Three "400" series Oregons top the new line. The $639 Oregon 400T features pre-loaded topo maps, 3D map view, barometric altimeter (supplements GPS altitude calculations for better accuracy). It lets you exchange tracks, waypoints, routes, and geocaches wirelessly between similar units. Plug new maps and marine charts into its SD card slot. The $639 400i is similar to the 400t, but designed for freshwater use, and comes with a US inland lakes detail mapset, rather than land topo maps. Map detail includes depth contours, boat ramps, and mile markers for thousands of lakes. The $639 400c is for saltwater use, include charts of coastal US and the Bahamas. The $533 Oregon 300 is similar to the 400s, but does not come with any preloaded detail maps, just a basemap. The $479 Oregon 200 does not come with preloaded detail maps, and lacks the barometric altimeter, electronic compass, and ability to do wireless unit-to-unit data transfers. It does, however, have the same size and quality color touchscreen.

Garmin Nuvi 880 offers an impressive feature list and solid performance, but it's the accurate speech recognition that really pushes the Nuvi 880 over the edge and makes it one of the best GPS we've tested to date. To be honest, we were a bit weary since we've tried other such-equipped GPS devices, including the {Magellan Maestro 4250} and the {TomTom GO 930}, and while they worked, there weren't the most accurate and the capabilities were limited. This isn't so with the Nuvi 880. We were blown away at the accuracy of the speech recognition, the range of features you can use it with, and its overall ease of use. This, in combination with the navigation offerings, sleek design, and solid performance, makes it worthy of our Editors' Choice award.

Another benefit is the Nuvi 880's spacious 4.3-inch touch screen. With a 480x272-pixel resolution, the display is bright and easy to read, whether you're reading maps or using the other features. You can adjust the screen's brightness and there's an automatic mode that switches the map colors for optimal viewing during the day or night.
The Garmin Nuvi 880 comes preloaded with City Navigator NT maps of North America and millions of points of interest. Perhaps the biggest highlight, though, is its speech recognition capabilities. We've seen this technology in other systems, such as the Magellan Maestro 4250 and TomTom GO 930, but the Nuvi 880 is the most impressive with the breadth of its capabilities and accuracy. In all, you can use voice commands to perform 30 functions, including entering addresses, adjusting the system volume, activating the hands-free speaker system, playing/stopping the music player, viewing the trip computer, and accessing MSN Direct services.
Many customers will rejoice at Garmin's decision to switch from an internal battery to a user-replaceable, lithium-ion battery on the nuvi 880. In the event you continue to use the nuvi 880 beyond the life of the rechargeable battery, a battery replacement can be purchased for around $25.The lithium-ion battery only fits into the nuvi 880 the correct way, thanks to plastic guides on the battery that prevent you from accidentally inserting the battery the wrong way around.Once the battery is installed, slide the battery cover back on until it snaps into place.

Garmin's Colorado is a rugged, waterproof outdoorhandheld GPS that can be used for hiking, boating, camping, in the car, or Geocaching.

Available in 4 different versions, the Colorado 400-series sports an innovative scroll wheel joystick controller, is the first GPS to support Whereigo ("Where I Go"), Groundspeak's newest twist on Geocaching (think virtual scavenger-hunt meets Geocaching), ships preloaded with World Base Maps in shaded relief, has a digital compass and altimeter, and can be paired with a heart rate monitor and/or speed and cadence sensor for fitness use.

All 4 Colorado models are identical in terms of hardware, and all three 400-series models have the same retail price of $599, while the 300 model retails for $499.

The 300 and 400t include the "Digital Elevation Model" (shaded relief) World Base Map. Garmin believes the Colorado is the first outdoor handheld GPS to use this level of resolution. The 400t version comes with built-in TOPO maps for the U.S., and includes a detailed 3D elevation perspective (looks almost like a photograph).

The 400c version is geared towards boating, and ships with coastal waters maps for the coastal U.S. and Bahamas. The 400i comes with maps of inland, lakes, and navigable rivers.

All four Colorado models can be upgraded to use additional maps. The Colorado has 3GB of internal memory, but there's only about 120MB of unused space, so you'll need to buy an SD memory card if you plan to use additional maps.

Garmin's additional maps are available on DVD and can be transferred to the Colorado via a PC, and Garmin also sells maps on SD cards ready for use in their GPS units. Additional maps range in price from $29 to $299, depending on the map and coverage area, and are available via Garmin's website and other online retailers.

www.GpsFrontier.com

The Garmin Nuvi 700 series was launched at the top of the Garmin line to make steps forward in both design and functionality. The Nuvi 750/760/770 units are a change vs. the Nuvi 650/660/670 units with a thin design losing the flip up patch antenna of the Nuvi 600 series, and adding some functionality that is nicely useful. The Nuvi 750/760/770 is a widescreen unit with a bright screen, not marginally bright, but plenty bright for sunny days. The 760/770 series also comes with a TMC traffic receiver that is integrated into the 12V plug. It has maps of North America pre-loaded.

The Garmin Nuvi 205w/255w were announced earlier this year and are quickly taking their place as solid entry level units in the Garmin line-up. The Nuvi 205W/255W offer a series of new tweaks that I have quickly come to appreciate and enjoy.