Garmin Nuvi 1390T Road Test and Review

The Garmin Nuvi 1390T ($380 - $399) is part of a new generation of Garmins that is 25 percent slimmer than previous models, and bundles a number of innovative features, including pedestrian-friendly directions. The Nuvi 1390T also includes lifetime, real-time traffic detection and avoidance with no monthly fee. With other features, such as an "ecoRoute" option and tools, and Bluetooth connectivity to a mobile phone for hands-free calling, the Nuvi 1390T makes a convincing argument for the usefulness of a dedicated GPS.

I used the Garmin 1390T on an 800-mile vacation trip that included a number of destinations I hadn't visited before. I pre-loaded my key destinations using the send-to-GPS feature Garmin offers in cooperation with Google Maps. I also loaned out the unit to friends for their feedback.

The Nuvi 1390T is slim enough to easily fit in a cargo pants pocket or purse, adding utility to its excellent pedestrian and bicycle-mode directions.

Also of note is the 1390T's ecoRoute feature, which includes a "less fuel" routing option, fuel report (distance, cost of fuel, "carbon footprint", fuel used...), and a mileage report that runs automatically in the background (great for tracking business mileage).

Traffic detection and avoidance couldn't be easier to use. Everything you need to receive real-time traffic updates comes with the Nuvi 1390T, including an FM traffic data receiver built inconspicuously into the power cord. Just plug it in and go with no setup. Traffic delays are displayed in a little pop-up box, and traffic on route is displayed in green, yellow, and red. You may choose to stay on route and wait, or select an alternate route. Traffic detection has been less than perfect in GPS devices, but it's improving, and the 1390T pre-warned me of every delay I encountered, and saved me a lot of time by accurately showing a route in green that I would normally avoid due to traffic congestion and delays.

Beyond the cutting-edge features, the Nuvi 1390T delivered Garmin's typically excellent turn-by-turn navigation through the familiar Garmin menu system. My only beef - true of all Garmins - is that they need a more versatile and easier-to-use route preview feature. I recommend this unit if you want free lifetime traffic, an excellent, automated mileage logger, and strong pedestrian and eco-routing features.