Newbie Nuvi.......

Author
Discussion

shs

Original Poster:

14 posts

226 months

Monday 9th January 2006
quotequote all
Hello!

I am considering buying a Nuvi 300 and was wondering what the general Pistonheads opinion was about it??

Is there anyone who is using one and has any thoughts on it?

Kind regards and thanks in advance

SHS

Devils Advocate

44 posts

261 months

Wednesday 11th January 2006
quotequote all
I've been looking at the nuvi350 (as it has european street level mapping as well).

I'm told by an installer of in car GPS that it uses an aftermarket 'safety camera' database download which is supposed to be good; and is a generation ahead of the Tomtom 700 (which is due to be replaced soon) so performs better.

It's also a lot slimmer and can be slipped into a shirt pocket if leaving the car for security, whereas the Tomtom is a bit bulky.

Would like to hear from real users though.

rattus

3 posts

229 months

Friday 13th January 2006
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Hi

Ive got a Nuvi 350. Dont know much about other sat nav systems just bought this on seeing reviews.

Im pleased with it. Mapping is good and includes new roads that Tom Tom doesnt seem to have. Has free updates that you contect to from the Garman site. Its small lightweight so more portable than TomTom. Has 7 digit post codes which I think is new to Garman and works well. Shows various other things on route if you need them like attractions, lodgings, etc including PUBS! MP3 player. The whole thing is real easy to use


Downsides? Bloody expensive at £500 (the 300 is £150 cheaper I think). It has an attached small flip up antenna and using it in the city of london a couple of times its reacted slowly but mostly ok. No bluetooth connection (that I can find but then again Im an eejidt)which may have helped out a bit.

Would I buy it again ? Pretty much sure I would after speaking to some other Sat Nav users.

Its easily portable which is important aspect for me

Hope that helps

Oh yeah and the aftersales free POI download is spot on!


>> Edited by rattus on Friday 13th January 16:49

Devils Advocate

44 posts

261 months

Friday 13th January 2006
quotequote all
rattus,

Do you know, or can you tell from the instructions, whether you can enter a series of 'waypoints' into the nuvi to force it to follow a particular route and use certain 'nice' roads (rather than let it take the shortest or quickest)?

I'd like to buy one and use it on tours, where the route is planned out in advance first, and let it do the map reading on route, however I'm not sure if you can enter waypoints like that.

Any insight would be useful please

rattus

3 posts

229 months

Sunday 15th January 2006
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Ill have a play with it latertonight and see. Theres a few things that I havent tried on it but Ive a feeling it doesnt do that.

Ill come back to ya Monday

rattus

3 posts

229 months

Monday 16th January 2006
quotequote all
Hi,

Ive played around with it and dont think you can actually set waypoints. You can set one detour but thats it. You can also avoid certain roads like motorways or highways etc. Cant actually specify a route you want to take

They mention using an sd card to load more maps and using waypoints as a favoutite but I havent needed a card so cant give you any info

The user manual is on www.garmin.com and that may be more use to you than me