Garmin nüvi 350 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
March 10th, 2010 Posted in Gadget Reviews
- Compact 700 MB GPS navigator with bundled MP3/audiobook player, photo viewer, and world travel clock
- Small enough to fit in a pocket or purse; mounts on vehicle windshield with included suction cup
- Preloaded with City Navigator NT maps of U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico
- Turn-by-turn directions, automatic routing, and 320 x 240 color touchscreen display
- Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot; measures 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
Amazon.com Product Description
What if one device could help you navigate anywhere in the U.S. andCanada, while offering travel tips, storing your favorite tunes and photos, providing translation assistance, and more? That device is here, and it’s not much bigger than a deck of cards. The Garmin nüvi 350 is set to revolutionize what we expect from a GPS navigation device, or from any device for that matter. Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators
The nüvi 350 is a portable GPS navigator, traveler’s reference, and digital entertainment system, all in one. View product demo (requires Flash).
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March 10th, 2010 at 1:43 am
Purchased in Dec. This is what I have found.
1. No manual with unit. You must print from website.
2. Download of software fixes is not well documented. Does not function on my computer(win xp)using USB connection. I must download to a 32 meg SD chip and insert into Nuvi for update.
3. Often(almost always) when powering up, I will see message that it is searching for satellites. I can wait several minutes and still be searching. I then power down and power up again and often will then find satellites ok. Sometimes must go thru powerup/powerdown sequence several times before success. As a motorcycle rider, this is a pain as you can not really do this while riding as you can if you must, when driving an auto or walking.
4. Status of battery charge condition is poor(in spite of following their instructions to totally allow battery to go dead and recharging). Now after 1 month I have discovered that if you plug into power to charge, the unit powers itself on from an off condition. If you then power off while still plugged into electrical outlet, then you will get a message on screen if battery is charging or if it is fully charged. This is not documented.
5. No longitude or latitude location given by unit. UH??????
6. Have had 5 software updates in one month. From release 2.2 to 2.7 in incremental releases.
7. Not waterproof, or even water resistant. This is very bad for a hiker or motorcycle rider.
8. No lanyard or any other method to affix a cord to carry around your neck. Small leather case does not have a belt attachement. Hint! Not a belt clip, but an actual attachment that requires the removal of your belt to carry it. Belt clips lead to losses. Look at the Canon SD 550 camera case for the proper design.
9. Search arguments for spelling out locations that you seek is poor. Example would be to search for “Harley Davidson” to find a local dealer. In Silicon Valley, the closest find is some 300 miles away. There are actually 5 or more HD stores within 25 miles from my home. This occurs on many searches, fuel stations, fast food places, etc. Very disconcerting if you are looking for Wendys or McDonalds or Chevron or Shell and are told by Nuvi the nearest is 30 miles away, as you are riding down the freeway and see one at the next exit.
10. MPH indicator when driving is not accurate. I have 2 newer autos that will indicate 70 mph and the Nuvi will say 66 to 67. I have checked speedometers in both by driving down the freeway at 60 and timing with a stopwatch at mile posts. The autos are correct.
11. What happens when built in battery gives up the ghost, no indication in documentation from Garmin. Must you pitch the unit(ala Ipod–however now for 75 dollars or so, Apple will install a new one)or does Garmin have plans to replace a failed battery. Somewhat hard to justify throwing a 900 dollar unit away because the battery has failed. Of course would probably function ok as long as your vehicle has a cigar lighter. No so with most motorcycles.
Other smaller lesser complaints. I often wonder if engineers that design these products ever actually come out of their cubby holes and test their designs in the real world. In other words “do they come out to see what us chickens are eating out here”? Some of these issues, I uncovered within 1 day of owning the unit. You see this in virtually every product that you acquire and it is really annoying that the designers failed to consider these before foisting the product on the buyer. No wonder so many returns and they of course wonder why and attribute returns to flaky buyers. For 900 dollars, you have an expectation of near perfection and if not satisfied then you should return.
I will not cover the numerous good and excellent attributes of the Nuvi in my review. These have been well covered by other reviewers. And mind you, there are many good points. I will wait for version/release 2 as most likely will be returning this unit.
Additional problem on Nuvi that I did not note earlier. If you have created a list of “Favorite Places”, it will become quite large over a period of time. You may wish to weed out some of the entries that are no longer of interest. You are not permitted to delete individual entries. You must remove the list in its entirety. This then means that you must recreate your “Favorites” from scratch. This is a serious usability defect.
Rating: 3 / 5
March 10th, 2010 at 3:16 am
order on 6/16/07 but it has not been shipped
Rating: 1 / 5
March 10th, 2010 at 3:34 am
Hello All,
I have seen several +ve reviews on this unit. People buying their first GPS might get facinated by this cute small unit. But those who have used different GPS navigators, will never like Garmin products. This will take you exactly where you want to go, but not in the right way. You will get frustated by its calculations and routing. Also you cant really see on the screen and see the roads coming, its confusing. I personally recommend Magellan 760, this is the best unit I have used so far. This does aoutroutiung veru fast and is very reliable. Magellan developed teh Hertz Never Lost system, and they know what they are doing. Please od not buy their new 800 version, because it doesnt have some features that are there in 760. Trust me. Need any info, email me at ftbps@yahoo.com
Bipin
Rating: 1 / 5
March 10th, 2010 at 3:49 am
I recieved my new nuvi 350 today, and went out to try it in my convertable, top down. With the antenna up, the device contined to display “GPS is Off” during my entire drive. The user manual (in the device memory) and Garmin web sit FAQ were of no help. So much for my having a GPS to help me navigate on my trip next week. Doesn’t Garmin even test these things before they ship out of Taiwan?
Later… Garmin tech support had me try a few things, then told me to return the unit. I recieved a second nuvi 350, which works very well.
Rating: 1 / 5
March 10th, 2010 at 6:46 am
All I can say is this is the BEST GPS I have ever used and I have had a few. Vary easy to operate and slip it into your pocket to be used any where you mite be.
D L Keniston
Bellows falls , VT
Rating: 1 / 5