Garmin Nuvi 1490T GPS Navigator with Traffic Review

The Garmin nuvi 1490T automotive GPS navigator comes with an FM receiver for traffic data. For those who travel familiar routes often, the use of traffic warnings to plot avoidance routes can be the most useful feature of a GPS navigation device. Other notable features of the 1490T include; a very large 5 inch (diagonal) display, text-to-speech for street names, HotFix for quicker GPS satellite acquisition and shaded contour elevation maps.

Garmin 1490T GPS Navigator

Widescreen 5.0 Inch Display

The 1490T has a WQVGA (480 x 272 pixels) resolution, 64k color TFT display. Larger displays are easier to see clearly as they allow for larger, clearer map displays, menus and navigation icons. The anti-glare display makes it easier to read during daytime and automatically changes its color palette for easier night time viewing.

Navigating with the Garmin nuvi 1490T

Those familiar with older Garmin nuvi models will find the button on the top right a new feature compared with the legacy power slider. There is a speaker and miniUSB port at the rear, a microphone at the front and a miniSD card slot on the left side.

The home screen however, has the familiar “Where To” and “View Map” options. There are a large variety of ways to select you destination with the 1490T. The most obvious are address entry or browsing the map. Searching the 6 million Points of Interest (POI) database is another option. The POI database can be appended with customized POIs. It’s also possible to select your destination via a geotagged photo of your own or from Garmin Connect Photos. GPS users can also make use of a feature available with Google Maps and Mapquest which lets you to download a destination you have found (GPS coordinates and address) directly to your Garmin GPS navigator.

Routing Calculation Options

Routing maps can be displayed in either 2D or 3D perspective views depending on preference. At higher zoom levels, the nuvi 1490T, through digital elevation model (DEM) mapping, is capable of showing shaded contours for a better idea of the surrounding terrain.

There are a number of tools to customize route planning including;

Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.)
Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road and less fuel)
Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation)
Auto sort multiple destinations (works out the fastest route to visit up to 10 destinations)

ecoRoute

A recent feature, ecoRoute helps optimizes routes for minimum fuel consumption taking into consideration fuel consumption rates, estimated driving speeds and vehicle acceleration data. Feedback from ecoRoute’s Fuel Report and Mileage Report can help develop more fuel efficient driving skills.

The 1490T has Lane Assist (guides you to the proper lane) and Junction View (larger, more detailed view of a junction) – two very useful tools for ensuring the driver stays on route. Lane Assist provides a 3D Junction View with the recommended lane shown so that you can move into it well before you need to exit.

FM Traffic

The Garmin nuvi 1490T has a FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) traffic receiver. Accessed via a FM TMC traffic receiver, the traffic data received can provide traffic warnings and allow your GPS to calculate new routes around problem spots. TMC data provides quick, accurate notification of situations impacting traffic such as accidents, road construction, police and emergency services. Read our technical guide on FM Traffic for more detailed information.

In an emergency situation, the Where Am I? emergency locator can find the closest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersections.

Included with the nuvi 1490T are travel tools such as JPEG picture viewer (you most likely will need a microSD adapter), world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter and calculator. The 1490T features Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature, and is compatible with Garmin Garage where you can download free vehicles and voices. It should be noted that the 1490 does not play audio files (MP3) or audio books as available with some other nuvi models.

Hands-Free Calling – Bluetooth Wireless Technology

For those with compatible phones, the Garmin nuvi 1490T has Bluetooth for making hands-free cellular calls while keeping ones eyes safely on the road. Incoming phone calls are displayed and a tap of the screen accepts the call. As with other systems, any other audio is automatically muted during phone calls. Calls can be made using the nuvi’s touchscreen keypad. A handy convenience is being able to access phone numbers associated with a POI making it simple to call ahead. Numbers from your personalized phone book can be dialed and you can even tap into your cell phone’s call history log.

The Garmin nuvi 1490T is MSN Direct compatible for access (with subscription) to location-based services such as local traffic reports, weather reports, local gas prices and local movie times. Read our MSN Direct technical guide for more detailed information. Garmin as of the latest nuvi 1690 are moving to a new wireless-connectivity information service nuLink!

The Garmin nuvi 1490T comes preloaded with City Navigator NT North America (U.S. and Canada) or Europe depending on the purchase location. If you are going to use the 1490T in pedestrian mode then it is well worth considering cityXplorer maps with which it is compatible. They have enhanced pedestrian navigation features including directions for where to walk, where to catch the bus, subway, tram or other transportation. In some cities, transit schedules, such as subway or bus times, are available. It is worth noting that the battery life is 3 hours so it needs to be managed when in pedestrian mode.

Garmin nuvi 1490T Inclusions

nüvi 1490T
Preloaded City Navigator NT North America (U.S. and Canada) or Europe (full coverage)
Lifetime traffic
FM traffic receiver with vehicle power cable (indicated by “T” after model number on the box)
Vehicle suction cup mount
USB cable
Dashboard disc
Quick start manual