I think that PC Magazine article is a very good START Point for someone researching GPS units. Our new Garmin 3590 gives us excellent service, based on a recent 4,000 mile road trip AND daily use in point-to-point driving in Southern California. We originally bought it for its Voice Command feature, as well as everything else that we already knew it could do. We now use it frequently at home, especially because it gives us exceptionally accurate Traffic Alerts on local freeways. The 3590 is 2nd on the PC MAG list, and features a 5” screen, a bit bigger than most others. It is the most expensive in Garmin’s extensive lineup of Nuvis, BUT I recommend that those wanting other excellent Garmins consider units produced within the past 3 years, which have most of the same features as our 3590, and Cost Substantially Less.
Two other Garmins are also ranked in that article, as 1st and 3rd : The 2350 and 3790 (the 2350 and is newer, from about 1 year ago; the 3790 is now 3 years old). My experience is only with Garmins (I had another unit, the 855, but it was also 3 years old, and has been superseded with lots of newer features).
One shortcoming of the article, however, is that as an OVERVIEW, it does NOT place any importance on what I consider a crucial feature: Voice Commands allow drivers to speak to their Nuvis (and some other brands, I assume). With lots of practice, you can perform Searches quickly for virtually anything while driving: Think of instant decisions while DRIVING to go from one to another of fast food or other restaurants, to your favorite brand of gas, or head for virtually any chain brand store (and a huge # of other retail establishments, such as dining, shopping, ATM, motels, scenic attractions, and other points in Everyday Life). While all GPS allow users to Search for the foregoing, Voice Command equipped units can do so while you are on the move. [And Yes, our Nuvi also operates speedily in hand-held, manual mode.]
Our experience with VC was that it was usually very reliable, in that it understood our speech and was easy to interact with the various screen choices during Search mode. It has screen prompts to Search for Placename, Category, Address, Cities, Recently Found places, and Saved Places (and 6 other Commands). Yes, we occasionally have to repeat a Command, but that is only a minor irritation, compared to all that the unit can do you you.
We used VC constantly while in daily travels in unfamiliar California, and found it extremely convenient, to instruct the Nuvi to Search for either specific brand stores, or to Search for a Category of establishment, and got super speedy results displayed on the Nuvi. Between myself as driver, and my wife as co-pilot, we were able to quickly choose new destinations safely while driving. We also very much enjoyed the Nuvi when we got onto wrong freeways in Southern California, and were able to use VC to quickly reach corrected routes, all without stopping. It may sound trite, but once you become comfortable Speaking your instructions to the Nuvi, you will thank me many times over.
We also love the 3590 for the following excellent performance: fast Satellite Acquisition when turned on, rapid search for Points of Interest, fast map redraws as you move, Traffic Reports updated every 30 seconds and without ads, large collection of Lane Assistance and Junction Views for freeways, useful list of freeway Exit Services, loud speaking voice and Volume adjusts automatically, Trip Planner for multi-destination routing, and a ton of screen conveniences to give you easy access to various features while using the map screen. Don’t forget that this Nuvi also comes with Lifetime Map Updates and Traffic Reports. Again, most of the other Nuvis identified below have very similar features: NOTE that their Traffic Reports will not be updated as quick, and they will contain ads (supposedly only when your car is stopped).
Enough of my praise for the superb Nuvi 3590: My main point here is to consider buying a Garmin with Voice Command. You should also consider the following Garmin Nuvis, all produced within the past three years, and equipped with most of the same features (which may OR may not operate as efficiently as the 3590) PLUS All have the Voice Command feature: 2360, 2460, 2595 and the 3790. Hey, did I also mention they are all cheaper! In addition, you should consider the 3490, which is identical to my unit, but has a smaller 4.3” screen, and costs just a bit less. [Each of the foregoing models also have companion units without VC, and cost about $30-70 less than their “little brothers.”]
An excellent place to research the various Garmins is Amazon reviews, both in terms of comparative ratings, and for User Reviews (look at those each model for Reviews labeled “Most Helpful”). A second great source of information is GPStracklog.com , which has detailed summaries of each model’s features, plus contains very useful screenshots of the various unit displays and links to other information. GPStracklog was the primary motivator, as a Review source, in both my buying decisions for the Nuvi 855 and the 3590. I also encourage readers to view User Reviews and Comments at both sites in regard to using Voice Commands, and decide whether that would be a prime feature for YOU.
