Next Garmin Advice - Replies appreciated thanks :)

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

Hey guys...

Not been on here in ages but thought I’d have a nosey as I am going to buy a new satnav to replace my current Garmin 250 that is getting more and more out of date in relation to mapping! Anyway, I have had my 250 for 3.5 years now and it’s been a great bit of kit for me, I travel around 25k miles per year and I wouldn’t be without it. I am after another Garmin unit as I really like these and I also have a custom car mount that I think only Garmin’s fit onto (The standard ball joint for the clip mount).

My requirements for a new unit are:

1. Latest mapping with European ability.
2. 4.3” screen size.
3. Speed camera database.
4. Lane assist and guidance.
5. Bluetooth for phone connectivity.
6. Traffic updates.

I have a budget of between £100 and £150 to spend, but can flex if it’s really worth it! I have done some searching and have narrowed it down to a Garmin 1390t, it seems to fit the bill and is priced within my budget, but I think that it may have been around for a while so wondering if a newer spec one would be better?

Any thoughts or recommendations on a replacement for the 250 are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

sussamb · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:37 pm Post subject:

I have a 1310 and a 1490. There are newer models out there but they are still very buggy, whereas the firmware on the 13xx and 14xx series is now extremely stable, go for the 1390, you won't be disappointed Smile

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

sussamb · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:09 pm Post subject:

To some extent all the newer ones have problems, it seems to take Garmin a while to iron out bugs Smile

Do you mean the 3D map view? In which case the answer is yes, I dislike the 3D view and always run mine in 2D Wink

Try here for others selling the 1390T:

http://www.satnav-discounts.co.uk/tomtom-go/nuvi-1300-traffic.htm

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

sussamb · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject:

There's no 'downgrading' to be done ... it comes with the free service Smile

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

sussamb · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:12 pm Post subject:

Never heard of 3D chargeable traffic ... but your nuvi comes with free traffic, nothing to pay for Smile

inspiredron · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:56 am Post subject:

The 2300 series have a subscription traffic service and are NOT compatible with the free FM RDS traffic service. Satnav-discounts site tells you that in their Q&A's:

Q: What is Garmin nuLink?
A: Garmin nuLink is live, location-based travel information includes instant traffic updates, fuel prices and Google™ Local search for 15 countries. 12 months of the nuLink service is included free with nuLink models, then it costs around £45 a year to keep it going. All functions of your satnav other than the live services will continue to work even if you choose not to renew the subscription. Information on nuLink can be found on the Garmin site here.
Q: Which Garmin Nuvi models come with traffic updates?
A: Any model number which ends with T, (e.g. the 1210T, the 1390T) comes with RDS (radio frequency) traffic updates. More recently, this service has been called LT (Lifetime Traffic updates). The 1690, 1695 and the new nuLink 2300 series come with nuLink, a premium traffic service.

Halfords have the 1490T at the moment for £160 with lifetime maps and that would be my purchase of choice.

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

sussamb · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 8:33 pm Post subject:

I can confirm that the only difference between the 13xx and 14xx series is screen size.

Only you can answer the lifetime traffic question. IMO it's not worth it, I've never bothered to update any map on any satnav and I can only recall 2 occasions when a map error caused me a problem, far better than any paper map I used Twisted Evil

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

20vt-rs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 40

Ok chaps, the 1390t is on order, I'll let you know how I get on with it. Managed to get it from Amazon for £99.99 if anyone is interested, this seems like a good buy...

inspiredron · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:08 am Post subject:

sussamb · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:14 am Post subject:

Yes, apologies, that's such an obvious difference I assumed the OP knew that as he didn't list ability to store routes in his initial post Embarassed

It can actually handle more than 10, as you can load as many routes as you wish using your PC and import them when required, only 10 can be used at any one time.

On the 1390 you can only insert one via point, and there is no way of saving any route for future use.

Thanks inspiredron for pointing that out Wink

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