i've been using navigation devices of all kinds - ranging from self-made PDA hacks to the latest nokia e90 but the nüvi has been the most reliable and easiest to use companion so far. actually i'm not a big fan of voice-only navigation so the big screens of the 600/760 might have been a better option but the cost-benefit ratio is much better with the 3x0 series;
as for maps, i've europe in the internal and usa in the external memory - i received a free upgrade to the 2009 version right after purchase but one should note that garmin map updates will set you back ~€120.
it's also a nifty device for just walking around in cities as battery life is excellent (~8h) and you can charge it via USB on your laptop.
the 350 includes a few other gimmicks such as TMC traffic control, dictionaries or mp3 playback but i don't use them at all. also, the 360 adds on bluetooth capability for mobile phones but costs about 70 more.

if you're biker or runner i can also recommend the garmin forerunner which, in its newest edition, is just as small as a regular pulse watch but has a full-featured gps built in. reception is excellent and even works in the wood or near high buildings. i've used it during the last nyc marathon and results were very accurate (here's the log sample: http://short.to/70s )

It has been my experience that, while it doesn't come with many voices, my Nuvi 200 speaks quite nicely with the voices it has.

Uh oh. The voices in my head must be back, because my Nuvi 200 talks. I least I thought it was the Nuvi. I guess I wasted my money on the thing since the voices in my head always seems to know where I want to go.

When I first saw you recommend the 3xx series over the 2xx series I immediately thought to myself "Why? What feature of the 3xx series is compelling?"

I do not think you made a compelling case for the 3xx series over the 2xx series. There are two major differences, and you are partially incorrect on the one you mention.
The 2xx series [i]does[/i] talk. The only difference on this front between the 3xx and 2xx is the 3xx has "text to speech" which means the 3xx will speak road names, and the 2xx will not. The 2xx will, still, give you every other direction the 3xx will when navigating.

The other major difference is in battery life. The 3xx has a longer one. That being said, I would often keep my 2xx in my pocket when walking the streets while in Heidelberg, Germany, and (so long as I turned it off when indoors) it would easily last all day.

As for your dismissal of the wide-screen models, I could not disagree more. The wide screen not only allows larger (quicker to read at a glance) text on the screen, it allows more buttons on the screen which eliminates key presses to scroll through menus. It also allows you to view more of the surrounding streets and see upcoming intersections earlier.

In most cases you can get a 2xx wide for the cost of a 3xx narrow, and I think it is a better use of funds.

Er, the 350 is a discontinued model. The 255 (2 series) speaks...

The 200 series does indeed talk... it just doesn't say street names or anything like that. It'll still tell you to "Turn right in 1 mile."

Hi,

you are certainly right, a navigation system is easier (and more practical in a car) than paper maps. But I do see a lot of drivers with their attention on the screen *while driving*. Which is very dangerous in city traffic. So please make sure to set the navi up before you start.

On the other hand, most Navi systems are made for car driving. As a pedestrian or bicyclist you'll sure be better off with a bike map or a walking map and it's no problem to stop for a look at the map. If you use a good handlebar bag, it'll have a map compartment so you don't even need to search for your bag ;-)

In my oppinion, car navigation is good, but only if it doesn't take the drivers attention from the road.

Have fun anyway...

erm - I have a Nuvi 200 and I can confirm "it does speak" - in fact when I'm not lost I have to mute the sound as I know where I am going to turn...

Drove more than 10 hours today using mine. I've had it a couple of years. It is an outstanding -- even amazingly intuitive device. I've always been most impressed with the way the prompts are "timed" for just when you need them based on speed and complexity of the driving environment.

I got the Magellan Maestro for $99 a couple of weeks ago. It works very well for out of town trips.

These are great devices. Additionally, if you own a motorcycle, try the Zumo series (also Garmin) as they can withstand any kind of weather, are easily mounted on the handlebar and wired into the motorcycle's electric system. The buttons are big so you can use them with gloves on, and the device talks to you via bluetooth or speakers built in to the (seperately available) car mount.

Maps are available for virtually anywhere in the western hemisphere and quality is outstanding. I'm not leaving the country without mine ever again.

Actually, many in the 200 series do talk - my wife has a 260 that we put the British voices on instead of the new ones, so "Nigel" gives her directions.

Assuming that their model line is based on increasing numbers, the 255 is the lowest model with speech.

Don't you sometimes wish you could still get lost?

I do multi point routes every day. My company uses Microsoft Streets and Trips as a database to record our territory. I set up my routes for each day and print out paper maps.

I guess I am kinda tied to using the software, but would like to get away from paper maps. A GPS sounds like a good solution.

I need to submit a "MS S and T" weekly map to the company with my timesheet.

Anyone know if I can create routes on S and T, then transfer them to this GPS?

Microsoft sells a GPS version of Streets and Trips. It includes a GPS, that connects to your laptop while in your car. Not much of a solution, if you ask me.

FYI the Nuvi 200 does talk giving turn-by-turn directions. It does not however speak street names.

I didn't realize that navigation systems had become so affordable, and so capable. Definitely worth the money, especially when searching for an address in urban or suburban areas at night, when street signs are hard to see. The series of reminders to make a turn is nicely timed--matched with current vehicle speed. The speed at which the system recalculates your route if you make a wrong turn is excellent. I like all the user options, even including whether the system is allowed to recommend U-turns.

Negatives: Speech synthesis is very poor (I can hear the sampling rate) and sometimes hard to understand. The included MP3 player seems pointless, since it can only play over the tiny internal speaker. The lack of proper printed documentation is slightly annoying. On one occasion the Nuvi became confused by a new minimall that wasn't in its mapping system. I wish there was an FM link so you can play it through the car stereo, where volume is much more easily adjustable (without looking away from the road).

I do service calls and had to spend about an hour each night to plan my routes. With this tool I would spend about 15 minutes typing in the address.

I found it to be prudent to check the Zip codes of my destinations with the one on the Nuvi especially in New Jersey (its not the Nuvi its New Jersey).