Garmin nüvi 1200TA is offered for sale on the Polish market since around June 2009. This is one of the easiest navigation solutions and the American company will not find in it features such as Bluetooth, and speakerphone. As pointed out by the manufacturer, Garmin nüvi 1200TA is "ultra-thin, pocket-size, easy to use device for satellite navigation at an affordable price." And that low price may encourage many buyers to purchase this equipment.

The first impression

Garmin nüvi 1200TA

The compact box, even before the opening of the shows that we will be dealing with a device that does not take us half its size in the car windscreen.

After opening the box, except of course 3.5 - inch Garmin nüvi 1200TA with a pre-loaded maps of C ity Navigator ® NT also find:

• Car holder with suction cup
• Power cable with cigarette lighter
• Pad to the dashboard
• Quick Start Manual

Garmin nüvi 1200TA of the box

The whole thing is well packed, and the device itself, despite the seemingly dangerous prominence in front of the packaging appears to be effectively protected by clear plastic rack.

The device looks impressive. The whole thing is done as befits Garmin with materials of good quality. Not worth a look in the tri-color device, poor quality plastic. Back panel is made of plastic with a slightly glossy dark color, in front of the material used in imitation of chrome, and matte plastic surrounding the display. On the cover we can find micro SD card slot and standard microUSB slot.

In the package, unfortunately we do not find a USB cable, allowing connection to a computer. Draws attention to the car charger, with a thick cable (attached to the device under test GTM25 allowing reception of TMC).

Charger GTM25

Rating:

The first impression is a plus. Positively evaluate the quality of materials. The overall composition of the unit is high. You do not hear any crackling.

Slightly spoils the positive impression, gently moving silver frame surrounding the display.

Specifications:

First Time

Garmin nüvi 1200

As provided by the manufacturer, one of the characteristics of the device is strong, simplicity, and indeed the first run argues that the navigation has a simple and intuitive menus, and its operation should not be difficult even niewprawionemu user.

Initial Start Up inspire positive, though a little offended by the initialization software for a long time. The second time the software load time is now, fortunately, much shorter.

The positive mood also sets high sensitivity chipset. The device "caught signal" in an enclosed building with thick ceilings. In the open, even in cloudy skies to find the satellites, took no large than 20 seconds.

The display has a nice color, and the presented images are very clear. Getting Started on your device menu, confirm that the service unit does not require special skills. The menu is known for owners of Garmin devices and beyond minor cosmetic changes, you will not find many differences.

Rating:

The first impression when you start navigation positive. The clear and intuitive, even for those who are not already in contact with devices of this type, bode well for the rest of the test. Completes a positive impression clear and highly responsive screen and a nice menu of enjoyable than the older models of graphics. Impression on the plus.

Installation on vehicle

Garmin nüvi 1200 after installation

Supplied by the manufacturer of the handle, does not differ much from those known from previous models. The ball attachment mechanism in the handle navigation is a tight fit and seems to solidly hold the navigation in the optimum position.

When mounted in a vehicle navigation and connect the car charger it turns out that positive surprises also the location of the socket for connecting the charger. It is located on the right side of the rear wall of the casing, so that the cable is plugged removed from the steering wheel and not unnecessarily "twists" in the vicinity of the driver. Like a small thing, and happy.

After several days of testing, there was no problem, removing the handle navigation using only one hand.

Rating:

Installation of the unit does not cause any difficulties. Tight fit and strong suction cup navigation neatly hold in place. Connect the charger, but very thick, not difficult, and neatly arranged in the correct position in the cockpit. Positive rating.

Operation

The boot menu

When the device and the emerging acceptance of a standard window with a warning on the principles of safe use Garmin navigation, the screen allows the selection of us interesting features. Known users of other models, an American company, the system icons to select the "Where" to the introduction of the desired destination and the "Show Map" button to preview the map view.

In addition to the major features of the device, starting from the view we also have access to volume control (volume) and additional device settings (tools). When you click on an icon car, we also change the navigation mode (car, pedestrian, bicycle). Clicking on the display on the unit time to edit the time settings of navigation.

Choosing Where to search opens the way to your destination of interest to us. Garmin nüvi 1200, in addition to standard search by address data - Address to define such as home address and the subsequent option Go home. We are also able to search our journey through the so-called. See points special, and a selection of recently found locations - Ost.znalezione. In addition to the search Garmin nüvi 1200 also allows you to find the target, by choosing the favorite option, Intersection, Extras, Cities, find the map or coordinates.

Address Search

Clicking on a user opens the Address Search screen. You can search for the address data of the city (miastoàulicaànumer home), zip code (code pocztowyàulicaànumer home) or through a search for anything (ulicaànumer domuàwybór of results). The smallest functional seems to be searching zip code to zip code to enter, it will force a change to the numeric keypad during a search and entering the street.

Special attention should be also possible to search through so-called. Points of interest, the choice of which opens the way to define and clarify whether we are looking for, eg, airports, parking, ATM, entertainment, hospitals, garages, and many others.

Points of Interest

Rating:

Both for those who already have had contact with Garmin devices, as well as for novices, service should not be a problem. Device menu is intuitive and can confidently say that the system of functions is considered. Perhaps out of little functional-search by postal codes. Positive rating.

Presenting maps and driving experience ...

Example of route

Garmin is applied on the device known from other models, proven way to present the maps. The information displayed, despite the small screen is legible, and marking routes and the route clearly distinguished from other information.

The test unit was equipped with a map of City Navigator (CN Europe NT 2011.10), which worked very well in urban conditions. Navigating allowed to reach the indicated number of the building, both in Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia, where mainly been tested. Outside the city the accuracy of the map did not raise objections. Even in small towns, maps include all streets and roads.

Unpleasant surprise

There were no mishaps, however, an example of inaccuracy of the map is even incorrect representation of roundabouts in the street battles of Plowce in Sopot, where navigation requires entry into the roundabout ... the left side.

It is worth noting uploaded extensive database of POI. An interesting solution is also able to click on the option (show more) such as a gas station address, city, or another point, in order to obtain information on distance, time travel - access, fuel cost, etc. This could be especially important when, for example in route we're running out of fuel.

ecoRoute

It is impossible not to mention provided by the manufacturer ecoRoute feature that allows ongoing monitoring, fuel consumption, travel costs, or the average combustion. EcoRoute function also allows tracking of driving dynamics.

An interesting solution, which was not yet widely used by the manufacturer is also resign from the shifter at the top of the unit. Used for locking the screen and off shifter, has been replaced by a button, which added a very useful feature is the backlight brightness setting. In other Garmin devices, this option had to be found deep in the settings.

Rating:

In the test, the Garmin nüvi 1200, compared with his older brother was the Garmin nüvi 255W. This comparison came out in 1200 plus the nüvi, among other things due to the high quality display, which even on a sunny day, was clearly visible. Navigating with few exceptions, no hanky stuttered on the road, and additional functionality in the device with a lower-priced place allow for a positive assessment.

Bluetooth, TMC and other ...

Traffic

Delivered to the test device was equipped with a device GTM25, fulfilling the role of the charger and the traffic receiver. TMC function after starting the device and plug the receiver did not work unfortunately. Only software upgrade, was effective and the unit began to receive signals on handicap.

After running the setup menu there's an additional icon "traffic information" containing the options:

• show map of obstacles (this is the key to rapid activation - deaktywcji TMC - that is, the map is the usual obstacles on the map. If you map the entire map in addition to difficulties in our path on which we drive turns gray.
• search difficulty (the list of obstacles, no roads, distance, direction, when you click the map and more information on a topic)
• obstacles on the route (shows up when we have chosen a destination)

Moreover, the map shows an icon of two cars, which is an abbreviation for the aforementioned functions.

TMC icon

• • green icon - TMC enabled - picks up the signal path passable
  • gray icon - receives no signal
  • red icon - TMC enabled obstacles on the road

Traffic Obstructions

TMC worked for a large part of the test, a couple of times it happened, however, that the signal disappeared, but this may be due to lack of antenna. The receiver may be useful in further travel - informed about permanent, major road works and handicaps.

Rating:

Due to the immaturity of the TMC only, and makes no assessment of the solution. Whereas, however, how the system works in other European countries, we are confident that soon this technology will be widespread in our country.

Summary

The car navigation market, more and more manufacturers offer devices with screen size exceeding 4 ". These devices due to the falling prices are more accessible and there are more buyers. Perhaps not surprising, therefore, that manufacturers offer navigation even with small screens. But despite appearances, the small size is the advantage of this type of equipment.

The tested device is a good option for those looking for a small, reliable equipment navigating. Ideally suited to the navigation for a woman.

The unit has implemented high-quality maps that give guarantees proper operation, albeit not always navigate she found the exact location of the area of ​​the building, but even small streets in smaller cities were marked on the map.

Benefits

- Small device (9.3 x 7.5 x 1.6 cm) and light weight (113.4 g) makes it navigate easily fits in your pocket, or even an elegant shirt,
- The device quickly grabs the signal and is ready to work,
- Extensive travel diary, which allows tracking of traveled route,
- Application ecoRoute and extensive reporting capabilities,
- Detailed maps,
- Voice messages are spoken at a distance from the maneuver
- Extensive on-board computer (info after clicking on the current speed)
- Detailed information about your current location - address, postcode, POIs nearby,
- Low price (from 330zł)

Disadvantages

- Some buttons on a touch-screen displays seem to be too hard to approach the black frame surrounding the screen, which for people with large hands may be a problem,
- Lack of QWERTY keyboard layout settings,
- Automatic prompting the search place names, streets does not always work - for example, Wladyslawowo
- The calculation of long-distance routes the device has a tendency to reset,
- TMC does not always signal.

The crew GPSblog.pl

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