Is Marbella GPS good?

[Shor]

I am using Marbella 880 deluxe for a year now. No complains at all. But the battery really runs out fast.

[Redstorm]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the sharing.

I'm looking for an accurate gps in the $300-400 range.

Shortlisted Garmin 255w, Garmin 1450, Marbella 990 and Tom tom 250.

I thought the specs on the Marbella looks promising- any one has a unit? care to share your review?

cheers!

 

I don't use Marbella, so no comment on it. If you are interested in Garmin, don't go for the 255W or the 1450. Go for the 2465 which is selling below $300. It is very impressive and has all the features found in the high end model - Nuvi 3790. It has compass, vertical view, voice command, eco route, trip planner, etc. The best thing about the 2465 is that its log on to the satellite is almost instantaneous. The log on is the fastest among the Garmin models - better than any of the older models and the high end 3790 that I have owned. Don't go for Tom Tom as it has only recently made its foray into the market in this region and so its maps is still not as good as Garmin. It will take times for Tom Tom to go up to the level as good as Garmin.

Edited May 9, 2011 by Redstorm

[SCChia]

I'm using Marbella since 3 weeks ago, probably it's too fast to comment but the battery ok and signal sometimes I noticed bad weather took much longer to lock on, otherwise it has been quite fast. Mine is the M660 so not sure about other models

[Kb27]

I have a Nuvi 350. It's probably 5 yrs old today with a small 3.5" screen.

2465 sounds interesting.

 

Based on the limited hardware of the 350, I realized that placement of the gps in a vehicle is very important for those who have problem with satellites locking.

 

Do not place the gps near the A pillar. It attenuates most of the satellite signals and make it very hard to get locked on.

 

The centre of the dashboard is probably the best place to install the gps.

 

However, the best antenna is a external one. I'm lucky 350 supports this.

It cost me another $50 to buy an external antenna and I placed it on the roof of my vehicle.

 

Now, with external antenna, it doesn't matter where I install the gps internally.

 

Satellite locking is always less than a minute even for the tired old hardware.

 

It's still working perfectly today with occasional lockups. Until it dies the 350 will be with me for a long time.

 

With easy access to frequent map upgrading, the Garmin 350 already paid for itself long time ago.

 

For those hesitating to buy Garmin, think no further. You won't regret.

[Piggy83sg]

im using m660. battery life not tat gd. in addition, the gps window ace system sometime will pop out fatal error.

[Shor]

In fact Garmin is more popular. I rented once in Penang but I bought Marbella. The screen is cool and it's thin. Usuge wise, no complains so far but it seems a little complicated setting . But once you get use to it, it's ABC. So far so good and they have this 24 hrs service, and free rental of oversea map for one month. The time I bought, I choose an oversea map for free that will be in the system forever. Hope this helps!

[SCChia]

In fact Garmin is more popular. I rented once in Penang but I bought Marbella. The screen is cool and it's thin. Usuge wise, no complains so far but it seems a little complicated setting . But once you get use to it, it's ABC. So far so good and they have this 24 hrs service, and free rental of oversea map for one month. The time I bought, I choose an oversea map for free that will be in the system forever. Hope this helps!

 

I agreed with you and I also have to admit that Garmin is more popular. it's the matter of getting used to it. I also fade up the first time I used mine but once I read the instruction with the assistance of their helpline. Aiya, there is no perfect gadget nowadays, my iPad is spolied 2 weeks after I bought it and my iPhone also...... Haiz

 

I'm off to Europe toml and I rent a map from Marbella today, it was fast and the CS lady was nice and she explained to me how the overseas map works. It seems different again so I might need to call their CS again hope it works when I'm there this weekend.

 

 

[Shor]

Hope you'll comment after your Europe use. Mine is a Thailand map, frakly nothing special but I manage to drive around on my own without losing track.

 

I agreed with you and I also have to admit that Garmin is more popular. it's the matter of getting used to it. I also fade up the first time I used mine but once I read the instruction with the assistance of their helpline. Aiya, there is no perfect gadget nowadays, my iPad is spolied 2 weeks after I bought it and my iPhone also...... Haiz

 

I'm off to Europe toml and I rent a map from Marbella today, it was fast and the CS lady was nice and she explained to me how the overseas map works. It seems different again so I might need to call their CS again hope it works when I'm there this weekend.

 

[Ekardo]

Marbella user, is it a bug?

 

whenever I press that I wanna go HOME, it will prompt for me to add the current location to HOME instead.

 

I have to add my home location into favorite instead!

 

 

[SCChia]

No issue for me, anyone else having the same issue?

[Psyiche]

 

hi Red Storm,

Thanks for the headsup, Gamrin 2465 sounds intresting, where can i find it in Singapore? Most of the shops (eg Challenger, Best, AAS), do not have the model.

So far the most common model seem to be Holux, Papago and Shinco.

I just went Autobacs to try out the M880 - the touch screen is difficult to use - i find it hard to type out the point of interest. Took about 45s to find Changi Village.

cheers

Psyiche

[Psyiche]

Hi Shor,

For the Marbella 880, is yours the deluxe?

I find that the screen is faded, compared to Holux or Papago - how is your screen.

Any problem finding places using the POI screen?

cheers

Psyiche

[Shor]

Hi,

 

 

yes it's Deluxe. Screen very clear, no problem so far. Still liking it very much!!!!

 

Hi Shor,

For the Marbella 880, is yours the deluxe?

I find that the screen is faded, compared to Holux or Papago - how is your screen.

Any problem finding places using the POI screen?

cheers

Psyiche

 

[Redstorm]

hi Red Storm,

Thanks for the headsup, Gamrin 2465 sounds intresting, where can i find it in Singapore? Most of the shops (eg Challenger, Best, AAS), do not have the model.

So far the most common model seem to be Holux, Papago and Shinco.

I just went Autobacs to try out the M880 - the touch screen is difficult to use - i find it hard to type out the point of interest. Took about 45s to find Changi Village.

cheers

Psyiche

 

If you want the 2465, go to Perfect Watch at level 1 of Sim Lim Square.

[SCChia]

hi Red Storm,

Thanks for the headsup, Gamrin 2465 sounds intresting, where can i find it in Singapore? Most of the shops (eg Challenger, Best, AAS), do not have the model.

So far the most common model seem to be Holux, Papago and Shinco.

I just went Autobacs to try out the M880 - the touch screen is difficult to use - i find it hard to type out the point of interest. Took about 45s to find Changi Village.

cheers

Psyiche

 

I guess Marbella uses buggy sets for their display unit. The set I tried out at Courts did not look that great but the staff there show me the new sets and it looked much better. Anyways I just decided to give it a try since it met my requirement especially Im taking it to Europe with me now. Not sure how the GPS work in detail but just gotta hope it does not fail.

[Psyiche]

I guess Marbella uses buggy sets for their display unit. The set I tried out at Courts did not look that great but the staff there show me the new sets and it looked much better. Anyways I just decided to give it a try since it met my requirement especially Im taking it to Europe with me now. Not sure how the GPS work in detail but just gotta hope it does not fail.

 

Hi SCChia,

Whoa! You are a brave man! Hopefully you come back with good reviews of the unit!

cheers!

Psyiche

[Rogersk8ter]

I used the M880 deluxe....the screen is insensitve. Will also hang once in a while. UI is not simple compared to Garmin.

 

Do not expect firmware update. map update at most 2-3 times a year.

 

Was using Garmin before and still think its the best. I bot the M880 becos of the price.

 

 

[Psyiche]

Hi Rogersk8ter,

How do you find the accuracy of the device getting you to a new destination? Have you gotten lost on it before.

Also when you miss a turn, how long does it take to re-route?

I've tried garmin 3790- takes about 5s.

cheers

Psyiche