GPS: It finally works!

I usually end up in the driver’s seat for road trips both long and short. I’d like to think that this is because of my superior taste in music and penchant for picking the best restaurants to stop off and grab a bite at along the way. Maybe. But I know that it’s NOT because of my navigational skills or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Among other mishaps, I once turned what should have been a short drive from Milwaukee to Chicago into an expedition several hours long!

Well, I recently got my hands on one of Garmin’s newest products, the Garmin nüvi 350 (MSRP $399.99 USD). This device is one of many in their nüvi line, far from the most expensive and feature-laden, but certainly not an entry level product either. I’ve used a few car GPS systems in the past and whether they were too bulky, hard to hear/see, slow to respond to touch, or had trouble connecting to satellites, they have all left something to be desired. And on occasion, multiple things.

But no more of that! On to better, and smaller things. The nüvi 350’s dimensions are just 3.87"W x 2.91"H x .87"D, which is truly amazing considering it offers a crisp, high quality 3.5” screen. Answering another one of my biggest complaints about these systems, the nüvi 350 not only uses a simulated voice to speak directions out loud but also actually speaks the name of the street you need to turn onto. This may seem like a small caveat, but try and navigate through a populated area during rush hour and estimate “turn left in 700 ft” and you’re in for a few headaches.

In addition to having finally mastered the little quirks usually present in previous generations of GPS devices, Garmin has added a slew of extras into this little brushed metal gem including a photo viewer, mp3 player, and audio book player. It really does make it just that much better. You’re not always going to need to use a GPS to get where you’re going (though some people just like watching the little car picture travel down the little road picture), but the extras here allow for the device to be usable in more situations than just following directions.

This thing will be a fixture in your car, and soon after purchase you will be unable to imagine life without it. Heck, on road trips now I even take it out of my car and walk around with it so I don’t get lost on the streets of whatever city I happen to be in. Unfortunately, now that I always get where I’m going on time my friends are left to complain about other things.. like the music.