Garmin nüvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin nüvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: Check a map before you go
Summary: 3 Stars
I am a commercial pilot and quite familiar with using GPS (including Garmin aviation products).
This is the second nuvi I have owned. I sent the first one back (which only had the USA / Canada maps) for the same reasons as highlighted in this review of the 270.
On vacation in the UK recently this unit proved (once again) to be very inconsistent in calculating routes. There is only two options (fastest and shortest) but the unit takes the route that it feels like taking and quite often it is the longest and slowest.
It does not seem to realize that a motorway has a 70 mph speed limit and an A road has a 60 mph speed limit (which often only averages about 40 mph due to roundabouts, traffic lights and congestion).
Occasionally the unit will suggest a turn off the route that it has calculated only to recalculate and send you back to the same route via a roundabout or u turn! Quite mad.
If you use this very basic unit I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the routes available before departure and keep a road atlas handy in the car. Of course this is probably good advice when using any electronic navigation aid. The unit is good value considering all the maps that it has installed, especially if you purchase a refurbished unit (which I didn't see until after I had ordered it).
The usual Amazon service was good, unfortunately however, I have gone past the 30 day return limit, so I have to keep this one. I doubt that I will use it much.
Digital camera Review: Defective Item
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought this item off Amazon a couple of weeks ago. The first time I used it, it worked reasonably well, except the location I entered (somewhere in San Jose, CA) did not exist in its maps. This location was fairly new, and wasn't on Google or Yahoo! maps either, so I will forgive the Nuvi for this one problem.
The next day I switched it on to head to San Francisco, and it showed me maps, but would not let me enter a destination. It kept saying "No Data".
The third day I switched it on, it said "Acquiring Maps", and then said "No detailed maps available, the nuvi cannot operate without them".
I have been unable to use the Nuvi since then. This all happened within two weeks of receiving the item.
Digital camera Review: Detailed yet very easy to use!
Summary: 5 Stars
You can upgrade the maps. You can upload European Maps. Easy to browse and quick to find!Digital camera Review: Don't buy a Nuvi
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought a Nuvi 270 for a trip to Italy and brought my 4 year old Magellan Roadmate 700 as a backup. The Magellan took 1 -3 minutes to find satellites. The Nuvi 3 -15 minutes. Accuracy and ease of input was far better with the Magellan.
The Nuvi got lost easily, has no manual to speak of, and is way too expensive for what you get. Garmin a great company, but don't buy this model until at least 3 more software revisions and a $[...] drop in price. There is no AC adaptor or download cable included.
To top it off, the slide switch broke after 2 weeks of use.
Digital camera Review: Don't Leave Home Without it!
Summary: 5 Stars
With a two week drive adventure across Italy and with somewhat limited language skills, we realized we needed help. The Garmin Nuvi 270 saved my trip, my sanity, and my marriage. Some of our destinations were well off the tourist maps and the Nuvi 270 performed almost flawlessly. Almost, since somewhere south of Ravenna, it put us on a dirt road that was just the width of our car and 30' above the surrounding farm land! We drove 8KM praying we didn't meet another car coming in the other direction. We didn't ...I think the locals know better.
The battery power and portability made it handy for the walking parts of our tour also, but because of walking speed it didn't perform as well as it did in the car. It was also tremendously helpful in planning itinerary as it calculated time between points.
If you're traveling in unknown territory, especially in Europe, this unit is a must have.