Simple, easy, pretty
I received my Garmin nuvi 350 late this morning, and I have to admit that I’ve been playing with it ever since. Since I was at work, and didn’t feel like being out in the cold, I stuck it against the window to get it’s initial cold start, which honestly took several minutes. This is not “shocking”.
The picture is of it mounted in my car, where it fits nicely tucked into the corner. It vaguely looks like it might not have full coverage, but one of the things that I’ve noticed is that the receiver and antenna are amazingly sensitive. Sitting on my couch, 6 feet from the window (mind you, it’s a big window), I have 8 satellites picked up, and accuracy to around 18m. Driving down the road today, I had sub 3m accuracy, which is enough to tell you what lane the car is in. This level of accuracy destroys what my Infiniti had, and it gets it nearly instantly (under 2 seconds for a warm start).
However, the most amazing thing about the device is its easy of use. I haven’t had to read the manual, or even glance at the “quick reference” card. Everything is pretty trivial to use, and the touch-screen is both obvious and much more accurate than I’d expect with my fat fingers, and it’s small size. The touch-screen is substantially easier to use than the joystick design of the Infiniti, and it also seems to be much better at predicting addresses.
Overall, this thing gets 5 stars so far.
This entry was posted at 9:07 pm on 5 December 2006 and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the post-specific RSS 2.0 feed.
As a consultant, I am constantly going to new locations, or ones I’ve not been to in a long time. All of this is across a 3-state area (MD, DC and VA primarily, with WV on occasion). There’s just simply no way to keep all this “together” in my head.
While I could use paper maps, the number required to cover the normal area I deal with would be about 3” thick and would still be difficult to work with. I could, and have, used Google Maps, MapQuest, etc., to plot out specific routes, but unfortunately my destinations often change in-route, or I find out mid-stream of another meeting.
It’s more a hazard of the job. I also think it’s safer to have a small device that speaks detailed and clear instructions at the ready, versus constantly trying to read maps and directions. I prefer fewer distractions not more.
Having said that, of course part of it is “geek lust,” and I would have attributed it to that had I not been “stuck” with one in my last car (a long story), and learned how useful it actually can be. It’s not for everyone, but if your address book is varied and you’re constantly on the move, it’s invaluable. I won’t even get into the issues in another city.
Why did you select the Nuvi over the TomTom910 if you don’t mind my asking? We’re looking for a GPS now and trying to decide. Also, I can’t find anywhere on the Nuvi specs if they have European maps.
Just curious…..and saying Howdy from Houston
The main reason? Multiple people I know who had TomToms and got lost with them trying to get to my house. A street that’s been there for 50 years, and hasn’t changed, and is in a major metropolitan area. I just didn’t trust it. Add to it that various reviews cited the Nuvi as by far the best, and it was a no-brainer for me.
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What am I missing here? I don’t get the usefulness of one of these things in a well known urban/suburban area. Is it just toy-joy, which is sufficient justification, or something else I’m not understanding?