Garmin Nuvi 360 user reviews

Pros Light, small, good screen, easy to use

Cons bluetooth has some problems, reset a couple times by itself, pricey

Summary I have had good success with the unit in general. The maps in around Toronto and Montreal are not 100% accurate for some streets, which kind of surprised me, but there are very few streets that I have had any trouble with. Otherwise I think this is a great unit, worth the purchase, especially if you want to use it out of the car and carry it with you. I tried a Street Pilot unit before I bought this one and it worked really well on our trip to the US, and liked the Garmin make so much I bought this one. The size difference is huge and in my mind, worth the cost.

Bluetooth did lock up the unit a couple times, and I think it relates to when my Treo 700p is talking to my BT headset, and then I turn on the Nuvi and it gets confused that there are two BT devices competing for one phone. Anyhow, just turn off the headset before you get into car and it works fine.

Pros Great size, well made/durable, fast satellite acquisition, strong signal, extremely easy to use, good mounting hardware, decent battery life

Cons The digital keyboard for entering addresses and data is not QWERTY (it?s alphabetical); when used in car, the unit cannot be ON and charge at same time

Summary The Garmin NUVI 360 is not the first GPS navigational device I have used, but it is without a doubt the best. Physically, the unit is perfectly sized... small enough to be unobtrusive or easily hidden, but with a screen plenty large enough to see and use easily while driving.

This device is EXTREMELY easy to use. Even GPS novices can start using the NUVI 360 right away without even peeking at the instructions (which are helpful when needed). The mounting hardware is excellent, well-made, and easy to use.

Acquisition of satellites is super speedy, maybe 30 seconds tops... definitely faster than any other car GPS system I have used. Once acquired, the signal is STRONG... I have never yet lost a signal, even while driving through tunnels or thickly wooded areas or through the streets of Chicago and New York City, surrounded by skyscrapers (even without the WAAS on).

The directions have been flawless, the maps are very easy to see and read, and the database of POI (points of interest) is pretty good, plus you can manually add more.

I would give the Bluetooth functionality about a B+. Sometimes I have a tricky time getting the Nuvi to pair with my phone, but once they are paired, the BT works very well and, again, is VERY easy to use. I have not used the MP3 player except to play a couple of the sample pre-loaded songs. The sound quality from the small speakers is inadequate for music listening and there is no FM transmitter, so the Nuvi will definitely not replace an I-pod or mp3 player for those who want even decent sound quality. The JPEG-viewer is nothing special... certainly not one of the Nuvi's strengths.

Overall, this product is unsurpassed in the GPS market right now. I can't imagine purchasing a GPS device other than the Nuvi 360, unless you are looking to spend less money (this is still a $400 to $500 gadget) or, in the other direction, you want to spend more on a larger device with a wider screen, in which case the Nuvi 660 is what you're looking for.

Pros Don’t think it worth for the money

Cons better to get maps from google or live

Summary Not worth it- confuses, no accuracy, take longer time than other maps.
My recent purchase of 360 gives me pain than benefit, it never gives better route (fastest and shortest) that provided by Google or live maps and it take longer time to reach places. I was traveling from Kingston Ontario to # Fairstreet, Oneonta, NY, where this devise took me to different highways and local road (faster mode) which I have waisted an hour compare to live and google maps. It also doesn’t know how to reroute the routes, during my trip from Oneonta to Philadelphia one of the locals road was blocked which is the only one route (according to Nuvi) that can take me to the highway, it give me wrong directions that it asked me to go to different roads that all eventually comes back in the same place where the road was blocked, I had to drive 40 minutes to find a town where the local people guides me to the highway which Nuvi didn’t know. I noticed it can’t give the direction fast when a point where highway/road is divided in to different routes from a single road or highway. My search for a closest Home depot gives me following where I couldn’t find a home depot when I was in Westwood, NJ. Home Depot, 577 WInters Ave, Paramus, NJ.
My opinion get the map from internet and relay on that more than this, I trusted the reviews when I bought this but now I think it was a marketing strategy where they paid to write the review.

Pros Bluetooth Functionality, MP3 Player, TIGHT interface

Cons None to report

Summary I work in sales, and my car is my office. I was in the market for a Navigation system that needed to have a friendly interface, along with Bluetooth and MP3 Functionality. After spending months of research both on and off line, it was easy to conclude the NUVI 360 was the best of breed.

It essentially came down between the NUVI 360 and the Tom Tom GO 910. I had the opportunity to experiment in person with both units, and the 360's interface was simply tighter, the calculations seemed faster, and touch screen was more responsive.

I've only had the NUVI for a little over two weeks, and I could not be more satisfied. I should note that I had the unit professional hard-wired into my car's CD Changer input using the NUVI's 3.5 mm headphone jack. This allows the sound to come through my speakers, and all I can say is AWESOME!

I also have the flexibility to connect my 30GB MP3 player, but with the NUVI 360's MP3 capabilities there's really no need. The interface is just so damn friendly while driving (much easier to read and select through the tracks).

The BlueTooth functionality is hands-down my favorite feature. Ordering take-out on the way home from work has never been easier (or more fun). Simply tap "food" to locate restaurants within your area, then tap the phone number displayed with your desired listing and the call is made. No longer any need for 411.

My Motorola Q had no problems connecting to the 360, and all my contacts (hundreds) were easily downloaded into the NUVI's phone book making dialing calls a breeze (also makes for a great caller ID). People are amazed when I tell them I'm calling from the NUVI because of the call's clarity (it may help that the unit is mounted to the side of the center consel).

Most importantly is the navigation itself. Great graphics, very responsive touch screen, quick calculations, and excellent info/stats (including estamted arrival time, speedometer, compass, total drive time, ability to add stops to final destination, etc).

Overall, I am very much MORE than satisfied with the NUVI 360. I wouldn't recommend anything else for the money (now around $400 on most online retailers). I can say without any hesitation that you will NOT be disappointed!