Garmin Nuvi 1390T

I cannot believe the bad reviews for this satnav. Garmin make a great satnav and they are really well made. My 1390T is a 1390 LMT which comes with free lifetime maps and free FM traffic info. I have used Navman satnavs before and gave up using them because of all the hassle downloading maps and their non-existent support.

My Garmin 1390 LMT is so easy to use and downloading maps could not be easier. The maps are superbly clear and offer so much on-screen info. It is easy to set up and finds the satellites very quickly.

This is without doubt the best satnav I have ever used and I can definitely recommend it. You really cannot go wrong with a Garmin!

Bought this with 'lifetime mapping update voucher' but the lifetime is the one spent trying to get sense out of Garmin 'customer support'when the unit wouldnt download maps. 'Customer support' as in 'lowest circle of Hell'. I have now chucked this writing off £160 and gone back to TomTom which never gave me such problems. AVOID!

I tried to find a value product which included maps for a drive to Hungary from SW Outer London area. It's essential to check what % coverage of the various countries is provided, but not easy to find this info on most makes.

Mine was easy to set up and get working quickly, and it worked well right up to the Ukrainian border. Good, clear voice directions and the map updates fast enough when driving. Lane assist provides a little extra confidence at motorway junctions, always useful. The traffic reporting system is rather a hidden feature, I thought, just a little red/ green symbol. I later found that it gives an approximation of the predicted delay time, and will route you around jams where possible...this can make you think it's bonkers, until you hit the jam when you ignore it! I inadvertently deleted my traffic radio provider, but a quick e-mail to Garmin support restored it easily. A single free update's provided by Garmin, but it does take a while to load/ install, even on a fast BB connection. A lifetime map update option is available at extra cost (it's always worth checking out the software facilities!)

The unit takes several seconds to boot-up, unsurprising considering the data it must load. I haven't used it in pedestrian mode but this seems a useful feature e.g. for London sightseeing if you're unfamiliar. A nominal (optimistic) 4-hour battery life might not really be enough for this.

The multiple language support is comprehensive, useful when transporting/ showing off to foreigners!

Although I have only so far used the Garmin for a couple of journeys, I am very pleased with it. It is very easy to use, and the road layouts are displayed very clearly so that it is obvious which road you need to take.On major junctions it also displays on the screen all the different lanes and which one you should be in.With a traffic subscription, you'll get the latest information on construction, accidents, lane closings and other obstructions that lie ahead on your route. This was a replacement for an old sat nav. I only wish that I had upgraded before. Worth every penny.

It is unbeliveable just how bad this navigation is.I had a tomtom before but I wanted to try this and I cannot belive that this navigation is actually sold.One example-preparing your journey at home(no gps signall).Tomtom-go to menu-navigation-navigate from A to B.Done.Garmin- go to menu, go to settings, go to satelites, choose satelite simulation ON. Huh? Then go to map, find the start location, choose "set position" and then you can continue.There is NO manual atatched to this navigation, so you have to figure that out yourself.Unbeliveable.Second example-while navigating batery gets low.In Tomtom-sound signal and small flashing object on the screen.In Garmin-map gets off(!!!) and you get a warning with "ok" that must be pressed on the screen. Iamgne that happening right before sobe big crossing.DO NOT BUY THIS