Poor Routing After Software Upgrade and 2010 Map Installation

On the other hand I've been avoiding the latest software update for the 780 because it seems to only deal with the Zumos. I keep meaning to write to Garmin and ask what it is really for, and since reading your comment, I'll get to it quickly. I’m still using the 09 maps here in Tyler. Seems some of the old way of doing business, like being routed along the main roads and such with any update isn’t working for you. Here, we’ve had new roads added with the 09 update maps and they are picked up fine. I’ll post any reply I get from Garmin regarding this latest software update.

I had a simular situation on my 260 with going from the 2009 to 2009.1 maps. The latter took me to an additional offramp on the way home. It became slower to recalculate and seemed to be behind my actual location by more than before updating it. Next time I buy a Nuvi, I may not do any updates. My area is all built out so the streets are not going to change.

yep. the routing engine on the 2010.1 maps is not as good. it frequently looses lock on the highway and recalculates which the 09 map never did.
on the other hand, all the streets are updated around my place.

I recently updated my Nüvi 785T to the 2010 map to the latest which is the C version. I have not noticed and problems with rerouting or loosing lock.

I too recently updated to 2010 maps and haven't seen the problem yet...

In my particular experience, I have found that the routing is actually better with the 2010 maps.
I found with the 2008 maps my c330 would take me South to some main road, west for several miles then turn north for a few miles, when it is quicker to take several side streets (mostly north) to the northernmost intersection. I have timed these routes already before I had a GPS and it is usually 2-5 minutes faster using the side streets without all the stop lights of the main road.
Using the 2010 maps, I found that it calculates the exact route I have been taking all these years.

The only thing I did different was since I use an older MapSource version (6.13.7), I had to use a map converter program to convert the 2010 maps into a format that the older MapSource can read. Apparently Garmin found it is in their better interest to force a new map format onto people which also means it requires them to only use the newer versions of MapSource(6.15.x). The problem is the newer version will not communicate with my c330 properly for whatever reason so I had to go back to the older version.

This may be an option for someone else to test on a newer unit, to see if the routing is better using the process I explained above.

Reverting to the previous maps (you did back them up, didn't you?) and testing the same route with the older maps may reveal that maybe the new maps are indeed routing differently (better or worse, I cannot say). There's a topic in another forum regarding this. One user reverted back to the previous map version (2009) which cleared up the issue. Here's a direct link to that post but be sure to read the entire topic anyways since there's some good info there.

http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewtopic.php?t=12879#85703

Make sure that the firmware update didn't mess up your settings - avoidances, fastest vs shortest, etc. It might be something as simple as that.

Yes, check the settings
Just got back from Italy.
I was using the GPSr in both vehicle and pedestrian mode.
Left the unit in pedestrian mode one day while driving,
and it would not route me onto the highway, of course.
My Brother-in Law left his on bicycle mode while navigating for my wife, one day.
However that is a whole other story.

Islanderswp made the point I was about to make about pedestrian mode. One more thing to check is under avoidances. If you have toll roads selected as an avoidance, you can get some pretty ridiculous routes (assuming there is a toll along the reasonable route). From the consensus about 2010 having a less than perfect routing engine, it sounds like that is the problem, but you'll kick yourself if you live with it for 6 months and then find out it was just a setting that needed to be changed.

I'll confirm the settings and report back. I do known that toll roads are not excluded from my routes.

Pretty funny about giving the Nuvi to the wife while still in Bicycle mode. I would like to here the full story on that one sometime... I hope that never happens to me (errrr... I mean my wife).

I agree with you about this problem. Because NT 2010.10 have new maps, the GPS is always choosing new roads that I rarely use. In fact, I know those roads, but I rarely to use because traffic jam. However, GPS always chooses those roads. So, I decided use 2009.11 instead of 2010.10

After update my unit with map 2010, there are some POI missing within my area but the business still exit. So I have to upload some area maps from NT 2009. Garmin maps so unreliable.

Has anyone else tried to install the older MapSource, map converter and upload the 2010 maps this way?
I wonder if the routing bugs were removed during the converter process?

Great timing of this post. After thinking about it for some time, I was about to sign up for the life time map update. Now that some of you are reporting routing problems I am worried.
I am currently using 2008 map and am happy with the routing but want to update missing streets. My street is not on the 2008 map. My friend has 2009.11 map and my street is there. Two questions.

1. Has anyone had problems with 2010 maps for the nuvi 750?
2. Can you still buy 2009.11 maps?

Maybe there are a number of routes that are nearly time identical so the garmin is merely choosing one, but I come in on one route, go home on a different route, as far as garmin is concerned. It's weird.

I wish they'd let us add "delay POI" points, which increases the apparent time to destination by some specified amount if you pass through it to coax the navigator to avoid certain routes unless it's a clear winner.

Costco has them for $54.99...

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=4843&eCat=BC|79|4843&lang=en-US&whse=BC&topnav=

That link didn't work for me.

Try this:

http://tinyurl.com/d83lwz

Product Unavailable..........

Just an idea for those who seem concerned that the new maps are less likeable than the ones they have.

Spend the extra $10 for a cheap SD card and put the new maps on the SD. That way you will have both sets and they will be individually selectable.

I would not be at all discouraged or hesitant to update. Every map update I've ever seen will cause your GPS to perform slightly differently either in routing (due to updated road properties) or POI content. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. It's not just Garmin/Navteq maps, is ALL brands and vendors, that's normal and just the way it is and it will never be any different. Don't kid yourself, paper maps are no different either.

It's human nature that we always seem to notice the obvious negative differences but I think overall, maps are always improving. The only trade off we make is consumers is the cost and frequency if the updates you choose to purchase. Some areas don't change in years and it's often a crap shoot.

Just my opinion though!

Can you download the old maps to an sd card??? How do you do that???

Frank508 suggested to download the NEW maps to an SD card which will leave the OLD maps installed on the main unit. That way, if you don't like the new maps, you still have the previous version on the main unit to go back to.

Sorry but you didn't answer my question. Can you do it vice versa if you already loaded the new map on the device...???

Too late...once you write on your old drive its updated.

I have a new Nuvi 255W, my first GPS, and updated to the new 2010 map as soon as I got it. The routes both in city and rural it has taken me are very disappointing. It missed a house number by 2 blocks, right street but wrong number for example. There is nothing odd about the numbering. A route home takes the long and way. These mistakes worry me for future trips into unknown territory. I have tested using google maps on these same routes/locations and google was perfect. If google can do it correctly why can't Garmin??

I noticed similar problems in city drive, on my nuvi 765 after map update to 2010.10.
For example I choose fastest route and nuvi chooses one through downtown and not the one that's parallel with less traffic, or if I choose option: less fuel, nuvi guides me through the streets with numerous stop signes instead of streets without stop at each intersection.
Another thing is recalculation after wrong turn. It takes to my nuvi much longer now to find out and correct directons, than before map update.

"if I choose option: less fuel, nuvi guides me through the streets with numerous stop signes instead of streets without stop at each intersection."

That is not a function of the new maps, and has been discussed since that option became available.

It has been guessed - and I agree - that the routing engine also looks at the number of right vs left turns and it prefers right turns. I have seen exactly what you are talking about with both my Nuvi 350 and 760, where it sends me one way going to somewhere and another way going back. Both were perfectly adequate routes and the same distance and speed. The only difference I could see was that both of the routes chosen had mostly right turns.

From a Lawyer's point of view, right turns are always safer as you don't turn in front of oncoming traffic so therefore the liability is less. Pedestrians do less damage to cars than other cars.

My wife was coming back from the airport last night and the Garmin wanted to taker her by the interstate... the very long way, which is about 30 minutes longer than the shortcut we already know... 40% longer or so. (it's set on Fastest Route)

That's not just a right turn adjustment unless they're weighted ALOT. I think they are favoring major highways a LOT more than merely the speed limit difference would indicate. My old iQue 3600 would take the shortcut. I'm a little annoyed right now.

When fastest route isn't fastest by a long shot, there's something wrong in their routing software.

I haven't tried to replicate her report in simulation yet, but figured I'd report it here while I'm thinking about it.

Bobby,

Sure, if you still have a copy of the old maps in some form you can easily put them on SD. If you have them in mapsource you can simply copy them to an SD card and your done. If you have the original GMAPPROM.IMG saved somewhere you can simply copy it to a garmin folder on your SD card as GMAPSUPP.IMG and your done.

If you don't have a copy, go find someone who does and copy their IMG file. You're an owner and can get your orignal unlock info from Garmin, it's probably on your "my garmin" page.

Should not be a problem.

I don't think 2010 has much to do with the strange routing... I just used my dashbord on Garmin's site it reset all the files ... My 755t now is routing in a round about way again which it hasn't done in a while...

Dana

Thanks Frank508

Since the map and software upgrade, I've been getting some very poor routing.
Jen

I would like to hear from a Garmin 750 user that upgraded to the 2010 map.
Have you experienced and problems with routing after the upgrade?
While I read some user are having issues there does not seem to be mass concerns as with some firmware updates we have seen in the past.
I think i will hold off for now until I hear from more members here.

I have a Nuvi 660 that still has 2009 and I am just about to update my 760 with the new maps I can run both and see if the new maps cause me problems..This is one reason I still have the 660...that and I like the screen contrast better in daylight.

Then try Sams Club. They still show it in stock as of 5/16
$49

http://tinyurl.com/q8yool

After experimenting a few hours, seems like the problem is with the toll setting. If you leave the avoid tolls unchecked, then routing will be normal. Once you have it on, the routing goes haywire in certain spots. I ran through several tests and they are easily replicated. You can do the test yourself by using custom routes. Set the toll setting on and run the route that you are having problems with. Then turn off the toll setting, use a NEW custom route for the same route. This is very important. If you used the old custom route again, it will show no change.

I also used the 2009 map and it was good with or without tolls on. So I kept both maps and use 2009 maps when I have to avoid a toll. I will have to do this until garmin fix the problem. I leave tolls off on the 2010 map since leaving it on will give you weird routing.

Now I know why the joke goes.
What do you call 500 Lawyers on the bottom of a lake?

A very good start!

I like UPS's reason better for right turns!
http://abcnews.go.com/wnt/story?id=3005890

I updated the GPS firmware on my Nuvi 200 at thesame time, and now it sometimes thinks I'm on the feeders vs highways :-/

I bought the lifetime map updates for my 750, and installed newest map (2010.1) about a week ago. I haven't noticed any routing issues so far.

One improvement in the new map is that the TTS voices Jack and Jill now correctly pronounce street and place names beginning with St. (e.g., St. Mary's Road) as "Saint" rather than "Street."

I just recently updated my Nuvi 680. No problems.

For those of you who has no problems, try running a route with the tolls turned off then with the tolls turned on. You might get different routes despite not having any tolls in the route.

Since the upgrade, twice have I been within a block of the interstate, looked over at the entrance, and it wanted to drive me over a mile away to get on the same interstate.

In one city that's 1.2 miles, 40mph as opposed to 70, 2 stop lights and a left turn at the second light onto the interstate as opposed to entering.

In Louisville, KY it took me a mile and a half away from where I knew the entrance was (but I took the Garmin advice) - it took me on a 25/30 mph jaunt through traffic lights, stop signs, and a slow-speed tour of the ghetto.

Try the same route with tolls turned off.

I own a C320 and a new 255W. I'm in MD. I work on Columbia and live north of Baltimore City. They both have 2010 maps installed. The 255 wants to take me thru the city and get on 95 from 395. The 320 lets me go thru the tunnel which is the fastest route. I think it's the firmware and not the maps. I've tried every selection, Fastest, shortest, no tolls, and the 255 always wants me to go thru the city. I checked MSN maps and Google MAPS on the internet and neither tells me to go thru the city.
One more thing, on one road the map shows me making a right then a left which is correct, but the voice tells me to make a left then a right. Since I have not yet taken it on a long trip (I got it for Xmas), I'm a little worried on trusting it.

update your firmware, check your settings and have the latest map update.

If the problem persists after you've exhausted all other options then you may have a faulty unit. It happens.

Also, for good measure, do a hard reset on the unit after all updates have been applied.

How to update firmware? Down load WebUpdater from garmin web site on computer and it will automatically identify when I plugged gps or do I have to do anything?

Check all your settings since sometimes the settings get switch when you perform a firmware upgrade. You nuvi might an avoidance set or something else.