Garmin nüvi 3490LMT

Davo789 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 11, 2012 Posts: 3

I've been looking at satnavs for a while now, and have come across the new nuvi 3490.
One of my biggest requirements is the handling of traffic information. In particular, I'd like my device to have:
- large coverage of UK roads
- regularly updated and reliable information
- traffic info overlaid onto navigation map as I drive
- in-built receiver (i.e. no bluetooth connection to phone required)

I understand that the 3490 comes with the antennae built into the power cable, but this isn't a problem.

I was wondering whether any of you have any experience with the 3490, and whether you could say if it meets some or all of the things listed above. If you've got any advice in general, it'd be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

M8TJT · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:16 am Post subject:

Have you tried a search here? There is quite a lot of info in this post.

Davo789 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 11, 2012 Posts: 3

Hi M8TJT, thanks for the reply! Yes, I've had a bit of a search here and had come across the post you've linked to. I just wanted to see if anyone had some more specific info on the 3490 and the things I'm interested in.

Kremmen · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:28 am Post subject:

I would do a lot of homework if your considering a Garmin for traffic.

Having seen the various reports both here and elsewhere I personally would never buy a Garmin for its traffic. Dig around here for Pottsy's post on the subject.

The Garmin forum is full of woe from the UK and the US regarding traffic (or not) as the frequent posts indicate. The majority of the posts seem to indicate a faulty batch of receivers but the post date ranges would indicate a more deep rooted problem to me.

I've often wondered why the PND manufacturers seem to prefer the receiver to be part of the power cable that often hangs low in the vehicle? I wonder why they don't consider a top unit stubby aerial or tiny telescopic for example that would be well away from other vehicle electrics and have 'line of sight' so to speak?
_________________
Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
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sussamb · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:35 am Post subject:

My Garmin antenna runs vertically up the side of my windscreen so hardly 'hangs low'. The free FM based traffic that comes with Garmin has got me out of quite a few situations but it's not perfect, however no 'free' system is.

Should you wish Garmin can be used with a paid Trafficmaster system that is probably one of the better traffic systems around.

You pays your money, you takes your choice ... Smile

Personally, and for lots of other reasons, I'd never buy a TomTom Wink

Davo789 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 11, 2012 Posts: 3

Thanks guys!
sussamb, I thought the 3490 came with the traffic master RDS-TMC service?
I had a play with some TomToms as well as the Garmins, and was quite surprised at how much easier the Garmin devices were to use. The voice-control was really impressive, and it was generally much quicker to load menus/maps etc. The TomTom just seemed slow and difficult to use, and the voice control seemed pointless since you have to press a button to initiate it!

sussamb · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:37 pm Post subject:

The free service is based on the normal RDS-TMC service, but you can add to that with a full traffic master subscription, not that I've ever bothered Wink

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