Attaching the Garmin i3 to the cars dash is achieved via a sucker system which connects to the windscreen and a ball and socket system secures the StreetPilot unit to the holder with a satisfying click. Power up the baby i3 and a familiar Garmin interface appears albeit in miniature on the 1.7" x 1.3" TFT display, the mapping engine and indeed the overall control interface is that same used on the C320 we tested a few months back.

The Garmin i3 has only 3 main controls as the screen is not touch sensitive, the left hand button is the menu key and also works as a back key when in menus, the middle control is a roller wheel allowing you to scroll through menus with a third power button. using these 3 we first tried entering an address, this is quite a struggle using the scroll wheel to work your way through the alphabet letter at a time spelling out the road name etc.

The ability to click the scroll wheel to select the letter makes this method bearable but it is a poor relation of the touch screen systems. Address in place and route calculated (quickly) we were off with the i3 leading the way. Voice instructions are clear and quite loud given the size on the inbuilt speaker and you tend to rely on them as the screen is too small for major instructions just secondary reinforcement of which turning to take. That said it's certainly a bright screen and the map is both accurate and kept up to date with your exact position.

We started to take some wrong turns to try and upset the Garmin i3 but without much success, the unit quickly worked out where we'd gone and steered us back on track. We only encountered one mapping error on a bypass that the unit clearly didn't know existed, however this would be true of any unit using maps from Navteq.

We couldn't find anyway to force the i3 to avoid certain roads and there is only a simple road block feature should you hit a traffic jam and want to dive off and let the unit find another route. There isn't any extras either, no Bluetooth, no downloadable maps but we did find that you could upload a POI map which means you should be able to use the free speed camera maps.

The main maps cover the UK and Ireland and fit onto a 256mb mini SD card which slots into the side of the unit, there is room to fit on the speed camera map and the POI (point of interest) proximity alert feature works a treat to warn you of Gatso's on route.

The Garmin i3 can run from it's own 12 volt power cable or from 2 AA batteries which will keep your unit running for around 6 hours. There is also a USB connection which can be used to update both the contents of the SD card or the units own firmware.

Priced to just slip under the £170 mark the Garmin i3 gives a new entry point for the StreetPilot range and further challenges the other SatNav companies in the run up to Christmas. Overall we found the i3 provides accurate navigation and a good guidance system, its input method is a bit fiddly and will not make you the quickest out of the car park but it will get you from A-B. the lack of a complete diversion feature is a bit of a worry but for this price we think that can be excused.

More Garmin GPS Reviews

Published - 02/10/2005

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