Nüvi for a newbie?

One of our friends recently asked us about the Garmin Nüvi, and is considering getting one of her own that included real-time traffic data. So, we thought you might enjoy reading along with the advice Stuart offered her, as we are long-time Garmin customers.

The Nüvi line from Garmin is a great set of products, but they come out with so many different models each year that it is hard to keep them straight. Here are some thoughts about what to look for, in no particular order:

All the Nüvis have built-in rechargeable batteries, but don't expect to run off of battery power for extended periods. When the Nüvi is in your car, it should be plugged into the charger. The battery is good for pedestrian navigation to/from the parking garage to where you're going, and brief use indoors for programming and upgrades. I'd say you could expect about 1/2 hour of use on batteries.

When you first get your device, you should take the time to charge it up, connect it by USB cable to a computer, download Garmin's free web updater software, register the Nüvi with Garmin, and install the latest firmware updates. Garmin also has a policy of offering free map updates to new customers, so you should take advantage of any free map updates that are available. After the first month or so you have to pay extra for map updates.

If you plan on pocketing the Nüvi or throwing it in the glove compartment, it's worth getting a slipcase for it to protect the screen. Most stores carry the cases, but they're not included.

When you're not using the Nüvi, turn it off to avoid wearing out the screen. If the power adapters in your car power off when you turn off the car, this will happen automatically. If not, take the time to power the Nüvi off manually. I didn't do this with my old GPS, and the screen got dim prematurely. I've been powering down our new Nüvi each time I'm done with it, and the screen still looks beautiful.

Unless you're really concerned about weight and size when traveling, it's worth springing for the wide-screen models. All of these screens are pretty small, and the extra space on the wide-screen models makes the controls less cramped and the display less cluttered.

The real-time traffic data is nice, especially since you basically don't have to do anything to use it. The Nüvi will automatically compute the fastest route given the traffic, and will automatically re-route you if the traffic changes. Just understand that it only includes interstates and a few other major highways in high-traffic parts of the country, and that it can't predict the future. If you know that a certain road is always backed up at rush hour, you may want to avoid it on your own even if the Nüvi thinks it is clear.

In the past the real-time traffic data carried monthly or yearly fees, but recently Garmin has begun including a lifetime subscription in the cost of the device. This is a great feature that can save you a hundred dollars are more, so check the product description carefully to make sure you're getting it.

There are two different versions of the real-time traffic data. One is from NAVTEQ and is known simply as "FM Traffic", and the other is from MSN Direct. NAVTEQ has more detailed traffic data, while MSN Direct includes extras like weather, movies, and news headlines. In my opinion, FM Traffic from NAVTEQ is the better choice, especially for someone like you who has a good cell phone that can get news off the internet.

If you're flying somewhere and will be renting a car at the other end, take your Nüvi with you. It's a great companion when you're in a strange city, especially since it can find stores and restaurants for you.

So, what would I get if I were buying a Nüvi today? I think I'd choose the 265WT, which lists for $270. It's got the wide screen and comes with a lifetime subscription to FM Traffic. If you're looking to splurge, the 755T is worth a look for $400, and adds "lane assist" which helps you get in the correct lane for exits on the interstate, plus other features.

Copyright @ 2009, Catherine E. White and Stuart A. Malone, permission is granted for this article to be redistributed and shared with others in its entirety as long as links and attribution are maintained. Catherine and Stuart are co-founders of Llamagraphics, Inc., developer of Life Balance™ software for Mac OS X, Windows, Palm OS and iPhone. Life Balance provides a structure for your goals, projects and tasks that is priority driven, so you can to make better decisions about how to use your discretionary time. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. To learn more, please visit http://www.llamagraphics.com/