Review of Garmin Nuvi 350

[sharp4runr]

Karl - LOL, don't feel about getting grilled. I too got the same treatment when I called but I guess he's just protecting his backside.

The software will allow you to enter in 500 POIs. This can be anything from your Mom's house to a speedtrap. The software is free from Garmin, you just have to request it and then unlock it with the code on the yellow paper. You'll then need the POI uploader to upload it on your unit

POI Uploader: http://www.garmin.com/software/POILoader_20.exe

Cool site to download speed traps:
www.POInUSA.com

 

[jharris2]

Did you guys get it from Arnott's?

Yep - I learned about him from the GPSPassion forums and got his price via e-mail. Since I referenced the e-mail, no grilling for me.

If anyone else wants to order, be aware of one small problem I had ... the credit card company computers thought it might be fraudulent activity so they rejected the charge. Arnott called me to advise ... and one quick call to the company fixed the problem. From the comments Jason made, it sounds like it's happened to him before -- a fairly large transaction for electronics may well look suspicious. But I'd rather the credit card company be a little more aggressive than passive with fraudulent activity.

 

[POS Racing]

POS Racing - The Nuvi cannot do what you are asking. You're better off getting one of there other models like the 2720. With the Nuvi you can only enter one waypoint between your destination. I think you can have 500 POI added. I just ordered the DVD so I'll check on that in a few days.

Thanks!

 

[jharris2]

Just ordered one! Hopefully I'll have it by Tuesday.

Mine came in today...did yours?

It came with 2.40 installed, so I upgraded it to 2.60. Very simple to do, 17MB download from Garmin's website.

I find satellite acquisition to be a bit inconsistent. Need to do some more testing.

 

[sharp4runr]

I got a UPS slip at my door. DOH!

I can normally find a satellite within 2 minutes or less of being parked. Takes longer of course if the vehicle is moving.

The wierd thing is that when I looked up the UPS tracking number, it mentioned 2 packages coming from the same destination. Maybe he sent me two for the price of one!

 

[ksneubec]

Yup, got mine today, although I haven't had much of a chance to play with it. Used it a little and so far I love it. Tomorrow I'll upgrade the unit.

 

[taeeno]

Mine came in today...did yours?

It came with 2.40 installed, so I upgraded it to 2.60. Very simple to do, 17MB download from Garmin's website.

I find satellite acquisition to be a bit inconsistent. Need to do some more testing.

I also found satellite acquisition to be a bit inconsistent only after upgrading to 2.60, might try to downgrade back to 2.40

 

[slyangel9]

OMG!!! $900 bucks, is that steep? I'd like to have one, but with twins on the way, the wife will never approve. I guess I'll keep taking the "scenic route" according to the wifey.

 

[sharp4runr]

OMG!!! $900 bucks, is that steep? I'd like to have one, but with twins on the way, the wife will never approve. I guess I'll keep taking the "scenic route" according to the wifey.

It isn't $900. :
If you're really interested in getting one, call Arnott's for the BEST price.

 

[jharris2]

I got a UPS slip at my door. DOH!

I can normally find a satellite within 2 minutes or less of being parked. Takes longer of course if the vehicle is moving.

The wierd thing is that when I looked up the UPS tracking number, it mentioned 2 packages coming from the same destination. Maybe he sent me two for the price of one!

Mine came via DHL, signature required.

Have been slammed at work so unable to test it out on the streets. Maybe tomorrow.....definitely want to try it out before I leave on the next trip (Sunday).

 

[sharp4runr]

Well the second package ended being the Navigation DVD. I asked my bro-in-law to bring it over so I could make a copy.

 

[jharris2]

Well the second package ended being the Navigation DVD. I asked my bro-in-law to bring it over so I could make a copy.

Toyota Navigation DVD or Garmin?

 

[sharp4runr]

It's a Garmin DVD

 

[jharris2]

FYI, Garmin posted a new firmware update for the Nuvi today: http://www.garmin.com/support/agree.jsp?id=1169

Changes from 2.60 to 2.70:

* Added option to turn autozoom on/off in the map settings.
* Fixed possible problem with GPX waypoint name overflow.
* Corrected rendering of some diacritic characters.
* Fixed Swedish cardinal direction translation.
* Improvements to Map Info page.

 

[ksneubec]

Hey July- any good info on that DVD?

John- thanks for the info on the update.

 

[sharp4runr]

Sorry no DVD as of yet. I sent an email to them a few minutes inquiring about it so hopefully it'll spur them on. On a side note, I'm going to my brother-in-law's house this weekend and he got a DVD with his Nuvi from Arnotts. I'm hoping to make a copy of it and will let you guys know.

Also I've updated to 2.70 and I like the feature of turning off autozoom. I guess I didn't realize how it could be annoying, but now that it doesn't do it I like it even better.

 

[jharris2]

Sorry no DVD as of yet. I sent an email to them a few minutes inquiring about it so hopefully it'll spur them on. On a side note, I'm going to my brother-in-law's house this weekend and he got a DVD with his Nuvi from Arnotts. I'm hoping to make a copy of it and will let you guys know.

Also I've updated to 2.70 and I like the feature of turning off autozoom. I guess I didn't realize how it could be annoying, but now that it doesn't do it I like it even better.

I like that you have the choice in 2.70.

There are reports on gpspassion that 2.60 and 2.70 cause the Nuvi to take longer to acquire satellites. One recommendation is apparently to keep the antenna level, not to raise it up to the full extent. I couldn't tell if that makes a difference when I left the airport last night, though, since I was in a concrete garage.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yeah I'll have to test that too John. When I got my Nuvi it was 2.40 and it took about 60-90 seconds to acquire a satellite. I'll have to time it when I go home today.

 

[ksneubec]

Satelite aquisition time seems to depend on more than what version of software you are using. Even in the same place (my parking spot) aquisition time can vary from 20 seconds to 2.5 minutes. And that is even in similar weather conditions, which I think would affect aquisition as well.

 

[jharris2]

Satelite aquisition time seems to depend on more than what version of software you are using. Even in the same place (my parking spot) aquisition time can vary from 20 seconds to 2.5 minutes. And that is even in similar weather conditions, which I think would affect aquisition as well.

You might want to call Garmin and ask tech support about it. Doesn't seem right that it would vary that much.