screen size

bazer100 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 13, 2006 Posts: 16

hey guys, been looking at the site last few days, proved good reading so thanx for info, been persuaded to purchase the garmin i3... i have really only seen pictures of it and it decribes itself no larger than a cricket ball, how good is the directions then on the screen? are they way too small or are they just nice? to view, just looks really small, but sometimes it can be misleading

cheers

baz

Aitch2 · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:01 pm Post subject:

For the amount you'll want to glance at it - it's fine for driving with. Most users will tell you that they actually (mostly) only listen to the verbal instructions whilst actually on the move.

I find it to be the ideal balance between portablity (and being able to sling in your coat pocket when leaving the car) and functionality whilst on the move.

Screen, although small, is both bright and sharp.

There's no real substitute for borrowing one and playing with it - or just buy one from an outlet with a no-quibble return policy. I'll wager you'll not need to take them up on it... 8)

Aitch
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bazer100 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 13, 2006 Posts: 16

thats a great responce, thanks alot!!

baz

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:06 pm Post subject:

Put it this way. You're not going to be watching it like a TV so a lot of the criticisms that the screen is too small come from those i suspect haven't actually used one.

The map zooms in and out nicely when needed and i very clear. As Aitch2 said you'll only be glancing at it - if at all after a while. It's much better than trying to read an A-Z whilst navigating back streets.

I was worried at first but that first day out put all doubts to rest. Got mine for Xmas and still find any excuse top use it.....

Also as Aitch2 said it's small enough to slip in a pocket or small camera case with the charger and / or a couple of spare batteries.

Nickwolf · Regular Visitor Joined: Apr 01, 2005 Posts: 219

I would agree with all that Paul and Aitch have said - once you are used to it the screen size is not an issue. I changed from Tom Tom on a PDA to the i3 and have no regrets at all.

Nick.

Ash10 · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Feb 19, 2005 Posts: 478

deanos63 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 07, 2006 Posts: 14

They should do one of those projector style add-ons, like you used to get on the GAMEBOY! That will make the screen look bigger?

but the screen is crystal as it is, I LOVE IT!

mhb · Regular Visitor Joined: Dec 21, 2005 Posts: 155

I have found the small size of the I3 to mean that I can mount it on the dashboard immediately over the steering wheel without it interferring with vision out of the windscreen. In this position it means I can glance at it frequently and momentarily without really taking my eyes from the road. This has to be much safer than having to move both your head and eyes to look at the unit in , for example, the centre of the dashboard.

Psgps · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 20, 2006 Posts: 11

It may look small, but it's a beast inside. This is one GPS that you will certainly be happy with.

Ayla · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 23, 2006 Posts: 22

I did the no-quibble return with my larger Navman, and initially (for one day) found the Garmin really tiny. But as others have said, I seldom glance at it now, but listen to the voice commands instead. I only look at it out of interest, to see if the next street name is correct Wink

I have also found that due to its small size I can mount it in the bottom right hand corner of my windscreen, where there are no heating wires (heated windscreen), and I no longer need an external arial. I used it today with the heated windscreen on, in a snowstorm, and it picked up the signal in seconds!

paulhgc · Regular Visitor Joined: Feb 23, 2006 Posts: 88

size is not everything and in the case of the i3 it is both portable and powerfull Wink

gcb · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 24, 2005 Posts: 151

I think the screen is a little small, but most of the time its not a problem.
The TOM TOM or Garmin C3xx have bigger screens and I prefer ther Garmin c320 but it is so much bulkier and costs so much more.

The ideal size would be a little bigger than an I3 but smaller than a C320.

acefreecell · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:33 am Post subject:

I have had my i3 for a little over 24hrs now and find the screen ideal for the car. I was put off buying the bigger screens, as I would not like the car lit up at night so much that I could not see where I was going. 8)

I would buy another one no problem.

Going to ditch the Origin B2 now as it is defunct.

ride4smilesjonny · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:27 am Post subject:

gcb · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 24, 2005 Posts: 151

Problem with the small screen is when the I3 gives you a bum route which it will sooner or later - Its almost impossible to work out where its taking you. OK you will get home in the end. I know in theory you can check route whatever but on the bigger screen you can see more map detail about where you are going , you can also see the list of directions down the side with the map.

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