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Garmin Nuvi Upgrades
Garmin has produced a variety of models since they first began manufacturing portable navigation devices in the 21st century. As technology, maps and consumer demands have evolved; Garmin Nuvi upgrades have taken place to improve previous models, add more features and include opportunities for users to personalize their device to make themexclusive travel assistants.
The Garmin Nuvi 1200 series is an example of how a Garmin device has been improved and upgraded to include more features and opportunities for users. Introduced in 2009, the 3.5 inch (8.89cm) screen device was one of the thinner models to come out onto the market at the time. The slim design, 25 percent thinner than previous models, has been one of the features enjoyed by Garmin users because it allows it to be carried around easily and slipped into a pocket or handbag when not in use. Because of this, most of the more modern devices have moved towards this design. It was also one of the first less-expensive devices that included features from the more high-end models. Garmin Nuvi upgrades retained these features and included more.
Features of the Garmin Nuvi 1200 series include EcoRoute, a navigation tool that works out the most fuel-efficient route available. Navigation City Transit is a feature that includes opportunities for pedestrian navigation, providing a tool for visitors to a new city. The model also allows optional download of CityXplorer, which gives users essential information on points of importance in an unknown town such as the location of hospitals, petrol stations or police stations as well as added information on the city. Like many other devices, this GPS also gives users turn-by-turn directions with voice prompts but also mentions the street name to make directions clearer. With 2D or 3D maps, the 1200 Nuvi allows custom points of interest to be uploaded. JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock, currency converter, measurement converter, Garmin Lock, longitude and latitude coordinates as well as a calculator are added extras. Garmin Nuvi upgrades from this model – the 1300 series and the 1400 series – took this model and enhanced it to suit consumer demand and technology changes.
One of the biggest demands has been a consumer preference in wider screens. This was utilized by Garmin to produce the Garmin Nuvi upgrades of the 1300 series and 1400 series. The 1300 series saw the screen widen to 4.3 inches (10.922cm), still a slim model like the 1200 series but with a wider viewing option. It kept the same features of the 1200 series with a fuel-efficient route guide, regional mapping, points of interest and street names included in the turn-by-turn directions. It also includes photo navigation, where pictures can be downloaded from Garmin Connect Photos and the device can navigate to those photographs.
In terms of Garmin Nuvi upgrades, the 1400 series saw an even bigger jump in screen size compared to the 1200 series, with a 5 inch (12.7cm) screen. It maintains the slim design of the 1200 series as well, still making it light and convenient to carry aroundin a bag or pocket. It also maintains features from the 1200 series, but includes the lane assist feature, guiding drivers into the correct lane that they should be traveling in for their route. It also features optional lifetime mapping, multi-point routing and a speed limit display.
Garmin Nuvi upgrades in terms of the changes in series from the 1200 series show how customer preference along with the changes in technology as more features become available make the portable navigation industry ever-evolving. Models are constantly adapted and improved, making devices more personalized and feature-rich as travel assistants.
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