Up for Review: Garmin nüvi 285W GPS
Garmin GPS is one of the most well known GPS manufacturers in the world. People especially love their automotive GPS receivers like the Garmin nüvi 285W. With tons of great features and a reasonable price, the nüvi 285W GPS is a very interesting gadget.
There are 6 million POIs and up to 1000 user-programmable waypoints to guide you along your chosen route. You cannot get lost in the maze of roads in unknown territory. The Garmin nüvi 285W GPS allows you to chart out your route in advance. You can download additional map data or regional maps through a removable media card. If you have some knowledge about the area you will be visiting, then you can get the satellite maps and utilize them to your best. The entire street maps of North America have been preloaded into this unit.
The Garmin nüvi 285W GPS includes a 4.3” color LCD screen. This lets you easily navigate between its settings and functions. The clear display can be viewed distinctly both during day and night. The high-sensitivity, WAAS enabled GPS receiver will allow you to find your way, even under the most difficult weather conditions. This unit is undaunted by heavy cloud cover or thick wooded canyons.
Like most other GPS systems, the Garmin nüvi 285W GPS also helps you to concentrate on the road while driving, instead of repeatedly looking at the GPS for instructions. Voice prompts and text-to-speech features will notify you about every turn and crossing. In case you get stuck in traffic jams or need to re-route due to any reason, this unit will provide alternate routes for you to choose from.
Garmin nüvi 285W GPS Features and Specifications Review:
• No. of channels: 12
• No. of waypoints: 1000
• Traffic and weather updates: Yes
• Portability: Yes
• Bluetooth built-in: Yes
• Text-to-speech: Yes
• Hard drive storage: Yes
• Download capability: Yes
• WAAS enabled: Yes
• Built-in base maps: Yes
• Mapping software: Yes
• PC connectivity: with optional cable
• Voice prompts: Yes
• Color display: Yes
• Battery life: up to 4 hours
• Battery included: Yes
• DC adapter: Yes
• Screen size: 4.3”
• 3D map view: Yes
• Accepts data cards: Yes
• Auto re-Route: Yes
• Avoid highways/Tolls mode: Yes
• Calculator: Yes
• Choice of route setup: Yes
• Currency and measurement converter: Yes
• Map provider: Navteq
• Touch screen: Yes
• World travel clock: Yes
• Small business features: Professional series
• Warranty terms – parts: 1 year
• Warranty terms – labor: 1 year limited
If you have a cell phone with a Bluetooth capability, then the Garmin nüvi 285W allows you to make hands-free calls. It also has a MSN Traffic receiver which will provide you with traffic updates on payment of a subscription. You get to know about the latest real time traffic conditions of a place. This gives you time to re-route your path.
The Garmin nüvi 285W also includes world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter and a calculator. These features provide valuable assistance when traveling in different North American countries. You can choose 2D or 3D maps as per your requirement. The battery life is however, a serious botheration. This is one area where this unit needs improvement. Otherwise, all the other features make it an attractive gadget to purchase for a price of $299.99 MSRP.