Thursday, September 2, 2010

Garmin nuvi 1390T review

July 27, 2009 by Rich Owings  

Garmin-nuvi-1390T-review The Garmin nüvi 1390T is a high-end unit in Garmin’s latest line of GPS navigators, offering lane assist, junction view (seen above), lifetime traffic, and Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use. All of the new units in the 1200, 1300 and 1400 series come with customizable data fields and the ability to utilize the pedestrian and mass transit features on Garmin’s CityXplorer maps. They also have text-to-speech, so you’ll hear “drive one-half mile, then turn left on Main Street,” instead of just “drive one-half mile, then turn left.”

UPDATE: Now available bundled with lifetime map updates

The 4.3” touch-screen nuvi 1390T comes with preloaded maps of the US and Canada.

Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 1390T

Step up to the nuvi 1490T to get a luxurious 5” screen and add multi-destination routing to the feature set, or choose the 1690 to get connected services like Google Local search. Going the other direction, the nuvi 1350T has the same features as the 1390T, minus Bluetooth and junction view. To see how the 1390T compares to other models, check out my Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

Portions of the following were adapted from my hands on reviews of the nuvi 1200 and nuvi 1490T.

Here is a brief look at new features found on the 12xx, 13xx and 14xx series, but not on previous models.

CityXplorer maps

The nuvi 1390T can utilize the pedestrian / mass transit navigation features of these maps, as shown below. CityXplorer maps are priced at $9.99 to $14.99 per city; you can read more about them in my CityXplorer review.

 Garmin-nuvi-1300

POI feedback

This feature, added with the recent version 2.70 firmware upgrade, allows you to give feedback on points of interest (POIs). You can follow that link for more details, but basically, POIs can be rated and you can also report errors, removing them from your searches.

Custom data fields

The nuvi 12xx, 13xx and 14xx models allow you to customize the map screen’s lower left data field, a feature we first saw on the nuvi 7×5 series. Press this field to bring up the options listed below. When not navigating, the options are:

  • Direction of travel (default)
  • Elevation
  • Time of day

When navigating, the options are as follows:

  • Estimated time of arrival (default)
  • Estimated time to destination
  • Distance to destination
  • Direction of travel
  • Elevation
  • Time of day

Furthermore, in the nuvi 13xx and 14xx series, you have the option to shift data fields to the right side of the map screen, as shown below. The top three fields can then be customized with the options discussed previously. This gives you the ability to display two more fields than can be shown in the traditional display mode.

nuvi-1350-custom-fields

Speeding warning

Also new, your speed changes to red if you are exceeding the speed limit (assuming the unit has the speed limit for the road you are on). This is a nice feature, but I wish Garmin would allow you to customize this to changes colors at 5 or 10 MPH over the limit, so it’s not constantly switching back and forth if you drive right at the limit.

More nuvi 1390T features

The following features were first introduced on other recent nuvi models.

Trip log display

Trip log display, or as I prefer to call it ;-) , tracklog display, shows where you’ve been and can be downloaded to your computer. Tracklogs can be cleared and the feature disabled for those of you with something to hide! The tracklog is the thin blue line trailing behind the car / current position icon, as shown in the screen shot above.

ecoRoute

This feature adds a “less fuel” option to your routing choices and gives you fuel and mileage reports, estimated fuel cost for trips, and even a “driving challenge” to improve your fuel efficiency.

 nuvi-1350-ecoRoute

Here is a PDF version of the ecoRoute manual. ecoRoute is available for the nuvi 2×5, 7×5, 12xx and 13xx series.

NAVTEQ Lifetime Traffic

The nuvi 1390T comes equipped with NAVTEQ lifetime traffic, which is ad-supported. You can read all about that in my nuvi 755T review, but don’t despair, the ads are very low-key. What is more of a concern is NAVTEQ’s very limited traffic coverage, only 52 US cities at this point. You can see a full list at traffic.com.

Lane Assist and Junction View

The nuvi 1390T includes Lane Assist, as shown below, as well as Junction View, a photo-realistic image of freeway interchanges. These features help guide you to the proper lane in both freeway and surface street conditions; be aware though that coverage appears to be very limited.

nuvi-1350-lane-assist

Recent cities and streets

This feature was first seen on the nuvi 700 series. A folder icon appears in the upper left corner of both the city and street search screens. Tap it for a list of recent entries. This is so much better than having to re-enter your hometown all the time!

Where am I?

This emergency location feature provides your current latitude and longitude, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and fuel stations. nuvi-1350-where-am-i

Garmin nuvi 1390T pros

  • Lifetime traffic
  • Bright display
  • Text-to-speech
  • Quick access to previously entered cities and street names
  • Has lane assist and junction view
  • Customizable fields on map screen
  • Automatically powers on and off
  • ecoRoute
  • Compatible with CityXplorer maps’ enhanced pedestrian navigation features
  • Trip log display
  • Visually warns when speeding

Garmin nuvi 1390T cons

  • Power lead must be plugged directly into unit (not the mount)
  • Lane assist and junction view coverage extremely limited
  • Traffic coverage limited to 52 US cities
  • When you search for a POI, the POI balloon obscures a significant portion of the map

Conclusion and recommendations

As with the entire nuvi series, I expect that most buyers will be quite happy with the 1390T. If the use of CityXplorer maps is important to you, I highly recommend this unit.

Otherwise, you may wish to consider the Garmin nuvi 765T, which has most of the other features of the 1390T, and go with whichever model is cheaper. The 765T adds quite a list of features including multi-destination routing, a powered mount and A2DP Bluetooth.

More Garmin nuvi 1390T reviews

I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…

Other Garmin nuvi 1390T resources

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Comments

16 Responses to “Garmin nuvi 1390T review”
  1. Greg says:

    In your review of the 1390T, under “Custom Data Fields”, you state “Furthermore, in the nuvi 13xx and 14xx series, you have the option to shift data fields to the right side of the map screen, as shown below. The top three fields can then be customized with the options discussed previously. This gives you the ability to display two more fields than can be shown in the traditional display mode.” I love the device, but can’t figure out how to get it to do this. Help! Thanks!

  2. Rich Owings says:

    If I recall correctly, its under Tools > Settings > Map, then you scroll down. I don’t recall the exact name of the setting, but I’m pretty sure that’s where it is.

    Would you do me a favor and comment back if this is correct or not, and what the setting name is called? It’s the second time I’ve had this question in the past week.

    • Greg says:

      You were correct. Tools > Settings > Maps > scroll down, “Map Data Layout” will read “Standard”. Press the button labeled “Standard” and you will be able to select “More Data”. Then select “OK”. Thank you!

  3. Agnes M says:

    I am getting very confused on which Garmin I want. I’m sure you can help because I’ve been reading the comments and questions on the comparison page. I am interested in the 1390T but wonder if it has the feature of finding the fastest as well as other options. Also, I like all the features of the 1390T but don’t need the bluetooth feature. Any models with all except that feature? How much does it cost to update the maps every year? Thank you for any help. Agnes

    • Rich Owings says:

      All nuvis will let you choose faster time or shortest distance. Most newer models add less fuel to the options. The 1350T has everything found on the 1390T but Bluetooth and Junction View (the latter is found in so few locations, I don’t consider it a big loss — the only place I’ve ever seen it was Atlanta).

      If a new map is available, you can get it for free if you register and update your device within 60 days of first use. One time and lifetime map updates are running $55 and $85 at Amazon right now.

  4. Agnes M says:

    Forgot to check the notify me box. Agnes

  5. *Agnes M says:

    Thank you, Rich. I found your info most helpful.

  6. Les says:

    I took your very helpful advice and got the 1390t – thanks! The america SD card is separate and I know this could be a strange question, but can I check the US maps when in the UK – just want to know that this card works before I jet off to California.

    thanks
    Lester

  7. Rich Owings says:

    Cool! And it’s not a strange question at all. You should be able to insert the card, and go to Tools > Settings > Map > Map Info and enable it. You should then be able to pan the map, zoom in and check it out. Enjoy your trip!

  8. Les says:

    Cheer Rich – I did as you said, and indeed the US card is checked (ticked) so it’s anabled – but how do I then ‘pan the map’ to zoom in – where is this link….?
    cheers for all your help!

  9. Rich Owings says:

    Glad to help. Tap the map to enter 2D mode, use the zoom out button, and drag the map to the US. Then zoom in on California.

  10. Lola says:

    Help! I got a 1390t and can never acquire a sattellite. Any idea how to fix this problem? I see on other sites that other people are having the same problem but can’t find an answer yet. It lost reception while I was on a drive and hasn’t come back yet. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

  11. Rich Owings says:

    Try turning it on and setting it under open sky for 20-30 minutes. It should acquire.

    The following conditions (or combination) can make it difficult to acquire satellites:
    - If it has not been used in more than a few days
    - Difficult conditions (urban canyon, bad weather)
    - Trying to acquire satellites in a moving vehicle

    Once locked onto satellites, leave it on for 10 minutes or so to allow it to download satellite ephemeris data.

  12. Rob says:

    Rich,
    We want to buy a 1390T for use in New Zealand and our other island, Australia. Will we be able to take it to the USA and download or upload a USA map, similarly if we get to the UK?
    Rob

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