Garmin nuvi 2450 Review

GPS devices may not be as popular as smartphones but the recent improvements by their respective manufacturers show that dedicated GPS devices are far more reliable than the smartphones and other devices outfitted with GPS capabilities. Previously, these devices were quite pricey but the prices are now lowering and the entry-level devices are finally getting some good treatment often having enough features for most drivers to appreciate. Garmin is one of the companies that do their GPS devices right with the Garmin nuvi series and the Garmin nuvi 2450 takes the value series to another level.

Garmin nuvi 2450 GPS Navigator

Design

The Garmin nuvi 2450 stands out from the rest of the models because of its large 5-inch screen. It has the same style accents as other Garmin nuvi devices so it blends with the family and fans of the older Garmin devices will like what they see. The device is still light weighing just under 7 ounces.

Interface

There are a few cosmetic changes to the interface to make the device more accessible and require fewer touches on the display. Fans of the original interface will be pleased to see the "Where To?" and "View Map" icons in their usual spots. They look very large on the 5-inch 480 x 272 resolution display so users can conveniently go to these areas to plan their own routes. These two large icons are accompanied with several smaller icons on the bottom and right side. At a glance, the interface looks a bit cluttered since the two main icons are no longer centered but it also means that useful features like the ecoRoute function and "Where Am I" function are much easier to access.

Navigation Features

The 2-D and 3-D maps make great use of the screen real estate and that helps greatly with navigation. Users can see the City Navigator NT street maps up close by zooming so they can see elevation data or they can zoom out to get a better view of the different points of interests. There are millions of these points scattered across North America. Up to 100 routes can be saved and advanced routes can be simulated with ease thanks to the large display. These destinations can be sorted so users can effectively come up with a routine. CityXplorer content can also help those that need to get around cities that they are not familiar with by showing important details regarding the local public transportation.

The ecoRoute feature can optionally assist if there is a desire to save as much fuel as possible and the device calculates this route nicely based on the acceleration and speed data of the vehicle using the road. No matter what route is planned, the device will provide voice prompts to ensure that the driver is on course.

The popular Lane Assist feature makes a return and the lanes are much more visible since it users a larger display. A graphical representation of the lane is shown when the driver enters a highway. Once an exit needs to be taken, the feature highlights the lane that the driver needs to be in so the driver can make the turn without problems.

Another fairly new technology is the nuRoute technology which helps plan routes automatically depending on previous routes made. This acts as a time saver for people that want to reach their destinations faster without worrying about the GPS device. This feature requires no subscription of any sort.

Extras

Below the ecoRoute icon is the "Where Am I?" icon which is a feature that will mainly be used for emergency situations. The map coordinates are shown on the large display so they can be forwarded to others that need to find you quickly. It also shows any hospitals, fuel stations, police stations, and other important addresses nearby.

Like all modern Garmin nuvi devices, the nuvi 2450 has many small utilities that can be used whenever needed. This includes a calculator, a few converters, a world clock, and a few others. It has a microSD card slot so inserted cards can hold downloaded content and the Garmin Connect Photos services allows photos to be placed on the map for easier navigation.

Bottom Line

This affordably priced unit may lack some of the features like Bluetooth and Lifetime Traffic updates but if you care more about larger screens than fancy features this GPS is for you.

List Price: $219.99

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