Garmin nuvi 1300 review
The Garmin nüvi 1300
UPDATE: Now available bundled with lifetime map updates
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 Elm Street,” instead of just “drive one-half mile, then turn left.”
Compare prices on the Garmin nüvi 1300
Step up to the nuvi 1350 to get lane assist, speed limit display and to add maps of Alaska and Canada. Going the other direction, the nuvi 1200 delivers the 1300’s feature set in a smaller package – it has a 3.5" screen. To see how the 1300 compares to other models, check out my Garmin nuvi comparison chart.
Note: 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 introduced with the 12xx, 13xx and 14xx series, but not found on previous models.
CityXplorer maps
The nuvi 1300 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. I’ve posted more detail and screenshots in my CityXplorer review.
POI feedback
This feature, added with the version 2.70 firmware upgrade, allows you to give feedback on points of interest (POIs). Follow that last link for more details, but basically, POIs can be rated and you can even 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
What’s new is that in the 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. (Note that the speed limit display shown below is not available on the nuvi 1300)
More nuvi 1300 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.
Here is a PDF version of the ecoRoute manual. ecoRoute is available for the nuvi 2×5, 7×5, 12xx and 13xx series.
Recent cities and streets
This feature was first seen on the nuvi 700 series. A folder icon appears in the upper left corner of 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. 
Garmin nuvi 1300 pros
- Bright display
- Text-to-speech
- Quick access to previously entered cities and street names
- Customizable fields on map screen
- Automatically powers on and off
- ecoRoute
- Compatible with CityXplorer maps’ enhanced pedestrian navigation features
- Trip log display
Garmin nuvi 1300 cons
- Power lead must be plugged directly into unit (not the mount)
- No speed limit display
- When you search for a POI, the POI balloon obscures a significant portion of the map
- Does not include standard mini-USB cable to connect to PC
Conclusion and recommendations
As with the entire nuvi series, I expect that most buyers will be quite happy with the 1300. If the ability to customize the map display or use of CityXplorer maps is important to you, I highly recommend this unit. Otherwise, you may wish to consider the Garmin nuvi 255W, which has most of the other features of the 1300, and go with whichever model is cheaper.
More Garmin nüvi 1300 reviews
- Consumer-authored Garmin nuvi 1300 reviews
have been posted at Amazon
- GpsPasSion has a nuvi 12xx, 13xx, 14xx review thread
I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
Other Garmin nüvi 1300 resources
- The Garmin nüvi 1300 owners manual, in the language of your choice
- Want to see how the nuvi 1300 stacks up against other models? Check out this Garmin auto GPS comparison tool or my own Garmin nuvi comparison chart
- There is a dedicated Garmin nuvi message forum at GpsPasSion and another nuvi forum at GPS Review
- The official Garmin nüvi 1300 web page
Compare prices on the Garmin nüvi 1300 at these merchants:
- Check the current Garmin nüvi 1300
- Find the low price on a Garmin nuvi 1300 at GPS Now, where shipping is free on orders over $99 (and the upgrade to overnight shipping is dirt cheap!); order by 5 p.m. Central Time for same day shipment
- Get a great deal on the Garmin nuvi 1300 North America City Navigator GPS
at BuyDig.com
- Check out the deal on the Garmin nuvi 1300 GPS
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- Get the Garmin nuvi 1300
for an amazing price on eBay
| Store | Rating | Best Prices |
|---|---|---|
Compare all prices on the Garmin Nuvi 1300 Auto / Road GPS ranging from $109.99 to $229.99. | ||
 |  In stock at OneCall | $219.99 |
 | In stock at HSN.com | $179.95 |
 |  In stock at OfficeMax | $169.99 |
 | In stock at Zappos.com | $189.99 |
 | In stock at Dell.com | $169.99 |
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How do you download the triplog onto your computer?
Connect the GPS to your computer and then view that drive. I’m not sure of the file structure, but its probably under the Garmin folder. You’re looking for current.gpx. Open that with mapping software. I believe you can now do this with Google Earth.
Is it possible to import waypoints from a .csv file into the Nuvi 1300?
Yes, you can import them as custom POIs. There are some resources here that will help you get started…
http://gpstracklog.com/2006/03/custom_pois.html
How do I download a basic map of Alaska?
Here is one source, but it won’t be as good as Garmin NAVTEQ maps:
http:/downlaods.cloudmade.com
I am very irritated with this navigation system. I’ve owned two of them since mid-July 2009 and my second one just stopped working earlier today. I don’t know whether or not I’ll continue to use their products, but as of right now, I’m not too happy with them.
Ryan, I’d love to hear back from you if you learn what the cause is.
Hi, just bought Nuvi 1310 with Middle East Map pre-loaded. I used Nuvi 205w before and I can load multiple maps into the unit using GmapProm.img and GmapSup2.img files of two extra maps, and i can view all maps without renaming any (GmapSupp.img being the original).
I tried doing it in Nuvi 1310, both in the unit’s Root and Garmin directories, as well as in Garmin directory in my SD card. For some reason now I cannot view the other files. May i know how to load extra maps? And why i cannot see any *.img files in the unit? I have already turn on hidden files, and seems not to work as well.
Appreciate if you can assist.
Thanks
I’m unclear. Were you able to successfully drag and drop the files onto the nuvi? Can you see them in the file directory?
I could find both Nuvi 255w and Nuvi 1300 within 5-10 dollars difference. Which one would you suggest me to buy?
I am thinking of going with 1300 because of the eco-route thing and that its a newer model, but has got some not so good reviews on a major website. On the other hand 255w is time-tested. Can you please suggest me one without bias towards any particular model?
I’d get the 1300, even if it was a little more. You’ll get full CityXplorer map capabilities and the ability to customize fields on the map screen. But just so you know, the 255W is compatible with ecoRoute though.
Just purchased a Garmin Nuvi 1390T. I was wondering if you can download (and from where) different voices and vehicles for this system? Thanks
Here are the ones Garmin offers…
http://www8.garmin.com/vehicles/
There are also third-parties offering voices and vehicles.
Our Garmin Nuvi 1300 was a Christmas gift from my wife. On a recent trip to
Wisconsin the unit quit and I am unable to get it to come on. At the time
it was powered by my vehicle. I checked the power cord via a friend with the
saame unit and theirs functioned perfectly.
Where can I send the unit to for a repair?
I would call (as opposed to emailing) Garmin support. They’ll give you an RMA if they can’t resolve it by phone…
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/support/supportcontact
I had a tom tom that i had for little over a year and it quit working, so i purchased a 1300 and love it. Its simple to use and has not got me lost yet.
Glad you like it. Thanks for sharing!
I have purchased two Nuvi 1300 this year both have failed. I was abole to return the first one to the retailer. Garmin wants $99 to fix the second one it will only have a 90 day warrenty after the service. I will not be having it serviced.
When the units did work they were useless in pedestrian mode due to very limited battery life. Would not recommed this unit to any one.
I noticed two other people have had similar failures.
Thanks for letting folks know.
Hey all,
Just wondering about SD card compatibility. Any size is ok?
Jason
Up to 16 GB. Here’s something interesting I just came across on garmin.com support though:
Question: Is there a particular manufacturer of SD cards that is recommended for use with Garmin products?
Answer:
Although any brand of SD or microSD card should work without any problems, Garmin recommends using SanDisk or Kingston brand cards. Most SD and microSD cards work with out any issues however Ultra, High Speed (such as 133x or faster), or SD and microSD cards specifically used for high end or professional electronics might not work.
I’ve used a Garmin 200 for 2 years and have had no problems. Recently I wanted to step up a bit on features and bought a 1350. It worked for about 9 hours, went off for about an hour and finally I was able to turn it back on for about 2 hours, then it went off for good. Couldn’t turn it back on again. I exchanged it for another 1350 and it worked for about 6 hours, went off and I was unable to turn it back on again. I then tried a NUVI 855, used it twice and it froze up both times after about 30 minutes. I’ve decided to try a 1300, similar to my 200 with a larger screen and without all of the extras that seem to ruin these GPS units. If I have a problem with this one I’m going to TomTom.
Garmin released a firmware update last month to fix shutdowns in the nuvi 1100, 1200, 1300 and 1400 series. I suggest you go to http://garmin.com/webupdater to update yours.
Thanks, will do as soon as it arrives, ordered it online. Hope it works. If not it will be my last Garmin.