Garmin unveiled its latest portable GPS navigators at the CeBIT consumer electronics show in Hannover, Germany, last week revealing slender, portable units with a variety of features to aid pedestrian and driver navigation.

Among the notable features, these new devices promise to improve on pedestrian tools and add a public transit mode that supports optional CityXplorer content. Available by summer as a download for select cities for $10-$15, CityXplorer allows the user to plan and use routes that can include public transit options such as bus, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems. These look to be particularly helpful for traveling to major cities on business or vacation, and the lighter weight than the Nuvi 2x5 Series improves on the pocket-friendliness. However, these devices do not promise extended battery life, just the same four hours found in the Nuvi 2x5 Series, so users would need to be mindful of keeping the power on too long.

For drivers, the devices include ecoRoute, a feature set that plots routes with consideration to fuel economy and provides a fuel report to gauge consumption based on user input of city and highway mpg and basic driving parameters. Higher-end versions offer free traffic information and helpful lane-assist guidance. (ecoRoute is also available on the nuvi 2X5 and 7X5 models in a free software update.)

These new units include some standard features seen on other Garmin units, such as the ability to avoid highways and toll roads, text-to-speech for spoken street names, and Where Am I? to give current location and detail nearby emergency services. On the fun side, the navigators are compatible with Garmin Garage downloads enabling custom voices and icons, plus allow photo navigation and photo viewing. They do not have the Locate feature to remember where the vehicle was parked (noted by removing the device from the windshield mount), nor MP3 playback.

While all the devices are FM traffic and MSN Direct Compatible, only the models denoted by a “T” include a receiver. Typically, additional money for a similar unit with a traffic receiver is equal to or less than the cost for adding a receiver separately. (Garmin lists the GTM 25 receiver with lifetime traffic for $120.)

Guide to the Nuvi 1200 and Nuvi 1300

The Nuvi 1200 series has a 3.5-inch screen and the Nuvi 1300 series has a 4.3-inch screen. Each product range has several variations that add features. The list below shows the progression, with only the differences noted, unless necessary to repeat a feature for clarity.

Nuvi 1200 ($200) – Spoken street names, traffic capable, MSN Direct compatible, maps of lower 48 states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Nuvi 1250 ($250) – Full North America maps.

Nuvi 1260T ($300) - Free traffic information with included receiver, Bluetooth connectivity.

Nuvi 1300 ($250) - Spoken street names, MSN Direct compatible, maps of lower 48 states, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Nuvi 1350 ($300) – Lane assist, speed limit indicator, full North America maps.

Nuvi 1350T ($350) – Free traffic information.

Nuvi 1370T ($450) – Free traffic information with included receiver, Bluetooth connectivity, full North America and Europe maps.

Nuvi 1390T ($400) - Junction view (similar to reality view).

All models will be on sale late May, and we will test the new Nuvi 1200 and Nuvi 1300 devices once they become available.

—Jeff Bartlett

For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. If you're interested in going off the beaten path, See our handheld hiking GPS buying advice and Ratings. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.