Nuvi data and actual speed limits

The speed limit data is part of the map file and you can't change that data. It takes an update from Garmin/Navtech.

It's also, East Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. These are just the areas I know about. I suspect that there is an inconsistency between Garmin and actual posted speed limits across many parts of the U.S.

This is the perfect example of why Garmin needs to make these displays user-configurable rather than

a. Forced onto the user with no way to disable it

b. Totally stripped away from the user.

Sure, the Speed Limit display is nice to have on the screen but what good is it if it's wrong ~10-20% of the time?

Sorta like having a clock that displays the wrong time ~10-20% of the time.

I did notice that many of the posted speeds became accurate or closer to actual following 2010 map update. They do seem to err on the side of caution. So far I have not seen where the Nuvi speed is higher than posted (just my experience in Texas).

I find the speed trap POI file to be very useful.

I live in Georgia (Atlanta) and I haven't seen one inaccurate speed limit display yet. Usually it's within a second of the sign that it updates - which kind of impressed me.

My Kenwood is still on 2009 maps.

I use 2009 maps and they are correct in WI.

This is a feature Garmin where needs to look at TomTom. Why not let the user fix the speed limit...and maybe share that fix with others? My city changes the limits every few years so I just watch the signs. When in doubt, slow down and watch for radar.

You can make changes you just need to go to the navtec website and report the issue, be it speed, store, road changes or creation of new roads!

I've noticed the speed limits on highways and major state routes to be accurate and responsive here in Ohio. Now once you get down to city street level, I've seen 3-4 streets that posted the wrong speed, with two of those being OVER the posted speed. :0

Mike

I'm not sure about the Cortaro Rd speed limit, but the I10 tunnel speed limit changed recently upping it from 55 to 65 mph in the last six months. I haven't seen the latest map update, but since this is a major cross country interstate, I'm betting that Garmin will eventually fix that. Although annoying, it is on the lower end so if you were following that alone, you'd be assured of getting passed but not a photo ticket.

It would be nice if Garmin allowed users to configure their own maps to match changing conditions. The only fix I can think of is to create a speed warning alert if you are exceeding the true limit of 65mph. This obviously would only work in areas that you are familiar with and know the disparity between the posted limit and the one shown on your nuvi. It would be worthless if you are traveling through unfamiliar territory.

Idmarcht,
Here in Illinois, Southern Cook County especially, the Nuvi is correct about 75-80% of the time. Some long standing speed limits are incorrect, as well as some newly posted. I got the 885t about a month ago and updated to the new map right away, but there was little change in posted limits. I would be interesed in an update also but I assume these data are inherent in the map program.

Zapca

but it takes a few years for them to actually verify and make those changes. I've been reporting a street that has been blocked (made into a private street) for 45 years. It still shows up as open and tries to route me though it all the time. The TomTom I used was correct and never used that street. Oh well, back to watching street signs and looking down the road.

I was really impressed with the Speed Limit Signs in the Nuvi. When a speed limit changes on a stretch of road, the Nuvi usually changes the limit right about where the new sign is. The only speeds that were off were a couple that were changed recently. I'm guessing eventually Garmin will fix it with later updates but I have to live with it till then. I was hoping they would allow the user to update them by pushing the speed limit sign and entering the new number. As a bonus, they could even compare posted limit with my actual speed. I could then set certain criteria like turn the sign yellow if I'm +/- 5 mph and turn red if I'm +/- 10 mph. Or you could set it up to just turn red if you go over the posted speed limit. To me, that would be a bonus. Sometimes you drift over the speed limit and don't even realize it. Nuvi could alert you.

I travel from CT to Fl about four times a year. I find the speed limit to be correct a very high percentage of the time - highways near 100%, but even side roads are amazingly correct.
I really like having the posted speed shown next to the actual speed on the 765T, very helpful. I agree with slobeavis, a nice bonus that should be very easily done would be to have your speed show red if you are over by an amount....
There are many times I enter a highway or even get off the highway and do not see, or there is not a sign, and the Nuvi showing the speed is great.

I live in Wisconsin as well and travel to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Norh & Suth Dakota, and the UP of Michiga. I find that the speed limits are very accurate. As mentioned by others, if they are in correct they error to the slow side. Even some of the newer highways appear to be correct

I've had several Garmin GPSrs over the years and I like their hardware. I agree, Garmin needs to take a cue from TomTom in the map updates area. The features such as the speed limit displays are nice, but there will always be error and change that need to be addressed. Depending on NavTeq to fix it takes time for it to trickle through the system to where you have to buy fixes for bad data.

The POI Factory is a shining example of how to make this work. Together we build and maintain POI that is top rate. If Garmin would give us a way, we could help them fix other things like these speed limit signs.

One thing I've wondered about (maybe some models do this already???): If the nüvi can post the speed limit for a road, and it knows how fast you are going, why can't it optionally alert you if you are exceeding the speed limit?

Where on Cortaro are you seeing the error? I drive it all the time and have never noticed it. Normally they appear to be very much right on target there. I have the 2010 map update, what version are you running?

Most of the time I'm amazed how very close to the actual speed limit signs the Garmin is when it changes the speed display.

There is a stretch along Rte 106 in East Mansfield as you approach Mansfield that drops from 50mph to 40mph, but the Garmin Nuvi 265W I bought this past week shows 55mph. Now I know why it routes me to a less preferable path to I-95 - because it thinks it's faster. At the point it drops from 40->35mph and the point from 35->30mph, it is accurate.

Found this annoying along with the advertisements. Also, traffic delays seem to underestimate the time duration of the delay.

I find it annoying when the posted speed limit doesn't match any of my nuvis.

I think all states should be required to place a transmitter chip on each speed limit sign. Automobile manufacturers would then be required to use those signals to govern the vehicle's speed and eliminate speeding and subsequently, those annoying speeding tickets. Garmin and other GPSr manufacturers could then show the car's actual speed which would then eliminate a need for those useless speedometers.

Are you listening Big Brother?

(Works for me just as easily as trying to have a 100% accurate GPS receiver 100% of the time.)

Yep, Onestep is right. You can tell Navtec about the errors. Then you get to pay to update your GPS with data you supplied.

Jack j

On my regular drive there is a stretch the Nuvi showed as 25 and I ran 35. I had been driving the stretch about a year before getting the Nuvi. One day I was watching the speed signs versus when the Nuvi changed what it displayed. I found the 25 mph sign! I told some of the guys at work and they all thought it was 35. The sign was hard to see...