Late Directions

I've contacted Garmin with this complaint twice. Both times the technical support person claimed that the timing results from a tested algorithm that includes many factors including various driving skills. They say it's the best possible. I would like to get faster notification.
Jen

I've contacted Garmin with this complaint twice. Both times the technical support person claimed that the timing results from a tested algorithm that includes many factors including various driving skills. They say it's the best possible. I would like to get faster notification.
Jen

I've seen his complaint in a few threads and have not experienced this problem on my Nuvi 260.

It always gives me an audible alert to my turn 34 seconds before the turn. No matter what speed I'm driving. At 60 mph, that's more than a 1/2 mile notice; 30 mph its a bit over a 1/4 mile. I find this more than adequate.

It then reminds me at least once more as I am almost at the intersection to make the turns. Often it will alert of an upcoming turn several times more depending on how slow traffic is.

If I'll be making a turn and the next one is less than 34 seconds away from that one, it tells me to turn at the upcoming intersection and then an additional "... then turn right (or left)."

When it says "... then turn right." I know that once I make the first turn which lane I should be in if there are more than one lane on the next road.

Of course it also displays the next turn long before it alerts to it so a glance at the screen tells me how far I need to drive before my next turn.

The only time I have had problems is when the unit is alerting to a poi at the same time its trying to give me turn directions, but you don't mention that being the issue.

What model are you using?

I noticed that today while driving locally to test modified voice phrases. My new 260W notifies well in advance and does all that rocknicehunter claims.

On my Garmin Nuvi 780 running in 3D mode, I get a giant arrow that shows which way to turn about 2 miles before the turn.

The green bar at the top of my 260 tells which way I need to turn long before (usually at least a couple of miles) I get to the intersection. All it takes to see that is a quick glance. I find the unit is chatty enough.... I don't need any more voice prompts than it already gives... and after all I CAN read.

My 260W makes turn announcements in good time, but there are exceptions. If I'm driving through an urban area (lots of cross streets), at moderate to high speeds, and especially in 3D mode, I will get delayed announcements WHEN I have Map Detail set higher than Normal. I suppose, because maps are more complex, redraws take more time, and will thus produce delays.

Has anyone else noticed this??

I only use 2d Track up so I haven't seen that issue. I find that I get a better overall view of the area I'm traveling with the 2D view.

I am using SP C340.
I have no problems on interstate hiways or equivalent. I get plenty of notice.
My issue is while traveling on the multi lane collector/distributer roads leading to the interstates. It may be 50 feet or less when I get the notice, too late to cross 2 lanes of trafic. I do use the audio cues "then turn right" and the visual cues (looking at the screen) or by asking for the next turn by pressing the next turn square.
As I said before, the software on the GPS 18 that I used on my laptop gave me voice prompts at 600 feet and at the intersections to turn. I am not getting that on my C340. Wish I was.....
Chuck

I have experienced the same thing with my C340. The problem is I don't remember whether the problem started when I did the 2009NT upgrade or one of the last 2 software/firmware updates.

Oh well, the Nuvi 260 I just bought doesn't have the problem ! Love it !

I failed to mention that the unit is in 2D mode, if that makes any difference.

Everyone who is having difficulty with timely map updates should try reducing the detail the map is showing. This is done by going to Settings/Map/Map Detail, and selecting a level at Normal or below. The less detail, the faster the map updates.

Just worth checking anyway. Maybe there's an acceptable detail level that provides satisfactory update rates...

I have a 260W and occasionally it will nit update the screen until I am right on top of the turn or just past it. When driving downtown and watching for pedestrians it's hard to look over at the screen.

The only times I've ever experienced this was when I started driving before the unit acquired a satellite or when I have veered off the Garmin's course, thus causing recalculations.

My detail on my C340 was at the most position. I will test it in the normal position and see what happens.
I have not done any map updates since new so this has always been like this.
Chuck

The map updates I'm talking about are the redrawings of the map as you move down the road.

I set my map detail to normal.
On neighborhood streets as well as other non interstate roads the audio turn announcement comes at 200 feet! That is hardly enough time and/or distance to change a lane or two at 25/30 mph especially with even light traffic.
I will continue to use the other mentioned cues but I would like to see Garmin program the next turn announcement earlier.
Chuck

... if you set the alerts too early, then you'll have people complaining that the GPS tells them to turn a street too soon.

I still think that too many users forget that this is a tool, an aid to assist you in navigating... it isn't an autopilot. It still requires some human interaction, and drivers need to use more than just the voice prompts to get the full benefit of the unit.