ticker, keep you entertained when you are socked-in. Subscription required.

Hover mouse over features below for more information	Magellan Triton 2000	Lowrance XOG	Lowrance iFinder Expedition C	DeLorme Earthmate PN-40	Bushnell ONIX 400
Touchscreen			~	~	~
Preloaded maps	~		~	(see footnote)	~
Autorouting on roads	~		~	~	~
Digital compass		~
Barometric altimeter		~			~
SD memory card slot					~
Weather reports	~	~	~	~
Picture Viewer			~	~	~
Digital Camera		~	~	~	~
Voice Recorder		~		~	~
MP3 Player				~	~
Waterproof
Built-in basemap
TbGPS Rating	8	6	5	4	2