Garmin nüvi 1390/1390T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Review
This GPS is great. I should say this is my first one. I spent 4-5 hours reading reviews on Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan. Many of the reviews pointed towards Garmin, so I focused on figuring out which Garmin would fit my needs. I narrowed it down to 265T, 755T, and 1390T. I wanted traffic, lane assist, and bluetooth all for around 0-200. So the 755T doesn't have bluetooth, so I rulled that one out. It was down to the 265T and 1390T, and I ended up going with 1390T because it had lane assist.
I was skeptical because there weren't very good reviews of the 1390T, but it seemed many of the really bad reviews were because the device stopped working all of the sudden. One review said that Garmin sent him/her an email saying they needed to go get an update. "Then yesterday, July 7, 2010, I received an e-mail from Garmin about a mandatory software update for the 13xx series as well as the 11xx, 12,, and 14xx series Garmins. Apparently the freezing is a known issue, and this software update prevents the problem. If you don't apply the update and the unit freezes, there's nothing you can do. You have to send it to Garmin for repair. Applying the software/firmware update is very, very easy using Garmin's WebUpdater program, found at Garmin's website." I followed this suggestion and haven't had a problem yet and it's been two weeks.
In regards to the features of the 1390T, the bluetooth is ok. It's the least impressive feature. It works well for hearing the caller, but it has a problem with the microphone. Unless you speak directly at the device, it has a hard time picking up your voice. I tried using it by calling my wife and moved it around and with my face in different directions. It was the worst when the device was held at arms length to the side at an angle and I was looking straight forward. It worked a lot better if I turned my head directly at the device. So wherever you put it, make sure you can face it while driving.
The traffic feature is awesome. I live in Las Vegas, and used it last week in Los Angeles when I went down for a family reunion. It was almost spot on where slow traffic was located, construction, and accidents, and how far back the traffic was slowed down. The delay time was a little off though of each traffic jam. It was most of the time less than it actually took. There is the option to reroute around it, and I tried it twice and it worked great. There was one time that it said there would be traffic, and there wasn't, but that's pretty good when it got the other 11 times correct. In regard to the ads, the advertisements are tiny and only show up when you stop. I didn't find them annoying and an amazing trade for lifetime traffic updates! I thought the traffic was amazing.
Next, the screen was great. I can't remember which model had some bad reviews for entering the wrong letters even though other letters were being pressed. I haven't had a problem with screen at all. The screen size is great.
Lastly, lane assist is great. It doesn't show up much, mainly on the freeways. It is really accurate. My wife even said, "Wow, these (the lane assist signs) look exactly like the ones on the freeway. Overall I've been really impressed with the device. I would recommend it to anyone that is wanted to buy a GPS.
Garmin nüvi 1390/1390T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Feature
- Widescreen ultra-slim GPS design with 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen display; interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation
- Pre-loaded with City Navigtor NT maps for North America, including more than 6 million points of interest
- Bluetooth wireless technology enables hands-free calling with a compatible phone; included traffic receiver provides North America traffic information
- Public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems; Pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps
- NOTE: Model number on the box is 1390T because the traffic receiver is included; however, the model number on the device itself is 1390 as the "T" in 1390T refers to the additional component
Garmin nüvi 1390/1390T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Overview
The NUVI1390T 4.3" Ultra Thin GPS Navigator features a widescreen ultra slim design (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode and text-to-speech. The n vi 1390T offers pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps. CityXplorer maps are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the n vi. The nuvi's enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin's new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems. Steer clear of traffic with nuvi's traffic receiver by receiving alerts about traffic delays and road construction that lie ahead on your route. Junction view - View realistic images of upcoming junctions where available Map data is provided by NAVTEQ Bluetooth wireless technology, enables hands-free calling with a compatible phone ecoRoute - Drivers can view suggestions for fuel-efficient navigation, conserving both money and fuel Speed limit indicator - unit displays speed limits for most major roads Public transit - Navigate using buses, tramway, metro and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Download at garmin website. Where Am I? feature - Find closest hospitals, police stations, gas stations, nearest address, intersection and coordinates Bright 4.3 diagonal color display; 480 x 272 pixels; WQVGA TFT display with white backlight Trip computer records mileage, max speed, total time Built-in travel kit includes picture viewer, world clock, currency and measurement converters and calculator MicroSD memory card slot Offers 3-D mapping, or 2-D overhead view Dimensions - 4.8W x 2.9H x 0.6D; Weight - 5.7 ounces Built-in lithium-
Garmin nüvi 1390/1390T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Specifications
Amazon.com Product DescriptionThe Garmin 1390T GPS navigator with Bluetooth and included Traffic Receiver features a widescreen, ultra-slim design (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode, and text-to-speech on all models. The nüvi 1300 series are the first nüvi devices to offer pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps, which are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the nüvi. The nüvi's enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin's new public transit mode allows you to navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems. Pre-loaded with City Navigator North America NT.
 An ultra-thin GPS navigator with great Garmin features like CityXplorer and ecoRoute. Click to enlarge. |
 Just over a half-inch thick with a 4.3-inch widescreen display. Click to enlarge. |
 Easy-to-use touchscreen interface. Click to enlarge. |
 Garmin greets you with two simple questions: "Where to?" and "View Map." This screen is central to every navigation function and route-planning tool. Simply plug and play. Click to enlarge. |
 The device announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. Click to enlarge. |
Thin New Design
The nüvi units are just over a half-inch thick and weigh only 5.7 ounces, which means they'll fit easily into your pocket and can be taken just about anywhere.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology
The 1390T enables calling with a compatible phone, giving you a completely hands-free mobile phone experience. Broadcasts navigation and phone calls through your car stereo.
NAVTEQ Traffic Receiver Included
The included traffic receiver provides North America traffic information to your 1390T. Using this data, your device alerts you to local traffic tie-ups and displays current traffic levels. The receiver also acts as an in-vehicle power charger. Traffic provided by NAVTEQ Traffic. Watch informational video
- Comprehensive, reliable nationwide coverage
- Accurate traffic flow speeds
- Unplanned incidents such as accidents and stalled vehicles
- Planned incidents such as road construction and closures
- Information about special and sports events and holidays that may affect traffic
See More
With nüvi 1390T's widescreen display, you'll always get the big picture. View map detail, driving directions, photos, and more in bright, brilliant color. Its sunlight-readable, 4.3-inch display is easy to read--from any direction.
Easy-to-Use Touchscreen Interface
One of Garmin's core beliefs is to continually enhance the simplicity of the user experience. The nüvi on-screen menus are logically arranged, with clearly labeled, colorful icons, making it easy to enter data and get to the information you need quickly.
Navigate with Ease
nüvi 1390T comes ready to go right out of the box, with pre-loaded City Navigator North America NT street maps and millions of points of interest (POIs), such as hotels, restaurants, fuel stations, ATMs, and more, with map data provided by NAVTEQ, a world leader in premium-quality mapping. Enter a destination on the touchscreen, and nüvi takes you there with 2-D or 3-D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. Text to speech enhances standard sat-nav voice guidance by speaking the names of places and roads. It even announces the name of exits and streets so you never have to take your eyes off the road. In addition, nüvi 1390T accepts custom points of interest, such as school zones and safety cameras, and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs.
Travel North America
With nearly 6 million points of interest and detailed road coverage for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, City Navigator North America NT delivers all the data you need to navigate North America.
- Displays nearly 6 million points of interest--hotels, restaurants, parking, entertainment, fuel, shopping, and more.
- Includes highways, interstates, business, and residential roads in metropolitan and rural areas.
- Includes such detailed information as turn restrictions, roundabout guidance, speed categories, and other navigation features.
- Gives turn-by-turn directions on your compatible Garmin device.
- Includes postal code support for Canada.
- Contains traffic data for compatible Garmin devices that use traffic receivers.
- Enhances pronunciation data for compatible Garmin devices that speak street names (example: "Turn right on Main Street").
 Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. Click to enlarge. |
 Junction View gives you a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road. Click to enlarge. |
Know the Lane Before It's Too Late
No more guessing which lane you need to be in to make an upcoming turn. Lane assist guides you to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, making unfamiliar intersections and exits easy to navigate. It realistically displays road signs and junctions on your route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation.
Junction View takes it a step further, giving you a photo-realistic screen that shows you both the road detail as well as the signs as you will see them on the road.
Pedestrian Navigation
With the Public Transit feature, you can navigate using buses, tramway, metro, and suburban rail systems with optional CityXplorer content. Downloadable CityXplorer data and city guides are available for purchase and download from garmin.com for many cities.
Where Am I?
Keep track of yourself and your car with nüvi 1390T. Just tap "Where Am I?" to find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address, and intersection. Also see your exact latitude and longitude coordinates. The nüvi 1390T even remembers where you parked. It automatically marks your position when you remove it from the windshield mount, so you can navigate with nüvi on foot and find your way back to your vehicle. Perfect for unfamiliar spots and crowded lots, such as amusement parks, stadiums, and malls.
HotFix Satellite Prediction
Garmin's HotFix capability automatically calculates and stores satellite locations, greatly reducing satellite acquisition time so that you can turn the unit on and get going. With HotFix, your nüvi remembers the position of all satellites it is tracking when you turn it off, and calculates their movements in order to predict where they should be the next time you turn it on. HotFix can predict satellite positions for up to three days after the device was last turned off.
MSN Direct Compatible Add the GDB 55 receiver for MSN Direct. With dynamic content from MSN Direct, you can avoid traffic backups when you travel with your compatible Garmin device. MSN Direct broadcasts traffic data to your GPS navigator so you can find the best route through traffic, check traffic flow, and receive accident warnings.
What's in the Box
nüvi 1390T preloaded with City Navigator North America NT, Vehicle suction cup mount, FM traffic receiver/vehicle power cable, Dashboard disc, Quick start manual
Which nüvi is Best for You?
Note: All nüvis come with detailed NAVTEQ maps containing more than 6 million pre-loaded point of interest locations.
Device | Screen Size inches (W x H) | Included 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 205 | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 205w | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 255 | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 255w | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 260w | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | | | Photos | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 265T | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 265WT | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 275T | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 285WT | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (receiver included;3 months free); | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 465T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 755T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 760 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 765T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 775T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 780 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (receiver 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 5 |
| nüvi 785T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 850 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 855 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 885T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (receiver included; 3 months free); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos, MP3s | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1200 | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1250 | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1260T | 2.8 x 2.1 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1300 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1350 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (with optional receiver) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1350T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1370T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1390T | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1490T | 4.4 x 2.5 | | | | | MSN-enhanced (with optional receiver); FM (receiver included; Lifetime Traffic) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
| nüvi 1690 | 3.81 x 2.25 | | | | | NAVTEQ Traffic, 2 years free (Garmin nüLink! service) | | Photos | | | up to 4 |
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Aug 11, 2010 10:37:04
