New Garmin Nuvi 500 / 550

[davidr]

Garmin have released a new unit the Nuvi 500 and 550 which incorpoarates a wide feature set for multi-use GPS users.

This is a waterproof GPS with a loudspeak, which makes it suitable for motorcycles, cars and some hiking, adventure functions.

Here are some more details :



------------------------------------------------

Drive, hike, bike or boat. With the rugged, waterproof, multi-mode nüvi 500, you can do it all. Packed with detailed street and topographic maps, nüvi 500 is ready for adventure both on and off the beaten path. Like the 550, nüvi 500 switches modes to navigate your active lifestyle and provides spoken turn-by-turn directions to your destination.
Take It Anywhere

nüvi 500 features driving, walking, bicycling and boating modes which customize your nüvi specifically for your method of travel. This portable hybrid combines the advanced navigation features and large, color display found in automotive units with the durability of an outdoor handheld. Sleek and slim, you can slip nüvi 500 into your pocket or backpack. The user-replaceable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery lets nüvi navigate you on roads or off.
Get Turn-by-Turn Directions

nüvi 500's intuitive interface greets you with two simple questions: "Where to?" and "View Map." Touch the color screen to easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions to your destination. It comes preloaded with City Navigator® NT map data for the lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico or one European region or country (click Versions tab to view all). It’s packed with millions of points of interest (POIs) and features digital elevation maps that show you shaded terrain contours at higher zoom levels. With nüvi 500, you can upload custom points of interest (POIs) and navigate to geo-tagged photos. If you're lost, use the Where Am I? emergency locator to view your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations.
Navigate Off-Road

nüvi 500 also includes preloaded U.S. topographic maps and accepts optional mapping for all of your outdoor adventures (see Maps tab for compatible maps). Conveniently plug in BlueChart® g2 Vision and Inland Lakes Vision marine maps on a microSD™ card for a great day on the water. The card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet. With its high-sensitivity GPS receiver and HotFix™ satellite prediction, nüvi 500 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover, deep canyons and near tall building and trees.
Expand Your GPS

Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 500 includes many travel tools, including world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. Show off photos of your excursions with nüvi's picture viewer. Even download geocaches and instructions from Geocaching.com straight to your unit. nüvi 500 comes preloaded with a free MAD Maps scenic road trip for Historic Route 66. Get turn-by-turn directions on motorcycle-friendly roads and insider tips for an unforgettable ride across America. It supports optional FM traffic alerts or optional MSN® Direct content. The 500 also features Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with our free Garmin Garage, where you can download custom vehicles that show your location on the map.

---------------------------------------------

From Garmin.com