If you have been looking for a portable GPS that incorporates form, function and fashion you were out of luck. Most standalone navigators have kept the same form factor for the last few years. They all looked the same, so it did not matter which one you purchased. They were all big, and clunky. That was then. Today there is increased competition in the smartphone space and everyone seems to be getting into GPS – including Google. How do you compete with the likes of Apple, RIM or even Google? You out do them in form, function and fashion.

The Garmin nuvi 3700 series fits the bill.

The newest line of portable GPS navigators from Garmin, the 3700 series sports sleek lines and is super-slim at only 9mm “thick”. The 3700 series of navigators – there are three: nuvi 3750, nuvi 3760T and the top of the line, 3790T. Each features a 4.3″ multi-touch glass display with enhanced software features such as nuRoute technology with traffic trends and myTrends. You will also find voice-activated navigation and if you purchase the 3790T you can also take advantage of 3-D building and terrain view. Other outstanding features are lane assist with junction view, hands-free calling compatibility with built-in Bluetooth and subscription-free traffic alerts.

The display is just amazing, a little glossy – but we can live with that. The 4.3″ display sports WVGA (800×480) resolution. We already mentioned the super-slim form factor of the navigator, at 9mm thin it’s small enough to put into your shirt pocket, or purse. Try that with the older navigators.

Along with fashion, comes function. The interface has been somewhat overhauled and where you will see the biggest difference is the speed in which the gorgeous 2D and 3D maps load. Street names, and towns are also auto-populated at blazing speed. The other feature that we were impressed with is that you can use it in vehicle mode, and pedestrian mode. So if you are in a new city and are getting around on foot, bus, train or metro the nuvi will help you navigate.

On Amazon the 3790T is #78 and has 20 reviews giving the unit 4 stars. With comments like “The size and physical design of this beauty is amazing.”, “This is the iPhone 4 of the GPS world.” and “Nothing comes close to the beauty of the 3790.”, Garmin has scored a hit with the 3790T and indeed with the entire line of 3700 series portable GPS units.

Overall the nuvi is impressive, with the enhancements to the software and the new form-factor it is a winner. If you already have a newer PND (personal navigation device) you may not want to buy this right now, or if your smartphone has GPS built into it (which smartphones don’t have GPS?) then you also may not want yet another device. However if you have an older portable GPS unit and want something sleek, then the new Garmin nuvi 3700 series of portable GPS units is for you.

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Filed under: GPS Reviews

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