Garmin Nuvi 1340 Satellite Navigation with UK & European Mapping
Posted by Notcot on Jun 2, 2010 in In-Car Technology |
- Garmin Nuvi 1340
- Western European maps pre-loaded
- HotFix feature
- LaneAssist
- ecoRoute feature
Garmin Nuvi 1340 Satellite Navigation with UK & European Mapping
I did a lot of research on sat navs before I decided on this one and have not been disappointed. It is so easy to use (which for me is important as I hate spending hours with a manual not getting anywhere). I used to get lost most places I went and found it dangerous looking at printed out directions on my knee – so this has been the best gadget I have brought myself for a long time. Have recommended it and shown it to lots of friends and they all seem to like it – very streamlined and easy to view screen. Excellent.
Rating: 5 / 5
Widescreen, clear map, easy to use and the audio instructions are clear, and these not only tell you which way to turn, but also the name of the road you are turning into. Speed camera notifications, the speed limit you are in and the actual speed indications are useful. If you know the route and don’t want the audio instructions, you can just go to the MAP and it will show your car on the route and still give speed camera warnings. However, it is not perfect. For instance, it sometimes tells you to turn right but in fact you need to follow the road round the bend (the “straight on” road is actually a left turn). Also, the text which temporarily pops up when the speed camera chimes go off (double ding) is rather small. This text is useful in that it advises whether a fixed or average speed camera is looming, or a mobile camera zone. In this zone, a single ding sounds every few seconds if you are doing exactly the limit (or over). In my view it should not sound at the legal limit. Also, it would be useful to have a Mute “button” on the map screen for cases where you know most of the route but need help near the end. However, despite these minor foibles I am very pleased with the product.
Rating: 5 / 5
This Garmin sat nav is one of the best Christmas presents I have ever been given. It is very easy to use and the audio instructions are clear, and tell you which way to turn, as well as the name of the road you are turning into. The speed camera warnings, the speed limit you are in and the actual speed indications are very useful. If you know the route and don’t want the audio instructions, you can just go to the MAP and it will show your car on the route and still give speed camera warnings. It is not always correct with the information it tells you regarding directions. It sometimes tells you to turn right but in fact you need to follow the road round the bend (the “straight on” road is actually a left turn). Also, the text which temporarily pops up when the speed camera notification goes off (ding, ding) is a bit small, but having used the sat nav for a while, I now know what these are. The text is useful, though, in that it advises whether a fixed or average speed camera is looming, or whether you are in a mobile camera zone. In this zone, a single ding sounds every few seconds if you are doing exactly the limit (or over).
Upgrades are also very easy to do, once you have set it up on your PC.
All in all, I am very pleased with this product and I am looking forward to using it in Europe.
Rating: 5 / 5
Very clear and bright screen tells you nicely where to go and what is close to you is very easy to update via the internet and has many features sometime’s I think too many but its great. Has a micro SD card slot for more maps and I just bought one from here for when I go to my wife’s country not that we really need one but would be very nice and handy. This is my first GPS and I am very happy with it and also my first order from Amazon which I am getting to like more the more time I spend looking but cant spend all day shopping :). We dont tend to do many long journeys but with this in your car you are one step ahead of the rest very happy I did not go for tom/tom.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have been using this satnav for quite a while. And bought this after doing a lot of research.
PROS
1. 4.3 inch Display and graphics are a lot better than others in the same price range like TomTom.
2. Voices and Languages are too many to choose from, I have set mine to a female with American accent.
3. You can also change the car icon on screen to truck or bicycle or taxi.. there are alot of vehicles to download from the website.
4. It fits well on the screen, or on the dashboard.
5. EcoRoute is a plus if configured properly. You have to enter the fuel price and set other things to get it working properly.
6. Covers most of Europian countries, and the walking mode allows greater flexibility when visiting other cities in Europe.
CONS
1. The only disappointment was the LaneAssist feature, which does not work on most of junctions in Ireland. If you are in UK this may work for you.
2. Battery time is not too much and just sufficient.
3. A carry case should have been available with the purchase.
Overall I am quite satisfied with the product.
Rating: 4 / 5