0ur opinion: :What if one device could help you navigate anywhere in the U.S. and Canada, while offering travel tips, storing your favorite tunes and photos, providing translation assistance, and more? That device is here, and it's not much bigger than a deck of cards. The Garmin nüvi 350 is set to revolutionize what we expect from a GPS navigation device, or from any device for that matter.
Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators
The nüvi 350 is a portable GPS navigator, traveler's reference, and digital entertainment system, all in one. View product demo (requires Flash). |
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 A simple touchscreen interface and voice guidance allow you to keep your eyes on the road. View larger. |
 Listen to an audio book or an MP3 while you're on the road. View larger. |
Design With a total weight of 5.1 ounces and slim measurements of 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87 inches (WxHxD), the nüvi 350 is just right for the pocket or purse. A bright, 64,000-color display dominates the front of the device and a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels means that there's plenty of room for displaying map data and other elements of the device's interface. An SD memory card slot is provided for expansion software, such as a points of interest database, media files and electronic guides (see below). The flip-up antenna includes an MCX-type connector for connecting the unit to an external GPS antenna. Meanwhile, a powerful built-in speaker resides on the back of device. A built-in lithium ion battery will give you for to eight hours of battery life, depending on use. ln addition to an AC charger, the unit also ships with a 12-volt power adapter for vehicle charging, as well as a windshield suction cup mount.
Fortunately, Garmin has made it easy to interface with the nüvi 350's 700 megabytes of onboard memory, thanks to 'plug-and-play' USB mass storage support. Just plug the device into your computer's USB port and you've got instantaneous access to all the audio books, music, photos, supplemental maps and other data on the nüvi 350's internal and SD card memory.
Navigation The nüvi 350 is first and foremost a personal GPS device. Wherever you go -- in your car or on foot-- the device offers extremely accurate position data, thanks to a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver by SiRF and WAAS-enabled, 12-satellite reception. Combined with detailed maps of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico the nüvi 350 provides automatic routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, and touchscreen control-- making it easy to find your way anywhere. Plus, the unique 'text-to-speech' feature calls out turns by street name, and you can choose from either 2D or 3D mapping perspectives when you're viewing your route on the display. Additionally, the nüvi 350 is compatible with Garmin's GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver*, which allows users to avoid traffic tie-ups by simply pushing a button that will calculate a new route.
As mentioned, the nüvi 350 comes packed with mapping data for North America, but you can can also load up your custom points of interest. Set up proximity alerts for school zones, safety cameras, and more using Garmin's free P0l (points of interest) loader program (available from garmin.com).
lmportant note about map updates: Due to our high volume of sales, almost every Garmin portable GPS navigator sold by will come with the most recent map version. lf you ever do need a map update, you can purchase one from Amazon.com at our Garmin Store.
 The device automatically calculates the fastest route and provides voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions along the way. |
Tools for the Journey Navigation is just part of the journey, and the nüvi 350 is one of the first devices to recognize that. The built-in 'Travel Kit' offers an MP3 player, an audio book player from Audible.com, a jpeg-format picture viewer, a world travel clock with time zones, a currency converter, a measurement converter, and a calculator.
ln addition to the included travel tools, additional software add-ons are available, such as the Garmin Language Guide, with data provided by 0xford University Press. This software suite contains a multilingual word bank, phrase bank, and five bilingual dictionaries. The multilingual word bank and phrase bank supports nine languages and dialects, including American English, British English, French, German, ltalian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, European Spanish, and Latin American Spanish. Now you can look up and translate more than 17,000 words or 20,000 phrases per language -- right in the palm of your hand. Through the unit's text-to-speech interface, users can get a spoken pronunciation of each entry in the word bank, along with gender and part of speech information.
Another useful add-on software package, the Garmin Travel Guide, is loaded with information provided by Marco Polo. These guides put in-depth travel information such as reviews and recommendations for restaurants, tourist attractions, and more at your fingertips. The software allows you to navigate to an address or search points of interest-- places like hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. The nüvi 350 automatically calculates the fastest route and provides voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions along the way. The unit also audibly announces the name of upcoming streets-- letting you keep your eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways. And if you stray off course, the nüvi 350 automatically calculates the quickest way to get back on track.
*Traffic services available only in select cities where RDS-TMC coverage exists. Requires the GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver and subscription fee to enable traffic capability.
What's in the Box nüvi 350, Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America and Puerto Rico, Vehicle suction cup mount, AC charger, Vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, USB cable, Carrying case, Quick reference guide
Which nüvi is Best for You?
For a slightly higher pricepoint, Garmin's nüvi 600 and 700 series devices have richer feature sets including: MP3 players, JPEG photo viewers, the ability to receive traffic and weather information, bluetooth for hands-free calling, FM transmitters that deliver audio through your cars own stereo system, and multi-destination routing that will tell you the best way to make a trip that involves several destinations.
| Screen Size inches (w x h) | lncluded Maps | Text-to-Speech (Directions in Real Street Names) | Traffic | Bluetooth | Media | FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system) | Multi- Point Routing | Battery life (hours) |
Cont. U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico | AK and Canada | Europe |
| nüvi 200 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  | | | | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 200w | 3.81 x 2.25 |  | | | | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 250 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  |  | | | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 250w | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | | | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 260 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  |  | |  | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 260w | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | |  | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 270 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  |  |  | | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 350 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  | | |  | FM (with opt. receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 8 |
| nüvi 360 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  |  | |  | FM (with opt. receiver) |  | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 8 |
| nüvi 370 | 2.8 x 2.1 |  |  |  |  | FM (receiver included) |  | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 8 |
| nüvi 650 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  | | |  | FM (with opt. receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 7 |
nüvi 660 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | |  | FM (receiver included) |  | Photos, MP3s |  | | up to 7 |
nüvi 670 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  |  |  | FM (receiver included) |  | Photos, MP3s |  | | up to 7 |
| nüvi 680 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | |  | MSN (receiver included; 1-year free); FM (with opt. receiver) |  | Photos, MP3s |  | | up to 7 |
nüvi 750 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | |  | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver) | | Photos, MP3s |  |  | up to 5 |
| nüvi 760 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | |  | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver) |  | Photos, MP3s |  |  | up to 5 |
| nüvi 770 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  |  |  | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver) |  | Photos, MP3s |  |  | up to 5 |
| nüvi 780 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | | | MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free) receiver); FM (with opt. receiver) |  | Photos, MP3s |  |  | up to 5 |
nüvi 850 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver) | | Photos, MP3s |  |  | up to 4 |
nüvi 880 | 3.81 x 2.25 |  |  |  | | MSN-enhanced (receiver inc.; 3 months free); FM (with opt. receiver) |  | Photos, MP3s |  |  | up to 4 |
nüvi 5000 | 4.5 x 2.7 |  |  | |  | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with opt. receiver) | | |  |  | external battery only |
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Testimonials
Average Buyer Rating:

Buyer's feedback: 
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* Great product, great value! ...
Took a road trip & found it very useful to get back on the right track after a few wrong turns. Great for finding gas stations or restaurants while on the road. Love the voice prompts so I can concentrate on the road.
Very good value for the money. I bought two one for myself & one for a gift.
Buyer's feedback: 
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Loving It!
Works great right out of the box. I was eligible for the free map update (which took some time to download but was easy). I have very pleased with the Garmin Nuvi 350 and would highly recommend it. I have noticed that it sometimes gives me incorrect directions (or maybe not always the most direct route) but it does get me where I need to go. I love the points of interest - restaurants etc. and have used that quite a few times since I got it. Great buy and I am very happy with my purchase!
Buyer's feedback: 
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* Should I be worried? ...
I just purchased the Garmin Nuvi350, but have not received it yet. I have read some reviews on another website and am now second guessing my decision. Should I be worried that this is now a discontinued product and is it difficult to receive map updates because it is discontinued?
Buyer's feedback: 
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My 1st GPS
Though I'd never touched a GPS unit before, this could not have been easier to use. VERY intuitive. Almost scary how fast it can recalculate when I made errors on purpose to test it. Couldn't be happier.
Buyer's feedback: 
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* Great item for anyone who drives. ...
This item was pretty easy to use right out of the box. Only took a few minutes to get the satellite to recognize the location. Love the fact that it speaks the street names. I keep it on the seat next to me instead of on the window and it does great. Love that it comes with every charging adaptor you could need, ac, dc, or usb. Also like the ability to store pictures and music. Price was great at 199.