Jim, The nuvi 465T is your best bet... http://gpstracklog.com/2009/05/garmin-nuvi-465t-review.html It's only 4.3"; they don't have a 5" or 7" edition yet, though that may be coming. I haven't seen many freezing problems myself. Hope this helps.

All nuvis have a pedestrian mode, but only the 1xxx series can use the CityXplorer enhanced pedestrian maps... http://gpstracklog.com/2009/06/garmin-cityxplorer-review.html For a 3.5" model, you'd be looking at the 12xx series. I don't think the pedestrian navigation is all that great without these maps, and I'm not even sure how useful they are unless you're using mass transit.

The best things about the 775T, in addition to multi-destination routing, are its powered mount and superior Bluetooth. The best thing about the 1370T is its compatibility with CityXplorer maps, which could be nice if you're exploring on foot, and more than nice if using mass transit... http://gpstracklog.com/2009/06/garmin-cityxplorer-review.html If none of those features are make or break, I'd go with the cheapest. Hope this helps.

Just enter the highway number only. In other words, instead of something like US Hwy 89, enter "89" when it asks for the street. For I-40, enter "40." This should work fine.

I've seen occasional reports of this issue. I'd suggest making sure you have the latest firmware and also doing a screen calibration. If that doesn't work, yes, I'd return it. From the Garmin support pages: 1. Start with the unit powered OFF and unplugged from power supply. 2. Press and hold your finger anywhere on the touch screen 3. Next, slide the power switch ON and immediately slide it into the Lock position. There is no need to wait for the screen to flash on or show the Garmin logo before moving the switch into the Lock position. 4. Leave your finger on the screen for about 45 seconds. 5. Two intersecting lines should display on the screen along with the message: Press Dot.

I'm biased because I prefer touch screen input over voice (I find it faster). But if you drive solo a lot, voice commands might be desiarbale. Leaving that out of the equation though, I'd probably go with the 855 anyway, due to the custom avoidances feature: http://gpstracklog.com/2008/03/custom-route-av.html This might be especially useful if you were going to be using it in an area you are familiar with, like your hometown. Hope this helps.

@ Ruth - You're right. All "T" units except the 885T display ads. The 855 will meet all your needs, but be aware that the street signs / junction view feature has pretty sparse coverage. The only place I've seen it show up is Atlanta. If that is a deal breaker, you should be looking at TomToms, but their voice command feature is nowhere near as good as the nuvi 800 series. @ Joey - You're exactly right. All nuvis route as well as the highest end models in the line. Minor exceptions would be (1) some low end models are missing maps of Alaska or Canada (2) Some high end models offer multi-destination routing, including a route optimization feature (3) traffic units will route to avoid traffic (4) the connected nuvi 1690 will give you access to more points of interest, via its Google connection.

The nuvi 500 and 550 are waterproof. Another marine unit to look at is the Garmin GPSMAP 640. The best units for motorcycles are the Garmin zumo series. Hope this helps!

No, I'm afraid not.

Are you wanting topo or street maps? This process will work with OSM maps from http://downloads.cloudmade.com/: How do I transfer the .img file to my Garmin GPS? This is easiest where your GPS unit can be put into “USB mass storage” mode, or where you are using a removable micro-SD card. In both cases the .img file needs to be renamed to ‘gmapsupp.img’ and put in the ‘Garmin’ subfolder. If you can’t access the GPS memory like this, then sendMap can be downloaded from cGPSmapper and can transfer .img files over both serial and usb connections. The Garmin maps look a bit funny. Why? The .img files from downloads.cloudmade.com are our “OpenStreetMap Error Edition”. These are intended to help OSM volunteers when they are out mapping, and so highlight roads that are missing names and other features that may be of interest only to mappers. If you’re not helping out with OSM then it may look a little confusing! (from http://www.cloudmade.com/faq#downloads )

Yes, you can just pull the SD card and add it to her unit, but yours will revert to the pre-loaded 2009 maps. They can't be copied.

Joy, of the ones you mentioned, I'd lean towards the nuvi 765T, 1390T or 1490T. I hear complaints about TomTom not verbally indicating which side of the road the destination is on. And I'd avoid the 785T for the reasons mentioned by Dovey. Hope this helps!

There will be more changes in fast growing areas. A purchased unit could have been sitting on the shelf for awhile, so no, it may not have the latest map. I'd update. Why pass up a free update that later could cost you $50+? Hope this helps.

Glenda, I'd look at the nuvi 755 or 1350. The 755 is a bit easier to connect each time, since the power lead goes into the mount; on the 1350, you'll have to plug in the mini-USB cable each time. Unfortunately, none of these are very easy to update. I hear lots of complaints about the process. One other thing to be aware of -- lane assist coverage is limited to a very few metro areas. I've only seen it in Atlanta. Hope this helps.

You absolutely can. The one thing to consider though, is that nuvi 1xxx units can make better use of certain CityXplorer map features, such as pedestrian routing that utilizes mass transit... http://gpstracklog.com/2009/06/garmin-cityxplorer-review.html

Yes, that is a good price. I don't know why Amazon does that. There is no 275, only the 275T. The windshield suction mount and charger are included. The traffic receiver is integrated into the charger. Here's an old post I wrote about what is still my favorite mount, which can be used with any nuvi... http://gpstracklog.com/2007/12/garmin-friction.html

Not a problem. Bluetooth will allow you to link your phone to the GPS unit, so you can use the GPS to initiate calls and receive them, using the speaker and microphone on the GPS, allowing you to go "hands-free". The call quality is often poor for the person on the other end of the call. The 7x5 series has the best quality I've heard, good enough for every day use. YMMV, of course!

The 775T also adds multi-destination routing, and the Bluetooth quality is much better (in my experience).

All of them. Use Where to > Coordinates.

Thanks Vince!

@Steve - That's a great unit, one of my faves. You can use the touchscreen on the 885T, but if you prefer to use that, paying for voice input is a waste. @Julian - The 775T is simply an older unit. The one big plus for the 1370 is that it accepts Garmin's CityXplorer maps, something that may be important to you traveling in Europe.

Lane assist on both are great, but Garmin's coverage has been lacking in the southeast. One reviewer from the northeast said they had better coverage than TomTom there though. YMMV. Generally speaking, TomTom offers more options for customization, which means more menus, etc. I find Garmin to be more intuitive. The problem with some of the low end TomToms is that they don't have enough space for map updates. It sounds like there are fixes available, but a bit more memory would have saved everyone concerned a lot of pain.

Ease of use? The Garmin, hands down. Reliability and accuracy of maps are harder to pin down, and very dependent upon area. In general, if you're in a rural area, I think the Garmin will be better. One other consideration -- if you're in an area with traffic problems, the TomTom may produce better routes during routine high traffic periods, thanks to their IQ Routes historical traffic database. Hope this helps.

From the garmin.com support pages: "Currently the nuvi 8xx series will recognize English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Dutch."