Oct
09
2009
Garmin nüvi 1260/1260T 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Posted by admin in Garmin Vehicle GPS, tags: 1260/1260T, 3.5Inch, Bluetooth, Garmin, Navigator, nüvi, Portable
The nüvi 1260T GPS navigator with Bluetooth and included Traffic Receiver features an ultra-slim design that fits easily in your pocket (approximately 25% thinner than previous models), enhanced user interface, ecoRoute, public transit mode, and text-to-speech. The nüvi 1200 series also are the first nüvi devices to offer pedestrian navigation capability enabled through optional CityXplorer maps, which are available for select tourist destinations in North America and Europe and can easily be downloaded directly to the nüvi. The nüvi’s enhanced user interface features improved graphics and a new slide control for menu operation, while ecoRoute suggests fuel-efficient routes to save drivers money and fuel. Also, Garmin’s (more…)
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I got my 1260T from an authorized dealer on June 19 and used it along side of my 255 with MSN traffic. Because my MSN subscription would have to be renewed and maps upgraded soon, I thought buying a new GPS wouldn’t cost much more and would give me a chance to get the latest bells and whistles. However, there aren’t that many new bells and whistles to be had. I recommend reading the product description carefully. Unless the 1260T has what you consider a “can’t-do-without”
feature not available on the 265T, I’d recommend taking advantage of the low prices for the 265T that can now had with the arrival the 1260T. In fact, that’s what I did. I returned the 1260T and purchased the 265T saving more than 1/3 of the cost of the 1260T.
** On trips of 30 minutes or more, the 1260T initially reported arrival times that were 4 to 5 minutes earlier than the 255 over the same route. The 255’s estimates were more appropriate. Someone on another forum told me that this would change as the 1260T learned my driving habits. It didn’t happen in the 10 days I used the unit continuously.
** The 1260T’s voices sound very thin compared to 2xx units, but it makes them easier to hear over road noise.
** Even though the GPS is now a mature product, the 1260T continues Garmin’s practice of not having a QWERTY keyboard in 3.5″ units.
** Even though the GPS is now a mature product, the 1260T does not allow for zip code entry.
** The speed indicator turns to magenta in the afternoon and red at night when speed exceeds the posted limit. Magenta is a terrible color for text.
** To erase favorites, one now goes to Settings / My Data
** The unit IS thinner than the 2xx series, but not “Oh, wow!” thin.
** The instructions from the 1260T and 255 are nearly identical. The estimates of distances to next turn are the same. The 1260T sometimes gives voice alerts 0.1 mile before the 255, say at 0.3 mile rather than 0.2 mile, but for the most part using both units is like listening in stereo.
** Emily now refers to “slip roads” rather than “ramps”.
I did not experiment with the new pedestrian features. In terms of how it works in auto mode, I find nothing compelling over the 265T.
My wife is the world’s biggest Garmin fan. Her Nuvi 350 was stolen recently and we replaced it with the 1260T. This looked like it was the top of the line for the smaller 3.5 inch units, which is the same size as the stolen unit.
As noted by another reviewer, the keyboard is not QWERTY. We purchased an iPod Touch recently and using that keyboard is easy and familiar. The Garmin though, with a straight across A, B, C, D, E, etc. layout takes more time and makes us look like it is our first day of typing class. There must be a reason Garmin did this but we’re not happy about it.
Our Nuvi 350 came with a nice case. The 1260T does not. We are in the market for a case and plan to spend $10 to $20 for one, which then increases the price of this replacement purchase.
Overall the unit is the same as the Nuvi 350 but after three years we expected more of a “WOW” factor from the upgrade.
PUBLIC SERVICE NOTICE: We don’t use the suction cup windshield mount and the old Nuvi 350 was hidden in the glovebox so the thieves got randomly lucky. We’ll be taking it out of the car more often now (the 1260T is a little thinner so this is easier to do). A police friend told us thieves check the windshield for the “suction cup circle” and that’s an indication the car uses a GPS. Just a word to the wise.
This is a very nice basic all around PND, however I think the current price is a little too high if you consider you can get a nuvi 205 or 250 for more than half this price. If you compare the 1260T to the 1250 though, it’ the better deal out of the two. For the small price difference (about $40 at time of review) you get a traffic receiver (which costs more than $50) and Bluetooth.
Here are some observations:
Pros:
- Very fast map update speed, as fast as my nuvi 755.
- Bluetooth worked very well paring and copying contacts. The speaker could use some improvement but callers said they could hear me just fine.
- Nice smaller size. The thickness is 0.2 in thinner than normal nuvis and a bit more than my nuvi 350. The bezel also appears to be a bit smaller, adding to the perception of small size. If you’ve owned an older 3.5 in nuvi, you can definitely see and feel a size difference.
- User interface has been updated and sped up. A new, smoother and cleaner font is used throughout and contributes to a more “refined” feel for the interface. Menus are fast and you never feel like the unit is sluggish or lagging (like in my trusty nuvi 350).
- The included traffic receiver worked well and picked up traffic info very fast. I have never found these traffic data services to be very reliable but included here because that’s not Garmin’s fault. Note, the “free” traffic shows pop-up advertisements balloons on your map display during idle times (supposedly).
Cons:
- The mounting cradle is a two-step/two-handed affair, unplug the mini-USB then unmount from the two point cradle. The older, better quality cradle is literally one click grab and go from a nice powered cradle. Don’t know why they removed that (cost savings?).
- A common complaint: less detail shown on maps. The newer nuvi’s show fewer street names at the same zoom level as the older units. The argument being this reduces clutter. I’m not happy with it, but it’s not a deal breaker. Garmin has added alot of other information to the map display and I can understand they don’t want to overwhelm the user with text.
-Some features that are missing from the newer widescreen versions: Lane Assist, Lane Guidance, customizable vertical data fields (all removed due to smaller screen).
- When comparing the map display to a nuvi 755, I noticed the 1260 rendered the streets with less smoothing, showing more “jaggies” on curved roads. This could be how they sped up the map display.
- Mine came with 2010.10 maps, the new 2010.20 maps are out. You only get one free update after purchase, so I think it should come preloaded with 2010.20 maps so you have the opportunity to get the next update free. Newer units in the next few weeks should ship with .20 maps.
- I wish they would bring back the compass N arrow on the map display.