The last time I took my family on vacation without a GPS, I was irritated before we got out of town. I tried to let my wife read the map, which was a bad idea. Perhaps schools should teach basic map reading to girls when they take them out of class that one day during health to learn about girly parts and pregnancy. The easy remedy to this is to use GPS, which can be a marriage saver.

Garmin has announced a new GPS device called the nuvi 1490T that has a thin profile and a large 5-inch screen. The large screen is touch enabled and can save five different routes to allow route planning in advance.

GPS devices are becoming very common for not only automotive use, but for those needing directions when walking or riding a bike. Garmin is one of the biggest names in GPS navigation and the company announced several new GPS models at CeBIT 2009 in Germany today.

The new models are in the nuvi 1200 and 1300 families and all offer thin profiles with the ability to give directions when driving or walking. One new feature of all the devices is optional CityXplorer maps that are available for select tourist destinations around the globe.

Garmin grew its family of nuvi GPS navigators by four today as it introduced the 2×5 models. These models - the nuvi 255, 255w, 205 and 205W - are considered entry level models by Garmin and part of its nuvi 200 series.

Garmin’s new 2×5 nuvis offer up, according to Garmin, “improved mapping and routing features, faster satellite acquisition, navigation by photos, FM traffic updates or dynamic content from MSN Direct.” They make use of 4.3-inch or 3.5-inch touchscreen displays with a new shaded elevation map display and include support for download of one’s choice of millions of geo-located photos from Google for use as a more visual navigation guide.

Today in an unexpected announcement Garmin, makers of all types of GPS devices, threw their hat into the cell phone market ring with the Garmin nuvifone. The nuvifone’s cornerstone is still as a GPS device but it is also a full-on GSM HDSPA smartphone with a large 3.5-inch touchscreen and modes for calling, searching and viewing maps. It even sports an internet browser with Google local search built in.

Like other Garmin GPS devices the nuvifone carries pre-loaded maps of North America or Europe, a media player, millions of points of interest and voice promted turn-by-turn directions. But with this one there is much more. Ever forget where you parked your car in the parking lot? When you take the nuvifone out of its mount it will take note of where its at and help you find it later.

A “Where am I?” feature gives you quick access to the nearest address, intersection, closest hospital or just your latitude and longitude coordinates whenever you need it. Hey, you never know when you’ll need them to properly set up your telescope. A built in camera comes standard and of course it will geo-tag your photos, and Garmin Online brings real-time traffic, stock info, sports action and news right to the device. And of course don’t forget email, text and instant messaging.