My Perfect GPS would have the following Features:

 

My Perfect GPS would have the following Features:

  • Preferred Routes-These might be back roads, short cuts, or ways I generally travel. Preferred Routes are the opposite of "Avoid" routes. When my GPS calculates a route, use my Preferred route instead of that crowded nearby highway. I would expect this to be particularly useful around home. I'd need to be able to define them for the GPS. Perhaps we could select streets and set them to a different color.
  • My POIs would be integrated with Manufacturers POIs. Why is my store any worse than manufacturers? Why make it hard for me to use?
  • I should be able to embellish the Manufacturers POIs and Icons (easily).
  • Automatic POI Updates-My Place of Worship (60 years at current location) isn't listed. My bank branch isn't listed. Why? I have been finding POIs to be missing, and to be misleading. POIs based on street address particularly in and around malls, really don't reflect if the POI is in the mall, outside the mall, still open, or how to find it. Loading the phone book isn't a great method. I have found more than one POI referencing a house and not a business.
  • POIs that are directionally sensitive. Knowing there's a rest area behind me isn't very useful if I have to make a 35 mile trek to get there legally.
  • POIs from national chains are hard to find. Sometime Bill's Shel Service doesn't get picked as a Shell Station. Sometimes the phonebook lists a chain be the owner and not the chain or contains misspellings.
  • Duplicates-I love "Eat at Joe's" but I don't need two conflicting references to it.
  • The day/night display would also be light/dark sensing. If it's raining buckets I may not be able to see that the sun has risen. I really don't want my GPS to suddenly light up the darkness and scare the snot out of me.

What would you like to see in your perfect GPS?

--
Nuvi 255W, Ham radio, MacBook Pro

Oh wow...

I'm going to copy your format to address everything you've said.

  • I totally agree with the preferred routes. I just drove 20 or so miles to a friend's new house, and my 760 took me along a highway I travel a lot...which was fine, but it has signals for the major intersections, and the speed limit is only 55...needless to say, I would have preferred to take the freeway for that long of a drive.
  • Same feeling for POIs. It's annoying to have to click through the menus to the 'Custom POI' folder to find what I want.
  • I don't really mess around with the manufacturer's POIs or icons...but it *would* be nice to be able to do if you come across something you *know* is wrong.
  • Automatic POI update would be cool. When I installed the 2009 maps, most my bank's 85 locations weren't listed (that's why I created a custom POI file).
  • POIs that are directionally sensitive. That *shouldn't* be too hard. All the manufacturer has to do is add a few IF->THEN blocks, or a algorithm to support that feature...but a great idea nonetheless.
  • I've never had any problems with national chains...yet, so I can't really comment on that that.
  • Same goes for duplicates...never had a problem.
  • I totally agree with the day/night display sensor. How hard it is to put a photoresistor on the top/back of the unit to measure *actual* ambient light?

As for things *I* would like to see in my GPS...I've already voiced my opinion that they should have video capabilities in another thread...and I stand by that opinion.

I'd also like to see built in Wi-Fi. Besides the prospect of wireless file transferring, I'd like the ability to have Google Earth wirelessly connect to my GPS so I can save POIs, track my movements, etc...

Also, a removable battery would be great. I had an old iPod, that had a battery that died...I had to send the entire unit back to Apple and wait for them to replace it. The piece of junk broke soon after getting it back from Apple...so I threw it away and bought a Creative Mp3 player that had a removable battery. Being able to quickly swap out the drained battery for a fully charged one is a great feature when you're nowhere near a power source.

I'd like a little 2-way communication between the GPS and the satellites. I don't like the prospect for being followed by big brother, but it would be great to have the ability have cops alerted to your GPS's location if it's stolen (GPS Lowjack…I guess), or if you press an SOS button. In this day and age, I can't believe how many people are in need of rescue while the rescue teams have to comb large areas of terrain where they *think* the injured person might be. Skiing beacons are a step in the right direction, but why not have the ability to press a button on your GPS to alert the local authorities with a "Help!" message along with your *exact* coordinates?

--
If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.

I would like radar and laser

I would like radar and laser detectors to be integrated. Think of the possibilities there.

--
Nuvi 1450LMT Nuvi 260 Nuvi 350 "There are no stupid questions, just a lot of inquisitive idiots." "Am I one?"

n8tyv wrote: My POIs would

n8tyv wrote:
  • My POIs would be integrated with Manufacturers POIs. Why is my store any worse than manufacturers? Why make it hard for me to use?
  • POIs that are directionally sensitive. Knowing there's a rest area behind me isn't very useful if I have to make a 35 mile trek to get there legally.
  • These two are key. It's just plain stupid that Garmin doesn't incorporate these already.

    Nuvi 650

    My perfect gps would have a detour button that i didn't have to search for. Everytime I want to detour I have to go back to the main page and then back into tools, then forward to the main page where the detour button appears. there has to be an easier way.

    Route Memory

    My perfect GPS would have a route memory function. Press "Start Memory" and then travel to your destination using a route you are familiar with then press "Stop memory and save" adding a name. This would allow my wife to take the same route without the need to use mapsource to plan a trip.

    --
    Wanted -Woman with GPS -send picture of GPS

    How about this...

    How about a way to actually google an item from your gps then plot it and calculate a route to it! That would be helpful when in a strange town and want to get to a specific attraction you just heard about from the gas station attendant instead of his directions!

    XML...

    It would store items such as POIs in a documented XML structure that I could mount, back up, and modify!

    Or how about SQLite?

    --
    Nuvi 2460, 680, DATUM Tymserve 2100, Trimble Thunderbolt, Ham radio, Macintosh, Linux, Windows

    Where to ... Near ... Favorite/Extra etc.

    While I agree with much of the above, here is a simple idea that should able to be put into a software update.

    I would like to explore what is near a Favorite or Custom POI. I know I can set that as a destination first, but that seems like unnecessary steps.

    My current choices on a NUVI 650 are:
    Where I am now
    A different city
    My current route
    My destination.

    Seems like it should be simple to add another choice: Favorites

    --
    Larry ... Garmin Nuvi 650

    more suggestions

    My GPS is a Nuvi 360. I agree with most of what has already been posted. I would also like to see the following improvements:
    1. Instead of starting with "Go to highlighted route", it should speak the name of the initial street.
    2. It should remember what city I am in or last chose by default, in addition to "Spell City" and "Search all cities" (in state).
    3. There should be a quicker way to get back to main menu (someone else suggested quicker way to get to Detour button).
    4. A way to edit/fix bad POIs provided (I think someone else may have referred to this as manufacturer's POIs). In addition to missing POIs and POIs that no longer are in business, some POIs are in the wrong categories or sub-categores.
    5. Display photos by folder.

    I'm sure that are a few more things I can't remember right now. But overall I like my Nuvi and its GPS and non-GPS functions. The first weekend I had it, I spent a lot of time in the "Travel Kit" functions.

    Bernie

    --
    Bernie - Garmin Nuvi 760 (used to have 350 & 360)

    I'd like to see, when I

    I'd like to see, when I search near a different city, to list the cities alpabetically, instead of by which ones are closest.

    I'd also like to see better MP3 management. Can't save MP3's in folders.
    One has to create playlists. Some tone control would be nice.

    Ability to delete recently found one by one, instaed of delete all.

    A back to map button. When navigating settings or searching POI's, one has to exit back to main screen then select the map.

    It's a biggie but simple...

    I just want to be able to modify or delete OEM POI's as some of them are just way out of date. That would be so sweet!

    --
    "Delete nothing, back up everything"

    Of course I forgot...

    I forgot to add:

    • Integration of my GPS with my other toys. Instead of a rats nest of wires, how about a automotive network within my car that all my toys plug into? My toys could use the cars sound system, talk to my iPhone/Cell Phone, and perhaps my iPod, and those other neat toys we don't yet know about. Yeah I know I can run a wire here. And run another there. I'm talking about pluging my toys into a rack-like feature where power, et al is passed.
    --
    Nuvi 255W, Ham radio, MacBook Pro

    Speed alerts

    I would like the ability to get an alert whenever my actual speed exceeded the speed limit of the road by a mph value that I could set. Since the GPS knows the road speed limit and the actual speed this should be easy to implement.

    My perfect GPS would

    My perfect GPS would definitely include a police radar detector so I don't have to clutter up my windshield space with too many different gadgets.

    how about a printed user's

    how about a printed user's manual, not one that I have to print out for 80 pages!

    VSS connection

    I'd like the unit to have an input for a Vehicle Speed Sensor connection, with the ability to configure the pulse rate on its own. Then you'd have decent dead-reckoning of your location when the GPS signal is lost, like factory installed nav systems.

    -Dynamic/On-the-fly

    -Dynamic/On-the-fly OEM/custom POI editor
    -Access to battery compartment
    -Built-in Video Camera with at least 16GB HDD storage
    -Built-in Microphone with Voice editor (create voices on-the-fly)
    -Movie player supporting all formats

    All great suggestions. I

    All great suggestions. I would also like my nuvi 680 to have more and customizable data fields, so I could change the information displayed on the map page. My old Quest had this feature and I really liked it.

    I can do that...

    Philc5987 wrote:

    I'd also like to see better MP3 management. Can't save MP3's in folders.

    I can do that with my nuvi 760. I just got my 4GB card in the mail, so I've been testing it out. I've got 15 Beach Boys songs in one folder, 80 Metallica songs in another, and 40 random songs in the main directory. While I haven't been able to successfully have a playlist (that's located in the main directory) that plays songs located in folders, the GPS will find and play mp3s that are inside folders. (I have many untested theories on how to do this though…)
    However, under the "browse" menu, I can find them all under 'Artist', 'Album', and others.

    I've heard that there is a 1000 limit on the number of files, so I was going to test that limit by using multiple directories. There are a few more things I'm going to test this weekend...and I'll create a new thread with my results. grin

    --
    If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.

    Have no problem with playlist and folders

    Kitrax wrote:

    While I haven't been able to successfully have a playlist (that's located in the main directory) that plays songs located in folders, the GPS will find and play mp3s that are inside folders.

    I have all my MP3's in folders and I did not have any trouble with seeing them all when creating a playlist. This was on a Nuvi 760. Or were you creating the playlist on the computer before you downloaded?

    Local Weather Radar

    idea With some of the recent storms over the last several weeks, I would like to see the addition of being able to pull up the local weather radar. The unit knows where you are (hopefully) so tie into the Internet and show me what the weather is where I am (forecast/ radar). Then I will be able to navigate around the weather before I find myself in the middle of a bad storm.

    Radar and Laser

    dellecma wrote:

    I would like radar and laser detectors to be integrated. Think of the possibilities there.

    While this would be a great idea, any GPS that incorporated it would be illegal in Ontario and Quebec and probably many other places too.

    --
    Nüvi 750, 2008 GoldWing

    My Perfect GPS Would Have ...

    I want to be able to turn off the display, saving battery power, hopefully increasing the service life of the GPS itself and eliminating a major distraction. I've been keeping my Nuvi750 in my pocket while riding the motorcycle because I don't have a waterproof case or mount for it yet. All I really need is turn by turn directions.

    My 2 week old 750 does everything else I need for now. I may have to add to the list when I've used it some more.

    --
    Nüvi 750, 2008 GoldWing

    Radar usage

    Quote:

    While this would be a great idea, any GPS that incorporated it would be illegal in Ontario and Quebec and probably many other places too.

    This feature could disable it's self when driving in a state that outlaws the device.

    --
    Allan Barnett - Garmin nüvi 885T/765T/Pharos GPS (bluetooth) w/MS Maps on PPC

    agreed on the Radar Detector

    I also think that GPSr's need to integrate radar detectors. We just need Valentine One and Garmin to team up...

    I would like to be able to

    I would like to be able to sit in the passenger seat or pull over to a rest stop and watch a movie on my gps. I guess you can already do that with other brands that incorporate video but not on Garmin.

    Add a heads up display

    HUD would project on windshield with arrows pointing the direction you should turn.
    Or a laser, or something similar to a "Red Dot" scope, projected on the road showing where you are turning.

    Radar and laser

    Grumpa wrote:
    dellecma wrote:

    I would like radar and laser detectors to be integrated. Think of the possibilities there.

    While this would be a great idea, any GPS that incorporated it would be illegal in Ontario and Quebec and probably many other places too.

    Illegal in places like Virginia and DC. Something must be in those GPSrs that would determine with precision when exactly one enters and leaves those territories. Should not be that difficult but why go through such hassles, they may be wondering.

    I would like a 3D view with

    I would like a 3D view with 3D buildings and houses and Trees.

    --
    Nuvi 350 Nuvi 3597LMT Nuvi 1450LMT Nuvi 55LM

    RE: Route Memory

    I too would like to be able to save my routes. Basically I'd like to have the ability to print or view a saved map with the roads "highlighted" like they are when you're following a route.

    --
    nuvi 285WT

    You can do that with a 7xx Nuvi

    rcharos wrote:

    I too would like to be able to save my routes. Basically I'd like to have the ability to print or view a saved map with the roads "highlighted" like they are when you're following a route.

    With either a pre-made route or loading a track of where you drove, you can do this with a 7xx Nuvi and MapSource now.

    RE: You can do that with a 7xx Nuvi

    Cool. I didn't know that.

    Thanks.

    --
    nuvi 285WT

    My wants

    In addition to some already mentioned:

    • Why do I have to set the time zone? The unit knows where I am down to what, 10-15 meters? But it can't tell what time zone I'm in?
    • A way to quickly change between the 3D and 2D views without having to go through the menu tools.

    You know, I've been using my

    You know, I've been using my Nuvi 680 for exactly 5 days now, and am VERY impressed how far things have come. But as noted on this thread, there are many missing features. I'm a noob so forgive any of my misconceptions.

    Look for the iPhone to be a game changer in the next 12 months. TomTom has already stated they will have 3rd party software for integration in the newly GPS equipped iPhone 2.0's. Many of the features mentioned above like video integration, wi-fi, are already native to the iPhone. If the GPS manufacturers want to keep up, they will have to RAPIDLY change their hardware - or change their business model to provide competition to the iPhone - or easier yet, change their focus from hardware to software integration on 3rd party platforms like the iPhone.

    Throw on an external antenna (perhaps attached through the yet to be developed windwhield mount) for k/Ka/Laser reception and you really have an excellent tool that is pretty much today's ultimate customizable platform.

    The always-on broadband within 3G areas will dwarf MSN and the other traffic providers capabilities.

    Just my opinion.

    Tom

    Voice Activation

    How about disguising it as a cup holder? You could leave it out and have something to hold your coffee.

    More radar and laser

    Agree with the radar and laser detectors, but I would also would add a pop up button upon radar/laser trigger to allow the saving of the location to a "Speed Trap" alert POI for future advanced notification. Also maybe add an ignore option for silenced alerting when close to a automatic door or whatever else other than a cop that sets those off.

    Re: Where to ... Near ... Favorite/Extra etc.

    LarryB_123 wrote:

    I would like to explore what is near a Favorite or Custom POI. I know I can set that as a destination first, but that seems like unnecessary steps.

    Seems like it should be simple to add another choice: Favorites

    Hear, hear! How great would it be to use this feature to, say, see where's the best place to go out to dinner with your sister (near her house or near her office)?

    --
    Garmin nuvi 465

    Easy transfer of POI from GPS to GPS without having to DL>>

    to a computer and then upload...plug a 2 sided USB cable into my 530...find a POI I want to send to my wife's 750 and push the send button...I also like the idea of being able to memorize routes smile

    Regards, Ted

    --
    "You can't get there from here"

    Longer Battery Life

    I would like to see a longer battery life without recharging. I'm not sure, But I don't think the battery can be replaced in the nuvi 750. I could be wrong.

    ohwogo nuvi 750 smile

    Comments...

    johnc wrote:
    Kitrax wrote:

    While I haven't been able to successfully have a playlist (that's located in the main directory) that plays songs located in folders, the GPS will find and play mp3s that are inside folders.

    I have all my MP3's in folders and I did not have any trouble with seeing them all when creating a playlist. This was on a Nuvi 760. Or were you creating the playlist on the computer before you downloaded?

    I created the playlists on the computer. I've found that creating new playlists using various Mp3 players is a pain in the butt... I was very pleased with how easy the 760 maks creating a playlist on the unit.

    @ohwogo:

    Battery life is always under scrutiny...and I bet that Garmin's design team has it as their #2 or #3 priority. However, as LI-Ion technology, nano-tech, and a few "exotic" battery technologies emerge, battery life won't extend much...due to the fact that for every mAh added to a battery, the designers of a product will find a way to use it...not save it. confused

    --
    If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.

    Quote:

    The pop up button idea really takes advantage of having a nice LCD screen with an active interface unlike typical radar detectors. However, the GPS/Radar combo for false alarms is already in top end radar detectors.

    http://www.escortradar.com/9500ix.htm

    Quote:

    I would also would add a pop up button upon radar/laser trigger to allow the saving of the location to a "Speed Trap" alert POI for future advanced notification. Also maybe add an ignore option for silenced alerting when close to a automatic door or whatever else other than a cop that sets those off.

    Battery Life

    Thank you Kitrex for the info on the battery. I guess if they make the battreys last to long they won't make any money...