Having finally had enough of my TomTom 720 not working properly, (No full postcode search, very slow…)I decided to try a Garmin and last week purchased a Garmin Nüvi 3790T.
So why the Garmin, well it is one of the few that allow you to load US maps on a separate card, it has voice commands, it’s very thin. I also had Garmin forerunner 405 which I was very happy with.

 

So what do I think, well it is excellent. It certainly doesn’t have the same functionality as the TomTom, changing settings, marking map corrections, changing colours, turning off key tones, etc. And after initially being frustrated about not being able to do these things, it actually works really well.

Navigation is clear and precise, although sometimes the traffic avoidance redirections (turn next left, then follow parallel road for 20 yards, and then turn right), can be a little stupid. It does pick up traffic well, and as long as you ignore the minor detour, it works well.  Full postcode search works well, and the camera free trial (1 month, I think it’s £30 per year) is good, although it’s not clear which are fixed and which are mobile camera (you have to read the small text) the speed is clearly displayed and if you are over it turned red.

Favourites are easily added, although it’s a little annoying you have to save address, as the road name, then edit this to change name to ‘Diane and Bobs’

 

Voice control is excellent, and can be very useful when driving. Simple commands with easy to read prompts on the screen make it a doodle to use.

 

Bluetooth connection to phone is excellent too, and microphone and speaker seem to work well. You can view you last calls, and make and receive calls.  Although you can make call by voice command, haven’t been able to answer using voice command yet.

 

There is an interesting Eco tool, that tracks your mileage and fuel usage, it gives a display on the screen with Red, Orange or Green leaf showing how economically you are driving.

You then click ‘at the pump’ to input the fuel used and cost to keep tabs on your mpg. It seems to work well and does make me think when I am driving to dry more smoothly to keep the leaf green. Have yet to fully see the mpg, but it sounds like a great idea.

 

Overall I am very impressed, and after 2 weeks, really like it and don’t miss the TomTom at all.

I had heard very bad stories about Garmin support, so I hope I will not need them :-)