Garmin nuvi 40LM 4.3 inch Portable GPS Navigator

As part of the 2012 Line, the Garmin nuvi 40LM is one of the current top-selling models.

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Features of the Garmin nuvi 40LM

Physical Appearance

This Garmin nuvi features a 4.3 inch screen.  The body measures 4.9 x 3.1 x 0.7 inches and it weighs 5.2 ounces.  This is a pretty standard size for GPs systems.  The larger 5 inch screens are not that much different.

Voice Instructions

The voice will speak the road names as you go.  Never buy a GPS that does not do this.  Simply saying “turn here” or “turn there” is very inconvenient at times because you have to constantly look at the screen to see what street it means.  Paying too much attention to the GPS can cause potential accidents.  On good GPS systems, you only need to listen.

Lane Assist

There’s no more guessing on which lane you should be in.  Sometimes you go on the lane furthest to the right when you know the next turn is a right-hand turn.  However, as you get closer, you realize the lane ends before you reach the turning point.  This unit will tell you which lane to stay on.

Lifetime Maps

You never have to pay for a map again.  Each year you may download new U.S. maps up to four times.  That’s more than anyone needs.  Most people are lazy and only do it once per year if they’re lucky.  That’s because many people rarely move the GPS from the car.  However, if you’re planning on visiting a new area, this will be a good idea.

Additional Usage

On top of the everyday functions, you will also get other useful functions if you need them.

• Speed limit indicator
• Where Am I?  This feature allows you to find closest points of interests like shopping malls, hospitals, gas stations etc.
• Qwerty or ABC keyboard
• 5 million points of interest to view

Some Things to Consider Before Making Your Purchase

Battery

The battery life on this model is only two hours.  This is fairly low compared to other Garmin products.  However, it is one of the cheaper models, so maybe Garmin skimped on this feature to separate the higher end models.  Most other ones have a battery life of four hours like the Garmin nuvi 1300LM.

not waterproof

This unit is NOT waterproof.  If you want to use this outside the vehicle, make sure you take good care of it on rainy days.  You also don’t want to drop it on wet surfaces or puddles.  Should this be a problem, then look at waterproof models such as the Garmin nuvi 500.

No Traffic

Traffic Updates are not available on this model.  You can’t even add the option if you wanted to.  You will have to continue to rely on listening to the radio.  However, this feature is still useful on other models when you leave in conjested areas where there are lots of traffic jams.  A GPS with this feature will make sure it takes you through the smoothest routes without sitting long in traffic.  You might want to get a Garmin model that has T or LMT as a suffix to make sure you have this feature.  Something like the 2455T or the 2455LMT is a good one to consider in the same class.

Watch to compare Screen Sizes and to see lane assist and junction view

Maps

Make sure you get the version that has the maps that you want.  If you’re only traveling in the U.S. then the U.S. only version will be sufficient.  If you travel across the border to Canada or vice versa, you may want to get the version preloaded with both countries.  If you plan to travel overseas, you will need to purchase and download the relevant maps.

Hands-Free

Unfortunately, this model is not Bluetooth compatible and does not have a headphone jack for discrete listening. If you need something like that then you may want to look at something like the Garmin nuvi 1390LMT.

Versions

You cannot get the unlimited traffic updates with this one.  That option is not available.  Other models have the LMT or T options which give you lifetime maps & lifetime traffic updates or just lifetime traffic updates.  The only thing you can do is downgrade to the basic model which is the Garmin nuvi 40 without the lifetime maps.  This can save you a bit of money.  On the other hand, you can also upgrade to the Garmin nuvi 50 or Garmin nuvi 50LM.  This will give you a bigger 5” screen.

Difference Between Garmin nuvi 40LM and Garmin nuvi 1300LM

The 40LM is a newer version of the 1300LM.  However, they seem to be completely different models.  Here are some of the differences of the 40LM compared to the 1300LM

Battery Life:  Lower battery life of 2 hours instead of 4

Physical Size:  Slightly bigger but lighter.

Lane Assist:  Added

Junction View:  Added

Speed Limit Indicator: Added

Missing Features:  Traffic compatibility, ecoRoute, Garmin Lock, picture viewer, world clock, currency & unit converter, calculator and Pedistrian Navigation is not as good as the 1300LM.

Video of GPS Featured on HSN

Recommendation

This model does not have all the bells and whistles, but it will do the job.  The Garmin nuvi 40LM is an affordable GPS that provides all the essentials.

Written By:  Cindy Barclay