FM Transmitter strength fix

Thank you. SO far, it works as suggested.

Touch "FM Power" while on the diagnostic page and the default number should appear close to the top in the middle of the screen.

Hey, i understand how you feel after reading various peoples comments and how they are saying its a waste of time because the settings reset after every use i for one dont mind taking the necessary steps before i drive to get it to work! I think this was an excellent discovery and im very happy that you posted it because now i wont have to worry about not being able to hear my nuvi not so well! and i will be able to hear calls better, all for the price of simply changing some setting! so i THANK YOU, for posting this

Also note that on the 885T, once you enter
Test Pages mode, there will be a "Test" icon (wrench) in the "Tools" page. You can use the "Test" icon to quickly get into the Test Pages and change the FM Transmitter settings. Note, the "Test" icon will disappear if you reset/reboot, but will stick on 885T power-on/off.

Your welcome. I'm glad it helped.

By the way is there a setting on this forum to email me when replies are added to a post? Thanks.

Sorry, no.

I was able to use the instructions to change my unit from the default of 99 for RC Power Level to 120. Tested it with a soft power off and it holds. Reseting the unit (removing the battery) and RC Power Level returns to the default 99. Will try it at 120 in my car in the morning.

PS - when holding the speedometer button, it takes 5 seconds to get to the test screens.

On my 755T, I can't get the increase to stick either. When I 'exit' after following the above steps, my db is back down to 105db (vs. the 115db I had set it at)

Read my post on a prev page how to change it so it sticks.

Also does anyone know of a setting that will boost the microphone for hands free bluetooth calling? this unit barely picks up my voice and whomever I'm calling doesn't or can hardly hear me. Thanks.

It helps greatly because, the GPSr is generally not in a optimum position for the built in mic's performance and your voice. Add the external Mic mount it to your visor and bada bing a good sounding hands free unit.
http://tinyurl.com/yats56m

On the 885T there is a Mic Gain (ADC Capture Volume) icon on the first Test Page. It has a default setting of 76%. I guess you would be a happy camper if someone could figure out if the 755 has
an equivalent "Test Pages" mode.

I don't see a Mic gain on my 765T, it might just be that it is only on the voice response units.

I said to heck with it, and just got a Jawbone BT headset. I get a call, or need to make one, I just put it in my ear and it's done. Besides, they're so cheap these days for a decent unit.

My mic gain is defaulta to 80%. Would it be better if it was set to 72% or 90%?

Setting the gain one way or the other affects the operation. Turning down (72%) the gain means you have to speak louder bur the ambient background noise is not picked up as much. Increasing the gain (90%) means more ambient noise competes with what you are trying to get the unit to understand or send over the bluetooth connection to your phone.

The best solution is if your unit supports it, an external noise canceling mic. But they cost around $40 last time I looked.

Thanks, very helpful.

I have tried three different makes and have not been able to find a successful solution. I installed one in my dash that I got from Best Buy. It has an on off switch and works great. A lot more expensive solution but when you compare the performance worth twice the cost.

I tried the FM and found there is to much interfecence in LA. I did find that a portable speaker system for IPods will work just fine.

It is powered by two AA batteries that seem to last a long time, and does make the volume louder. For $14 at Wally, it is worth it. Also, you can still use the radio.

I tried it several times with the same result as above.

my 885 sticks as long as I don't do a reset.

There are actually two mics on the 885T (one at the front top center and the other at the right bottom edge). In addition to the mic (ADC Capture Volume)setting that I mentioned in a previous post, there is also a "Mic 1 Gain" and a "Mic 2 Gain" setting that can be set from the Test Page's Mic Gain button. As with the other settings, they only stick if you don't reset/reboot.

That's good to know, thanks!

Do you know if the 2 mics are interconnected or is one for voice recognition and the other for bluetooth? If they are not interconnected, which one is tied to the external mic jack on the cradle?

Thanks - much appreciated.

to get to save?

Not sure but I believe I read somewhere that the dual mics is one of the reasons why the 885T has such good voice recognition. The owner's manual references the two mics but not in any detail.
My guess would be that they are interconnected.

This issue is very important to many of us .
I am wondering what % of the poi community have made the changes stick.
Is the key indeed setting up the unit to the European standard?
Which would maximize the transmiter strengh.
It seems some posters in this thread think this
issue is a bit of a dead horse while others swear
if done correctly works and STICKS through a power up.
If you have found the answer please post again.
thank you all for your input on this important issue.

.

Agreed. I'm not sure after reading this if this is fact in only some cases, or if done a certain way would be permanent in all cases. I'll keep trying.

Some guy figured out a hardware modification to increase the FM Transmitter strength on the Nuvi 600 series. Here is the link:
http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewtopic.php?t=14134

And here's some links to a hardware solution for the Nuvi 775 / 860 / 880 (I think a similar solution was mentioned in this thread):
http://www.gomadic.com/garmin-nuvi-775t-car-auto-charger-fm-...
http://www.gomadic.com/garmin-nuvi-860-car-auto-charger-fm-t...
http://www.gomadic.com/garmin-nuvi-880-car-auto-charger-fm-t...

And yes,... it would be nice if the perfect software solution existed... And it looks like some folks are searching for it via a hack...
See the last post by Kubel on Mon Jun 01, 2009 4:43am
http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewtopic.php?t=688

A software solution would be the best solution to the FM power level problem. Modifying the unit internally is chancy at best, a little bit of hand shake or an ungrounded soldering iron and you could be looking for a new GPS.

I did find an FM transmitter at Wal-Mart for $12 that works very well. It is made by Scosche and I found it in the Auto Dept. Plugs in the earphone jack and gives full quieting on both my car radios. But it isn't the perfect solution, its external to the GPS and you have to replace the 2 AAA batteries about every 15-20 hours of use.

Ditto!

I could never get the change to stick. That's why I bought a Sony cassette adapter almost 2 years ago. It works fine for me.

I use the cassette adapter in my car, much better than the FM output.

One thing I noticed (by accident) was my FM signal got better (louder/less noice) when I plugged a cable into the unit, kind of like it was using it as an output antenna. I'll have to try this out, on purpose this time, next time I have it in the car.

Tried the above but I never seem to get past the reboot... just sits there on the Garmin logo. A switch off/restart puts the signal strength back at 100db.

Has anyone tried pressing the signal strength icon (upper left)? Very cool screen comes up for me showing moving satellites and the signal strength from each. Anyone doing better than 6 meter accuracy?

Thanks for the help on the FM button

Thanks for sharing this info it sure has made a difference.

Lotsa ideas.

Thanks to all contributers-

I have made this adjustment but haven't tried it yet.
I have to say that when I became disgusted with the FM audio quality and poor signal level I bought a cassette adaptor and plugged it into the headphone jack on my 755T.
The audio quality is superb and you don't have to constantly worry with changing the FM output frequency as you move from city to city.
We enjoy audio books transferred to the SD card in our unit. I fully understand that current automobiles might not include a Cassette player. Both our 2004 Camry and out 2007 Dodge Caravan. (I would happily trade it for a CD player that would play MP3's

I'll have to try this on my 755T when I get home.

It is funny..people on this thread try all kind of tricks, istead of making Garmin to deliver...buying the product and then having "homework" to fix what Garmin screwed...unbelievable but true reality...

My 2009 Camry came with "Line In" plug. That works great for audio. I used the cassette adapter in the 2002 Caravan. The results are comparable. For phone, I use a bluetooth headset. The only problems I find are: the navigation isn't muted for calls and if I put on the radio, I don't get any PS audio. Both avoidable if I pay attention.

I got bluetooth connection in my car. Is it possible to output thru. bluetooth. I can stream mp3 thru. just fine but can't seem to get voice guidance to output thru. bluetooth. Fm transmitter strenght fix did work on my 775 too.

Hi all,

I just bought a Nuvi765T (in Alberta Canada) with this FM underpower problem.

I have just spent several hours trying to make this work every which way I can and it ALWAYS returns to the 107db setting.

Perhaps some clarification is required?

Here is what I have done...

1) Turned on the FM output (Volume Icon - Audio Output)
2) Gone to the Diagnostics Settings Screen (Held down the Power Icon)
3) Paged over to the Output Settings Screen
4) Pressed the 'FM Power' selection (lower left)
5) Set the 'FM Property Value' to 115db
6) Pressed 'Back' to the first page (SW Version is listed at the top of this screen))
7) Pressed Exit.

The GPS soft rebooted, and from the resulting 'Where To' Screen, I went to Diagnostics (see 2 above) and noted the setting was again 100db or 107db. (NOT 115db).

I then tried a manual switch off to (hard) reboot and checked the settings - back to 107db

I tried Steps 1 to 7 a total of six times with the same results - The programmer in me likes to be thorough...

I then tried pressing 'Next' until the system returned to the 'SW Ver' Screen, then pressing 'Exit'.

Switching back to Internal Speaker (Volume Icon - Audio Output)and rebooting hard or soft had no effect - At the Diagnostics Settings Screen the FM output was ALWAYS at 100db or 107db.

Changing the operating action settings (again, at the Diagnostics Settings Screen NOT the Audio Output Screen)from FM back to Internal Speaker still showed 115db while you were at that screen. After 'Back-Back-Exit' or 'Next-Next-Exit' and reboot (soft OR hard) the settings ALWAYS returned to either 100 or 107db.

Sooooo.... At least for my recently purchased and updated Nuvi 765T(Software Version 3.90 running on the Nuvi 765 V11 4GB P1 330Mhz)this simply doesn't work!

NOTE: All of these attempts were performed with the Unit out of the mounting cradle. The FM Transmitter itself was NOT hooked into the GPS at the time I tried to change settings. I will attempt this entire procedure over again with the unit in the cradle and the Transmitter connected.

However,.... I'm a dog with a bone everyone - I spent good money on this Unit and would like to be able to enjoy it properly.

It would help if everyone who's tried this on the 765T (including the person who was successful) contact me or post their software versions.

I would greatly appreciate anyone doing so and will report any progress at a later date...

Ciao for now,

Andrew - doesn't the new value stick if you do not reboot?

UPDATE ON TESTING:

I just did all of the previously noted tests again with the Transmitter installed with the same results. It's apparent this particular setting is not saveable by the end user - although other settings such as the FM Frequency are!

The fact the 'Fix' works initially yet can't be saved promotes the conclusion this software issue is either enforced by regulatory legislation or it's a programming glitch.

If everyone having this problem with their Units could send me their SW Version and Garmin Model Numbers it would go a long way towards - hopefully - our resolving this.

In addition - anyone having success with the FM transmitter power could also advise the same information.

We could then approach Garmin with an observed and tested problem (with supporting facts) and either suggest they fix the problem, or give us all an explanation why they can't or won't do so.

Everybody keep on Truckin'!

for the effected unit where the FM Transmitter Strength 'stuck'?

Perhaps I can set this issue to rest once and for all..

Thanks!

you got this to work on?

I would like to pursue this with Garmin and the more info I have the better

Thanks!

This is the Unit you managed to get the FM signal strength to stick.

I am assuming you are in Canada.

It would help me resolve this issue once and for all.

Thanks!