Garmin nuvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator by Garmin
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Digital camera reviews of Garmin nuvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Digital camera Review: A few minor quirks with an amazing product
Summary: 5 Stars
The Nuvi 350 is amazing in what it can do. It is quite user friendly just using the startup menu but some items require more detail as contained in the user manual. This manual has to be downloaded to a computer to be accessed and at better than 70 pages, is expensive to print. Considering the price of the unit, a printed manual should be supplied.
The unit calls for some odd turns to be taken when driving on a major straight road and in some cases, the turn called for doesn't exist. e.g. route 41 in Sarasota, Fl. It's only as good as the software supplied which is apparently not as thoroughly or frequently updated as it might be. For instance, new roads existing for a yer not shown and inaccurate restaurant info showing long defunct places.
Digital camera Review: A few words about the cartography package
Summary: 4 Stars
As a few other reviewers may have mentioned, the map upgrades aren't free forever. However, there are a few pointers I think everyone considering purchasing this unit should keep in mind when making their decision:
- The cartography data is "preloaded" meaning there is no CD/DVD accompanying the product.
- The first map update dated right after your update release date is free, but thereafter you must pay $75+ for each additional update.
- Since there is no accompanying software, it means that if you have an additional Garmin GPS without the City Navigator map data, you will still have to buy that DVD at $130+ to upload the maps to your other GPS.
- Garmin asks that you register your product, and in addition "unlock" the maps that are preloaded in the Nuvi ... I'm not sure why this exists, if it's even required. I did. You may have to do this if you want the free map upgrade.
Apart from those concerns, I've also been able to crash the Nuvi at least once. And I think that the menus could use some work; they're a little difficult to navigate. Also, if you use any operating system other than Microsoft Windows, you may have trouble using their mapping software. I'm not sure about Mac OS X, but I use Linux, and they currently have no support for that platform. An email to Garmin revealed that they have no plans in the works, but that they would pass the word on, hopefully for support in the future.
I bought the GPS for my wife. I have a Garmin eTrex Vista Cx myself, and we both love them. We understand the limitations that current technology has, so our expectations weren't very high when we purchased them.
Digital camera Review: A friend when in need
Summary: 5 Stars
Just got back from a 3,000 mile driving trip and found the Nuvi very useful when we got "misplaced". It would locate our position, I'd enter where we need to go and it would plot a course for us. Sometimes it wouldn't direct us exactly the way we wanted to go (we took a lot of back roads) and would try to redirect us to main roadways. So, we'd turn it off until we got to a major road. It isn't great for scenic byways. Since it has many "voices" to pick from we dropped calling it the Garmin Nuvi and now just refer to it as "Jill". Much easier.Digital camera Review: A fun purchase with wonderful practical application.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you haven't seen one of these in action you are really missing some fun in your travel. I bought this for a trip from Florida to Alabama and it was so wonderful to have along. The pinpoint accurate navigation is great but that is just the beginning. Finding restaurants, movies, gas stations and entertaiment proved to be even more valuable. I selected the Nuvi 350 for a combination or price, features and size and I am not disappointed about any of the three considerations. The window mount that comes with the unit is terrific and provides very easy removal of the device when you are parked. The unit is as small as a PDA so taking it along for security is easy. The screen is bright and easy to work the touch screen functions. The device came with maps preloaded but also provided for a current update. The update file is a 2gig file that I downloaded using a high speed connection but it took a while. Once it was downloaded updating the unit was easy. I am impressed with the currency of the maps included with the update. The unit provides for speed and trip tracking information that is interesting. I use a golf cart for every day travel where I live and I now use the unit to test and track my speed. This purchase has turned out to exceed my expectations by a wide margin.Digital camera Review: A fun toy
Summary: 4 Stars
Wasn't having trouble getting lost, but this is fun to have and amazing to see it guide me, even in familiar territory. Our small town must have some outdated platting, as every direction to and from our house is on a street that has never existed. Can't really fault the Nuvi for that. Easy to enter new addresses.