FUNCTIONAL: The Nuvi 40LM is an entry-level car navigation device but it does its job well.
Simple it may be but the Nuvi 40LM has all the features that matter.
By JENNIFER NG
The Garmin Nuvi 40LM is an entry-level car navigation device. Grouped under Garmin's 2012 Essential series, it is an affordable device which promises to serve all your basic GPS needs. It is also touted to be the best entry-level Garmin Nuvi to date.
Despite its low price, you get all the features you need in a GPS. It comes with the very useful lane assist and junction views, point-of-interests (POIs) search and detour feature. You also have text-to-speech and get to select your preferred language and voice.
The Nuvi 40LM GPS has a 4.3in (480 x 272-pixel) touchscreen with clear, colourful animated graphics.
Besides the Nuvi 40LM, Garmin has the Nuvi 30LM and 50LM under its Essential Series. These devices basically provide the same functions, but the variations are in its screen sizes, i.e. the Nuvi 30LM comes with a 3.5in touchscreen and the Nuvi 50LM with the 5in touchscreen.
In the box
What you get in the box is the Nuvi 40LM, a vehicle suction cup mount, vehicle power cable and quick start manual.
The review unit came with pre-installed maps of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Maps are what power these portable navigation devices, so before you begin using it, make sure all your maps are loaded properly.
What I remember about using one of my friends' GPS unit a couple of years ago is that the suction cup was not strong enough and the GPS kept falling off the windscreen. But you don't have to worry about all that with the Nuvi 40LM.
Garmin gets high marks for its fuss-free and sturdy mounting hardware that's very easy to attach.
At this point in time, you might be wondering what you might be missing out on by deciding to pick up one of Garmin's basic units. Well, you can't pair your mobile phone to this baby via Bluetooth to make hands-free calls (but why would you need your Garmin to do that when most cars can?).
What else? Don't expect it to understand you because you can't give voice commands to your Nuvi 40LM, that's for sure. Voice-activated navigation only comes with Garmin's Prestige and Advance series.
EASY TO VIEW: The Nuvi 40LM GPS has a 4.3in (480 x 272-pixel) touchscreen with clear, colourful animated graphics.
Handy features
Nuvi 40LM has a feature called Where Am I and it helps you find the closest hospitals, ATM machine, petrol station, shopping centre, pharmacy and such. You can select to search near your location, your current route or at your destination.
You can also Customise POIs by adding your own point-of-interests and select routes to avoid such as tolls and highways.
Also, the people at Garmin added a simple function that changes the screen background to black after sundown and it goes bright during the day.
I was surprised that this basic unit even comes with a Keep Out of Trouble feature. This alert feature does not only help you keep within the speed limit, it also warns you of sharp bends and red light cameras ahead!
Yes, the compact Nuvi 40LM can even keep traffic tickets at bay.
In a nutshell
Does the Nuvi 40LM get me from point A to point B safely and accurately? Yes it does. At least 80% of the time that is. There are misses, probably because there are ongoing road works and the map is not updated.
Besides getting you to places you would not know how to go otherwise, one of the joys of using a GPS is that you discover new routes to places you are used to.
The surprise comes when it's a faster and better route than what you've become so used to taking. It is times like these that make you talk back to your GPS and say "Thank you Daniel, you've done well."
If you decide to purchase theNuvi 40LM GPS, you can't go wrong because after all, Garmin is one of the global leaders in satellite navigation systems.
Pros: Affordable; simple to use; serves its purpose well.
Cons: Text-to-voice is not really effective with Malaysian road names.
Nuvi 40LM
(Garmin Ltd)
Car navigation unit
GPS CHIPSET: unknown
DISPLAY: 4.3in WQVGA (480 x 272-pixels) touchscreen
MEMORY: 2GB internal flash memory
STORAGE: microSD slot
BATTERY: Lithium ion
OPERATING SYSTEM: unknown
OTHER FEATURES: Free lifetime map updates
DIMENSIONS (W x D x H): 12.4 x 1.8 x 7.9cm
WEIGHT: 148g
WEBSITE: www.garmin.com
PRICE: RM445
RATING: 4 stars
Review unit courtesy of Aeco Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd, (03) 9285-8062