Garmin Nuvi 350 Report

Before taking a couple of road trips recently, I purchased a Garmin Nuvi 350 from www.pcnation.com for $353 with free shipping. I don't know how I survived so long without it. Not only will it guide you along your way and advise of places to eat and get fuel, it can also lead you to places by name, such as Wal Mart, Old Navy, etc. The unit performed flawlessly, is easy to use, and is rather intuitive as well. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to purchase a portable GPS unit, and I haven't seen it anywhere else for less than what I paid (a couple of months ago). Although I haven't used this particular function yet, it also has a built-in MP3 player. Awesome device! :D

Still thinking about a GPS for me. Too many choices and prices!!!!! Does your GPS speak out the directions and how is the volume level? Does it latch onto the satellite quickly? I'm still deciding between Garmin and Tom Tom.

Ron,

I would tell you that after doing extensive research on GPS units, the Garmin units far outperform any of the TomTom units. A lot of the difference in performance is that Garmins use Navteq for their mapping and TomTom uses a less effective mapping system that will send you on less efficient routes. I am about to buy a Garmin Nuvi 650 which is basically the same as the 350 but has a bigger screen. Go to gpsmagazine.com for reviews on most of the units out there.

I have had my Garmin 680 for 2 weeks now...it has already paid for itself since I relocated to the Tampa Bay area. I especially like the Bluetooth function on the 680...makes things sooo much easier, especially since I am at the age where the ears work better than the eyes :) The wife took my Garmin M4 PDA, which is also a great unit even without text-to-speech.

Does your GPS speak out the directions and how is the volume level? Yes, and medium sound level is plenty loud
Does it latch onto the satellite quickly?no telling. I've caught a satellite within a few seconds and other times minutes

I also am not sure how I managed to get around without my 350. I have noticed that it prefers certain roads more than others.. not a big deal as I get there, but not always confident they way it takes me is the best. But the times I don't know where I am going, it gets me there without issue.

would I buy it again? heck yea

Try this link below for some sound GPS reviews. Steer clear of Consumer Reports...their info is outdated:( .

GPS REVIEW (http://www.gpsreview.net/)

Still thinking about a GPS for me. Too many choices and prices!!!!! Does your GPS speak out the directions and how is the volume level? Does it latch onto the satellite quickly? I'm still deciding between Garmin and Tom Tom.


Tells you the directions and the name of the streets. The volume is easy to adjust. It latch onto satellite pretty good. I used the Nuvi 350 last summer in San Francisco and It's always cloudy. The GPS locked all the time and I'm really impressed. Highly recomemded.

Rod

Try this link below for some sound GPS reviews. Steer clear of Consumer Reports...their info is outdated:( .

GPS REVIEW (http://www.gpsreview.net/)
I like GPSPassion's website for its depth and width of actual user information/experiences on the many different gps devices.

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=172

rzalone,
As a couple of the other ROC members have alluded to, the Nuvi 350 does have text-to-speech and it has had no trouble latching onto the satellites. Another advantage is not only does it also have a 3.5 inch screen, but the whole device is just barely larger than a deck of playing cards. :)

Does it latch onto the satellite quickly?
If you turn your GPS on at the point it was turned off, it will find satellites quickly. If your tranport it somewhere else and then turn it on, it will take longer.

If you turn your GPS on at the point it was turned off, it will find satellites quickly. If your tranport it somewhere else and then turn it on, it will take longer.is that really true?
... maybe I should RTFM :cool:

I have a Nuvi 350 and like it. My only complaint is it sometimes names on-ramps with street names so that was a little confusing.

Got my wife and myself Garmin c340 Sreet Pilots. Really like the intuitiveness of Garmin compared to TomTom and Magellan. These have the text to speech feature, 6 million POI and the volume knob on the side of the case along with a great windshield mount. Pretty cool for around $250! If you want Bluetooth and traffic updates you need to "move up" & spend a bit more.

If your looking for a multifunctional GPS device (portable), then check out the Quest with free (unlocked) map upgrades. If you want strictly road navigation, then there are much better Garmin choices, like the NUVI series.

Review here:
http://www.gpsreview.net/garmin-quest/

I navigate with it by voice from the unit and use it for geocaching and obtaining quick lat/long in the field at work. Portable and indestructable.

As a professional that uses sub centimeter GPS everyday and years of handheld use, I can vouch for Garmin. They are second to none.

is that really true?
... maybe I should RTFM
It's true. I think the explanation is that when you turn it on, it looks for the satellites in the last place it found them. If you move, it has to essentially start a new search.

Not true! Each of the 24+ satellites orbits the earth twice per day. A receiver needs at least 4 signals to determine it's position and the EXACT TIME. Each satellite transmits its exact position to your receiver. Each satellite's orbit changes ever so slightly every day so the USAF updates each satellite occasionally with the new orbit info. You GPS does not use it's position when it powered down to determine where it is when it powers up.

A detailed explanation is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gps.

Your GPS receiver is probably the most accurate time piece you own.

Not true! Each of the 24+ satellites orbits the earth twice per day. A receiver needs at least 4 signals to determine it's position and the EXACT TIME. Each satellite transmits its exact position to your receiver. Each satellite's orbit changes ever so slightly every day so the USAF updates each satellite occasionally with the new orbit info. You GPS does not use it's position when it powered down to determine where it is when it powers up.

A detailed explanation is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gps.

Your GPS receiver is probably the most accurate time piece you own.
Precise time is the reason it all works so well. All hail the atomic clock! :D

NOAA produces the ephemeris that predicts the orbits of the satellites in the civil sector. Your Navi unit is a "real time" device. That means it must rely on the predicted locations of the satellites to determine your position on the earth. The use of a single receiver is known as autonomous positioning. The use of the FAA's WAAS system by some hand held (or car) receivers can really tighten the error ellipse. I use sophisticated dual receivers that communicate with each other for a form of DGPS, known as Real Time Kinematics (RTK), that produces sub centimeter accuracy in seconds within itself. This system also uses the Russian system, known as GLONASS, for even more coverage (and accuracy). These units are not for navigation. You'd think for $50k that they would at least come with a fold out map! :eek:

The other type of satellite positioning is called "static." That means the receivers (not consumer grade) gather data over a period of time (30 minutes or so) and this data is then computer post processed against actual (as opposed to predicted) satellite locations. This produces unbelievably accurate results. No good for navigation of course! ;)

Oops! Sorry for being so far off topic. :o

It's true. I think the explanation is that when you turn it on, it looks for the satellites in the last place it found them. If you move, it has to essentially start a new search.

I think an easy way of terming it that no one here has used yet is hot/warm/cold. I was about to, then remembered google:

http://www.hacking-gps.com/gps-notes/archives/2005/11/whats_the_diffe.php

Oh yeah, and Garmin all the way!

I like GPSPassion's website for its depth and width of actual user information/experiences on the many different gps devices.

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=172

Cool site. I just picked up a used 350 from another member here. Can't wait to get it.