Garmin Nuvi 350
Discussion
Hi Folks,
well after weeks of reading and searching I think I've narrowed my search down to the Nuvi 350 with a GTM10/11 TMC antennae. However, this is a pretty expensive set up and so before I make the final leap is there anyone out there with real experience of using one in anger? I've read numerous reports and whilst for most part they are very positive about this unit there have been a few negative comments on: the screen (too shiney); the voice (unintelligible) and the traffic avoidance (unreliable). So I'd really appreciate some feedback from any 'real' users......any volounteers?
Thanks,
Fred.
well after weeks of reading and searching I think I've narrowed my search down to the Nuvi 350 with a GTM10/11 TMC antennae. However, this is a pretty expensive set up and so before I make the final leap is there anyone out there with real experience of using one in anger? I've read numerous reports and whilst for most part they are very positive about this unit there have been a few negative comments on: the screen (too shiney); the voice (unintelligible) and the traffic avoidance (unreliable). So I'd really appreciate some feedback from any 'real' users......any volounteers?
Thanks,
Fred.
I've a 350 but without the traffic receiver and am extremely impressed with the device. I'm not sure I agree that you pay a price premium for Garmin - the Nuvi is more expensive than most due to its size (it will easily slip into a shirt pocket). If you're looking for UK and EU maps, have you looked at a Garmin Streetpilot C550? It comes with the traffic receiver built in for ~£400 (the C510 is less if you only need UK maps).
I use a Nuvi 350, having had it for a good few months now. Other than sending me down a few dirt tracks in Cornwall, its performed remarkably well. Driving down through France staying at numerous Chateaux along the way, it was 100% accurate and I never got lost.
Navigation is easy with the Nuvi, however the speaker is very tinny, the voice commands not always easy to hear. The 'text-to'speech' feature is good, just as long as you appreciate pronounciation of street names will not always be spot on.
The size of the unit, and the very small windscreen attachment are what sold it for me - far less bulky and cumbersome than the Tom-tom. It picks up satellites reasonably quickly, calculates routes (and more importantly recalculates new ones if you miss a turning) very quickly. That it is accurate, easy to view and navigate, and does everything I want of a Sat Nav (get me to where I want to go, direct me to nearest petrol stations, etc) makes it still the best choice in my opinion, cost notwithstanding.
Navigation is easy with the Nuvi, however the speaker is very tinny, the voice commands not always easy to hear. The 'text-to'speech' feature is good, just as long as you appreciate pronounciation of street names will not always be spot on.
The size of the unit, and the very small windscreen attachment are what sold it for me - far less bulky and cumbersome than the Tom-tom. It picks up satellites reasonably quickly, calculates routes (and more importantly recalculates new ones if you miss a turning) very quickly. That it is accurate, easy to view and navigate, and does everything I want of a Sat Nav (get me to where I want to go, direct me to nearest petrol stations, etc) makes it still the best choice in my opinion, cost notwithstanding.
As promised, a small report on the Nuvi 360 I have just acquired.
Voice commands are fairly clear (pronunciation) but can be a bit quiet if you are in a noisy car or driving with the windows open.
Routing gives you the option of choosing quickest or shortest. Waypoints can be added to take you via a route that the Sat Nav hasn't chosen.
Recalculation of a route happens within about 50 yards of deviating from the chosen route, and doesn't always result in a request to do a u-turn, sometimes opting to use an alternative route that rejoins your original route further along the way.
Speed camera warnings are available via a downloadable POI database. The database I have found charges £19 a year subscription, and not only tells you when you are approaching a camera, but also what the speed limit is. A warning beep continues to sound whilst you are approaching the camera above the set speed limit.
The unit automatically dims the display when driving at night (assuming you have set the time zone correctly on initial setup.)
Other options, which I haven't fully tested yet includes bluetooth connection of a phone to allow hands free operation via the Sat Nav. A traffic avoidance gizmo is also available as an optional extra, for areas that provide such a service. The device also includes an MP3 player and an Audio book reader, together with currency convertors, calculator, and translator (optional extra).
The unit isn't perfect, as demonstrated by some of the route choices through the country lanes near where I live, but so far I have been quite impressed with it's capabilities, and the fact that it is quite a slim unit that can easily be slipped in your pocket when not in use.
Downsides are that it is not the cheapest unit out there, though substantial discounts on R.R.P. can be found. To make full use of it's capabilities, additional optional extras need to be purchased.
Overall I guess I would rate it 9/10
Voice commands are fairly clear (pronunciation) but can be a bit quiet if you are in a noisy car or driving with the windows open.
Routing gives you the option of choosing quickest or shortest. Waypoints can be added to take you via a route that the Sat Nav hasn't chosen.
Recalculation of a route happens within about 50 yards of deviating from the chosen route, and doesn't always result in a request to do a u-turn, sometimes opting to use an alternative route that rejoins your original route further along the way.
Speed camera warnings are available via a downloadable POI database. The database I have found charges £19 a year subscription, and not only tells you when you are approaching a camera, but also what the speed limit is. A warning beep continues to sound whilst you are approaching the camera above the set speed limit.
The unit automatically dims the display when driving at night (assuming you have set the time zone correctly on initial setup.)
Other options, which I haven't fully tested yet includes bluetooth connection of a phone to allow hands free operation via the Sat Nav. A traffic avoidance gizmo is also available as an optional extra, for areas that provide such a service. The device also includes an MP3 player and an Audio book reader, together with currency convertors, calculator, and translator (optional extra).
The unit isn't perfect, as demonstrated by some of the route choices through the country lanes near where I live, but so far I have been quite impressed with it's capabilities, and the fact that it is quite a slim unit that can easily be slipped in your pocket when not in use.
Downsides are that it is not the cheapest unit out there, though substantial discounts on R.R.P. can be found. To make full use of it's capabilities, additional optional extras need to be purchased.
Overall I guess I would rate it 9/10
Edited by Lambochick on Sunday 11th June 19:00
OK - Just back from my European tour France, Switzerland, Italy Austria, Germany and back the ferry from Denmark.
The Nuvi 350 was brilliant. It found all the awkward locations and did not send me the wrong way once. It's also great that the unit is so small I could slip it into my pocket when parked up. I even used it in 'pedestrian mode' in Cities.
The Nuvi 350 was brilliant. It found all the awkward locations and did not send me the wrong way once. It's also great that the unit is so small I could slip it into my pocket when parked up. I even used it in 'pedestrian mode' in Cities.
the 350 is a brilliant piece of kit. it replaces for me a Navman 630icn and is so far`superior. its use is so intuitive. when I purchased it from Totenhan CR it was preistalled with UK speed traps, later on I installed UK points of interest from PoketGPS world. These deleted the speed trap database, now I place all the POI files, speed traps, IKea, B&Q etc all into one directory and use the loader to upload to the Nuvi.
How does the unit mount? I hear it's smaller than dedicated speed detectors? Also, I read there is a dashboard mount? How does that work? I don't like bulk or cables so the Nuvi seems the best bet out of the lot in that respect. It is reported it will get 6 hours before you need to charge. Is that true?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Nuvi 350 used for 14 days consecutively around FRance - european maps are precise and detailed, did find on occasion that it knew about 'roads' that I frankly would ahve ignored as being farmtracks - saved me some valuable time on the odd shortcut though!
Battery life is excellent 6 hours no problem - it comes with an in car charger though (cigarette lighter socket) as well as a wall charger with interchangable US / EU plug fixtures. Also comes with rubber mount to affix to windscreen.
Size of a pack of playing cars it's perfect to take with you, and if you like hiking you can also download the O/S maps of areas like Dartmoor / lake district and use it off road.
Battery life is excellent 6 hours no problem - it comes with an in car charger though (cigarette lighter socket) as well as a wall charger with interchangable US / EU plug fixtures. Also comes with rubber mount to affix to windscreen.
Size of a pack of playing cars it's perfect to take with you, and if you like hiking you can also download the O/S maps of areas like Dartmoor / lake district and use it off road.
njwc said:
Can you pre-plan a set of routes with multiple waypoints on it ?
I.e so that you can set up one or more days touring around in advance and get it to guide you round your chosen route without having to manually select the next waypoint each time ?
I.e so that you can set up one or more days touring around in advance and get it to guide you round your chosen route without having to manually select the next waypoint each time ?
no you can't, its very simple to add your own waypoints as favorites in advance and then to select the next one when you have reached the previous
bad company said:
mr_tony said:
did find on occasion that it knew about 'roads' that I frankly would ahve ignored as being farmtracks -
You just have to set the preferences to avoid unmade roads.
indeed
Though such roads did turn out to be handy on a few occasions - though it certainly suprised a few combine harvester drivers to find an Aero coming the other way!Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff