This is the unit you want if you are a technodinosaur and don’t want to be constantly working with a computer (A little tip though: When you get the unit out of the box, first go online and download the firmware updates - my version had to be updated from version 2.6 to version 4.3. It’s a very quick and simple process but what a huge improvement). Once you’ve done that, you don’t need to go near your computer again, unless you want to of course!

Garmin Nuvi 300The unit is extremely user-friendly so you don’t even need the manual, not that it gives you much information that you couldn’t figure out on your own anyway, it’s so logical. It is compact and neat and extremely portable, even comes with its own pocket pouch. Very snazzy.

There are two options for the street maps: a “plug and play” pre-loaded memory card, or a CD to load on your computer. You may choose only one option. I used the plug and play and, oh, what bliss! Instant access, no downloads or registration. As I mentioned, good for dinosaurs ;o) Someone pointed out that by using this option you cannot view the map pages on your computer. My response was, why would you want to? Besides, if you go to helpful.co.za and click on SA Street Maps, you have the whole of South Africa laid before you. (I’m not that much of a dinosaur!)

It has a touch screen for navigation which is very clear and readable. You can zoom in to have more detail for driving in very busy areas and it is easy to interpret even when you’re flicking quick glances at the screen as you drive. This may be necessary in highly built up areas where little streets are very close together and you’re not sure if you’re meant to be turning into this street or the next one. It also shows your ETA and the distance to the next turn, again easy to see with a glance.

You can have great fun playing with the settings too. The unit is fitted with a variety of language options (French? German? Spanish? Be cosmopolitan!) . For those of us who are restricted to our mother tongue, you can choose between twangy American English and cultured British tones. The speaker is on the unit and the voice is very clear, no distortion at all. You can also carry the unit around with you and it will merrily direct you as you go – which is great fun when you have it on “pedestrian” mode and passers-by wonder who you have in your pocket!

The options on this unit are excellent and you easily switch between different screens, even while driving. I loved the ‘My Locations’ options which gives you a variety of options including ‘Favorites’ (hey, not my spelling), ‘My Locations’ and ‘Go Home’ (btw, never save your ‘home’ location exactly at home; it’s a security risk. Rather save at the beginning of your street or a couple of streets away.) Once entered as a location, a couple of quick taps on the screen takes you straight there, so simple and satisfying.

Changes to any of the information is also extremely easy and can be worked out, the unit giving step-by-step options as you go along. The only frustration I experienced was that working back to the map page was occasionally longwinded. A “finished” button that takes you straight there would be a great help.

Now for sheer fun, the Travel Kit has my vote. It gives you a phrase guide, dictionaries, a travel guide with all the “top spots” in the world, an MP3 player, an audio book option, a photo gallery, currency and measurement converters and much more. Of course, this is where that dreaded computer comes back into play, but if you have a teenager around, it’s child’s play! What a marvellous toy! The music plays in the background and stops playing for directions, then resumes exactly where it was paused.

Just out of interest, I deliberately took some wrong turns. The automatic “Off-Route, Recalculating” function worked like a charm and I was highly amused when, after persistently going wrong, the unit decided I was obviously a blithering idiot and preceded each instruction by two loud, clear chimes: “Ding, Ding, turn left NOW!” Gotta love it!

Included in the box is also a good (easy to use) windscreen suction cup mount and a dashboard ‘disc’ (this sticks onto the dashboard and allows you to use the suction cup mount on the disc as well, instead of only on the windscreen), a cigarette lighter power cable as well as a slip-on leather carry case and a USB interface cable for connecting the unit to your PC.

SUMMARY: (Short and snappy version)

Rating: * = Terrible / Difficult - * * * * * = Excellent / Easy

  • User-Friendliness:
    • Software/Downloads * * * * *
    • Packaging * * * * *
    • Unit - Ease of use * * * *
    • Peripherals (Mounts, cables, carry cases etc) * * * *
    • Bonus features (if any) * * *
  • Sensitivity/Reception: * * * * *
  • Accuracy: * * * * *
  • Battery-Life: * * * * *
  • Portability: * * * *

Type of User: Businessman, salesman, traveller or anyone on the road a lot.

Pro’s:

  • Software was easy to understand - absolutely loved the plug and play option.
  • Very easy to use.
  • Good colour touchscreen.
  • Extremely reliable.
  • Nice bonus features (the Travel Kit).
  • Excellent sensitivity/reception & accuracy.

Con’s:

  • Not waterproof.
  • Not suited to outdoor sports. Er… obviously!

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Product Review By:Toni Quaradeghini
(Please contact Gismap GPS Shop for reprint rights).
Toni Quaradeghini is a travel writer and business entrepreneur who has written for the BITE paperzine, the OWL newspaper and as a guest writer for Go-Multi magazine. She is putting the finishing touches to her first novel for publication in 2007 and has written several eBooks. She is also a keen geocacher, hiker, scuba diver, dancer and general lunatic.

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