I got my Garmin 350 almost two years ago. I have used it throughout the southeast and on trips to DC and throughout California. The only time it starts up slowly is on heavy cloudy days or heavy rain. I used to point the antenna staight up but I find a quicker reaction when the antenna is horizontal. Don't know why. The two times I couldn't get a signal after five minutes, I hit the reset button on the back of the unit and it started right up. I switch the unit betwen the TCH and my Avalon with no difference in performance. I updated my software to the 2009 version. Don't bother unless you absolutely positively must have the very latest info. You can always just enter the address of the newest location not in the database. I should have bought software for Europe instead. I like the Nuvi 350 so much, I bought one for my son-in-law 'cause I like him too.

 

No problems here with a Magellan Crossover -- either sitting on the dash or in the little cup in the center console.

We can only hope that the dealer warning you of resetting codes and such was confused about what you were trying to do. Yes, it likely would cause some damage to try to wire a portable GPS into the Nav system or something like that -- but who would try such a thing? Simply using a GPS in the car is completely harmless so far as the car electronics are concerned.

Bill

 

I have an 09 TCH and 3 different Garmins none of which work well or even work at all. Finally my Toyota dealer fouond out from Toyota Canada that the window glass has a metallic substance for the purpose of reducing Radio Frequency to protect the remote key system. No gps will work well without and external antenna. Thanks for keeping us informed Toyota!

 

Interesting. This would also interfere with cell phone and EZ Pass reception/transmission. Oh, and since we don't have an external antenna for our AM/FM radio, I'd imagine it'd affect that too. Or maybe the back window is free of this metallic additive...you could put your GPS back there and just crank up the volume

 

The other thing that strikes me is that GPS doesn't use regular radio signals. (I'm no expert) I wouldn't think there would be SO MUCH metallic whatever in the front windshield that it'd cause this much interference!

I live near some high voltage wires that run to a sub-station about 3/4 of a mile down the road. I can get a signal inside my 08 TCH that's inside my garage. Glad I'm not having the same trouble you folks seem to be having!

 

Interesting. I can't get mine to work in the center of the windsheild (Garmin C340 that I've had for over a year) but I've found that if I place it on the drives side toward the top it works about 99% of the time. I still get the occasional hiccup, but overall it's fine in that location.

 

Santa came early with a Magellan 4250. Full bars, mounted on the bottom of the windshield. No reception issues in FL so far

 

I purchased a 660 and It would loose signal from time to time.I called Garmin and the tech told me about the chemical in the toyota glass and to get an antenna.I purchased mine from circuit city and it worked without fail.I upgraded to the 760 and with the antenna no problems.Garmin knows of this problem and has excellent support.

 

I use a bluetooth GPS with my AXIM that I have a mount for. It works fine.

 

That's where my GF's three year old TomTom One works (I'm in NY). If I keep it in the car, say, in my lap or in the little storage bin, it takes about 2 minutes to get a signal but then works flawlessly. (I have tinted windows as well.)