Garmin nuvi 350 Review (GPSmagazine.com)

Verdict: Very good at any price. Unbeatable at $370.

REVIEW UPDATE: This GPS model has been discontinued

The nuvi 350 didn't start out as a budget friendly GPS; when Garmin first introduced the nuvi 350 it retailed for almost $1,000. Just 12 months later, the same sleek, compact, high-performance GPS is selling for as little as $369 (and dropping every month). The sub-$400 GPS market is an ultra-competitive price zone, pitting the nuvi 350 squarely against the TomTom ONE XL and Magellan's Maestro units.

Is the nuvi 350 the ultimate mix of essential navigation features and ease-of-use at bargain pricing, or an outdated, overpriced dinosaur?

1. Specifications

High-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver by SiRF (SiRF StarIII)
WAAS enabled; flip-up antenna - includes MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection
Preloaded with City Navigator NT 2008 (v.9) - includes detailed maps of U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico
Travel Kit includes Language Guide, MP3 player, audible book player, picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters, and calculator
SD memory card expansion slot
Built-in speaker
Traffic alerts with optional GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver
Text-to-Speech - unit prompts you to "Turn right on Main St" instead of "Turn right in 500 feet"
Audible and visual navigation instructions and warnings
Offers a three dimensional mapping perspective, or 2-D overhead view
Display: 2.8" W x 2.1" H (3.5" diag.), 320 x 240 pixels; bright, TFT display, 64K colors, with white backlight and touch screen
Unit dimensions: 3.87" W x 2.91" H x 0.87" D (98.3 mm x 73.9 mm x 22.1 mm) - fits easily in a pocket or purse
Weight: 5.1 ounces (144.6 grams)
Built-in lithium ion battery
Between 4-8 hours of battery life, depending on use
Includes 12-volt power adapter cable for external power while in your vehicle
Includes suction cup windshield mount

2. Understanding Garmin's nuvi product line?

The nuvi 350 has a 3.5" diagonal touch-screen, pre-loaded maps, SD card expandability, and travel and multimedia features. The nuvi 360 adds Bluetooth support for hands-free calls, and the nuvi 660 features an extra-wide 4.3" diagonal touch-screen, Bluetooth support, FM Transmitter and includes a GTM 20 traffic receiver. The traffic receiver must be purchased separately for the nuvi 350 and 360.

When the nuvi 350 was originally introduced, it was Garmin's entry level nuvi. Since then, however, the 200-series nuvis have been released. The 200's don't have the travel kit or music player. Here's a complete breakdown of the nuvi product line:

Garmin nuvi Feature Matrix

	200	250	250W	270	350	360	370	650	660	670	680
Screen Size	3.5"	3.5"	4.3"	3.5"	3.5"	3.5"	3.5"	4.3"	4.3"	4.3"	4.3"
Map Coverage	US (48 states)	NA	NA	NA & EU	NA or EU	NA or EU	NA & EU	NA or EU	NA or EU	NA & EU	NA or EU
Text-to-Speech	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Bluetooth	N	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y
Receiver	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF	SiRF
FM Transmitter	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y
Live Traffic	N	N	N	N	Opt	Opt	Y	Opt	Y	Y	Y
Battery Life	5 hrs	5 hrs	5 hrs	5 hrs	8 hrs	8 hrs	8 hrs	3-7 hrs	3-7 hrs	3-7 hrs	3-7 hrs
Weight	5.2 oz	5.2 oz	6.1 oz	5.2 oz	5.1 oz	5.1 oz	5.1 oz	6.2 oz	6.2 oz	6.2 oz	6.2 oz
MP3 Player	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Photo Viewer	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Travel Assistant	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
3.5mm headphone jack	N	N	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
MSRP $	$428	$482	$589	$642	$969	$965	$899	$749	$799	$1099	$999
Street Price $	$399	$499	$530	$599	$390	$450	$630	$599	$699	$840	$799