Garmin nüvi 275T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin nüvi 275T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Insufficient technical information
I want to buy this item, but it is unclear from the description if the vehicle power cable is included. Amazon shows that customers who bought this item also bought the vehicle power cable. So, perhaps it is not included. If the power cable is bought separately, then the question is whether it would include the FM Traffic antenna and service. Also, do I need an external antenna (the manual shows that there is a connector for the external antenna).
Is this one of those situations where you discover later on about the difficulties?
Two stars are for the lacking information, not the product itself.
5 Stars Great in Europe
Used this product in driving a 1,000 miles in England and then used in Madrid, Drive to Barcelona and within Barcelona - June 2009
Flawless. Highly recommend.
5 Stars Garmin nuvi 275T Outstanding Device
If you are traveling to Europe, this is the GPS for you. The “standard” features for the US are only better for Europe. Reliable, easy to use, and economical. Everything you need is included for both the US and Europe.
5 Stars Very complete little GPS, great for Europe
We already had a simpler Nuvi, the 200, and got this one because we were planning a trip to Europe and this one has a European database built in. Also the MAIN feature this one has that we wanted was for the voice to read the street names, not just say “In 200 yards, turn left.” because it is easy to goof the street when you don’t know which one is coming up. Now it says “turn left on Hoover Street” and that is a huge help. Honestly, make the wrong turn just once and you will appreciate this feature. Also it has a hands-free bluetooth phone built in, that works fine, we get tickets in California if we talk on a cell phone without a hands free device so that is good to have. This Nuvi is small enough to put in your pocket, you honestly don’t need the manual to use it, free traffic information LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION, no extra fees, this is a great GPS. I can’t think of another feature I would want.
1 Stars I’m Going Back to TomTom
I’ve only had this unit a couple of months, and I’ve only used it a few times. . . . but . . . .in that short amount of time, it’s AWFUL! I’m going back to TomTom!
This unit was a replacement to a TomTom One (basic model) that was stolen. I purchased this model for a couple of reasons. First, it had maps already installed for both the U.S. and Europe. . . . BUT. . .guess what. . . .when I got it, it said that there were new maps for both the U.S. and Europe, but I could only choose to install one of the for free, and would have to pay $100 to install / update the second maps. Second, I purchased this model because it had the ability to use an SD card. But the SD card situation is a mute point now, because I can live without it without a problem.
Here are a few of the basic issues I have with this unit, and why I’m getting rid of it.
* As I have said before, it has both the U.S. and Europe installed, but you only get one upgrade for “free”. Now I have to pay close the $100 to upgrade the other one.
* Though it says that this unit has “HotFix” to find satellites faster. . . .It takes FOREVER for it to find satellites! Yes, I live in a metropolitan area (downtown Atlanta) but I never had this problem with TomTom. I can stand in the middle of my condo courtyard, and it will never connect. If you can’t connect to the satellite, then you can’t use the system!
* Yes, this unit says that street names. . .but.. . it will say “turn left in 1.2 miles”. . . . and then it doesn’t say it again until you’re 5 feet away from the turn. . . and by that time it’s too late. Yes, if you constantly watch the map, then you will see it. . .but. . . even though my TomTom didn’t say the street names, it would tell you over. . .and over. . and over. . . that you’re going to turn left. You were ready for the turn when you got there.
* After you’ve missed the turn, from the last point, the system takes forever to recalculate. You might as well pull-over to the side of the road and just sit there and wait. Again, I didn’t have that issue with TomTom. If you did decide to take a different turn with TomTom it would recalculate quickly.
* Either at the beginning of a trip, or after it has finally recalculated, This unit will simply tell you to “follow the designated route”. . . . but guess what. . . that route is not shown on the map! You have to make the map smaller, to see if you can find it. If you can finally see it, then you have to see if you can find out how to get to where it shows you need to be. . . . but why can’t it just start from where I am now????? I can understand if you’re in the middle of a parking lot, but when you’re on a street, then this system should take you from where you are at the moment, and guide you. . . That’s what a GPS is all about. . . but it can’t. I never had that problem with TomTom.
* Yesterday, I was driving home, and the system told me to go the wrong way down a one-way street! Now if this were a new street. . . or if it had recently changed to one-way. . . or even if it was a “minor” street. . . then I could understand. But this is a major street in downtown Atlanta (Piedmont Avenue), and I just updated the map a month ago! Fortunately, I didn’t follow the directions. . . but it kept wanting to recalculate and send me down the one-way street over and over. By the time I made it to my street, it didn’t know that I could turn left onto the street where I live. It wanted to route me around another way. Believe me . . . TomTom isn’t perfect, but it certainly never told me to go down a major one-way street like that. Also, if there are little “issues” with the maps, you can report it to TomTom and you can also change it on your unit.
* This unit has little information on the screen. TomTom gives you LOTS of information by simply looking at the screen. . . It tells you the speed you’re going. . . estimated time to arrive at your destination. . .battery. . . time. . .etc. The one thing this unit shows that TomTom does not (or at least my unit didn’t) is it’s supposed to show the speed limit. That would be great. . .if it were correct. At least 50% of the time, in my short while of using it, the speed limit has been incorrect.
* Though it might be possible to do this somehow on this unit, but I’ve never been able to find out how. . . . and that’s to show points-of-interest as you’re driving along. With my TomTom, there would be a little icon that would shot you when you’re coming-up on a gas station, or doughnut shop, restaurants, etc. etc. etc. FYI, the POI’s are MUCH easier (and dare I say better) to install on TomTom and you are not going through a third-party service and a separate website to do it. The TomTom online system (which starts-up when you plug the unit into your computer) is SO much better/easier.
With all of the “negative” things about this unit. . . yes. . .there are a few “nice” things. For example being able to send locations to the unit via Google Maps. I also have the dashboard mount, and I like that because you don’t have to stick something to your window, which is how my TomTom was stolen. . . . but. . . I do have to take the dashboard mount apart to store it. This unit is also supposed to have traffic included, though I’ve not used it. I’ve read good and bad, but when you don’t have to pay for it, even it works just part of the time, I still think that’s a bonus. But that’s a “highway” benefit and not an “in-town” benefit where I do most of my driving.
In the end, if you only use this unit for “highway” driving, where you are on the open road. . . don’t have problems with satellite signals. . . don’t have to worry about going down one-way streets. . . .don’t have to worry about turns. . . . don’t have to worry about the unit recalculating. . . . then it might be fine for your needs. But if you’re going to be driving in metropolitan areas, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a TomTom.
Filed under: Portable GPS Ratings