Garmin nuvi 1450
The Garmin nüvi 1450
The 1450 also includes speed limit and trip log display, and is compatible with the pedestrian navigation features found in Garmin’s new CityXplorer maps.
Similar units
- Step up to the nuvi 1450LM to add lifetime map updates
- Or the 1450T to add lifetime traffic to the 1450′s feature set
- Going the other direction, the nuvi 1350 drops down to a 4.3” screen and loses junction view and multi-destination routing
- To see how the 1450 stands up to other models, check out my Garmin nuvi comparison chart
Portion of the following were taken from my hands on review of the Garmin nuvi 1490T.
New Garmin interface
There are several changes to the nuvi interface in the 12xx, 13xx and 14xx series. For one, the menu button is gone, replaced by the arrow in the lower left corner.
You can now “slide your finger” to move between screens. This comes in handy when panning the map, allowing you to move more than one screen width. But it pretty much falls into the “bells and whistles” category; I certainly don’t give it many points for usefulness.
These new models also allow you to customize the lower left data field on the map screen, 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:
- Distance to destination
- Estimated time to destination
- Estimated time of arrival (default)
- Direction of travel
- Elevation
- Time of day
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.
Routing information is now presented in a different manner. When you select a POI, address or favorite, it will show up on the map as shown below.
I use this screen to verify the location of the destination (so I don’t create a route to the wrong place). Several times during my testing, I found that the information balloon obscured too much of the map for me to be able to do so. When you “press for more,” this is what you get…
The most noticeable change is the ability to shift data fields to the right side of the map, as shown below, a feature found only on the 13xx and 14xx series, and not the 12xx series. 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. 
Here’s a video showing some of the new interface changes in action on the 1490T:
Lane assist and junction view
I’m a big fan of these features, but there’s good and bad here. Let’s start with the good.
Garmin’s junction view, shown below, is the most realistic of any GPS manufacturer. What you see is pretty much what the sign looks like in real-life.
The lane assist feature is shown in the upper left corner below. I find this feature even more helpful than junction view, showing you exactly what lane to be in. During my testing, this appeared on surface streets all over the metro Atlanta area, not just on freeways.
Now for the bad. The only place I’ve seen either junction view or lane assist is in the Atlanta area. And I have tested units with this feature in two other metro areas with NAVTEQ traffic coverage (I would have expected such cities to be among the first to have this feature).
Mount
I’m a big fan of powered (AKA active) mounts – where the power lead plugs into the mount, so you don’t have to attach it each time you use the unit. Unfortunately, the nuvi 1450 does not have this feature, so you need to plug in the cable into the the back of the unit each time you connect it.
Garmin nuvi 1450 pros
- 5” screen
- Very thin
- Multi-destination routing
- Lane assist with junction view
- Speed limit display
- Trip log display
- Compatible with CityXplorer maps’ enhanced pedestrian navigation features
- Customizable fields on map screen
- Quick access to previously entered cities and street names
- Visually warns when speeding
- Includes Garmin’s new ecoRoute feature
Garmin nuvi 1450 cons
- POI balloon obscures a significant portion of the map
- Lane assist and junction view coverage extremely limited
- Power lead must be plugged directly into unit (does not power the mount)
More Garmin nuvi 1450 reviews
- Consumer-authored Garmin nuvi 1450 reviews
have been posted at Amazon
I’ll be posting more hands on GPS reviews as they appear, but in the meantime, here are some…
Other Garmin nuvi 1450 resources
- A PDF version of the Garmin nuvi 1450 owners manual, in the language of your choice
- Want to see how the nuvi 1450 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 nuvi 1450 web page
- How to access archived nuvi trip logs
- Five more tips for nuvi newbies
Compare prices on the Garmin nuvi 1450 at these merchants:
- Check the current Garmin nüvi 1450
- Find the Garmin nuvi 1450 at GPS City, one of our favorite low cost vendors
- Get the Garmin Nuvi 1450 GPS Navigation System with 5 LCD Screen
at BeachCamera (same folks as BuyDig.com)
| Store | Rating | Best Prices |
|---|---|---|
Compare all prices on the Garmin nvi 1450 Automotive GPS Receiver - TFT - widescreen - 480 x 272 - color ranging from $119.99 to $299.99. | ||
 |  In stock at TigerDirect.com | $119.99 |
 |  In stock at Target.com | $147.49 |
 | In stock at J&R | $147.97 |
 | In stock at TheNerds.net | $139.99 |
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what is the different’s between the 1450 and 1450lmt. Also the snap shot how do you use it and find the shot folder? thank you
The 1450LMT adds lifetime map updates (hence the LM) and lifetime traffic (hence the T).
Do you mean taking screen shots or are you talking about navigating to the location of a picture?
Taking screen shots and finding them on the unit
To enable screenshots, tap Tools > Settings > Display > Screenshot > Enabled. A camera icon will now show on all screens.
You can find the screenshots in the Screenshot directory on the device. You’ll need to connect it to your computer to access them.
I just got a Nuvi 1450.
I have Mapsource on my computer, can I connect and look at the Nuvi map on the puta???
Yes, if you use BaseCamp (http://www.garmin.com/us/products/onthetrail/basecamp), you can view the map while it is connected. I believe you’ll get better functionality though if you download your free map update (https://my.garmin.com/maps/nuMaps.htm) and tell it to install it to your computer and device. Then you can use it with BaseCamp or MapSource (http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209) even without the nuvi connected.
Hi,
Sorry this is probably a very “beginner’s” question but I need help.
I’m looking at Garmin nuvi 1450, 1350, 1390, 1490, 1100, and 255 – I looked them all up and read the info and I am quite confused as to what’s the major difference? is some better than other? which one is the best one?
If you could give me some advise, I really appreciate it.
Thanks
You’ve got 3.5″, 4.3″ and 5″ ones in your list. 3.5″ is too small. Unless you really want it, have very large fingers or trouble reading, there’s no need for a 5″. Which leaves us with the 4.3″ ones. Unless you want Bluetooth for hands-free calling, go with the 1350. Otherwise the 1390 will work.
I just installed new maps on my 1450LMT now the unit says my maps are locked and I can’t use my GPS for navigation HELP
Any chance you are using Carbonite for backup?…
https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={9cf432e0-66b8-11e0-6b19-000000000000}
My only gripe is the route selection. Google’s is consistently superior and seems to give more weight to faster roads. I verified with friends and hotels at my destinations that the Google maps was in fact a better route. So always confirm vs google and use via points to for the garmin to match google.
I have a nuvi 265 and it takes a long time finding the satellite. Will the 1450 or a model in the 2xxx series find the satellite faster? Also, I travel to Singapore often. How will malsingmaps work with the 1450 unit? Thanks for your help.
How often are you using it? If it’s infrequently, that’s the most likely problem.
Is there meaning to the numbering of GPS Garming devises, like the 200′s and the 1000′s and even the 1300, 1450..Then the Nuvi and the nvi…? Does it follow some logic like the newer models are higher numbers, o are they for different applications?.. Tks
Unfortunately it’s less than clear. In some cases there is logic; in others, not so much…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/05/dissecting-the-garmin-nuvi-series.html
Great site, very useful and complete, and the your replies are also very quick. Just one more question, I found the 1350 and 1450 available for $175 and $ 185 and the 295w for $ 240 and the 1300 for $220. (here in bolivia) I’m moving to Panama by year end and need a GPS for the terrible lack of street signs (none) and terrible traffic in Panana, could you suggest one of these units and also the availability of maps: one dealer will “throw in” a map for $20.- and PTYGPS in panama downloads for $45.-. They seem very legit and profesional.
I would appreciate your comments, TKS
They are all good units, but without decent maps of Panama, I don’t know how much use they will be. You might check for reviews of the maps online first. The 1450 sounds like the best deal, though the 295W would be nice for email access on the go when you have access to wifi, if your phone doesn’t have it.
Hey there! I just got a Garmin 1490 for Christmas. Seems like a really great unit. I would like to know if garmin’s blue charts will work with this unit. Particularly Vuso17r Lake Huron. I’d like to take it on the boat but don’t want to have two different units. Thanks for any help…BRANT
It will only work in a limited manner. Check out this link…
Garmin support
can you tell me what if any difference is between the 1450lm and the 1490lmt other than the traffic on the 1490 i see no other difference
The 1490 series also offers Bluetooth for using your cell phone via your nuvi.