GPS City Com Blog

Garmin 1390T Great GPS! No complaints.

gpscitycom — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:47:55 +0000

Just bought this GPS from Amazon and I’m having no problems with it at all. No sure why others have a problem with the speaker but it sounds fine to me. I bought this to replace my Nuvi 350 and it’s a major upgrade. The menus are much nicer and I like the Speed Limit display. I did have a little trouble with the bluetooth. After pairing my iPhone the “Phone” icon disappeared from my GPS. It didn’t seem to recognize my iPhone anymore. I went to the Garmin website, downloaded the 2.70 upgraded software for this unit (which has fixes for the speaker and bluetooth), did the pairing again, and now it works fine. I would definitely recommend this unit. Anyone who’s having problems should download the latest software for this GPS from the Garmin website. Read More »

Garmin 1490T Nice upgrade

gpscitycom — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:44:07 +0000

Just some observations:

Pros:
- The display is 5 in diagonal, that may not seem much bigger than the 4.3 but it is. The resolution is the same as the 4.3 wide-screens units but the extra space is well worth it and noticeable! It also makes it easy to hit the right button on the touch screen.
- User interface has received some minor updates, mostly in the cosmetic department. The font is new and contributes to a refined feel, everything is “smoothed” and looks very good. It’s also VERY responsive and doesn’t feel like it’s lagging.
- I like the new menu organization, they didn’t bury as many of the options and settings in sub-folders.
- You can change the map display so that the data fields are stacked along the right side as opposed to being in the corners. I like this view a lot. With this stacked view, you can see 4 data fields (3 are customizable) versus the two in the normal corner view.
- The unit is about half an inch thick, it’s very easy to carry around, even pocket-able in a pinch.
- (updated) The speaker on this unit is MUCH better than on my 755, 1260, 1350; perhaps they had room to add a larger speaker. The spoken directions sound not only louder but fuller and do not distort at high volume.

Cons:
- The mounting cradle is a two-step/two-handed affair, unplug the mini-USB then unmount from the two point cradle. The older, better quality cradle is literally one click grab and go from a nice powered cradle. Don’t know why they removed that (cost savings?).
- A common complaint: less detail shown on maps. The newer nuvi’s show fewer street names at the same zoom level as the older units. The argument being this reduces clutter. I’m not happy with it, but it’s not a deal breaker. Garmin has added alot of other information to the map display and I can understand they don’t want to overwhelm the user with text.
- The latest firmware is 2.7 and it seems to be quite buggy. Issues with Bluetooth, saving favorites, thats all I’ve experienced.
- Note, this comes with version 2010.10 maps. Garmin just released version 2010.20 maps. You only get one free upgrade.
- Very expensive… Read More »

TomTom XL 330S Good value, good operatio

gpscitycom — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:39:39 +0000

Some good points:
– the 4.3″ screen is nice, and I would recommend this screen size over the 3.5″ models.
– the set-up is relatively easy (which was great since the instruction manual is a joke!).
– TomTom has a pretty cool website (TomTom HOME) for you to use to get necessary updates your GPS, download accessories, etc.

Some bad points”
– the instruction manual is a joke. Thankfully, I had a vague sense of what to do because I’d used a GPS once before.
– the car adapter plugs in to the bottom of the unit in a way that is a bit unwieldy and awkward.
– you can only get the street names spoken with the computer-generated voice. If you chose any of the more human-sounding voices, the street name function will not work.
– whenever you download a new map or map update, you lose your saved favorites. You have to manually re-enter them or save the file from before you updated.
– it took forever for me to figure out how to cancel a destination once I was already en-route. Since there is no help in the instruction manual, I just had to start pressing areas of the screen to get the device to take me to the right menu screen! Read More »

Garmin 1350 Mostly Impressive – But Some Quibbles

gpscitycom — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:35:42 +0000

Overall, I am very satisfied with the Garmin nuvi 1350 but I do have a couple of minor complaints.

First of all, I do recommend that owners/potential buyers visit the Garmin web site to read through all of the product information and to review the FAQs. Some folks have made an issue of Garmin not including the USB cable with the device but this did not matter to me. The required cable is a standard type “A” to mini “B” USB cable. Many other devices use this same cable and I already own a couple of them. (I also heard that if you contact Garmin customer service, they may send you a cable at no charge.) Other reasons to visit the Garmin site: to register the product, to download the full PDF manual and to install the “my Garmin Agent Plugin” for web updates. Read More »

TomTom ONE 130 THIS TOM TOM IS NUMBER ONE!

gpscitycom — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:30:04 +0000

This item does essentially all that a gps unit should. It has more than enough features to make it an excellent choice.

I was able to update my refurbished unit to the latest maps through the downloaded software “tomtom home”. The map update was free, same as with the brand new units. You get one for the first 30 days of ownership, and the tomtom home website recognized my refurbed unit as available for a free update. Other posts have commented variably on this.

A comment was made about an poor manual.. In the box is only a basic start up guide, but the detailed and easy to understand manual can be downloaded from the tomtom support website.

The audio and selection of voices are fine. The suction cup is a neat and very usable idea. The unit will recalculate your route if you take a detour, therefore avoiding the endless ‘turn around’ commands of some. It will also recalculate alternative routes to the end position should you choose. Read More »

Garmin 780 Great Device and Easy to Use

gpscitycom — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:20:35 +0000

The 780 acquired the necessary satellites in just a few minutes when first activated, and does so in less than a minute for subsequent activations. I found the screen brightness to be fine for both day and night. I’m using the 780 with the Garmin Portable Friction Mount. Smashing windows and stealing GPS devices is the sport of choice in the DC Metro area, so I wanted no evidence of a GPS extant when I left the car. The friction mount works perfectly on my Honda Accord dashboard and stores easily in the center console, leaving no trace of a GPS behind. Very cool. The 780 easily fits in a shirt pocket, so it’s not necessary to leave it in the car.

I tested the 780 immediately by driving during rush hour to a residence across the river in a tangle of park roads off of the beaten track, then returning at night. The Garmin had no trouble creating a very fast route to the destination that bypassed most of the heavy traffic during rush hour. On my return, I bypassed a turn on its preferred routing. It recalculated a new route in less than a second which was the exact right answer. The new route wasn’t a recapture of the original route, which wasn’t possible from that location, but an entirely new route. The routes it picked were appropriate for the times of day traveled, which can be a daunting task here if you don’t know which roads go which direction during the appropriate rush hour. DC is a notoriously difficult area to navigate, but so far the Garmin seems up to the challenge.

I found the volume of the internal speaker to be more than adequate even with the radio, air conditioning, and windshield wipers going. Voice notifications led upcoming turns by an adequate amount, and the voice prompts always helped me get into the correct lanes in plenty of time for upcoming turns. During a particularly tricky section where several major roads converge on a bridge, then diverge on the other side, the Garmin gave almost constant appropriate guidance to ensure that I took the correct forks and turns. I was quite impressed. Read More »

Magellan RoadMate 1475T better quality than Garmin

gpscitycom — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:07:20 +0000

I have a GPS users in the last 4 years. Normally, I only buy, Garmin, and I recently purchased 755t. The first unit I had a lack of image, although letters and numbers from different parts of the screen, imagine opening the device and never able to pin in the correct band was ridiculously low, barely, I could hear everything that is disabled. I have a replacement product and Amazon had the same problem. After an hour on ice with Garmin, yes, one hour by hand, I was told it was a software issue, and I had to wait. I have too much for unity, to wait. I never had the lock up even if, as many have.

Then I have a quantity of research, and I came on the 1475t. I love this device, the group is strong. very clear, and the speech is very good. I live in San Diego and works Traffic Info receiver size, the screen is very closely and respond. I have all my addresses quickly. It is not perfect, it has some details must be defined. Sometimes the routing is strange, and recharging cable is a pain.

After using Garmin’s terrible terrible customer service and quality, I agree with this 5 stars because of my job much easier. It gives you a quantity of more information on Highway OnRamp you need. and I am delighted to nitpicky mail. I will only buy Magellan now. I am very impressed Read More »

Garmin nuvi 1490T GPS Review

gpscitycom — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:02:07 +0000

The large screen nuvi 1490T offers multiple-point routing and lane assist with junction view to help you manage busy highway interchanges. It also has subscription-free traffic alerts for most cities, hands-free calling, pedestrian navigation options and ecoRoute.

See more
It is easy to see where you are going to nuvi 1490T-5-inch touchscreen. Map driving directions, photos and more brightness in bright colors. With its large screen, you will always have the big picture.

Browse City Transit
With their system to build capacity for the navigation of pedestrians, nuvi 1490T is the perfect companion for traveling around the city. Download optional cityXplorer content, to help you navigate the city reach. Knowing where to go for a walk or by bus, subway, streetcar or other means of transport and how long it takes to get there. cityXplorer cards are available for some cities in North America and Europe. And the price as low as $ 9.99, you have more money in the big city.

Take It With You
Twenty-five percent thinner than the other nüvis, you can use the ultra-thin 1490T everywhere. It can be easily integrated into your pocket or your backpack and lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or on foot. Read More »

Magellan Maestro 4700 An Outstanding Navigational Tool

gpscitycom — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:56:30 +0000

Have received my fair share of slow and inconsistent GPS Garmin, Magellan and TomTom same over the years, this model is maintained on my radar screen. Not available on Amazon at the time of my purchase, I have had with the purchase of the Maestro 4700 Best Buy. Relatively new, even the staff were limited to the product. No problem. As always when purchasing an item, I have my homework.

In other words, the Maestro 4700 in shares over 5 “wide x 3.5″ tall and weighs about 6 ounces. The biggest for me personally, is the large 4.7 “color touch screen, automatic transmission, and the guide path arrow features. Unlike previous models, which I have the Maestro 4700 is the screen displayed in all lighting conditions. The easy to use One Touch interface is in any case a winner.

Although this system merits of Bluetooth, not all mobile devices compatible. The Maestro 4700 be associated with all three of our mobile phones. Obviously, this is a great role, but I can not identify what I listen to wireless every moment.

Coming out of the box, the device works without the usual hiccups of other systems. Straining is a breeze. The download time for the entry of departure to destination, is about 45 seconds. The One-Touch, the screen is silver. The menu allows the publication of his own personal choices. Magellan gurus thought in Automatic traffic. In short, it creates opportunities for other known traffic tie-ups. Read More »

Garmin Forerunner 310XT ing of Wrist-Mounted Trainers

gpscitycom — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:42:18 +0000

Garmin’s newest wrist-top fitness watch is a 50-megaton blast forward that combines the best of the company’s past two Forerunner models — the 305 and 405 — but easily laps both on almost all counts.

Like its predecessors, the 310XT uses GPS to track your runs and rides, but it adds so much more to the equation that it feels like a breakthrough device rather than an upgrade

The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is the latest GPS computer for the endurance athlete. This long anticipated training/racing computer comes with everything you need for your Ironman distance races. The computer is swim proof so you can now wear it at the start of your triathlon. This Garmin Forerunner 310XT allows you to track time, distance, pace, elevation change, and of course heart rate*. You can use software from Garmin to analyze your data and help you train/race better. You can send data to your computer wirelessly–no more having to worry about cables! Maybe one of the most impressive accomplishments Garmin has come up with is the long battery life of this Forerunner. The Garmin Forerunner 310XT has a 20 hour battery life! This battery will last you for the longest triathlon races and then some. This will be the computer of choice for Ironman distance triathletes. Even cyclist who trains for long distances will prefer this computer for the battery life.

Please note that because of the nature of heart rate monitors, transferring information from heart rate strap to wrist computer is not currently possible in the water.

Please note that this is a pre-order and this will not be available until May.

Product Features and Specifications

* Advanced heart-rate based calorie computation
* Battery life: up to 20 hours, typical
* Multisport: changes sport mode with a press of a button
* High-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix
* Water resistant to 50 meters
* Easy-to-read display
* Training and motivational features: Virtual Partner, courses, workouts, goals
* GPS features: mark locations, back to start
* Zone training: heart rate zone training, supports five heart rate zones
* ANT+TM wireless technology: lets you automatically transfer information back and forth between the watch and the computer, power data (from ANT+-enabled third-party power meters), Heart Rate (With optional Heart Rate Stap) and more.
* Garmin Connect : log workouts, set goals and share workouts in Garmin’s online fitness community at http://connect.garmin.com
* Compatible with GSC 10 speed/cadence bike sensor: monitor pedaling cadence and wheel speed
* Compatible with foot pod: measures speed and distance and runner’s cadence when indoors and outdoors
* Weight: 2.5 oz (72 g)
* Display: 1.3” x 0.8” (3.3 x 2.0 cm)
* Size: 2.1” x 2.2” x 0.8” (5.4 x 5.6 x 1.9 cm)
* Distance accuracy: 99% with clear view of sky
* Temp range: -4oF to 140oF (-20oC to 60oC)

This Forerunner is the king of training tools, and among the best heart-rate, speed and distance tracking wrist tops we’ve seen in the past several years. Having said that, for elite and pro level athletes, it doesn’t offer the kind of complex heart rate monitoring and stride feedback available on the Polar RS800CX, which we recently reviewed. But for most athletes simply seeking a personal best, the Forerunner 310XT will take you there in stride.