GPS Reviews
Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX Review
by Priya Modi - November 7, 2015
Review
What would happen if information and entertainment were blended together? The Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX is born. This is not just any typical GPS receiver—it is something exclusive. It is one special gem that allows you to do more; navigation, movies, music, calendar, and more. It’s just like having access to your phone but installed in your car.
The 7-inch touch display allows you to pinch and zoom while sliding through screens smoothly. 3-D buildings and landmarks exist keeping you aware of your surroundings. Got lost? The 8000 provides turn-by-turn guidance and 7.9 million points of interest such as gas stations, restaurants, and ATMs.
Safety comes first, so the smartphone compatibility lets you access apps and the menu hands-free.
The built-in Bluetooth allows you to call and text while keeping your eyes on the road. Commands can be “remind me to set up a meeting with my team”, “navigate to Red Lobster restaurant” or “listen to The Weekend—The Hills”. The 8000 is also compatible with Android and iPhone devices.
If you’re on a road trip, your passengers can watch movies and listen to music. The MIXTRAX technology adds effects to digital tracks so you can party along while you’re on your way. Thanks to Apple CarPlay™, you now have a virtual assistant so don’t be shy to talk to Siri. You can ask her about info such as traffic conditions and estimated travel time. To top it off, get a prediction of where you will be going based on addresses from emails, text, contacts, and calendars.
The Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX is beyond brilliant and just impressive. The functionalities it has are more than just a mouthful of words. If you’re looking for one device that serves multiple needs and offers top of the line functionality and technology, this is the one you have been waiting for.
Highlights
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7-inch touch display
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Pinch and zoom navigation
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Built-in Bluetooth
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Aha™ Radio
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Expandability for HDMI cable, USB drive, SD card, A/V input; dual rear-view camera inputs
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Plays CDs, DVDs, USB drives, and SD cards
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AppRadio® Mode Functionality for iPhone® & Android™
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MirrorLink™ Compatible
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Siri® Eyes Free Compatible
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1-year warranty
Pros
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Stellar audio, video & navigation performance
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Voice commands for call, text, music, navigation
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Pinch and zoom feature for navigation
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Expandability for several forms of inputs
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Compatible with Android and iPhone devices
Score
9.5
Cons
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Requires accessories to be connected to access full functionality
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DVDs can be pixelated
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Fingerprints on screen
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Display may be hard to see during the day
Highlights
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The world’s first cycling radar
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Avoid and anticipate approaching vehicles from behind
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Optional display head unit shows proximity of incoming vehicles
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Connects seamless to Edge and other cycling computers
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Rear view light flashes to warn surrounding vehicles and other cyclists
Pros
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Bright light ensures traffic will notice user
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Easy synching to cycling computers
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Water resistant design
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Long range (153 yards) for detection of vehicles
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Optional head unit is clean and easy-to-read
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First generation product
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Not cleared by the FCC yet
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Radar bundle almost a must for complete experience
Cons
9.0
Score
Varia™ Rearview Radar
Review
by Eljohn Macaranas - September 2015
Are you a biker? Love the rush of an evening cruise around the neighborhood? Maybe training for that marathon? Regardless, you probably want to feel a lot safer while keeping yourself and others out of harm’s way while having fun, right? If so, definitely check out Garmin’s Varia Rearview Radar.
The Varia replaces your standard rear bike reflector or light, and can sense approaching vehicles from up to 153 yards behind. It’s also the world’s first cycling radar. The Varia even works and integrates wirelessly with compatible Edge cycling computers. Don’t happen to have a cycling computer lying around? No problem, this radar is smart enough to work without any of those fancy cycling computers.
How does it help cyclists stay safe? The rear light flashes and brightens to notify approaching vehicles of your position. That’s handy.
It comes in two different packages. You can get just the tail light, or you can add another $100 for the complete “radar bundle.” The radar bundle comes with a head unit that acts as a display. We recommend that over just the tail light for a more complete experience.
All versions come with the Varia radar tail light, 2 mounts, a microUSB cable, and the standard manuals. The tail light shines a bright 16 lumens and has a battery life of about 5 hours which should last a few rides. It charges in 2 hours and is water resistant.
So why is the Varia even a thing? What makes it important? Well, not to put a damper on things, getting hit from behind by a vehicle is the leading cause of death for cyclists in the US. The Garmin Varia can’t drive your bike for you or dodge a bullet, but it’s nice to have around especially at night. It might even save your life. It’s always nice to have someone watching your back, the Varia will.
Highlights
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5.0" high resolution display, with "pinch and zoom" capability
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Detailed maps of North America with free lifetime updates
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Free lifetime HD Digital Traffic -the fastest, best traffic solution from Garmin (the vehicle power cable is also the traffic receiver)
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Smartphone Link is a free mobile app that connects your nüvi with your iPhone® or Android(\(\(\(\(TM) smartphone. When paired, your nüvi can use your phone's existing data plan to share information - such as where you parked, POIs and your destination.
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3-D Buildings & Terrain depict landmarks and the natural landscape in North America
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Magnetic mount
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Glass capacitive display supports multi-touch
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Improved voice prompts
Pros
Cons
9.5
Score
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Cost
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Screen shows reflections in sunlight
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Traffic and exact location aren't always accurate enough
Garmin nüvi 3597LMTHD
Review
by Ruben Marks - June 19, 2014
The Garmin nüvi is GPS navigation engineered for use in a car. The latest nüvi models offer highly accurate map data and turn-by-turn directions that sound as if spoken by a friend. Big, bright screens allow you to focus on the road. Steady, dependable information relies on satellites, not cell towers. nüvi is dedicated guidance, with models and features to fit any driver. Why ask for directions from anyone else?
Need help finding the perfect places to go? Our POI database now includes additional search information sourced from Foursquare. Foursquare adds millions more points of interest, so you can discover new and popular restaurants, shops, services and more in your area.
Connect to Smartphone Link with a Bluetooth®-enabled nüvi and you can access real-time Foursquare data. You can also check-in and read detailed information, such as customer ratings, price ranges, hours of service and more.
Hear the new sound of advanced guidance. Improved, intuitive navigation feels like driving with a friend. Garmin Real Directions guide using easy-to-see landmarks, buildings and traffic lights – rather than hard-to-read street names. Garmin Real Voice is refined speech technology that speaks in a natural-sounding voice. Available only from Garmin.
Direct Access simplifies navigating to select complex destinations, like shopping malls and airports. Direct Access can find a specific place within a larger location. Rather than just guide you to the shopping mall, Direct Access can navigate through the parking lot, to the closest entrance and give details about a specific store inside.
As you prepare to drive through an exit or interchange, a live-action model with brightly colored arrows indicates the proper lane needed for your next turn. A helpful voice offers additional guidance. Businesses open and close, new roads are built. Be confident that your routes reflect current map data. Enjoy free map updates, available to download on Garmin.com, for the useful life of your nüvi.
Keep moving with Garmin traffic information, free for the useful life of one Garmin device.
Navigate confidently through interchanges, even those you’ve never driven before. photoReal junction view offers realistic displays of junctions and interchanges along your route, including road signs and the surrounding landscape. Brightly colored arrows indicate the proper lane position needed for your next turn, to ease the stress of merging on or off a roadway. Bird’s Eye junction view provides a detailed view of interchanges, looking down from overhead.
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