Garmin nuvi 500

The Garmin nuvi 500 promises all-in-one GPS performance -- driving, cycling, hiking, geocaching and boating. Experts and users agree that it's just as good as other Garmin GPS receivers while driving, but they disagree on its other modes. Most owners who have hiked with the nuvi 500 say they're pleased, but experts say it's missing some features that are useful for hiking and geocaching. They say the nuvi 500 also seems more delicate than a rugged handheld device and more awkward to hold.

On the plus side, the Garmin nuvi 500 offers important driving features, such as the ability to sort several destinations into one efficient route. It also speaks street names (several older reviews say it doesn't, but Garmin added that feature in 2009). For off-road use, testers also appreciate the eight-hour battery, and the ability to replace it with an extra one. We found no expert tests of the nuvi 500's boating feature, but it is waterproof to IPX-7, so it can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes. If you don't need the off-road versatility, reviews recommend other Garmin models instead, including the budget-priced Garmin nuvi 265T (*Est. $185) with Bluetooth and free traffic information for the life of the unit.

GPSTracklog.com and PCMag.com test the hiking and geocaching features of the Garmin nuvi 500 more extensively than other sources. CNET tests the unit both driving and walking in the city. GPSMagazine.com, ConsumerReports.org and Choice magazine test only the nuvi 500's driving performance. User reviews at Amazon.com address hiking and driving, as well as motorcycling.