Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Lon, thanks for your input...I was looking at one today, but held off. Since I plan to do a bit more driving now (overcame most of the agoraphobia going to Savannah Thunder), it just might come in handy!!

I just checked Garmin on the 200W
Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft."): yes
Speaks street names (e.g. "Turn right ON ELM STREET in 500 ft.") : no

I'd pay the extra 50 bucks for the 360 that does tell you the name of the street.http://www8.garmin.com/products/nuvi360/kiosk/kiosk.html


Walmart online with free shipping to store near you. $229.00

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?dest=9999999997&product_id=5000855&sour ceid=33127884251167452590

[Dizzbe]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Lon, thanks for your input...I was looking at one today, but held off. Since I plan to do a bit more driving now (overcame most of the agoraphobia going to Savannah Thunder), it just might come in handy!!

Elle,

As John points out in the prior post. You really will want a model that tells you the NAME of the road/street to turn on in addition to the distance. On the ones that only tell you distance, unless you are good with how far 300ft is (I'm not), it is easy to drive past a turn. You get the "recalculating" new directions, but for a small price, why bother?

If money isn't an issue I hear that Garmin has a new model out that recognizes voice commands. You connect a button to the car and push it and then tell it the address. Just like a built in car navigation system but much cheaper. I think that they are going for $600-700. Like anything though, wait a couple months and they will probably be $500 or under.

[yelobird2002]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

I noticed that it did not say the street names, but a quick glance at the screen and the name of the street can be read. Not a big deal.

[islandtime]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Spent some time today researching different models. I'm now thinking about the Garmin 350...can get it for $199. Don't need the bells & whistles of the 360 (no need for the bluetooth, music, etc). Input, anyone?

[mdbluebrd]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

I could see where speaking the street name could be useful - especially with the top down. My GPS is a bit difficult to see in direct sunlight (TomTom One)

[Lonestar]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Spent some time today researching different models. I'm now thinking about the Garmin 350...can get it for $199. Don't need the bells & whistles of the 360 (no need for the bluetooth, music, etc). Input, anyone?

I would suggest you do an intensive search to find the true best price and consider the 650 to get the larger screen and text to speech. I did a brief search and found the 650 for $229. and you may be able to beat that but that price is incredible considering what they were less than a year ago.

Of course if you want top drawer in the Garmin line then it is the 850 with voice recognition. However, not for anywhere close to $229.

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Spent some time today researching different models. I'm now thinking about the Garmin 350...can get it for $199. Don't need the bells & whistles of the 360 (no need for the bluetooth, music, etc). Input, anyone?

Elle,

I've been very happy with the capabilities of the 350 that I bought on clearance at Target last June. That purchase was the reason I started this thread a little over a year ago. It is funny how fast we got accustomed to using the thing on trips. It is so handy and easy to move from car to car. For $199, I think it is a great deal and you won't be sorry for one minute. Two years ago the same exact model would have cost $500.

Garmin has a top notch customer service system as far as I'm concerned. Mine froze up on the way to New Orleans in June. They tried to help me over the phone but I couldn't get to recognize the satellites for some reason. They had me send it back and I had a replacement in hand in less than 10 days with all the latest updates and maps. The unit was right on the cusp of the one year warranty, they never even considered challenging the warranty repair/replacement.

Be sure to register your new unit with them on their website.

Bill's comment about the 650 being a great deal at $229 is true. Just depends on whether the larger screen is important to you or not. My dad has a 650. I'm not convinced that I like it any better than the 350 because I really like the compactness of the 350.

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

I could see where speaking the street name could be useful - especially with the top down. My GPS is a bit difficult to see in direct sunlight (TomTom One)

and hear above 80 MPH!
Ain't that right Julie?

Elle,
I have the 350 and have had it for over a year, works great.
There is an 82 pg owners manual that does not come with it but that can be printed on line.
Don't let that scare you, you'll never need to look at it. It's so simple you could take it out of the box and be on the road using it in 10 minutes!
Best additional feature is that it finds restaurants by style of food!

[islandtime]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

and hear above 80 MPH!
Ain't that right Julie?
Elle,
I have the 350 and have had it for over a year, works great.
There is an 82 pg owners manual that does not come with it but that can be printed on line.
Don't let that scare you, you'll never need to look at it. It's so simple you could take it out of the box and be on the road using it in 10 minutes!
Best additional feature is that it finds restaurants by style of food!

Oh, John...wish it were that simple. I got my 350 a week ago. One time it sort of worked, second time it asked if I wanted a "virtual trip", and yesterday and today no matter what I programmed into it (an address)...20 minutes later, it's still trying to find what I want. I've contacted "tech support" and they tell me my computer needs to download something. My COMPUTER??? I'm just trying to get my Garmin to work!!! That has nothing to do with my computer. Also...no instructions came with my BRAND NEW Garmin...and Garmin wants to charge me to download an instruction manual!!! Guess I got a $200 pig in a poke (purchased directly from Garmin).

[Borla Babe]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

and hear above 80 MPH!
Ain't that right Julie?

Who me, John? I don't need to hear it, I can just read the directions on the screen.
(Ladybird is just getting comfortable at 80 and now with new COP's under her hood and Garmin 360 leading the way... well, she is just a happy little car! )

[JAB02LHS]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Oh, John...wish it were that simple. I got my 350 a week ago. One time it sort of worked, second time it asked if I wanted a "virtual trip", and yesterday and today no matter what I programmed into it (an address)...20 minutes later, it's still trying to find what I want. I've contacted "tech support" and they tell me my computer needs to download something. My COMPUTER??? I'm just trying to get my Garmin to work!!! That has nothing to do with my computer. Also...no instructions came with my BRAND NEW Garmin...and Garmin wants to charge me to download an instruction manual!!! Guess I got a $200 pig in a poke (purchased directly from Garmin).

Elle I just went to the Garmin site and downloaded both the quick reference instructions that usually come with the unit and the 79 page owners manual that does not but can be downloaded as a PDF file for free.

PM me your email address and I will forward a copy to you.

I'm really sorry you are having so much trouble. I know of at least 6 personal friends that have the 350's with no problems.

Like all electronic there are failures on occasion. I think Julie had a problem with hers but got it resolved and Tom also had a problem that was resolved and both still seem happy with their purchases.

As far as your computer, I think they want to update your unit via your computer to remove any possible program glitch. It's a wonderful thing the way someone across the country can fix your unit with out you having to ship it back. But if you don't want to do that then just return it as defective and get back your money .

[Borla Babe]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

I think Julie had a problem with hers but got it resolved and Tom also had a problem that was resolved and both still seem happy with their purchases.

I had a problem, but I "reset maps" and it has worked fine since. It has been a great investment for me, no more maps or getting lost.

[4thTBird]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Do you have the antenna (the square part on top that flips up) flipped up towards the sky. That is how the unit finds the satellittes & determines where you are.
Good Luck.
P.S.
The unit can be connected to your computer via a usb port to upgrade the firmware. Follow this link to the updater software.
http://www8.garmin.com/products/webu...wtoinstall.jsp

Andy

[ChromeDome]

Re: Garmin Nuvi 350 Bargain

Julie's magnetic personality can confuse a GPS even if it's in someone else's car!! I'll let her explain how long it took us to find our way out of Franklin, TN and it only has one main street...