Garmin PC Simulator?

 

My MIL is extremely directionally challenged, and not comfortable with new technology. I just got a Nuvi 205W, and think one of the Garmin's might be a good choice to get for her. I know she will call us if/when she gets lost, and will need us to walk her through configuring the unit for her. What would be nice is to have a simulator of her unit on our computer so we can walk her through the screens. Any such thing exist?

I know we can help her set up her favorites, but it's the calls when she is frustrated and lost that would be nice to be able to calmly walk her through setting a destination.

Thanks,
Norm

Probably not needed

If you are using a 205, there isn't a whole lot of configuring that needs to be done out of the box. The defaults are pretty good for most drivers including directionally challenged in-laws. The biggest issues will be in how to mount the unit and what mount to use. A lot would depend on how close you live.

--
ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

.

normc wrote:

What would be nice is to have a simulator of her unit on our computer so we can walk her through the screens. Any such thing exist?

You can download a pdf copy of the manual at Garmin's website, but it would be a slow process to open and read the manual to answer an emergency call.

A time consuming but effective solution would be to take screenshots of each page and put them in folders. For each option/icon in the screenshot, you'd then have another folder showing what options each selection provides. Easy to see exactly what she is seeing, but a lot of work up front.

--
Nuvi 660 -- and not upgrading it or maps until Garmin fixes long-standing bugs/problems, and get maps to where they are much more current, AND corrected on a more timely basis when advised of mistakes.

screenshots not required

bentbiker wrote:

... but it would be a slow process to open and read the manual....

A time consuming but effective solution would be to take screenshots of each page....

I'm not sure that I agree that reading a PDF file would be all that time consuming, but for those who do, rather than screen shot, copy the captured graphic to an image file and print it, one should just be able to print the manual directly from Adobe reader (or any other PDF viewer). Or, if you believe only some pages are important (and I'll agree that many are not), and you want to conserve paper and ink, just print the relevant pages. No need to make screen shots

Manual Almost Worthless

You definitely cannot troubleshoot just using the manual. So I agree with bentbiker that screenshots would be required.

The Garmin's are pretty easy

The Garmin's are pretty easy to use, maybe standing over their shoulder a few times would help? Or having step-by-step instructions printed and put in the glovebox would help?

screen shots are better than the original?

GadgetGuy2008 wrote:

... So I agree with bentbiker that screenshots would be required.

Perhaps you should read bentbiker's post again, he suggested taking screen shots of the manual that you say is worthless.

Oh no he di'n't

Frovingslosh wrote:

Perhaps you should read bentbiker's post again, he suggested taking screen shots of the manual that you say is worthless.

What I was trying to suggest, was taking screenshots of all the screens on the GPS related to searching for a location -- creating a simulation of what the GPS shows. Instead of touching an icon on the screen, tap the folder of the same name and view the image that would bring up on the GPS. He can step through the exact images his MIL is seeing.

--
Nuvi 660 -- and not upgrading it or maps until Garmin fixes long-standing bugs/problems, and get maps to where they are much more current, AND corrected on a more timely basis when advised of mistakes.

I like this approach

I like this approach. With a little extra work, it could be made into a set of web pages where you click the button on the "screen" and it would take you to the next screen. Might be useful to lots of folks. I think Garmin could use something like that for marketing their products too. Kind of like a test drive for the GPS. No real data, but you could get the feel for each unit that way.

Thanks for the ideas!

Norm

Simulator use

A simulator would be useful for support walkthrough like suggested, but I would use it to test POI files.

I'm experimenting with all the available tags in the GPX schema and it's a real pain to test them:

  1. compile in GPI with POI Loader
  2. connect device
  3. boot in mass storage mode
  4. copy to folder
  5. unplug device
  6. wait for it to boot in GPSr mode
  7. check POI
  8. power off device
  9. tweak GPX file
  10. rinse and repeat...

Simon

Another good use

tremblsi wrote:

A simulator would be useful for support walkthrough like suggested, but I would use it to test POI files.

...

Simon

That would really be useful. To do that, I think Garmin would have to cooperate since it is their SW that is running in the real thing. I bet they have this capability in house for their development team. If not, then they should.