What To Look For
Some Garmin units give you free live traffic updates. This handy features enables you not only to know what route to take, but to also know what the traffic conditions are for that route. There are also models that will help you remember where your car is parked, and that will allow you to enter multiple destinations so that the unit can pick the best route for your trip.
Common Pitfalls
If you get a Garmin model with free traffic updates, then you will also have free advertising on your receiver. This is the same concept as a free Web page that requires you to display banner ads in exchange for the service, except these ads are directed at you. Also, in order to get help with finding your parking space, you must carry the detachable portion of the receiver with you.
Where To Buy
An electronics store is a good place to begin your search for a Garmin GPS unit. You will find the biggest selection at large chain electronics stores like Best Buy and Circuit City. General merchandise stores, like Wal-Mart and Kmart, will also have GPS selections that likely include Garmin units.
Cost
Garmin models range in price from the Nuvi 205 for $115, which is one of the cheapest Garmin models you can buy, to the Nuvi 500 for $285, which can also double as an outdoor handheld device and is waterproof for up to 30 minutes when completely submerged in water. All figures were current as of 2010.
Accessories
You can buy maps for cities within the U.S., Canada and Europe that will help you not only find your way around the city streets in an automobile, but will also help you find the best routes when walking, taking the bus or riding the subway. As of 2010, these maps cost $10 to $15 each.
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