The PocketGPSWorld.com Garmin Nuvi review.

MikeB

The name Garmin has always be synonymous with GPS, but this is more in the handheld and marine GPS fields. Some of the StreetPilots are a bit dated and a little behind the rest of the street routing market. This all changed last year with the introduction of the new range of StreetPilots including the Garmin i3 and the Garmin Nϋvi. All of a sudden Garmin have catapulted themselves to the frontrunners in street navigation.

‘This is nice; this is very nice’ – These were MaFt's initial thoughts upon opening the box for the Garmin Nϋvi 300, Garmin’s latest offering in their Automotive Sat Nav range.

A slimline, multimedia beast; the Nϋvi utilises a SiRF III GPS receiver -to the laymen, myself included, this means incredibly fast satellite acquisition times and hardly any dropping. The Nϋvi even picked up a satellite signal indoors.

Click here to read the full review and find out what we think of the Garmin Nuvi...
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Mike Barrett

markjohnson · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 20, 2006 Posts: 41

Hi,

Having a TomTom One and a Nuvi 300 I find it hard to understand how you gave it such a good review!

As a basic navigation device it is absolutely inferior to the TomTom.

The only complaint was the autozoom being poor which it is.

What about the lack of visual guide for the next junction. The TomTom has a symbol showing the next type of junction and the direction to take so you know what is coming.

When selecting a postcode, you have to select country by pressing E for England, then select Englad, then enter the letter part of the postcode, then select the numeric keypad (as letters and numbers aren't shown on the same screen) enter the numbers (and space) then select the letter entry and finish. Once you have selected the postcode you have to choose GO. No indication of the distance or time to destination although you can view the intended destinaton on a map view.

Verbal directions are brief and not very well timed in comparison to the TomTom. The volume can't be set to increase with speed unlike the TomTom.

The speed camera database on the Nuvi is much better than the TomTom. By default it only alerts you audibly/visually when you get to within 5mph of the speed limit. Then continues to alert if you exceed the limit. This behaviour can be modified to always show camers, not alert when over speed etc by the use of free uploader software.

I like the size, the alerts, the battery life, the windscreen mount kit, the amount of memory included, that it can be better fitted in a car (switches on & off when ppower connected/removed). Some say the Navtech maps are better but I find both fine.

If you are using the device for navigation you will save money and get better navigation from the TomTom One. I can't believe any one who has used both for actual navigation could form any other opinion.

Kind regards,

Mark

chris_w · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:25 am Post subject:

Thanks Mark you just answered my question.....

I like Garmin units ( I've owned four) but I'll stick with the TomTom for now.
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Thanks,

Chris

adamf · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:29 am Post subject:

there have been a number of updates which cure the auto zoom issue unlike tomtom you can chose aoto zoom or not.
The update has other changes too so if you have any device any make keep checking for updates.
I have used most sat nav devices this is so far my best the size the main thing even the cradle fits in my pocket better than tomtom you have to see one to belive it . Wink

markjohnson · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 20, 2006 Posts: 41

MaFt · Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject:

i was reviewing the nuvi as opposed to comparing it to another product, of which i haven't actually used other than holding one in my hand.

a review is an individual's opinion and will always vary between different people. what i tried to get across was a description of alll the functions it has and to say how well it did it's job with what you get as opposed to saying 'it should have this, this or that'...

MaFt

RobBickerstaffe · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 29, 2006 Posts: 1

I have a Garmin Nuvi 300. Previously, I had the BMW Business Sat Nav which I found to be fairly inadequate & a New Road Angel for speed cameras. Being somebody who does not want their dashboard cluttered with devices & wires, I wanted a system that could offer high quality navigation & warn me of speed cameras however I also wanted the device to complement the interior of my new car. I considered both the Garmin & the TomTom series of portable navigation systems. Clearly both have excellent features - some more useful to the individual than others - but basically for me, it boiled down to the fact that the Garmin is small, neat & well constructed. Having used it now for a couple of weeks, it is more than capable of achieving it's primary task of navigation & at just over £300 compared to £1,200 for the BMW option, I am delighted. Ultimately I feel that like the Audi, Merc, BMW argument, the choice between the TomTom & the Garmin Nuvi boils down to personal preference as both will clearly do an excellent job.

Finally, I have downloaded the speed camera warnings from this site & am very impressed with the coverage & the accuracy of the warnings.

Hope this helps? Wink

fozy1 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 19, 2006 Posts: 1

i have astreet pilotc310 i have downloaded the speed camera wrnings how do i install them thanks

MaFt · Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject:

borgman · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 31, 2005 Posts: 32

I too have the TomTom One and I am considering getting a Nuvi 300, because I need to have a device that covers Ireland which apparently this does.

hutchys · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 28, 2005 Posts: 12

This would be my first sat nav so I need to get it right. Now the Nuvi 300&350 has come down in price.(I know new units are shipping 310-360 but these are the approx price of the TomTom's I think) would either of these units be a better bet than the new TomTom 510-710-910 units? The voucher in PC world brings the 910 down to £449 I am not sure on the price of the others. Does anyone have experience of either unit even though it is early days for the 510 etc.
Jim

xtraseller · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 10:40 pm Post subject: Using both

Using both, and not much it in to tell you the truth. Different, but both good

For easy of handling (slimmer device) and better map data (Navteq) I use the Garmin Nuvi (300) more (and it's new low price makes it excellent value if you shop around)

The New TomToms (910) are very feature rich, but are trying to (perhaps?) do too many things

With the Nuvi 300 almost half the price and better maps (and the new 310 not much more), I would say if a Nav Unit is what you want, it won't be beat. If you want to make your purchase a 20gb MP3 Player, intend honestly to be traveling abroad by car with the unit (TomTom 910 comes with USA, UK and Europe), then that is obviously better value...

Weebroonie · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 28, 2005 Posts: 5

Hi,
I purchased the Nuvi 300 in December 05 and have found it very good. I had the Navman iCN 630 perviously, which I thought was good until I got the Garmin. This is so easy to use and very informative. I have even used the recommended carparks and eating establishments.

As I caravan the truck route is of special benefit to me as it avoids most of single track roads with passing places.

Question

Can I upgrade the 300 to use European Maps.

xtraseller · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 11:20 am Post subject: Maps

Yes, either on SD Cards with European regions (expensive if going to more than one or two countries) or (i belive) their CD onto your own cards

markjohnson · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 20, 2006 Posts: 41

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