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Thursday, April 7, 2011
Garmin nьvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
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This review is from: Garmin nьvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)
Garmin Nuvi 270 works for us.
Garmins have worked well for us before, so when buying our own GPS, we bought a Garmin. It works just like the others so we're happy with it.
We like the size and shape. We bought a regular screen, not a wide screen. No regrets. Why would I want a wider screen? The 270 is thin, not bulbous like some other Garmins I've used. Thin is good if you plan to pack this in your suitcase, right?
Maps: I chose the 270 over other units in the 200 series because it has a lot of maps, including Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe, in addition to USA. (see the Garmin website yourself to be sure what maps are included with the unit that you choose) When we go to Montreal, just a few hours from our home, we don't want our GPS to run out of maps at the border. We'd rather be in a restaurant ordering dinner in French than lost, trying to get directions in French. We've only used the maps near home. They have been great. We're looking forward to testing the maps in exotic places. (Addendum: a commenter checked the web site and states that Mexico is not included in the map set. Dios Mio! We'll get lost in Mexico.)
Reception: occasionally displays "acquiring satellites". But this has never inhibited my navigation. I have suction cup mounted pretty far forward on the inside windshield of my Prius. I have never used it hand held. I think that GPS signals are effected by rain, a heavy canopy of trees, and asphalt jungles, but reception has been just fine for me. (Addendum: I tried to use this as a hand held in a pine forest. Forget it. No useful signal at all.)
Display: I think it's a great LCD display but my father-in-law says that it does not work for him. He has some visual impairments -- not as young as he used to be. If you have such issues then try someone else's GPS before you buy. If any LCD screen works for you then this one will too.
Speak, Garmin, Speak! The unit gives spoken directions, turn by turn. I usually mute these, but if you are worried that you'll miss your exit then turn-on the sound. You can relax and drive and the unit will tell you when you're nearing your exit. The 270 doesn't say street names, and that's fine with me. I chose not to pay a lot more for spoken street names. No regrets. I can read the street name in the display.
Having a GPS unit promotes tranquility in our family. We used a borrowed Garmin during our Florida vacation last year. I did the driving. Garmin did the navigating. The others helped to navigate when needed, but we spent little time worrying about directions and more time enjoying vacation and enjoying each other's company. There was no "Honey, just stop for direction, will ya?"
Wish list? Just one thing. This unit does have a mini USB connector for the power connection. I was hoping that the GPS would accept power from all of my USB power cords like the one that powers my cell phone. Nope. And I was hoping that the Garmin power adapter that came with the GPS would recharge other mini USB devices. Can't depend on that either. The plugs fit, but things don't always power up. USB power adapters are not all interchangeable. I wish that the Universal Serial Bus were just a bit more UNIVERSAL! Other than that, the unit does everything that I want. My wife likes it too. She's a genius, but no computer nerd. (That's why I have to write the review).
HAPPY NAVIGATING!
Addendum: Even though the power adapter is shaped like a mini usb, you cannot use it to charge most cell phones. And cell phone adapters will not power the GPS. I think that Garmin designed it this way for a reason (see below), but they really ought to add a work-around that permits you to use a standard usb power supply for this device. Because, hello, you use a GPS for traveling, and when you travel you don't want to carry multiple chargers.
Why did they design it this way? I'm guessing that Garmin wired this charger so that the GPS can tell it is connected to the car charger and go in to navigate mode. When it is connected to any computer (or anything else) using a standard usb interface it goes in to "mass storage mode" and tries to talk with a computer over the usb cable. They should just add an icon to the touch screen that lets you bypass the mass storage mode and navigate using a standard usb charger. Fix this, Garmin, please, So that I can continue to buy and recommend your devices!
Garmin nьvi 270 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics) at amazon.com
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