Garmin nuvi 1390LMT GPS
- Garmin nuvi 1390LMT
So you’re looking at the Garmin nuvi 1390LMT and deciding whether to purchase it or not? Read on to make that decision.
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Features of the Garmin nuvi 1390LMT
Physical appearance
This model weighs about 161.6 grams or 5.7 ounces and measures 4.8 x 2.9 x 0.6 or 12.1 x 7.6 x 1.5 centimetres. It is a small and compact design to carry around.
Screen
It a wide-screen version 4.3 inches or 10.92 centimetres. The display is large and colorful. The resolution is a good at 480 x 272 pixels. You will be able to see it from all angles. Even on a sunny day the glare will not affect your vision of the screen. This is probably one of the more important features when it comes to safety. A GPS can be distracting if you’re not using it properly and if you have squint to look at it. For faster and easier usage, you can even choose your type of keyboard. There’s the Qwerty keyboard for those who normally type on a standard keyboard, or just the regular ABC keys.
Fuel efficient for cars
Like most systems, you get the benefit of saving time and best of all saving money on fuel as you are able to plot the fastest or shortest route possible. It has a feature called ecoRoute that was specifically designed with fuel saving in mind and takes into account the kind of car you’re driving. Each car consumes gas at different rates. You can also tell it to avoid certain routes. For example, new drivers are sometimes not able to go on the highways.
“Where Am I”
Here’s another great feature. Imagine you’re on the road and there’s a change of plans and you need to make a pit stop for refreshments or rest room. The “Where Am I?” feature is used to explore your local surroundings, cash machines, fuel stations and so on. Alongside these cool features there are a whole host of tools such as a currency converter, calculator, world clocks and many others.
Anti-theft
Now these gadgets can be pricey and nobody wants to have to replace a stolen item. The Garmin 1390LMT comes with an inbuilt anti theft device they call Garmin Lock. So it’s of absolutely no use to any thieves out there.
Voices
You can upload a wide range of voices to your machine from the internet and the customization doesn’t end there. You can also select the particular model of car you drive from the Garmin Garage. This is all made possible by downloading from the internet via USB and also an optional micro SD card. The voice also speaks the street name for your convenience. Most of the time you don’t even have to look at the GPS because it will talk to you like a real live human showing you the way. This adds to the safety of usage.
Bluetooth
The Garmin nuvi 1390LMT also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, thus allowing you to make calls via your cell on the move while keeping both hands on the wheel at all times.
Speed warning
There is also a speed warning on the Garmin nuvi 1390 as there is on many other models. You will find that it’s either a worthy safety feature or simply annoying in any nuvi 1390LMT review.
Free updates
Garmin updates have no subscription fees and unlimited lifetime map updates of local interest and local landmarks. You won’t be disappointed with any catches. How many systems out there are any good when you’re on foot? You could still get lost or take the wrong turn and we wouldn’t want that. It’s not all about the roads with the Garmin. You can download CityXplorer maps, although we should say you do have to pay for these. $9.99-$14.99 per city. So try to be selective when you use this. It’s probably best to use this in a foreign place on vacation or on business. However, with the Garmin nuvi price, you still have a deal.
Battery
This model comes with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. It has a four hour battery life without being connected to the trusty cigarette lighter. As with all in car accessories it doesn’t bode well to lose the charger for those extra long trips. You also want to make sure it’s charged at all times just in case you decide to walk around with it and use the CityXplorer.
What the unit comes with
You get everything you need to get you going with the initial package. There’s the nuvi 1390LMT, suction cup mount, manual, charger, traffice receiver, USB cable and all the preloaded maps for U.S.A. and Canada.
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Some drawbacks to consider
The Lifetime Maps are unlimited, however, limited to four downloads per year. I would save them for special trips or do it quarterly as routine. The battery only lasts 4 hours so don’t forget your charger on long trips. It’s rare that anyone travels more than 4 hours without stopping for a bathroom or fuel break. So if you forget to plug it in, that would be a good time to do it. You may want to consider getting an AC adapter so you can charge it indoors.
If you’re downloading multiple country or city maps, you might need to get an extra SD card if the internal solid state memory does not hold up. However, for normal use, this will not be necessary.
Do not submerse this in water because it is not waterproof. It’s also a good idea not to carry it in the rain just in case you drop it.
It also does not have a headphone jack. Therefore, if you have passengers sleeping, they may be a bit annoyed to listening to it.
There’s also a newer model of this you may want to look at, which is the Garmin nuvi 2495LMT.
Recommendation
All things considered, the Garmin nuvi 1390LMT of the most innovative GPS systems available and aside from a battery life that won’t get you across country it will certainly get you out of a few jams, avoid roadworks and save enough money at the pumps.
Written by: Mark Holsgrove