Overview: The nuvi 1200
is a portable GPS navigator and entry-level personal travel assistant that provides automatic
routing, turn-by-turn voice directions, and touch screen control. In addition to
these navigation features, the nuvi 1200 can display JPEG photos.
Navigation Features
Traffic Information
Picture Viewer
Power Requirements
Mounting Options
Computer Requirements
Navigation Features
Map Software:
The nuvi 1200 comes loaded with City Navigator Lower 48 States NT 2010 software, which contains
mapping detail of the lower 48 United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The maps
feature nearly 6-million points of interest (POIs), such as hotels, restaurants,
gas stations, ATMs and attractions.
microSD Memory Slot: The nuvi 1200
has a microSD memory slot for additional map data from optional microSD memory cards. The
unit
can also display photo images from a microSD memory card.
Antenna: The unit has a built-in antenna
in its top panel. In order to obtain an optimal signal, the unit must have a
clear, unobstructed view of the sky. It the unit is mounted in a vehicle with a
coated windshield or an in-screen heating system, there may be difficulty in
obtaining a good signal.
Touch Screen Display: The unit
features a bright, 3.5" (diagonal) LCD with touch screen controls. The display
has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 4:3 and 64,000
colors. The screen has a manual brightness adjustment.
Information Pages: The
information provided by the nuvi 1200 is found on various display screens called
pages. The pages give you the following information:
- Map:
- Indicates real-time moving
map illustrating your current position and intended route
- Shows map scale and
geographic details such as lakes, rivers, highways and towns
- Allows you to zoom, pan, and
point using the touch screen controls
- When you are following a route, your arrival time is displayed in the lower left corner, your current speed is shown in the lower right corner.
- When you are simply driving
while viewing the Map page (not following a route), your speed is shown
in the lower right corner, the direction you are driving is shown in the
lower left corner
- Trip Information:
- Shows current compass heading
while moving
- Indicates current speed,
maximum speed, arrival time, distance and time to next turn
- Calculates driving time,
stopped time and total time
- Displays overall distance
traveled (odometer) and distance to your final destination
- Current Route:
- Displays a list of
turn-by-turn instructions for your entire route as well as arrival
information
- Shows direction of each turn
and distance
- Next Turn:
- Shows the next turn on the
map and the distance and time left before you reach the turn
Where Am I? The "Where Am I?" feature gives you instant access to
important information in case of an emergency. When you select "Where Am I?"
from the menu, you get the coordinates (including elevation) of your current
position, plus the nearest address and intersections. There are also buttons to
help you locate the nearest hospitals, police stations, gas stations, and
roadside assistance. You can also save the location for future reference.
Where To? During navigation,
you can search for places by pressing "Menu", then "Where To?" You can select an
Address, Go Home, Points of Interest, Recently Found, Favorites, Extras, Intersections,
Cities, Browse Map, and Coordinates. You can also access Spell Name for direct
entry of your new destination, or browse the map. You can search for locations
near your present location (default), or select a different city, your current
route, or your destination.
Custom Points of Interest: The
nuvi 1200 will accept custom points of interest (POI) databases, available from
various companies on the Internet. Some custom POI databases contain alert
information for points such as safety cameras and school zones, and the unit can
notify you as you approach one of these points. To download custom POIs, you
will need the Garmin POI Loader software, available on Garmin's website.
Map Orientation: You can select
one of three map orientation displays:
- 2D Track Up:
two-dimensional map that constantly displays the route from top to bottom on
the screen
- 2D North Up:
two-dimensional map that constantly displays North at the top of the screen
- 3D Track Up:
three-dimensional map that constantly displays the route from top to bottom
on the screen
Screen Color Mode: You can
select one of three color modes for the display screen:
- Daytime: has a lighter,
brighter background
- Nighttime: has a black
background, easier to see at night
- Auto: display
automatically switches between daytime and nighttime at sunrise and sunset
Vehicle Icons: The default on-screen icon representing your vehicle is a blue sports car. In the menu, you can select a blue 4WD pickup truck, a blue compact car, a blue 3D arrow,
a pair of boots, a large bird, or a rolling beach ball. You can also download other vehicle icons from the "Garmin Garage" website.
Usage Modes: The nuvi 1200 can be used in any of three usage modes: automotive, pedestrian, and bicycle.
Route Preferences: When
calculating a route, you can select the following preferences: faster time,
shorter distance, less fuel, or off road.
ecoRoute: The ecoRoute feature calculates your vehicle's fuel economy, carbon footprint, and the fuel price of navigating to a destination. It also offers tools for improving fuel
efficiency. Through ecoRoute's Fuel report and Mileage Report, you can track fuel usage and gas mileage during each trip. There is also a driving challenge to help you maximize your fuel economy by
scoring your driving habits.
Avoidances: You can program the unit
to avoid certain things that may be undesirable on your route. Examples of
things that can be avoided include U-Turns, Highways, Toll
Roads, Carpool Lanes, Unpaved Roads, and Ferries.
Waypoints: You can manually
mark and name any map position as a waypoint for later recall. Up to 1000
waypoints can be saved into memory.
Indoor Use:
When indoors, you can activate the built-in simulator and practice using the
unit. This turns off the GPS receiver so it's not searching for satellites.
Tools: The nuvi 1200 offers several tools you can use as you travel:
- World Clock: The world
clock allows you to display the current time for four locations throughout
the world. You can also display a map of the world showing which portions
are in daylight and which are in darkness.
- Currency Converter: This
feature allows you to update the currency rates manually so you are always
using the most current information.
- Unit Converter:
You
can convert area, distance, speed, temperature, volume, and
weight.
- Calculator: The calculator
allows you to perform simple arithmetic.
Garmin Lock: Garmin Lock is an
anti-theft feature. You can set a 4-digit PIN and a security location (such as
your home or office). Every time the nuvi 1200 is powered on, you must enter the
PIN, or drive to your security location.
Traffic Information
FM Traffic Ready: The nuvi 1200 can receive traffic information
broadcast over the FM Radio Data System (RDS), when connected to an optional
Garmin GTM 35 FM TMC (Traffic Message Channel) receiver (available from Garmin). The GTM
35 comes with a lifetime subscription to the Traffic Message Channel. Traffic data is available in nearly 50
metropolitan areas in the continental US. When you are in a coverage
area, the traffic delays are rated by severity with color-coded icons. If you
encounter severe traffic along your route, the unit will automatically
recalculate the route for you to avoid traffic delays.
MSN Direct: MSN Direct is an optional service that sends traffic reports, gas prices and more to your navigation device through an FM signal. MSN Direct is available in 100 of the
largest cities across the United States. Using the optional MSN Direct receiver (available
from Garmin) and a limited free trial service to MSN Direct, you can check the weather, avoid traffic backups,
compare local gas prices and check movie times and locations when you travel with the nuvi 1200. The MSN Direct receiver is integrated with a plug-and-play cigarette lighter adapter, making it easy to
connect to the unit when traveling. It can take several hours to receive all the content to your nuvi 1200 the first time you use it or after you have traveled long distances and after you have not
used the nuvi 1200 and MSN Direct Receiver for several days. There is a non-user replaceable rechargeable battery in the MSN Direct Receiver that allows it to receive and store updates for several
days, even when not connected to external power.
Note: After your limited free trial, you can extend your
service with an annual payment or one-time payment. MSN Direct service will
be available only until January 1, 2012.
Picture Viewer
Picture Viewer: The nuvi 1200 can display photo images (JPEG files).
The image files must be stored on
an optional microSD memory card or transferred to the internal memory.
Photo Navigation: The Panoramio (www.panoramio.com) website provides photographs that include
location information called geotags. These photos can be downloaded into the
nuvi 1200 or microSD memory card, and the unit can route you to the location.
Power Requirements
Rechargeable Battery: The nuvi
1200 operates on your vehicle's battery using the included 12-volt cigarette
lighter power adapter, the built-in Lithium-Ion batteries, or household current
using an optional AC adapter. The Lithium-Ion batteries provide up to 3 hours of use
after a 4-hour charge. Stored data, such as waypoints or unit settings,
are not lost when the unit is disconnected from a power source.
Mounting Options
Mounting: The unit
should be securely installed when used in a vehicle. The unit comes with a
mounting bracket that includes a suction cup. The suction cup can be used to
mount the unit to the windshield. Once the nuvi 1200 is mounted, it can be adjusted on the ball-and-socket
bracket for best visibility. The unit must be installed where it has a
relatively unobstructed view of the sky.
Computer Requirements
Internal Memory: The nuvi 1200
comes with an internal memory for storage of supplemental
maps and photos. When the unit is connected to your
computer, the nuvi 1200 is recognized as a USB Mass Storage device.
Interface Capability: This unit
can be connected to a PC via USB cable (not included). This USB 2.0 full speed interface allows you
to download additional map information to the unit's flash memory. The unit has a standard Mini-USB Version 2.0 jack.
