Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech 010-00538-00

Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech, 010-00538-00
Vehicle GPS

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Which nüvi is Best for You?: Click here to see a quick, simple comparison of features for all Garmin nuvi GPS navigators

The nüvi 360 comes with hands-free bluetooth wireles technology; See side view.

Browse your stored pictures with an easy-to-use JPEG viewer.

The device sports a handy MP3 player, letting you play songs stored on SD memory cards;

Make Hands-Free Calls
The nüvi 360 integrates wireless technology with a microphone and speaker that lets you make hands-free mobile phone calls using your compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone; Simply dial numbers with the nüvi's touch screen keypad to place a call, and to answer calls, just tap the screen and speak directly into its built-in microphone.

In addition, you can easily look-up and dial numbers from your personalized phone book or from your phone's call history log; Don't know the phone number for your destination? Simply find and dial it from nüvi's database of more than six million points of interest -- including hotels, restaurants, stores, and attractions.

Navigation and Entertainment with Ease
For starters, the nüvi 360 includes a high-sensitivity integrated GPS receiver that offers exceptional performance and reception; The unit's flip-up antenna includes an MCX-type connector for optional external GPS antenna connection; Preloaded software features maps of Europe or North America, and it includes automatic routing, 2D or 3D map perspective, turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names, and a fingertip touch screen interface -- making navigation as easy as it gets.

But navigation is just the beginning; Like the nüvi 350, the nüvi 360 also includes many entertainment and travel tools including an MP3 player, audio book player, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm, and currency converters.

The nüvi 360 features a bright, 2.8 x 2.1-inch TFT display with white backlight for easy readability; At 3.87 x 2.91 x 0.87-inches (WxHxD) and just 5.1 ounces, the unit is small enough to be placed on the dashboard with the included suction mount, or into your pocket for easy transportability; The unit also features Garmin Lock -- an advanced anti-theft feature that disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location; A built-in lithium ion battery will give you up to eight hours of power, and an included 12/24 volt adapter cable will let you run the navigator off your vehicle's power; An AC battery charger is also included.

A built-in Travel Kit that includes sample MP3s and audio books will get you started with entertainment, and with the unit's SD memory card expansion slot you can add optional software, such as language and travel guides; A USB port is also included for loading and updating data.

What's in the Box
Gamin nüvi 360, Preloaded City Navigator NT North America or Europe (full coverage), vehicle suction cup mount, AC charger, 12/24 volt adapter cable, dashboard disk, USB interface cable, carrying case, owner's manual, and quick reference guide;

Which nüvi is Best for You?

Screen Size inches (w x h)

Included Maps

POIs

Directions in Real Street Names

Traffic

Bluetooth

Media

FM Transmitter (audio through car stereo system)

Multi- Point Routing

Cont; U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico

AK and Canada

Europe

capable

included

nüvi 200

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos

nüvi 200w

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos

nüvi 250

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos

nüvi 250w

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos

nüvi 260

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos

nüvi 270

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos

nüvi 350

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 360

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 370

2.8 x 2.1

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 650

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 660

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 670

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 680

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 750

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 760

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

nüvi 770

3.81 x 2.25

6 million +

Photos, MP3s

Reviews for Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech:

Slim and pocketabl,this GPS is not just for driving directions but also connected by bluetooth to my smartphone for hands free driving. The nice bright screen works well with maps,but also is handy as picture viewer for my jpg images. (The screen is certainly larger than my camera's. I used a 2 gb SD card I had lying around). I started an Audible acoount and the audiobook transferred smoothly to the device. I appreciate being able to bookmark the place that I stopped at for easy restarting. I also tranferred some podcasts to the Nuvi and it did fairly well as an MP3 player.

Pros: Bright screen,Smooth map movemnent while driving,reasonably accurate directions. Great for audible,podcasts and jpgs. Standard mini USB plug for power (same as my smartphone) Street names are pronounced in a recognizable fashion. Pocketable. Fairly reasonable battery life. Snappy rerouting when off course.

Cons: Pokey boot sequence. Needs to have unit's antenna(?) swiveled open in the back for GPS navigation. Didn't pair nicely with my wife's Treo

I used to have a Garmin iquee3600,which served its purpose but took a really long time to receive the signal of our position. I switched to the Garmin 360 when the price dropped to just $212 on Amazon.

Pros:
1) The blue-tooth connection capability is great for using the GPS unit as a handsfree device instead of fiddling with earpieces when driving.
2) The unit can call out to restaurants and make reservations whilst you're driving on the road,which is so convenient if you're the sort who likes to make last minute decisions about where to go and still wanna call ahead to book a table where you eat.
3) The signal search is swift,no more than 2-3 seconds on any road. The only time it wasn't able to was when I'm still in the carport,but once I pull out and am seconds on the road,the signal locks on and I'm all set.
4) I love the touch sensitivity and the design of the interface. The tones made whenever you touch the screen is pretty cute and makes you feel like it's all fun and games.

Cons:
1) It's not as fast as the iquee3600 to capture a new place you wanna go. The iquee3600 is a PDA,so it practically lists the entire 6 million places of interests/food places etc immediately and narrows it down as you key in the name of the place. That is a feature I miss on the Garmin 360. The Garmin 360 tries to pull out data really slow,between 3-10 seconds depending on how far the place is from where I'm currently located. Most times,it wasn't able to pull our the data that I want in comparison to my iquee 3600,but I use both units side by side,so if I'm looking for a new place,I'll find the address on the iquee3600 and then key it in to the Garmin 360.
2) It doesn't come with a bean-bag,so you'll have to buy it separate if your state (I'm in California) doesn't allow wind-shield mounts. I just use it on my iquee 3600's bean bag with a bit a sticky tac and clever wiring of the unit onto the bag.

Overall,it's an awesome unit and totally deserving of the 5 stars rating. Anyone looking to get one should really consider the Garmin 360.

This is my first GPS unit and I am pleasantly surprised. After I received the Nuvi 360 I updated the software and maps to the current versions. The process (really the maps) took some time,but was completed without any problem.
I am just back from a visit to New York City and New Jersey,the unit worked flawlessly and performed beyond my expectations. I experienced no problems with the loss of satellites while driving between the tall buildings in Manhattan. The 360's navigation accuracy is surprising. I was impressed as it even continued to navigate and give directions while in the Holland and other tunnels (without satellites). It was great to be reminded of what to do when you get out at the other end of the tunnel. (I assume it is storing the information in memory before you enter into the tunnel)
As a novice I had my preconceived ideas of GPS,i.e. only useful to get to a destination. The other functions I considered unnecessary if not useless. Was I wrong? In addition to getting me to where I wanted to be very satisfactorily,I will share my experience with some of the other functions:
* Shortcuts - I am glad I have read the manual before the time. I used the suggested "shortcuts" all the time.
* The speaker volume was adequate and I had it for the most part at about ¾ of its capacity.
* The trip information page is interesting,but it is not essential. Nonetheless,as it is there,why not?
* Trip and preview page - Used it often to get a better understanding of what was ahead. It is an essential function.
* Next turn page - Used it often to get a better view of what is coming and to confirm instructions. It is an essential function.
* Text to speech - I under estimated its value. It is very helpful,especially in a city like NY,to have the street names spoken. That way I could listen and concentrate and keep my eyes on the road and traffic around me. Based on my experience it is essential and I will not consider a model without this capability.
* After using it I appreciate how well the "Go to" has been designed. The POI information is not only convenient,I found it very useful. For instance,to refill the rental before I dropped it at the airport I could locate a gas station near the airport,enter it as a "via point" and get to the drop off area in the least amount of time. The battle to look for a gas station near the airport is now of the past and I will always use this function in the future.
* Bluetooth - A function I considered unnecessary. Yet,I used it all the time.
* MP3,Audio Books,FM,etc. I have not used it and still consider it gimmicks. However,it may just be that I will change my mind again once I have.
As I am traveling often and,hence,am renting cars,it must be convenient to carry the Nuvi with me. Therefore,the "size of a set of cards" of the smaller screen Nuvi 360 is very convenient. I never found the screen uncomfortable or too small. I don't know what the bigger screen Nuvis are like; however,as I am going to have it with me ALL THE TIME in the future,I prefer the smaller format.
I also bought the Nuvi "Portable Friction Mount Part Number: 010-10908-00". What a useful and innovative product. It is an excellent accessory and I have no intention to ever install the suction cup mount that comes standard. If you travel in many different cars this is a must have.
In summary,I have no experience with other GPS systems (Magellan,TomTom,etc.) or Nuvi models,but am very satisfied with the 360. In fact,it will in the future always travel with me. The only question I have is: How did I in the past get along without one?

Had a Garmin Ique3600 palm based unit before this,so that is what I judge against. Nuvi has 3d view which is nice,but kind of cartoony compared to a standard 2d overhead view. 2d can be selected also on the Nuvi. I use 3d and then slide to drag the map and it switches to a 2d overhead view complete with distance scale (that is missing on the 3d view because the distances are not linear).
- Likes:
-New map (allowed 2gig download of version 2009 maps no problem)
-Suction cup is solid mount.
-Power cord connects to MOUNT,not unit like the newer 200 Nuvi units.
-Easy to remove and reinstall to mount with one hand. Tomtom XL one mount stinks.
-Easy to get to volume and brightness control
-Phone Bluetooth works great with a Motorola Razor 3v. Pulls contact and last called,ect from the phone to the unit.
-Point of interests can easily 1 button dial a hotel or restaurant when bluetooth is connected to phone. (Find location and press DIAL button to ask for reservations etc.)
-Very sensitive antenna.
-Accurate time estimates (250 mile trip off 5 minutes from intial Est! Tomtom XLone off by HOURS!
)
Cons:
-Routing takes more side roads than the Ique ever did.
-Volume should be louder. Wife has a convertible Mustang GT and all the way up there is NO WAY the phone option is loud enough. Even in a Caravan it is JUST loud enough cranked all the way up. The Tomtom XL1 is much louder,but has limits of its own.

Overall good replacement for the Ique3600,but wish the volume was louder and the routing more like the Ique way. (Phone thing rocks though!)

I initially got the 360 because I got 650 for my daughter earlier. However I found that 360 is not very bright compared to 650. So I returned and got 660 for my wife. My new LG Dare phone does not yet bluetooth with the GPS device,but once that is up and running the usefulness can be appreciated by dialling POI (point of interest) straight from the screen of 660. THE UNIT IS VERY RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE. Thats my friend is the bottom line. If you want to save money and dont care for the bluetooth on the GPS,go for the 650 instead.

Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator with Bluetooth and Text-to-Speech features:
Bluetooth wireless technology, built-in microphone, and speaker for hands-free calls with compatible phones
MP3 player with pre-loaded sample songs and audio books, JPEG picture viewer, travel alarm, and currency converters
2D or 3D views; pre-loaded with most recent Navteq-driven maps for United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Canada
Turn-by-turn directions with actual street names; real-time traffic and weather info
Super-bright 2.8 x 2.1-inch sunlight-readable color screen

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