Review of Garmin Nuvi 350

[jharris2]

Update on the Nuvi....

I'm on a business trip so it's the first time I've used the Nuvi away from home. The size makes it easy to carry on the airplane. Just put the windshield mount and car power cord in a Ziploc bag and threw them in my briefcase.

This trip is in a part of Westchester County, NY, where the roads curve a lot and are not particularly well-marked.

The directions the Nuvi give a great -- plenty of lead time to prepare for a turn, reminders along the way. Recalculates fast when you miss a turn (or, in one case today, road construction would not allow a turn on a road along the route).

Only issue is trying to locate town names around here. For some of the hamlets and townships here, the name the GPS recognizes may not be the same one as the Post Office uses. For example, "Somers, NY" is usually "Somers Township, NY" on the GPS.

All in all, very impressive function in a surprisingly small package.

 

[sharp4runr]

2.90 Firmware was released:

http://www.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00455-00

Changes made from version 2.80 to 2.90:

Updates for language translations.
Audible book player improvements.
City Searcher now crosses map boundaries.
Moved traffic setup to settings page.
Removed zoom legend from map page.
Removed restriction of only being able to install Oxford data once from an SD card.
Fix to separate custom POI from SaversGuide.
Fix to ignore Macintosh resource files in JPG viewer & MP3 player.
Fix for route line display on map.
Fix for screen corruption after using Calculator.
Fix to handle JPG pictures with large memory requirements

Changes made from version 2.70 to 2.80:

Fix scrolling when there are multiple GPI files in a list.
Fix Text To Speech so that it does not discard certain phonetic data.
Fix default max autozoom range.
Fix to be able to play format 4 Audible books again after playing them through to completion.
Fixed map jumping when in North Up mode and driving North or South.
Update translations for some languages.

I don't believe I even saw the 2.80 version.

 

[jharris2]

I don't believe I even saw the 2.80 version.

Nope - they went 2.70 to 2.90. There are also some reports that it fixes the satellite acquisition problem. I've had some improvement, but not consistently as fast as 2.40.

 

[ksneubec]

I've also noticed that when I was first posting a new favorite location, it would add it twice. New additions seem to only be added once, maybe they corrected this problem too.

 

[rensho]

You guys having a problem with the Nuvi's cig plug not powering up when you start the 4R? For me, it seems to power up momentarily as i start the 4R, but then shuts down.

 

[sharp4runr]

You guys having a problem with the Nuvi's cig plug not powering up when you start the 4R? For me, it seems to power up momentarily as i start the 4R, but then shuts down.

No problems with the cigarette plug for me. Call up Garmin and see if they'll send you a replacement unit. Have you tried the plug in a different car to see if it exhibits a similar problem?

 

[sharp4runr]

New Software Available from Garmin for the NUVI:

Version 3.10:

Changes made from version 2.90 to 3.10:

* Fix to not reset all settings to default when traffic setup button pushed with no GTM10 connected.
* PictureIt now captures screenshots of message banners and popups.
* Added Slovakian, Slovenian, and Estonian text languages.
* Added ability to change splash screen to any JPEG stored on the unit.
* Fixes for Finnish, French, French Canadian, and Spanish pre-recorded voices.
* Update route calculation error messages.
* Fix for UTF-8 encoding and XML files.
* Fix 'Near' button functionality in Travel Guide.
* Fix for active route page distance display.
* Improved traffic data reliability.
* Fix potential shutdown when panning the map.
* Power-On page improvements.
* Play error tones when disabled buttons are pressed on the map page or on the button row.
* Display the current location on the gps page.
* Fix to max autozoom range.
* Added capability for Flemish pre-recorded voice.

Linky: http://www.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00455-00

 

[ksneubec]

You guys having a problem with the Nuvi's cig plug not powering up when you start the 4R? For me, it seems to power up momentarily as i start the 4R, but then shuts down.

Sorry, that's one problem I haven't had.

I did just download v3.10, however, and noticed that it erased all of my favorite locations

 

[sharp4runr]

Sorry, that's one problem I haven't had.

I did just download v3.10, however, and noticed that it erased all of my favorite locations

Doh, you should have made a copy of the "waypoints.gpx" file. After you apply the patch, the just overwrite the "waypoints.gpx" with your backed up copy.

I keep an eye out at this forum for some tips on the Nuvi: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=161

I find a lot of interesting information on the other forums there too...

 

[rensho]

I tried the 3.1 patch. no diff re: starting up with the cig lighter. 2003 4R. Friend has the same issue with his 2003 4R.

The unit turns on, but it looks like the Nuvi's 12v plug detects a problem condition with the cig outlet and decides to not turn on.

This works just fine on the Toyota matrix.

:-(

What bugs me the most is that since the unit is running on batt power, it doesn't turn off with the car.

 

[ksneubec]

I'm not sure what to tell you other than to contact Garmin. Good luck, let us know what happens.

 

[rensho]

Called Garmin. 20min wait.
They understand what i'm getting at, but certainly have never heard of it, nor can help. States it seems like a Toyota thing.

Anyone else can verify if this is ok, or is a problem for them, and what yr 4R you are?
Could be that 2003-2004 there is a change. I'll need to seek out a 2004+ 4R and try.

 

[ksneubec]

Could be that 2003-2004 there is a change. I'll need to seek out a 2004+ 4R and try.

I've got a 2004, and again, no problems.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yup, I've got a 2004 and no issues. Jharris has a 2003 and he hasn't mentioned a problem either.

See if your plug works in the 12V in the trunk area. I "THINK" they are on different circuits so you can try the elimenate a variable.

Is your 12V adapter going into the mount or directly into the NUVI?

 

[Scuba4Runner]

I called Arnott's and their price does not seen that competitive - $799.95. Other places on the web have it for $750. How much did you guys pay for your Nuvi 350?

 

[sharp4runr]

I called Arnott's and their price does not seen that competitive - $799.95. Other places on the web have it for $750. How much did you guys pay for your Nuvi 350?

sending you a PM.

 

[rensho]

Good idea to try the trunk.

JHarris, you having any issues?

Also, you guys are talking about the stock 12v plug right? Not the optional $40 2nd 12v plug that goes into the ashtray?

 

[sharp4runr]

My 12V plug is going into an additional plug that I spliced into. See this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13327&highlight=12v+plug

 

[rensho]

Same problem with the rear plug(cargo area) for me.

Makes me go, 'hmmmm'.

Sharp4runner, yours seems different enough from my setup.

ksneusbec, you are using the stock cig lighter/12v with your nuvi?

 

[ksneubec]

I initially had my Nuvi powered through the factory 12v. I've since installed a a 3 outlet head inside my glove box and I have the power wire run into there for power. This way, I can still unplug it to switch vehicles, but it is hidden and professional-looking. Plus, I have two extra power outlets.