garmin handheld gps reviews

September 10, 2010

Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 8:45 am

Garmin 010-00858-20


I bought this recently for a trip to LA. Overall, it’s a big improvement over the Garmin Nuvi 350 it replaces. But it has a few things that buyers should be aware of:

1) First off, and this is my biggest disappointment, the traffic functions of this are HORRIBLE. Leaving San Francisco at 6am all of the sudden the GPS said ’severe traffic ahead’ and wanted to route me 40 MINUTES out of the way. I decided, you know what, it’s 6am, unless there is some accident, there isn’t traffic at this hour. Sure enough, I sailed through the area without a SINGLE incident, 70mph the whole way. Had I blindly listened to the 3790T I would have added 40 minutes to a 6 hour car ride. Several other times too the traffic indicator would indicate traffic problems when there weren’t any, and then when I was in bumper to bumper traffic, was showing green all the way. Needless to say I immediately disabled the traffic functions. They are seemingly 100% worthless.

2) There is no longer an MP3 player on the Nuvi. I never used my old one, but just FYI it’s gone.

3) Battery life is pretty bad. My old Nuvi was much better. I know, this screen is much brighter, etc. But even with the screen at 20% brightness, the battery only lasts a couple of hours. Now in your car, not a huge deal. But as a pedestrian, this isn’t very good.

4) There doesn’t seem to be a screen like my 350 has, that shows you what satellites it’s locked onto. I don’t suppose you ‘need’ this, but it was neat to see, and also was useful to see how close the Nuvi was to getting a locked signal. But the 3790T certainly seems to lock onto the signal faster, and holds it better too.

5) This thing gets HOT. And it makes me nervous. I mean, is black really the best color for something that is going to sit on your dashboard? It never hiccuped, in 6 hours of driving when the unit was baking in the sun, but still I can’t help thinking it feels too hot.

6) The build quality seems ‘ok’, but on my unit, the speaker cover on the back squeaks and is a bit loose. Maybe that sounds picky, but it just shouldn’t be that way.

7) while the screen is really bright and gorgeous, the glass on the thing picks up EVERY smudge, fingerprint, etc. Once it’s on, you won’t see them, but with it off, you’ll probably tend to constantly wipe the screen. Wish they would have gone with a more ‘matt’ coating like on the previous Nuvis.

8) voice command, while really useful, has a ‘lag’ before it starts listening to you. So it will say ’speak a category’ and you really have to watch the little icon in the corner for it to go green before speaking, or it won’t hear you. I find this lag a bit too long, as at least half the time I have to repeat myself since the Nuvi took to long to start ‘listening’ to me. I suppose I’ll get used to that. But wish it didn’t have that ‘pause’ between when it tells you to talk, and when it actually starts listening. But it seems fairly accurate.

9) Bluetooth voice quality sure didn’t sound very good. But this is the first time I’ve tried to use a GPS with a Bluetooth phone, so don’t have much frame of reference.

Some great things:

The maps on the 3790T look great, the 3D terrain is really fun, the speed limit indicators are great, and seem very accurate. I love the lane suggestions, and that there are pictures of interchanges, all in all, navigating with the GPS is great.

The 3790T is a slick GPS for sure, thin, great screen, good navigation, and the 3D terrain maps are great. Just wanted to share these few observations with anyone thinking of getting one.

Good Graphics and Form Factor but Engineering Issues – B. nguyen – CA
I bought this unit from Amazon. They did a great job of packaging it and sending in a timely manner. The GPS unit is very nice looking, indeed. The unit is very slippery and too thin to handle. With this said, the unit can easily slip right out of your hands if you are not careful. The graphics is fantastic, just like my Google Nexus One phone.

Problems:
1. The housing is mainly metallic, which causes heat issues when docked on the dash board in the sun during road trips.
2. Because the unit gets extremely hot, the battery stops charging in order to keep the battery from catching on fire. Because the battery stopped charging, the unit will dissipate the charge from the battery nearly to empty in a matter of a few hours (VERY DISAPPOINTING).
3. Lane assistance worked but the junction view just flashed for a few seconds and disappeared. I don’t know if the junction view really has any added values other than “wow it looks cool”.
4. There are a number of destinations that are 1/4 – 1/2 mile off from its true destination (very frustrating!!).
5. The power button is very hard to press.

Verdict:
Returned. If you don’t mind the above issues, then you can purchase it. A better alternative is Garmin Nuvi 1350. It can do the same job with none of the problems metioned above for 9. Sure the form factor is not as thin, but it is thin enough to stowe away in your pocket.

Mostly a “Pretty Face” – GeneAlbert – U.S.A
If you are looking for a GPS system primarily for its “Pretty Face”, the 3790T is the one to buy (if you don’t mind the steep price). If you are looking for something more from a GPS system, then keep looking and comparing.

Over a three month period, I bought a Garmin nuvi 1690 nuLink, a Garmin nuvi 3790T nuRoute, and a TomTom Go 740TM Live, my son and I used these systems in varying driving conditions (highway, rush hour traffic in major metropolitan areas, as well in leisure driving conditions. Here is what we observed:

1. The 3790T has the best screen viewing, average POI (built-in) searches, with average traffic reporting, and available only in areas where the the traffic radio signal was present (due to a non cellular connection, such as nuLink). The so called “nuRoute” never showed any significant difference in routing over a three week period of use. By the way, as noted by other reviewers, there does seem to be a heat problem with the 3790T, perhaps because of the black metallic case, etc.

2. The 1690 nuLink has the best POI/Google/White Pages, search system, with decent traffic reporting (due to the cellular nuLink system), but not much in automatic re-routing.

3. The TomTom Go 740TM has the best traffic routing (with automatic re-routing built into the software), allowing for more relaxed driving in rush hour (heavy traffic) conditions. The combination of having the “T” (free life time traffic) as well as the cellular “Live” system, coupled with I.Q. Route, allows for the most flexibility of receiving traffic information under varying driving conditions. As far as the looks of maps goes, the Garmin has the TomTom beat, but not to a significant extent. The “M” feature (free lifetime maps) are a bonus. Finally, the adjustability of the 740TM Live is far superior to any of the Garmin GPS systems that we have owned, although, if you prefer simplicity of menus, in lieu of flexibility and adjustability, then stick with the Garmin. The “Live” cellular feature on the 740TM Live, like the “nuLink” on the 1690, provides Google searches, as well as built-in POI searches, Weather, and Gasoline prices, etc. These features, as noted above, are missing from the 3790T.

By the way, in comparing the Customer Service of both Garmin and TomTom, I found no significant difference. With both, wait times of up to 30 minutes were not uncommon and the quality of help received depends on which agent answers the phone.

In conclusion, a GPS system is designed to get you from point A to point B. All three systems we tested, did a great job in doing so. For us a major consideration in usefulness of a GPS system is, what does the GPS software do with the traffic data it is receiving, be it by the “T” traffic cable or by the cellular connection (Garmin nuLink, or TomTom Live). It is our opinion that the TomTom software does a better job of deciphering the incoming traffic data and a better job in offering automatic re-routing options, than do any of the Garmin systems we tested.

I decided to return both the 3790T nuRoute and the 1690 nuLink. I decided to keep the TomTom Go 740TM Live, primarily because of its “Work Horse” qualities and its adjustability (especially in the fine tuning and updating of the system capability), and its superior handling of incoming traffic data. I opted to pass on the “Pretty Face” qualities of the 3790T

Not much reason to upgrade to 3790T – T. Bell – Seattle, WA USA
If you already have a Garmin gps, there may not be much reason to upgrade to the 3790T. I owned a nuvi 660 for the past few years. It worked pretty good, but would get confused when I drive in downtown urban canyons with tall buildings and narrow streets. In particular, driving in Downtown San Francisco was laughable – with constant annoucements of “recalculating” as the gps signal bounced crazily off the office towers.

I decided to try a new Garmin (I do think Garmin is superior to all other gps units I’ve tried), and ordered the nuvi 3790T. Out of the box, I found the set up and updating difficult on my Mac. (Garmin has always treated Mac owners as second class citizens.) I was shocked to see almost no ability to download languages, voices, vehicle symbols, etc. My nuvi 660 had the capability to download numerous voices in English. I found British Emily on my 660 to have the most respectful voice when giving directions. :-)

My other issue is the unit is so small and so slippery, it worries me I’ll drop and break it gettting in and out of the car with it. Get a protective case if you buy one! On the plus side, it is easier to pack for business trips. The new folding dash mount packs easier than the previous version and it does not slip around on my dash as much as the old one.

A comment on the traffic alert advertisements that pop up. These sure are annoying and I’d pay a little extra to be able to avoid them. Who bothers to read these anyway!?

There is more good. The voice command works very well and is useful for hands free direction finding. The display graphics are excellent – much better than my nuvi 660. The unit gets a lock on satellites quicker than my old 660 – which would some times hang up searching for several minutes. The 3790T usually gets a lock in a minute or so. Overall the unit is not bad, just don’t expect a dramatic improvement over previous models and in some ways (like the ability to download voices), it is a step backward.


Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

  • Less than 9 mm thick – about the same as a standard #2 pencil
  • Full glass 4.3″ diagonal multi-touch display
  • Dual orientation capabilities allow you to use the nüvi 3790T either horizontally or vertically
  • Innovative speech recognition let’s you control your nüvi with your voice – allowing you to keep both hands on the whee
  • Bluetooth® compatible with a built-in microphone and speaker

Nuvi 3790T GPS
Experience uniquely personal navigation from the elegantly slim nüvi 3790T. It features a multi-touch glass display, nüRoute™ technology with trafficTrends™ and myTrends™, voice-activated navigation, 3-D building and terrain view, lane assist with junction view, hands-free calling compatibility and subscription-free traffic alerts.

Less than 9mm thick

Award-Winning Design         

Versatile and compact for car or pedestrian use

                                     
The new nüvi is less than 9 mm thick, about the same as a standard #2 pencil. It has a full glass 4.3” diagonal multi-touch display. Dual orientation capabilities allow you to use the nüvi 3790T either horizontally or vertically, fitting smartly in your hand when walking. Sleek design also disappears neatly into your pocket or purse. With a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it’s ready to guide you by car or foot.

Experience nüRoute™ Technology with trafficTrends™ and myTrends™
Smart and good-looking, this uniquely personal navigator comes with advanced routing capabilities that include trafficTrends™ and myTrends™. There’s no subscription necessary, no added costs, your nüvi 3790T just does it.

With trafficTrends, your nüvi 3790T automatically learns daytime trends for traffic flow to improve your routes and better predict your estimated time of arrival based on time of day and day of week. And you get free trafficTrends™ updates every time you connect your device to myGarmin.

With myTrends, when you save your regular destinations in your “Favorites,” your nüvi 3790T will, over time, begin to figure out where you’re going even without your telling it! It provides time of arrival and relevant traffic information. So whether you’re driving to and from work or a regularly scheduled weekly event, your nüvi 3790T will help you get there on time.

Speak Commands
nüvi 3790T not only tells you where to turn but listens to your spoken commands. With its innovative speech recognition, you can control nüvi with your voice — allowing you to keep both hands on the wheel. Simply wake up nüvi with a customizable voice command and begin speaking menu options that are clearly displayed on the screen. Tell nüvi “”Find Address”" and speak an address to start navigating.

Know the Lane Before It’s Too Late
No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist with junction view guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.

Make Hands-free Calls
For hands-free calling, nüvi 3790T integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker. Just pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 3790T while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with its touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient one-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.

Receive Subscription-Free Traffic Alerts
Steer clear of traffic with the integrated FM traffic receiver and free lifetime¹ traffic updates. Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Next, simply touch the screen on nüvi to view traffic details or detour around the problem area.

Dual orientation capabilities allow you to use the nüvi 3790T either horizontally or vertically, fitting smarly in your hand when walking.

Navigate City Transit
With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities and dual-oriented screen, nüvi 3790T is the perfect travel companion for getting around town. Download optional cityXplorer™ content to help you navigate the big city. In addition to knowing where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, tram or other transportation you’ll also have access to mass transit schedules and estimated travel time to your destination. cityXplorer maps are available for select cities throughout North America and Europe. And with prices as low as .99, you’ll have money left over to spend in the big city.

Get Turn-by-Turn Directions. See Buildings and Terrain in 3-D
nüvi 3790T has an intuitive interface that greets you with two simple questions: “”Where To?”" and “”View Map.”" Touch the color screen to easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to your destination It comes preloaded with detailed City Navigator® NT street maps for the U.S, Canada and Mexico with nearly 6 million points of interest (POIs) such as stores, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, gas stations, ATMs and more, and speed limits for most major roads. With 3-D Building and Terrain view, you’ll see representations of prominent buildings in many cities and map contours at low zoom levels, giving you a realistic perspective of the terrain.

Go Beyond Navigation
Also offered on nüvi 3790T are standard nüvi features that go beyond navigation. For example, ecoRoute — a green feature that calculates a more fuel-efficient route, tracks fuel usage and more. The 3790T includes many travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. With photo navigation, you can download pictures from Garmin Connect™ Photos and navigate to them. With its “”Where Am I?”" emergency locator, you always know your location. Simply tap the screen to get your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations. The 3790T features Garmin Lock™, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with our free Garmin Garage where you can download custom voices and vehicles. Enhance your travel experience with optional plug-in microSD™ cards.

Compare the nüvi 3700 Series Features
nüvi 3700 Series Features
nüvi 3750
nüvi 3760T
nüvi 3790T
Detailed Map Coverage*
Y
Y
Y
Voice activated navigation
N
N
Y
Traffic
Compatible
Lifetime traffic
Lifetime traffic
Hands-free calling
N
Y
Y
3D terrain and buildings
N
N
Y

* Full coverage mapping for the U.S. and Canada. Now includes Mexico.


What’s in the Box
nüvi 3790, preloaded street maps for the U.S., Canada and Mexico, vehicle suction cup mount with speaker, FM traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, USB cable dashboard disc, and quick start manual.

¹Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter. Traffic content not available for all areas. See www.navteq.com/rdstraffic for traffic coverage areas and www.garmin.com/traffic/fm/navteq.html for program License Agreement containing complete terms and conditions.

Shop Garmin nüvi 3790T 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Online, Shop Garmin 010-00858-20 Online

September 9, 2010

Garmin nüvi 1490/1490T 5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:15 am

Garmin 010-00810-05


I purchased a refurb unit and received it two days earlier than advertised. Great service from Amazon. I was a little apprehensive with the map update after reading some of the reviews. Even though this was a refurb, I had no problem downloading the latest maps. It took about 30-45 minutes for the whole process.

I really like the BlueTooth feature. I have never used this on my cell. Connection was a snap and all of my contacts and numbers are right there on the GPS screen. The large screen is easy to view in bright sunlight. The voice prompts were loud enough and clear.

I have only given it a test drive and found that the destination was easy to program and the unit worked as advertised. We are going on a trip this weekend, so I will update this review after the trip and let you know how the unit performed under those conditions.

+++++++++++++++++++++ Update +++++++++++++

Update to my original review. We took a 200 mile trip this weekend from Williamsburg, VA to Jacksonville, NC. There are no interstates between the two, just a lot of rural roads with beautiful scenery. The Garmin worked as advertised, no freeze ups, lost maps or any problems. The issue reported by others regarding advertisements was a non-issue for us. We only saw a couple of ads and they only appeared when we stopped for a break.

The only issue that I have is the bluetooth feature and this may be a user head space issue. The connection was easy and the Garmin displayed my phone book and call history. The issue is that when I turn the unit off and back on at a later time, I cannot find my contact list, call history and the Phone Icon is not visible on the home page. I will need to investigate later when I have the time. This is the only reason that I did not give it a 5 star rating.

Anyway, we are very pleased with this refurb unit.

Great GPS! – SK –
I have been using this unit for couple of weeks and absolutely love it. It works great and in style. Love the lane assist and automatic rerouting if traffic congestion is detected.. truly a blessing in my part of this world!

Highly recommended!

Better than Magellan Road Mate 1475T – spentonbargains – Cleburne, TX
Did a Magellan Road Mate engineer write the review for it? I have owned both the Garmin Nuvi 1490T and the Magellan Road Mate 1475T.
Both have flaws, but the Magellan will drive you crazy. The problems with the Magellan:
1. Voice sounds like a muffled tin can -sometimes hard to understand.
2. Gets confused coming out of a side-excursion, if you turn your car off, then back on, like at a restaurant.
3. Can’t find simple names of things, like a community hospital.
4. Traffic on the Magellan is worthless; it doesn’t re-route you in heavy traffic like the Garmin.
5. I prefer the Garmin’s 400ft…300ft…200ft….100ft. over the “ding-ding” of the Magellan, which doesn’t always “ding” until its too late.
6. The Magellan often doesn’t stick to the main road.
7. The Garmin is much more user friendly.
8. The Magellan keeps assigning “home” to a newly requested route.
Neither unit really has a North arrow. The Magellan has one only if it turns the entire screen while driving –
if you are going south, then your map is upside down, and you have to mentally figure out to turn left rather
than right because the map is upside down.
Ads…Ads…Ads..both have ads….worse on the Garmin
Both units have their flaws, but the Magellan RoadMate is definitely not better than the Garmin!

Adequate but disappointing, particularly compared to older models – Jeff Evans – Chicago, IL
Many other reviews have said it, but I must say it again. This model is a large step backwards in many ways from my previous Nuvi 350 (which I purchased in Dec. 2006 and used happily until it was stolen in November 2007). I have owned the 1490t since April of 2010 and been using it semi-regularly in various parts of the country since then. I won’t go into much detail on basic functionality any vehicle GPS should have. Everything more or less works correctly. Enter an address, it will calculate a route (eventually), and direct you to the destination. Search for points of interest, it may (see later) eventually find them and route you to them.

A few features of the unit are very nice.
* The lane assist is very useful, particularly on large highways with multiple merging/splitting junctions.
* The Garmin WebUpdater app for OS X works well and I’ve yet to encounter any bugs with updating the unit’s software. This is a huge improvement over my past experience.
* The screen is very bright, vibrant, and easy to see in any light.
* The UI is generally pretty snappy and there aren’t too many display hiccups within menus.

However, there are many more negatives that any potential owner should know about. Note these issues exist even as of the latest firmware at the time of this review (v4.40). I’ll list them in what I consider to be increasing order of severity.
* The calculated arrival time for a destination seems to assume you will speed around 10mph over the limit for the entire trip length, not once letting your foot off the gas pedal. In the extremely unusual event that you encounter a red light or some light traffic, watch in agony as a minute or two is added. It would have been very easy for them to assume a “delay factor” over perfect conditions (say, 10-20%) and adjust the estimated arrival time accordingly. Just be prepared to mentally add time to what it predicts based on the length of your trip.
* When in 2D mode (after clicking anywhere on the map in the 3D view), if your car drives off the screen, it does not re-center or otherwise attempt to scroll the map back to where your car is. There should be an option to do this.
* Map detail is inadequate, as many other reviews here and elsewhere (do a web search for Nuvi 1490t map detail) have noted. There’s no reason it shouldn’t be able to show EVERY street name on the closer zoom levels, if that’s what I want it to do.
* Pronunciation by the default voice (Jill?) is comically bad. I’m not referring to complicated or unusual street names either. Well-known street names like “Washington” are butchered, as is the word “left’ (as in, “Turn left on Washington Street.”). Simple and extremely common words like these should be flawless as they were on the 350.
* Calculating the route to a single point takes much longer than one would expect. My 350 would typically have directions ready for most addresses within 10-15 seconds. The minimum time with the 1490t seems to be around 30 seconds, and strangely, distance doesn’t seem to matter much. Calculating the route to an address 5 miles away takes perhaps 3-5 seconds less than for a destination 700 miles away.
* Searching for points of interest by name is also unacceptably slow. The 350 would have the first page of results populated within 5 seconds, but the 1490t takes around 20-30 seconds to even get the first page of results populated (even if you are searching for a known place that is definitely within a few miles).
* Several known POIs are simply not there. Chicago area establishments that have been around for years don’t appear in the search results when I’m on the street next to them. Not sure what the problem is here; the 350 never had problems finding anything (though this is perhaps a data – i.e. not Garmin – issue, I still feel compelled to mention it here).
* When entering an address, you still have to manually type in the city name, even though it assumes you’re going to the same state by default. From my experience, most of the time I want it to default to the current city, but this option simply isn’t there. I’m forced to type “Chi…” and click Chicago, THEN typing the address for about 75% of the addresses I enter.
* The touted real-time traffic feature is next to useless. I live in Chicago, a city infamous for its traffic, so I had been really looking forward to this feature. Unfortunately, the feature has a fatal flaw – it only seems to get data for highways. The 1490t basically assumes that local/city streets have a fixed speed (i.e. constant traffic), and ONLY accounts for highway traffic in your route. So if your initial route takes you on a busy highway during rush hour, which is moving at an average speed of, say, 25 mph, the 1490t will conclude that you’re better off taking city streets to bypass it, even if those are, in reality, creeping along at an average speed of 10 mph. In this case, your trip will be shorter if you simply ignore the detour and stay on the highway. Not to mention that if highway traffic really IS bad enough that it should be avoided, by the time the FM signal gets picked up and the 1490t churns through the data, it’s already too late. You’re better off tuning your car radio to a local radio station that does traffic reports and trying to figure out whether you’ll be driving on any of the bad spots mentioned.
* When you begin a trip, as is standard, the unit directs you to “drive to highlighted route” so it can start routing you. However, a major problem with the 1490t is that too often, this “starting point” (origin end of the purple line) is set behind you, or off to the side, often barely even on the screen. If you continue driving forward (as you would around 95% of the time), it will never fix itself by recalculating the start point to be in a more appropriate position for where you are. The unit happily stays in “drive to highlighted route” forever, even if you drive a mile or more away from the starting point, never once attempting to recalculate. If you’re lucky, you might see a portion of the purple line somewhere on the screen, which you can drive to and it will then pick up routing from there. Otherwise, you’re forced to Stop navigation and re-enter your destination again, this time hoping it will choose a starting point you can actually reach. This is, needless to say, incredibly frustrating, particularly when in an unfamiliar area when you need it to work the most.
* In Baltimore the directions actually told me to turn the wrong way onto a one-way street on two separate occasions. These streets have undoubtedly been one-way for a while before the maps that came with the unit were created. I consider this unsafe and completely unacceptable, though it may be more Navteq’s fault than Garmin’s. Still, I never had this problem on the 350 (though to be fair, I never drove in Baltimore with it).

I wouldn’t recommend buying this unit unless you get it for a very good price and you can live with the drawbacks (I wouldn’t, if I could go back). The newer Garmins have a dynamic traffic learning feature (called “myTrends” I believe) that supposedly learns the traffic patterns on roads you routinely take, over time (including city streets), and incorporates that into its route planning. If this feature works well, there’s absolutely no reason to be enticed by the woefully inadequate traffic features of the 1490t.

In the interest of completeness, I did not test any of the following features.
* Bluetooth
* Picture viewer
* Converters, calculators, etc.
* Custom maps, topo maps, or custom POIs
* Multi-point routing


Garmin nüvi 1490/1490T 5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

  • Brilliant color on a 5-inch touchscreen display, integrated Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker for hands-free calling
  • Lane assist with junction view that guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate
  • Includes advanced navigation features to take the worry out of traveling, including cityXplorer pedestrian maps
  • Steer clear of traffic with integrated FM traffic receiver
  • NOTE: Model number on the box is 1490T because the traffic receiver is included; however, the model number on the device itself is 1490 as the “T” in 1490T refers to the additional component

The large screen nüvi 1490T offers multiple-point routing and lane assist with junction view to help you manage busy highway interchanges. It also has subscription-free traffic alerts for most cities, hands-free calling, pedestrian navigation options and ecoRoute.

Navigation is just the beginning.

See Even More
It’s easy to see where you’re going on nüvi 1490T’s 5-inch touchscreen display. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. With its large screen, you’ll always get the big picture.

Navigate City Transit
With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities, nüvi 1490T is the perfect travel companion for getting around town. Download optional cityXplorer content to help you navigate city public transit. Know where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, tram or other transportation and how long it will take to get there. cityXplorer maps are available for select cities throughout North America and Europe. And with prices as low as .99, you’ll have money left over to spend in the big city.

Take It With You
Twenty-five percent slimmer than other nüvis, you can take the ultra-thin 1490T anywhere. It easily fits in your pocket or purse, and its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot.

Know the Lane Before It’s Too Late
No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist with junction view guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.

Plan Ahead
nüvi 1490T includes advanced navigation features to take the worry out of traveling. With route planning you can save 10 routes, specify via points and preview simulated turns on the 1490T’s large screen. In addition, nüvi 1490T automatically sorts multiple destinations to provide an efficient route for errands, deliveries or sales calls. A trip log provides an electronic bread crumb trail of up to 10,000 points, so you can see where you’ve been on the map.

Brilliant 5-inch touchscreen display. Click to enlarge.

Steer clear of traffic with the included FM traffic receiver and free lifetime traffic updates. Click to enlarge.

Get Turn-by-Turn Directions
nüvi 1490T’s intuitive interface greets you with two simple questions: “Where To?” and “View Map.” Touch the color screen to easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to your destination. It comes preloaded with detailed City Navigator NT street maps, nearly 6 million points of interest (POIs), 2-D or 3-D maps and the speed limit for most major roads. Its digital elevation maps show you shaded contours at higher zoom levels, giving you a big picture of the surrounding terrain. With the 1490T’s enhanced user interface, you can slide your finger to conveniently scroll between screens. You can also upload custom points of interest (POIs). And with HotFix satellite prediction, nüvi calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.

Make Hands-free Calls
For hands-free calling, nüvi 1490T integrates Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker. Just pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free through the 1490T while staying focused on the road. Simply dial numbers with nüvi’s touchscreen keypad to make a call. To answer calls, just tap the screen and speak into its built-in microphone. Enjoy convenient one-touch dialing for contacts and points of interest.

Receive Free Traffic Alerts
Steer clear of traffic with nüvi 1490T’s integrated FM traffic receiver and free lifetime* traffic updates. Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Next, simply touch nüvi’s screen to view traffic details or detour around the problem area. Watch informational video

Lifetime traffic extends for the useful life of your Garmin traffic receiver (as long as you own a compatible Garmin GPS) or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier, whichever is shorter.

Go Beyond Navigation
Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 1490T saves you gas and money with ecoRoute–a green feature that calculates the most fuel-efficient route, tracks fuel usage and more. The 1490T includes many travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. With photo navigation, you can download pictures from Garmin Connect Photos and navigate to them. It’s also compatible with MSN Direct (receiver purchase and subscription required). With its “Where Am I?” emergency locator, you always know your location. Simply tap the screen to get your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations. The 1490T features Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with our free Garmin Garage where you can download custom voices and vehicles. Enhance your travel experience with optional plug-in microSD cards.

What’s in the Box
nüvi 1490T, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America, Lifetime traffic, FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable, Vehicle suction cup mount, USB cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual

NOTE: The initial setup is crucial when first using your nüvi – it allows the device to find and sync with satellites. The startup screen will allow you to skip through this section but doing so could cause your nüvi to have difficulty working the way it should. Without completing this important step, your nüvi may default back to the location of Kansas City each time it is turned off and on again, not saving your settings. It also may not be able to pick up the satellite properly.

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device
Screen Size inches (W x H)
Included Maps
Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)
Traffic
Bluetooth
Media
FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)
Multi-Point Routing
Battery life (hours)
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
AK and Canada
Europe
nüvi 205 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 205w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25
 
Photos
up to 5
nüvi 265T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 265WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 275T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 285WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free);
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 465T 3.81 x 2.25
FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 755T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 765T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 775T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 785T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 850 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 855 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 885T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 1200 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1250 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1260T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1300 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1370T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1390T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1490T 4.4 x 2.5
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1690 3.81 x 2.25
NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)
Photos
up to 4

Shop Garmin nüvi 1490/1490T 5-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Online, Shop Garmin 010-00810-05 Online

September 8, 2010

Garmin nüvi 1350LMT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 7:45 am

Garmin 010-00782-2E




Garmin nüvi 1350LMT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

  • Package includes – n vi 1350, preloaded street maps for the U.S., Canada & Mexico, vehicle suction cup mount, lifetime traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, USB cable, dashboard disc, quick start manualFeatures
  • Includes FREE Lifetime Map and Traffic Updates! – With free Lifetime Map and Traffic updates, you always have the most up-to-date maps, points of interest and navigation information available at your fingertips. Traffic information is updated constantly, and map updates are available for download up to 4 times a year. Both features are ready to go, right out of the box, with no subscription or update fees and no expiration dates.
  • Navigate City Transit – With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities, n vi GPS is the perfect travel companion for getting around town. Download optional cityXplorer content to help you navigate city public transit.
  • Know the Lane Before It’s Too Late – No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate.
  • See More – View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. Its sunlight-readable, 4.3 (10.92 cm) display is easy to read – from any direction.

nüvi 1350LMT features FREE lifetime map and traffic updates.

Shop Garmin nüvi 1350LMT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Online, Shop Garmin 010-00782-2E Online

September 3, 2010

Garmin nüvi 650 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:00 am

Garmin Nuvi 650


My forth Garmin and my best so far. FM traffic a waste for Chicago area. No coverage in outer suburbs-(Crystal Lake) Check map before paying for subscription. I would have liked a traffic lane feature for the expressways. I will get it next time.

Haven’t got lost yet – Keith Wright – Grants Pass, OR USA
We use this GPS when we travel even to locations we know. We use the speed and time info most. Works well

Garmin nuvi 650 Failure – PA Guy from NYC – Coatesville, PA USA
I have owned a 650 for 2 years. A few months ago, the unit became erratic and/ or inoperable. I have done the 4 fixes that Garmin tech support sent to me
with no success. Each fix works well for one day, then the unit becomes erratic or unusable again. They have suggested a repair or replacement with the same model.
Since many owners have reported the same poor quality symptoms, I am reluctant to get another 650 unit … e.g., may be getting a bad for another bad.
I believe, and have suggested to Garmin tech support, that they should have issued a quality recall because of owners problems within 2 years of operation. Something
that costs (at that time) about 0 should not operate this poorly. I have yet to see a response (they have been very quick and courteous) about a recall.

Nice GPS, AWFUL customer service – D. Oconnor – Concord, NC USA
I have had my Nuvi650 for 3 years. Overall, i liked it. Naturally, the maps get old. I purchased an update for 69.99 on August 1st. One month later and about 15 hours of work, I still can’t download the maps. Average wait time for customer service is about 30 minutes. The reps are nice, but they don’t know what they are talking about. I have followed their instructions to the letter, but it still doesn’t work. I am giving up, and will demand a refund, which means another 30 minutes on hold. Its cheaper/easier just to buy another GPS [not Garmin] every couple of years. Too bad Garmin doesn’t care about its customers. Oh, by the way, after a year you’ll have to buy a new adapter as it will fall apart, piece of junk.


Garmin nüvi 650 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

  • Personal Travel Assistant comes preloaded with maps for U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
  • Super-bright, 4.3-inch widescreen display for improved viewing, day or night
  • Includes automatic routing, 3D/2D map viewing, and turn-by-turn voice directions
  • Built-in travel and entertainment tools include digital music player, JPEG viewer, currency converter, and more
  • Measures 4.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 6.2 ounces

Amazon.com Product Description With a gorgeous widescreen display, the Garmin nüvi 650 GPS Personal Travel Assistant is your answer to the call of adventure. A sleek navigator and a keen travel assistant, the nüvi 650 is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps for the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. This map database features nearly six million points of interest (POIs), including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, and attractions, and the data is provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Step up to the nüvi 660 if you want to take advantage of Bluetooth connectivity, an integrated traffic receiver, and an FM transmitter.

The nüvi 650 features a colorful widescreen and is preloaded with highly detailed City Navigator NT road maps.

The device includes many entertainment and travel tools.

A 4.3-inch display with a touch screen interface makes it easy to select destinations, play MP3s, and more.

This preloaded navigator brings all this fantastic map data to your fingertips with a super-bright, 4.3-inch widescreen display for improved map viewing, day or night. Use the touch screen interface to select destinations, look up POIs, and play your favorite MP3s and audio books.

The device comes ready to go with automatic routing, 3D or 2D map perspective viewing, and turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. It also supports configurable vehicle icons. These fun, customized car-shaped icons come in a variety of colors to add a personal touch to your vehicle’s position on the map. With this GPS system on board you’ll be prepared to steer clear of traffic with an optional FM TMC traffic receiver. If you choose this add-on feature, The nüvi 650 will receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route.

The nüvi 650 includes many “must-have” entertainment and travel tools, including digital music and audio book playback, a JPEG picture viewer, currency converters, and more. All these great features make the nüvi 650 a complete Personal Travel Assistant.

Note: Optional software for language translation, detailed travel guides, and savings programs allow you to customize your nüvi to fit your travel needs.


What’s in the Box
nüvi 650 GPS navigation system, preloaded City Navigator North America NT data, vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, USB cable, and quick reference guide.


Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device
Screen Size inches (W x H)
Included Maps
Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)
Traffic
Bluetooth
Media
FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)
Multi-Point Routing
Battery life (hours)
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
AK and Canada
Europe
nüvi 650 3.81 x 2.25
FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 7
nüvi 205 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 205w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25
 
Photos
up to 5
nüvi 265T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 265WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 275T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 285WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free);
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 465T 3.81 x 2.25
FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 755T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 765T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 775T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 785T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 850 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 855 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 885T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 1200 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1250 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1260T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1300 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1370T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1390T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1490T 4.4 x 2.5
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1690 3.81 x 2.25
NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)
Photos
up to 4

Shop Garmin nüvi 650 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Online, Shop Garmin Nuvi 650 Online

September 2, 2010

Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Naviagtor (Refurbished)

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 4:45 pm

Garmin Nuvi 660


I originally got this garmin for my wife to learn the way around San Antonio. We are coming from a small town area. I am very happy with the Garmin, especially after learning the Bluetooth capability. It is awkward when your GPS rings while in a restraunt, but you can figure it out prett easy. It is accurate on all the street names in this area.

The only vise I have, which I am still learning, is how it selects its route. I looked through it and it was set for fastest route, but the route it takes me is flooded with traffic lights. I have updated it, but it still takes me on some odd routes, for example. Texas is known for it’s service/ access roads and turn arounds. Well, say I am on I-410 and know that I have to get off in 5 exits, for some reason the GPS will put me on the access road, that is usually set up with a traffic lights at every intersection. I don’t know why it does that versus leaving me on the 410 and letting me of at the actual named exit.

Other than that, I am happy with the product and hope my wife will start using it instead of me driving everywhere.

Love this GPS! – Larry Wahler – Sterling, IL USA
This is my 2nd Nuvi 660 from Garmin, and that is ONLY because my 1st one was Stolen! That is just how good they are! Easy to use, buttons and you hardly ever hit a wrong button on this great touch screen. Buy one if you want a quality GPS from Garmin!

Excellent but out-dated by a year – Theodore A. Chandler –
It’s an excellent GPS which is easy to use. We purchased it only a few weeks ago only to learn that it’s out-dated. Three of four service stations in our area have been closed for more than a year. A Holiday Inn has been a Clarion for quite a while. These are only a sampling. When I went online to get up-dates I was advised that I would have to pay for them. This is like buying a new car with tires that are a year old.

Poor Routing, Awful Customer Service – wauwis – midwest
Selects routes that are absurd. Takes you off a freeway and through 10 miles of city streets. Took me off of a state highway which went directly to my destination and routed me on county roads for 30 miles. Will not find any intersection that has a grade separation. Instead of using highway numbers it uses street names.

After a few years and little use, the batteries are useless, 3 minutes operation after full charge. Garmin now wants .00 for a swap out unit. If you really want one of these turkeys, buy one “as is” used and then send it to Garmin and get a swap out for .00 more.


Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Naviagtor (Refurbished)

  • This widescreen travel companion and navigator features preloaded maps
  • hands-free calling, traffic alerts, FM transmitter and more.
  • It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road.

See more and explore with nüvi 660. This widescreen travel companion and navigator features preloaded maps, hands-free calling, traffic alerts, FM transmitter and more. Like the rest of the wide nüvi 600-series, its large touchscreen display puts the world at your fingertips. With nüvi 660’s widescreen display, you’ll always get the big picture. View map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, brilliant color. Its sunlight-readable, 4.3-inch display is easy to read — from any direction. nüvi 660 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City NavigatorNT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply touch the color screen to enter a destination, and nüvi takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. In addition, nüvi 660 accepts custom points of interest, such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. The European version even includes a preloaded safety camera database containing the location of safety cameras for parts of Europe.

Shop Garmin nüvi 660 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Naviagtor (Refurbished) Online, Shop Garmin Nuvi 660 Online

August 31, 2010

Garmin Nuvi In Car Portable GPS System 265WT

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , — admin @ 3:45 pm

Garmin Garmin Nuvi 265WT


This is my first GPS system and I love it! I tried doing a lot of research before I made a purchase and basically I chose this one because it had a wide screen and free traffic reports. I just moved to LA and I couldn’t live without it! A lot of roads and a lot of traffic. I have my Garmin set at the shortest time, so if there’s a heavy traffic jam, the Garmin will automatically reroute me through a different direction. Hasn’t happened too often but who knows in the future.

It’s pretty accurate to say. The only problem I had was when I used it in NYC because I would accidentally miss a turn and by the time it recalculates, I missed the next suggested turn. But I guess that’s to be expected in NYC with its small roads. I haven’t had any issues in LA.

The Garmin also has a very extensive list of POIs which I use all the time.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone. However, I bought mine on another website for around 0 I believe. At the time I wrote this review, Amazon has it listed at 0. Don’t know why it’s so expensive here. That’s probably the reason that I’m the only one that wrote a review.

Great, but……. – Alan B. Shipley –
I purchased the “Garmin Nuvi 265 to use around central southren Mississippi associated with business needs to find adresses. This “Garmin” seems to work well, however, it is not as accurate as my wife’s. The “265″ gets a little confused and takes a minute to get its position correct. My wifes does not have this problem. The “265″ screen does not show as bright as my wife’s. There does not seem to be a really good place on the windscreen that does not have glear. It is difficult to glance at the screen and relate to ones location. The screen must be looked at for a moment to see the screen well. I paid twice as much as I did when I bought my wifes, thinking I was getting something better. It is not and my wife will not trade me either. Next time I will do additional research and try one in my vehicle prior to purchase…it may not be the Garmin Nuvi 265WT.

Support falls constantly – J. Sane – Barcelona
I bought one of these for my wife 18 months ago and we are both sadly disappointed. There are two main problems: firstly, the support to hold it in place whilst you drive is very weak so it constantly falls, making driving dangerous. We replaced the stand but the same has happened again. In addition, the reception in cities is dire: it can’t deal with tall bulidings, MAKING IT FAIRLY USELESS. You have been warned…


Garmin Nuvi In Car Portable GPS System 265WT

  • Garmin nuvi 265WT
  • Bight 4.3-Inch Diagonal Touch Screen Color Display
  • 480 X 272 Pixels, Wqvga Tft Display With White Backlight
  • Preloaded With City Navigator(R) North America Nt
  • Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology For Hands-Free Calling

Garmin nuvi 265WT 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth & Integrated Traffic Receiver.Garmin’s nüvi 265WT improves upon its 200-series predecessors by adding free real-time traffic updates from Navteq (for the life of the device) as well as Bluetooth connectivity to your cell phone. Other significant improvements in the 2×5 series include a predictive technology that provides faster satellite lock, a redesigned screen with more information, terrain maps, and an exciting new photo navigation feature. The 265WT provides complete maps for North America and the handy Text-to-Speech feature, so you get turn-by-turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e.g. “turn left in 50 feet at Nebraska Way”, rather than merely “turn left in 50 feet”). Integrated Traffic ReceiverSteer clear of traffic with an integrated GTM 20 FM traffic receiver designed to receive alerts about traffic tie-ups and road construction that might lie ahead on your route. No subscriptions or additional hardware needed. Just open the box, turn it on, and get instant access to traffic information–the traffic updates are free for the life of the device. All you have to do is simply touch the screen to view traffic details and you’ll be ready to detour around any problem area. And if you end up missing a turn, or you’re forced into a detour that is not relayed through the traffic receiver, the nüvi’s sophisticated automatic routing will get you back on track in no time.Hands-Free CallingIn more and more places, it is becoming illegal to use cell phones while driving without a hands-free kit. WIth Bluetooth capability, microphone and speaker, you can match your nüvi to any Bluetooth-capable phone to make hands-free mobile phone calls. Simply dial the phone number with the nüvi’s touch screen keypad to make a call on a compatible phone. To answer an incoming call, just tap the screen and speak into the built-in microphone.

Shop Garmin Nuvi In Car Portable GPS System 265WT Online, Shop Garmin Garmin Nuvi 265WT Online

Garmin Astro 220 Dog Tracking 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 3:30 am

Garmin Astro 220


We use the Garmin Astro for K9 SAR. We put it on the dogs & record the areas they searched. The unit is nice, but frustrating to operate. It is advertised as being like the Garmin 60C series, but the operating system (menu screens) are very different and have much less functionality than the 60C’s. I would have wanted to carry just one unit, but alas, I carry both because the screen functionalty on the Astro does not have features the 60CS has. The screen sequence for starting & stopping recording the dog tracks is very cumbersome and confusing. The harness that comes with the unit is worthless – dangerous really. It is a velcro ‘vest’ that is supposed to fit snugly around the dog’s chest. It has to fit snuggly the way its designed in order for it to stay on the dog . . . but that snugness also causes the dog to not be able to breathe properly – for a working dog – that could cause major medical emergency. All of us who have them have designed some other attachment method to the dog’s regular working harness. Garmin could save some money by removing the harness fromt the package & putting in a simple/better way to attach it to another harness. This all sounds bad . . . the unit works pretty well actually, but these pesky details cause it to be used less often that I would like.

Astro 220 Dog Tracking GPS – Bowhunter’s Paradise –
Amazing unit…I used to use bells on my tracking Dog and I would subsequently lose my her quite often–I use this unit almost every day and I can say with certainty that I would be lost without it!! You will no longer have to search for your Dog; saves a ton of headaches!!

Jim Titchenell
Bowhunter’s Paradise Ranch


Garmin Astro 220 Dog Tracking 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

  • Barometric Altimeter & Brand New 3-Axis Electronic Compass
  • Scratch Resistant Lens On The 2.6-Inch Color Tft Display With Backlit Display & Keypad
  • Resolution: 240 X 160 Pixels
  • Battery Life: Greater Than 20 Hours Using 2 Aa Batteries
  • Usb Mini-B Connector For Data Updates With A Pc

GARMIN Astro 220 GPS Based Dog Tracking System for Multiple Users Barometric altimeter and brand new 3 axis electronic compass Scratch resistant lens on the 2.6 in color TFT display with backlit display and keypad Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels Weight: 6.4 ounces Battery life: Greater than 20 hours using 2 AA batteries USB mini B connector for data updates with a PC Rugged IPX7 waterproof standards Quad helix GPS antenna Removable VHF antenna Micro SD card slot available for preprogrammed MapSource mapping detail such as US TOPO, Inland Lakes, BlueChart and City Navigator Stores 1000 waypoints, 50 routes and 10,000 track points Area calculation feature Built in auto routing basemap Includes: Astro 220, VHF antenna, Trip and Waypoint Manager, USB cable, belt clip, swivel button, lanyard, owners manual and quick start guide Part Number: 010-00548-00
This is a refurbished GPS. Refurbished generally means that the unit has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the navigator back to like new conditions. Some GPS may contain cosmetic blemishes.

The Garmin Astro 220 Handheld GPS Dog Tracking Device lets hunters and sportsmen spend their time looking for game, rather than looking for their dog. This unique dog tracker pinpoints your dog’s position and shows you exactly where he is, even when you can’t see or hear him.

The Astro 220 has a bright, color-screen display, and works with a wireless transmitter (not included), called the DC 20. Simple and easy to use, you just take the Astro outdoors and turn on both units to acquire a GPS satellite signal, then attach the DC 20 to your dog, either via the included neoprene harness or by threading it onto an existing 1-inch e-collar, and you’re ready to go.

The DC 20 transmits your dog’s position to the 220 every five seconds, showing current location as well as where he’s been on the Map page. The Dog Tracker page shows you a compass that points to your dog’s location, and lets you see your dog’s current status, such as running, sitting, on point or treeing quarry. The Garmin Astro can even sound an alarm to let you know instantly when your dog goes on point.

The Astro 220’s high-sensitivity GPS receiver can track up to 10 dogs at a time, up to five miles away in open territory. The Astro features a Covey Counter, which lets you place a special waypoint that tells you the exact location, time of day and elevation where you found your prey, as well as the number of birds flushed and taken from that location. The Astro also lets you save other important waypoints, such as Truck and Lodge, and choose special icons to represent food plots, tree stands and other hunting-related items.

The full-featured Astro handheld has all the same functions as Garmin’s top-line handheld outdoor devices, including a barometric altimeter, a microSD card slot for maps, celestial information and an area calculator, as well as optional detailed city street maps, over 6 million points of interest, and exact turn-by-turn directions. This unit has an extremely rugged construction, with an IPX7 waterproof exterior that can withstand full immersion in water up to 1-meter deep for up to 30 minutes, and a revolutionary 3-axis compass that works no matter how the handheld is oriented.

What’s in the Box
Garmin Astro 220 handheld with VHF antenna, a carrying case, a trip and waypoint manager CD, a USB cable, a wrist strap, a belt clip, an owner’s manual and a quick reference guide.

Shop Garmin Astro 220 Dog Tracking 2.6-Inch Portable GPS Navigator Online, Shop Garmin Astro 220 Online

August 27, 2010

Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps

Filed under: Magellan — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 1:45 pm

Magellan 1424-LM


Buying a GPS was a daunting task. I was contemplating purchasing one for quite sometime but kept going back and forth on whether its worth it. The main issue was I wrongly assumed that you needed a higher end GPS to get a quality experience, but I would not use it enough to spend the money. If I was going to buy a GPS, I felt it was important enough to spend the bucks on a high end model.

I settled for this one being persuaded on it being a goldbox deal at a decent price and for the lifetime maps. I concluded that I would not use the GPS frequent enough to warrant purchasing a high end GPS model, and the lifetime maps costs between -90 for any company. I did not want my product outdated for months or years to come and did not think I would use the GPS often enough to want to purchase the lifetime maps for other units, so this perfectly satisfied my needs.

Well after using it significantly, the Magellan Roadmate 1424 is awesome.
The Pros:
-VERY QUICK IN TYPING YOUR DESTINATION. Sorry for the caps, but it is just amazingly good at narrowing down and auto-filling your destination. It will literally eliminate thousands of street possibilities, and just narrow down to actual street names within the city for you to choose. IT ONLY TAKES SECONDS to type your destination.
-Acquires signal fast
-The map on the GPS unit has a realistic look that I much prefer over the cartoony Garmin and TomToms.
-Great customer support
-Magellans software is very easy to use. It does all the work for you in fetching and installing updates.
-Product is loud and will tell you outloud the street names accurately. I was surprised on how well the unit was pronouncing some street names.
-After extensive use in a busy city, the GPS unit was very accurate in getting me around.

CON-
The update software for Magellan does not support MACs. Hopefully, they are working on that.

I honestly could not find any major faults. Than again, I am not a GPS enthusiast but am perfectly happy with my purchase. This product proved to me that you don’t always have to spend the money to buy the best.

Good product Low price – David –
This is my second Magellan GPS. The map is very readable in all lighting conditions and the destination is easy to enter. The sound is not as good as the older unit I purchased three years ago, There is a “fuzzy” quality that I find somewhat anoying, and there is a volume inconsistancy in that the direction instruction is louder than the street name confirmation that follows each instruction. I have tryed to adjust the volume but louder or softer the descrepency remains.

Where are the free map “updates”? – CA –
The unit is great, but a big reason I chose this one over other models was that it came with “free updates”. It appears that on the website, firmware is an “update” but maps are an “upgrade”.

for my son – Gary Birdsall –
so far, so good. my son likes it a lot, even though he just started using it. seems very sleek and responsive. seems like good quality. will let you know more in a couple of months


Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps

  • Includes Lifetime Map Updates
  • OneTouch favorites menu provides instant access to your personalized bookmarks of favorite places and searches
  • Large, ultra-slim 4.3-inch color touch screen with maps of the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada
  • AAA TourBook provides ratings and descriptions on AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and save
  • Spoken street name guidance lets you keep your eyes on the road Text To Speech

Navigate in style with the new, ultra-thin Magellan RoadMate 1424 GPS device with a 4.3-inch wide color touch screen and Lifetime MAPS. Premium features include: QuickSpell with SmartCity search; highway exit POI; spoken street name guidance; AAA TourBook and member Roadside Assistance; plus so many more.
Navigate in style with the new, ultra-thin Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM GPS device with a large 4.3-inch color touch screen. Plus, get the security of knowing that your maps are always the latest available with free, lifetime map updates. Additional premium features include: OneTouch favorites menu, built-in AAA TourBook and Member Roadside Assistance, maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. QuickSpell with SmartCity search, highway exit POI, spoken street names, and more!

With convenient features and lifetime map updates the Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM GPS navigator delivers a powerful navigation experience for everyday drivers.

FEATURES

Exclusive OneTouch Favorites Menu
Easily bookmark favorite destinations and searches with personalized bookmarks so you can find them anywhere you travel. Find your favorite cafe or restaurant in any city with a single touch. Simple navigation with “Your favorites at your fingertips.”

Free Lifetime Map Updates
Receive up to four map updates per year, for the life of the GPS. No extra cost!*

Exclusive AAA TourBook Guide
No membership required… Invaluable to anyone who travels, the AAA TourBook guide information with all 50 states and Canada is built right into your Magellan product. Get ratings and descriptions on AAA approved places to stay, play, dine, and save.

4.3-inch Touch Screen
The large, ultra-slim 4.3-inch color touch screen shows your position on the unit including map route, destination, ETA, Points of Interest (POI), OneTouch favorites, street names, and more–all at a glance. Click to view full-size image.

6 Million Points of Interest (POI)
Easily find whatever service you need. Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATMs, and hundreds of other businesses are intuitively categorized and searchable from the built-in POI database.

Highway Exit POI Search
Search for gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more near upcoming highway exits.

QuickSpell with SmartCity Search
Enter destinations with only a few touches. QuickSpell with SmartCity search helps you quickly enter addresses and narrow location searches, making destination entry easy.

Multi-destination Routing
Plan a trip with multiple stops in the order you want or have the device optimize it for the most efficient route. Easily reorganize, add, or remove destinations.

Spoken Street Names
Hear street names and directions for a clear understanding of when to make the next turn while you keep your eyes on the road.

 
 

Premium Maps
Travel the entire United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada with all the maps you need, pre-loaded on your device.

*Lifetime Maps entitles you to receive up to four (4) map data updates per year, for the life of the GPS receiver or until Magellan no longer receives relevant map data. Visit MagellanGPS.com for complete details.

What’s in the Box
Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM GPS receiver; pre-loaded maps of United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico; windshield mount; adhesive disc for dash mounting; vehicle power adapter; user handbook.

Shop Magellan RoadMate 1424-LM 4.3-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Lifetime Maps Online, Shop Magellan 1424-LM Online

August 21, 2010

Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 10:15 am

Garmin 010-00540-25


This review is actually for 660 nuvi.I waited for a while to do a review because I wanted to test it on a bunch of long trips as well as local trips. I have had it for almost 3 years and have to say it does everything it is suppose to do. We have used it to travel from LA to Texas and back then this past year we used it to travel from LA to South Dakota then on the Montana then back home. We used it to find rest stops, gas stations and motels along the way. I had to upgrade the traffic after the first year but it’s now lifetime I don’t have to pay another penny. I also upgraded the maps last year and now all my future upgrades are paid for life. Sometimes she seems to want to take us on a longer route locally, but when we follow her directions she actually knew what she was talking about. Because we live in California and can’t attach her to our windshield we got the bean bag mount and it is perfect. It’s very sturdy and doesn’t slip and it’s easy to move her to the floor when we go in to eat a bite or visit the rest stop. We can’t imagine not having our nuvi when I try to locate new place. The bluetooth worked beautifully when we had motorola phones, but now we have LG Shine and the calls come thru perfect but it doesn’t recognize our phone books so unless we recognize the # we don’t know who’s calling. Not a big deal. We hate our LG’s so we will be changing back to motorola or some other phone once our contract is up. All in all we love just about everything about the 660. A lot less expensive models have come out but this one has never given us a minute of trouble.

like the 660 with msn – B. Tucker –
I had a garmin nuvi 660 and it was stolen. I had used it for my motorcycle and car so had invested $ in mounts and such so I needed same size and shape. I couldn’t find a new-old 660 so bought a 680. Basically in features a 660 with an MSN subscription for one year.
The 680 has everything in features that made the 660 one of the best featured gps ever. MSN is connected through a special power supply cord used only in the car.Once you activate the subscription online or by phone then in a few days the features like local weather and localtraffic begin to show up.

Downside,Microsoft will cancel the MSN Direct for gps in 2011. No great lose, it doesn’t work half the time you need it anyway.Great concept, bad execution.

Don’t get this unit if you live in Los Angeles! – sugarpopshoo –
I’m not one to write reviews of things, but this unit has pissed me off so many times in the years that I have had it that I felt like I needed to vent. First off the MSN free year was useless, it worked about once or twice. The other major issue I have is that it picks the absolute worst routes throughout the city of LA. Since when was zigzagging through hollywood, making multiple left turns faster than going straight down a road and making one left turn? I have it set on the fastest route possible, but honestly, it picks the slowest route more often than not. Also the freeway interchanges are often confusing, saying stuff like stay on the 110 North and then at the last minute it’ll say take the 110 South, causing you to get into a near accident. The unit does eventually get you to your final destination, but don’t count on it being a logical route.

Touch Screen Totally Out In 1 yrs – Eric Kwong –
The unit worked like a charm. But after just one year, the touch screen totally not responding. Found many on the internet having the same problem.


Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator

  • Pre-loaded with complete Navteq Maps for North America
  • 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions; Accepts custom points of interest (POIs)
  • Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker allows for hands-free calls
  • 1 year free subscription to MSN Direct Traffic, Weather and Entertainment Service
  • Super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen

Travel throughout North America without loading any more maps with the Garmin nüvi 680 Personal Travel Assistant with MSN Direct. Plus, you can receive door-to-door directions while staying on top of local weather, traffic, and more with nüvi 680. The device features a colorful widescreen, hands-free calling, and an FM transmitter, then takes it up a notch by adding dynamic content from MSN Direct, as well as a convenient digital travel kit that includes an MP3 player with sample MP3s, audio books, a picture viewer, a world clock, currency and measurement converters, a calculator, and more.

This pocket sized personal travel assistant has a super bright, sunlight-readable color screen. See side view.

Easy control via the simple touch screen.

Weather reporting available with bright, colorful graphics.

Despite being loaded with features, the nüvi 680 still allows you to navigate with ease. This unit comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded NavTeq City Navigator NT street maps for North America, and includes a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops, ATMs and more. Simply touch the super-bright, sunlight-readable color screen to enter a destination, and the 680 takes you there with either 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. This navigator voice even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road, and can concentrate on your driving to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. In addition, the 680 accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs that require your special consideration such as speed zones and safety cameras.

Speaking of keeping you safe, the nüvi 680 lets you make hands-free calls so you can talk freely during your worry-free driving. By integrating Bluetooth wireless technology with a built-in microphone and speaker, you can pair your nüvi with any compatible Bluetooth phone and talk hands-free while staying focused on the road. You no longer have to fumble with your phone’s handset to answer a call or dial a number, just tap the 680’s screen and you’re instantly connected. And with 1-touch dialing for your POIs, you can quickly and conveniently call ahead to make reservations or get needed information.

Simply insert a memory card to enjoy pictures, songs, and audiobooks.

You can also use the mini-USB port for tranferring files directly to the memory card.

The new nüvi 680 lets you get localized information with dynamic content from MSN Direct, making it one of the most resourceful navigators available. Using the included receiver and free trial service to MSN Direct, you can check your local weather, avoid traffic backups, compare local gas prices, and even check movie times and locations, all while you travel. Easy and virtually fool-proof to use, the MSN Direct receiver is plug-and-play portable so you can quickly connect to your navigator unit when you are out and about. All of which can be customized with configurable vehicle icons that let you choose individual car-shaped icons in a variety of colors that show your position on the map.

In additional to all this functionality, the nüvi 680 includes many must-have entertainment and travel tools such as an MP3 player, an audio book player (subscription to Audible.com required), and a JPEG picture viewer so you can take your favorite music and pictures with you wherever you go. This unit also features a world travel clock with time zones, a currency converter, a measurement converter, and a calculator so that wherever you travel it will be easy to know what you are getting and keep track of your costs. The MP3 player lets you browse music by artist, album, and/or song, while the optional audio books may be purchased from Audible.com which features over 70,000 hours of audio programs. What’s more, the nüvi 680 allows further customization via optional software such as a travel guide, savings programs and language translation on plug-and-play SD cards for all your travel needs.

The Garmin nüvi 680 comes with a built-in, high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, and lets you view and operate it via its bright, LCD TFT touch-screen, wide-screen display that measures 4.3 inches (diagonal) and has a resolution of 480 x 272 pixels with 64,000 colors and a white backlight. As a whole, the nüvi 680 measures 4.9 x 2.9 x 0.9 inches (W x H x D), and weighs only 6.2 ounces for easy portability. This unit provides you with from three to seven hours of battery life (depending on use) via its rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and comes with Garmin Lock, which is an anti-theft feature to protect your investment. While you can add software via the SD card slot, the Garmin nüvi 680 also lets you interface via high-speed USB for loading data, though users should note that, like most USB mass storage devices, this unit is not compatible with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me.

The nüvi 680 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops, ATMs, and more.


What’s in the Box
Garmin nüvi 680 with MSN Direct, City Navigator NT maps for North America (preloaded, full coverage), MSN Direct receiver with integrated vehicle power cable, vehicle suction cup mount, an AC charger, vehicle power cable, dashboard disk, a USB cable, leather carrying case, quick reference guide, and owner’s manual.

Notice: MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012.

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device
Screen Size inches (W x H)
Included Maps
Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)
Traffic
Bluetooth
Media
FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)
Multi-Point Routing
Battery life (hours)
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
AK and Canada
Europe
nüvi 680 3.81 x 2.25
MSN (receiver included; 1-year free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 7
nüvi 205 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 205w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25
 
Photos
up to 5
nüvi 265T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 265WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 275T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 285WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free);
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 465T 3.81 x 2.25
FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 755T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 765T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 775T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 785T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 850 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 855 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 885T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 9 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 1200 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1250 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1260T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1300 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1370T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1390T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1490T 4.4 x 2.5
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1690 3.81 x 2.25
NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)
Photos
up to 4

Shop Garmin nüvi 680 4.3-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator Online, Shop Garmin 010-00540-25 Online

August 20, 2010

Garmin nüvi 1250T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

Filed under: Garmin — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 9:30 am

Garmin 010-00783-26


The key to making sure you have a trouble free experience with this unit (or any other Garmin unit) is to purchase a USB linking cable such as the “Garmin USB Cable by Garmin” ( currently less than .00 on Amazon site) at the same time and as soon as you get the unit connect it to a computer USB port and let it charge up for at least 30 minutes. 30 minutes plugged into the port should make sure the battery is charged enough for updates since the unit will need to cycle off and back on under battery power when the GPS is updated.

Or, if desired, you can also purchased an A/C adaptor (not included in the box) and plug it into the wall for about an hour to charge the battery. The key is to make sure the battery is charged in some way BEFORE you do anything else. The only power cable in the box to operate/charge the Nuvi-1250t is a car adaptor!

Then log onto the Garmin website and register your GPS. When you register it and follow the instructions to hook up your GPS, the computer will link with your unit and tell you there is a SOFTWARE update available for your GPS. Actually, there are probably several. Perform the software update first even though it should show a free map offer update also. This might take a while depending on your internet connection but it’s FREE and it makes sure you should not have problems later. The website does not tell you how many updates you need, it just keeps checking with your unit and tells you there is an update available after each check. Each software update will end with telling you to unplug the GPS, allow it to cycle off then back on, then waiting 30 seconds after reconnecting to the computer and clicking “complete”. After this is done the first time it will probably still show AN update for software is still available. My unit had about 5 updates before it said my software was current. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the updates are not working just because it keeps telling you there is AN UPDATE available for your software. Each time you follow the on-line instructions another update will be downloaded to your GPS. Keep doing it until it shows your software is current with no more software updates avaialble.

Then you will be offered a FREE update of the latest MAPS for your unit. Updating the Maps can take at least an hour so be prepared to spend some time when you chioose to do this … but do it because it’s FREE and will make sure you start out your GPS experience with the most current maps. The unit will work okay after the SOFTWARE updates are done, so if you don’t have the time or want to update the maps right away you can use your GPS but the maps won’t be current until you do.

There are a lot of other neat things on the website you might want to use, or at least make note of, for future downloads … but update your software before you ever use the unit and get your free map update when you have an hour or so to kill.

The unit itself is fantastic for the price. This is my second Garmin GPS (first was a Nuvi-350 which I paid 0 for) and as expected in the electronics world, this unit is much faster, much more accurate and should be more than adequate for anyone who is looking for a GPS with traffic, but doesn’t need Blue-Tooth or voice activation.

One thing about ALL Garmin products is that you WILL NOT get a complete owners manual in the box … ever!! You can view the entire manual on the Garmin Website and/or download it to your computer and print it out, but all that is in the box is a “quick start” pamphelet. The menus are pretty easy once you learn them but if you are new to the world of touch-screen GPS you will need to “read the instructions” on the website and maybe print it out if future internet access will not be easily available. Quite a lot of electronic products are going to on-line manuals only so a computer with internet will be a neccesity shortly.

The good news is that the A/C adaptor, USB computer cable and car adaptors seem to be universal, so they should fit any Garmin GPS should you decide to puchase another Garmin later. Most likely the trend to only provide a car adaptor/charger on some Garmin units will continue.

I highly recommend the Nuvi-1250t and Amazon has some pretty good GPS deals if you watch for them.

Great Little Unit! – Drew J. Pearson – Michigan
I have to assume the other reviewers that had issues with this unit were using an old software version. As soon as I received mine, I plugged it into my iMac and updated the maps(free) and software. It has been functioning perfectly so far (knocking on wood). I like the look and build quality (and thinness) of this nuvi compared to the older 2xx series. I also don’t have a need for bluetooth, photo browsing, or any of that fluff. I just wanted a Garmin nuvi that had Canadian maps and spoken street names for a reasonable price. Bingo! This fits the bill nicely. I haven’t been able to test the traffic function yet, but I will update my review next time I have to drive to Detroit or Chicago. My only complaint so far is that it is difficult to type in words, especially on the keys close to the edge of the screen. It takes some patience and creativity with your fingers to get the correct letters to type sometimes. But it’s a minor flaw. Overall, a great and sleek basic GPS unit.

GARMIN NUVI – Luisa D. Creutzberger –
I like the Nuvi, as it replaces my older street finder which is very large and cumbersome. The only thing I do not like is the fact that when I key in a city it still asks for the city when I key in the next address. Since I use it to plan routes in a particular city, it is time consuming to repeat that step over and over. With my street finder, after entering the city the first time, the city came up each time I entered a new address until I chose to change it. Other than that, I love it and it is really easy to use and small for putting in my purse when I am walking in an unfamiliar area as the battery stays charged quite a while.

This Garmin nuvi 1250T is a great bargain! – Jojo M – Sacramento, California, US
The online price offer of less than a hundred bucks is a great bargain! It costs the same as the cheapest Garmin 1100 model sold at Walmart, not including tax. The benefits are the spoken streetnames, the live speed limit indication when driving – it turns red when you’re actually overspeeding, and the traffic update. I like the size of this model, very pocketable and cuts little space in the windshield’s field of view (considering I use it in a really low ceiling sports convertible). Navigation is simple and straightforward. Updating the map software was hassle free. I’m gonna buy a second unit for myself since this one really made a great gift to my brother who needed it more for his job!


Garmin nüvi 1250T 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic

  • With its enhanced pedestrian navigation capabilities, nüvi 1250T is the perfect travel companion for getting around town.
  • Twenty-five percent slimmer than other nüvis, you can take the ultra-thin 1250T anywhere.
  • Steer clear of traffic with nüvi 1250T’s integrated FM traffic receiver and free lifetime traffic updates.
  • Receive alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route.

nüvi® 1250 redefines portable, affordable navigation. This ultra-thin GPS has preloaded maps for North America, announces streets by name and calculates a more fuel-efficient route with ecoRoute™.

Slim Down. Take It With You
Twenty-five percent slimmer than other nüvis, the 1200 and widescreen 1300-series are ideal traveling companions. nüvi 1250 easily fits in your pocket or purse, and its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot. Take advantage of the 1250’s new Public Transit mode by downloading optional CityXplorer™ content (coming soon) for select cities to navigate via subways, trams, buses and more.

Get Turn-by-Turn Directions
nüvi 1250’s intuitive interface greets you with two simple questions: “Where To?” and “View Map.” Touch the color screen to easily look up addresses and services and get voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions that speak street names to your destination. It comes preloaded with detailed City Navigator® NT street maps, nearly 6 million points of interest (POIs), 2-D or 3-D maps and the speed limit for most major roads. Its digital elevation maps show you shaded contours at higher zoom levels, giving you a big picture of the surrounding terrain. With the 1250’s enhanced user interface, you can slide your finger to conveniently scroll between screens. You can also upload custom points of interest (POIs). And with HotFix™ satellite prediction, nüvi calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.

Go Beyond Navigation
Navigation is just the beginning. nüvi 1250 saves you gas and money with ecoRoute – a green feature that calculates the most fuel-efficient route, tracks fuel usage and more. The 1250 includes many travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. With photo navigation, you can downl
The nüvi 1250T GPS navigator features an ultra-slim design that fits easily in your pocket (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode, and text-to-speech. The nüvi 1200 series also are the first nüvi devices to offer pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps, which are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the nüvi. The nüvi’s enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin’s new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems. Pre-loaded with City Navigator North America NT.

An ultra-thin GPS navigator with great Garmin features like CityXplorer and ecoRoute. Click to enlarge.

Just over a half-inch thick. Click to enlarge.

Easy-to-use touchscreen interface. Click to enlarge.

Garmin greets you with two simple questions: “Where to?” and “View Map.” This screen is central to every navigation function and route-planning tool. Simply plug and play. Click to enlarge.

The device announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Click to enlarge.

Thin New Design
The nüvi units are just over a half-inch thick and weigh only 4 ounces, which means they’ll fit easily into your pocket and can be taken just about anywhere.

See More
With nüvi 1250T’s display, you’ll always get the big picture. View map detail, driving directions, photos, and more in bright, brilliant color. Its sunlight-readable, bright 3.5-inch diagonal color display with white backlight is easy to read–from any direction.

Easy-to-Use Touchscreen Interface
One of Garmin’s core beliefs is to continually enhance the simplicity of the user experience. The nüvi on-screen menus are logically arranged, with clearly labeled, colorful icons, making it easy to enter data and get to the information you need quickly.

Navigate with Ease
The nüvi 1250T comes ready to go right out of the box, with pre-loaded City Navigator North America NT street maps and millions of points of interest (POIs), such as hotels, restaurants, fuel stations, ATMs, and more, with map data provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Enter a destination on the touchscreen, and nüvi takes you there with 2-D or 3-D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Text to speech enhances standard sat-nav voice guidance by speaking the names of places and roads. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. In addition, nüvi 1250T accepts custom points of interest, such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.

Travel North America
With nearly 6 million points of interest and detailed road coverage for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, City Navigator North America NT delivers all the data you need to navigate North America.

  • Displays nearly 6 million points of interest–hotels, restaurants, parking, entertainment, fuel, shopping, and more.
  • Includes highways, interstates, business, and residential roads in metropolitan and rural areas.
  • Includes such detailed information as turn restrictions, roundabout guidance, speed categories, and other navigation features.
  • Gives turn-by-turn directions on your compatible Garmin device.
  • Includes postal code support for Canada.
  • Contains traffic data for compatible Garmin devices that use traffic receivers.
  • Enhances pronunciation data for compatible Garmin devices that speak street names (example: “Turn right on Main Street”).

Pedestrian Navigation
With the Public Transit feature, you can navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Downloadable CityXplorer data and city guides are available for purchase and download from garmin.com for many cities.

Where Am I?
Keep track of yourself and your car with nüvi 1250T. Just tap “Where Am I?” to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address, and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates. The nüvi 1250T even remembers where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle. Perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded lots, such as amusement parks, stadiums, and malls.

HotFix Satellite Prediction
Garmin’s HotFix capability automatically calculates and stores satellite locations, greatly reducing satellite acquisition time so that you can turn the unit on and get going. With HotFix, your nüvi remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to three days after the device was last turned off.

ecoRoute
With this feature, drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel:

  • Save Gas and Money–Now more than ever, we’re all looking for ways to conserve both money and fuel. Whether we’re taking fewer trips or carpooling with family and friends, saving resources is a top priority. It was that thinking that led to the creation of ecoRoute–Garmin’s free software update for compatible nüvi products that allows you to find more fuel-efficient routes when navigating and even track their fuel usage. With ecoRoute, you may be able to save gas and money by adopting smarter driving habits.
  • Select Fuel-efficient Routes–With ecoRoute, you have a “less fuel” option as a routing preference. When selected, nüvi will determine if more fuel-efficient routes exist based upon road speed data and vehicle acceleration data for a given route.
  • Get Fuel and Mileage Reports–Through ecoRoute’s Fuel Report and Mileage Report, you can focus on your habits even when you’re not behind the wheel. Fuel Report tracks fuel usage over time, and Mileage Report monitors mileage and fuel usage on a per-trip basis. In addition, Mileage Report makes it easy for business travelers to keep track of distance traveled for company reimbursements. You’ll have a detailed report for each trip and the miles driven. You also can customize your nüvi by entering your car’s fuel economy and the current price of gas.

Avoid Traffic Tie-ups with the GTM 25
The GTM 25 provides North America traffic information to compatible Garmin GPS navigators. Using this data, your device alerts you to local traffic tie-ups and displays current traffic levels. The receiver also acts as an in-vehicle power charger. Traffic provided by NAVTEQ Traffic.

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos.

Search for locations on Google Maps or Mapquest, then transfer the addresses directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.

Navigate by Photo with Garmin Connect Photos
Using Garmin’s Connect Photos Web site, you can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo-sharing community and download them to the nüvi for a richer navigation experience using pictures as a guide.

  • Choose from Panoramio’s collection of photos from around the world.
  • Easy-to-use interface displays photos on Google Maps.
  • Search for photos by location name or map area boundary.
  • Transfer photos directly from Garmin Connect to device with the Garmin Communicator.
  • View photos in Google Earth.
  • Supports Internet Explorer 6+, Firefox 2+, and Safari 3+ on Windows and Mac.

Take It with You
The nüvi 1250T sports a sleek, slim design and fits comfortably in your pocket or purse. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot.

Additional Features

  • Speed limit indicator–unit displays speed limits for most major roads
  • DEM maps show you shaded terrain contours at zoom levels of five miles and above.
  • Auto time zone automatically adjusts your time zone while navigating.
  • Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time, and more.
  • Built-in travel kit includes such features as picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, and calculator.
  • microSD memory card expansion slot allows for optional mapping and data storage.
  • Includes Garmin Lock anti-theft feature.
  • Configurable vehicle icons allows users to select fun, customized car-shaped icons; download additional choices from www.garmingarage.com.
  • Offers a 3-D mapping perspective or 2-D overhead view.
  • Unit dimensions: 3.7 x 2.9 x 0.6 inches (W x H x D); Weight: 4 ounces
  • Built-in lithium-ion battery lasts up to four hours, depending on usage.
  • Includes sturdy suction cup mount that allows for easy adjustment and quick release.
  • Simplified PC connectivity, using USB mass storage, access either the microSD card slot or the unit’s internal memory directly from your PC desktop.
  • POI loader program lets you set up proximity alerts for school zones, create custom POIs, and more.

What’s in the Box
nüvi 1250T preloaded with City Navigator North America NT, Vehicle suction cup mount, Traffic receiver (GTM 25) with lifetime traffic,Vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc and Quick start manual

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.

Device
Screen Size inches (W x H)
Included Maps
Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names)
Traffic
Bluetooth
Media
FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)
Multi-Point Routing
Battery life (hours)
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
AK and Canada
Europe
nüvi 205 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 205w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 255w 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 260w 3.81 x 2.25
 
Photos
up to 5
nüvi 265T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 265WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 275T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 285WT 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free);
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 465T 3.81 x 2.25
FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 755T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 760 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 765T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 775T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 780 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 5
nüvi 785T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 850 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 855 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 885T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos, MP3s
up to 4
nüvi 1200 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1250 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1260T 2.8 x 2.1
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1300 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1350T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1370T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1390T 3.81 x 2.25
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1490T 4.4 x 2.5
MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic)
Photos
up to 4
nüvi 1690 3.81 x 2.25
NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service)
Photos
up to 4

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