Improvements I'd like to see (Garmin)

Be able to blend something between "fastest" and "shortest" when it calculates routes.

If so I would like to custom configure the info boxes on the navigation page.

- Put back the display of upcoming cross streets in the banner box

- Put back the 5 levels of map detail selection so that users can have secondary streets display for zoom levels >500 meters

- Allow me to disable the 'update your maps' nag message

- Make the Bluetooth work properly; Display SMS messages for phones that support the feature (TomTom does).

- Educate the telephone and e-mail support staff so they understand that it isn't a crime to say 'I don't know, please let me look that up' instead of simply making up bullsh*t that has no basis in reality.

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> Improve user interface, better logic flow and reduced lag

Asking for an 'improved' interface is like asking how high 'up' is - how would you see it be better.

> Separate volume for touch response (beep), not the master volume

On or off is sufficient for me personally.

> When USB is plugged in, ask user to go into mass storage mode

What would you want to do if it wasn't in mass storage mode?

> Better routing and/or more routing control options

Most people barely use what's there now and making it more flexible (read complicated) will juet be more confusing; I suggest that they put the options into Mapsource, where the power users will actually be able to benefit from it.

> Longer battery life or option to buy larger battery that still fits in case

A larger battery cannot fit in the case unless they waste interior space, which they do not.

> Control for setting track log update time with on/off control

The tracklog is not updated by time, but by change in direction or speed. As such it is dynamic and needs no modification because it is already as efficient as it gets.

> WAAS available on more (all?) units

Vehicle navigators do not need WAAS with SA switched off.

> A verbose control on voice output directions

Perhaps a checkbox to allow us to disable announcing of vias would be nice

> User settable distance on when to output voice directions

Noble.

> Optional directional indicator for red light/speed camera POIs.

Absolutely!!!

> NMEA output, serial or USB

NMEA output is available on select models - vehicular navigators really don't need it.

I'd like to see maps that are actually Current, Why is there a Lake in the middle of Publix (Food Store) parking lot when the store has been here for almost 20 years now.

The Lake dried up in the 1950's what era are the maps in?????

I know If I were back packing and was expecting a lake or pond just over that hill and it wasn't there I'd be likely to use my garmin for target practice.

A north arrow would be nice when in 3-D mode.
A way to vary when POI's are alarmed. For instance, in town, I might want a 1 mile range, while on the highway, I might want a 30 mile range, at least 30 miles along my route.
Holler if there is a way to do this.
It seems to have trouble when I am in a parking lot and do a "Go to". It wants to put me on the road I am nearest and frequently in the direction of traffic nearest me, even if that is not the direction I need to go.

I sure hope they do read the forums as everyone is putting up good ideas but I'm all too familiar with how the business->development cycle goes so I won't hold my breath. I guess the least we can do is list them and hope that *some* will get through.

1. The ability to search by zip code or city/state.
2. A stylus, like on my smartphone. The keyboard is too tiny to use a finger, I usually take the stylus out of my phone and use it when typing in long addresses. The 765 especially should have one!
3. Better POI management... a way to add a single POI without using POI loader.
4. Better proximity alerts... a way to quickly set an option to alert on a specific POI on demand (today I may want to be alerted when I get near fast food, tomorrow I want to be alerted when I get near a campground, the rest of the week I may not want those noisy alerts).
5. Better detour interface. If I know a road is closed and will be for a while, it would be nice to enter it on the map and have the GPS always avoid it

Larry

I would also like to search by zip code. And I would like to have the ability to drive a route and then set it as a custom route (don't know if this is possible).

The biggest improvement to all units should be bug-free firmware code. Beta testing should be done by Garmin using beta testers (both in-house and public) rather than having the unsuspecting public be the guinea pigs.

> Improve user interface, better logic flow and reduced lag

Asking for an 'improved' interface is like asking how high 'up' is - how would you see it be better.

>> Didn't really want to create a list, there would be a fair number but here are a few examples,
1> When adding/inserting a via point on a route show the map on the previous via point not the beginning.
2> When on the music player and you activate the voice input it pauses the audio (good thing) but does not go into pause on the display. Then when you say "pause" the voice activation turns off ... why?
3> Allow typing to continue without delay. They need to limit the backhround search from hogging the CPU while typing.

> Separate volume for touch response (beep), not the master volume

On or off is sufficient for me personally.

>> When using the music player, at louder volumes, the touch/voice activation response goes out *very* loud, hence the need for a separate control.

> When USB is plugged in, ask user to go into mass storage mode

What would you want to do if it wasn't in mass storage mode?

>> To allow the usb connection to be used as an external power source. A secondary reason would be to output optional NMEA data.

> Better routing and/or more routing control options

Most people barely use what's there now and making it more flexible (read complicated) will juet be more confusing; I suggest that they put the options into Mapsource, where the power users will actually be able to benefit from it.

>> Better routing as in, not having me drive around an entire block, a right turn loop) instead of just turning left to the destination. A few extra routing options shouldn't really make it more difficult or confusing, depending on how they are implemented. As an example, as "Easiest route" option which would favor major roads/arteries and limit the number of turns instead of running a maze of residential streets. Some of this is probably map data related though, I'm not sure what level of data their maps have.

> Longer battery life or option to buy larger battery that still fits in case

A larger battery cannot fit in the case unless they waste interior space, which they do not.

>> A few extra millimeters thicker wouldn't bother me none. Even an optional battery saver mode (available on eTrex models) would help out.

> Control for setting track log update time with on/off control

The tracklog is not updated by time, but by change in direction or speed. As such it is dynamic and needs no modification because it is already as efficient as it gets.

>> Depends on your needs, I like to use track logs to see where I've been on multi-day car trips. Having a user defined time setting is required for this.

> WAAS available on more (all?) units

Vehicle navigators do not need WAAS with SA switched off.

>> The way I look at it is anything that improves accuracy and is already in place, why not use it?

> A verbose control on voice output directions

Perhaps a checkbox to allow us to disable announcing of vias would be nice

>> I'd opt for more control
- on/off: distance to next
- on/off: lane assist
- on/off: vias
- checkbox, announce only once at set distance

> NMEA output, serial or USB

NMEA output is available on select models - vehicular navigators really don't need it.

>> The option to connect to my laptop, for on the road route changes, would be very useful for me and/or my navigator.

I see you can search by postal code in Canada but not by zip code in the US. Looks like they missed that one, would be nice though.

1. I'd like it to remember my response to the "New Extras data found on card." prompt. Yes, I have a card. Yes, I put data on it. No, I don't the GPS to copy this data to it's internal memory. So, why do I have to tell it this EVERY time I power it on???

2. USB cable. I'd like it to prompt me before going into computer mode. Sometimes, I want to use it with the computer. Other times, I'd just like to run it on external power, or charge the battery while still using the device to navigate.

3. An external battery which just clips to the back of the unit, increasing it's thickness. It plugs into the existing usb socket and has a socket of it's own to connect to the power/computer.

4. Have it remember routes I frequent. Every time I leave my house, it want's me to go one way, while there is another route which is .2 miles shorter and has less traffic. The difference? I'm not sure but I think it's a left turn thing. I should be able to tell the unit that this is the preferred route and not have to create custom routes with way-points to get it to go the shortest route. I don't want to select "shortest" as the routing algorithm since it will sent me down every back road in the state.

I'm sure that there are others, but this will do for now.

Hal

I would like a "Pause" button. That way if you stop for lunch, potty break, or other, the unit would not keep "Recalculating". Clear the pause and be back on the road.

learning from tracks would be good both for defining custom routes and for updating maps.

going point to point would solve the parking lot need to go 'off road' as well as the routing to an off road waypoint then back to known road down to next off road point. i.e. remove the assumption that the map knows all and, if you aren't on a road and the next point isn't, go direct.

being able to delete road segments or mark them unusable for routing.

a checkbox to silence waypoint arrivals sounds good.

In Austin Texas, Route 130 Toll road now connects to I 35 around the Back of Austin Airport, This is a great time saver HOWEVER Garmin doesn't see that on the map. Ah AAAAAAAAHHHHhhhhhhhhhh....

The fix for this is counter intuitive. You need to answer YES to copying the data from the card to the unit and the next screen will allow you to skip the load and check "Don't Ask Me Again." And I agree, the simple solution would be a simple yes or no and if no then pop up the don't ask option.

But then I quit programming over 20 years ago.

I wish the gps would perform an automatic backup when ever you do a firmware upgrade!!

I wish i could update my Old 680's software to get the 3d maps and the speed limit on the screen.

The numbers to enter the PIN should be arranged
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 0
or
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
9 0
not
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
0

The numbers are too short to touch with a finger.

As long as it's free I want all that.

What I would like Garmin to do, is when they have something good, leave it ALONE!!

I wonder why it was ever removed.

My Number #1 feature request:

Have the option of choosing what to display on the bottom of the screen. Right now, the only two items displayed are the current speed and the estimated time remaining. I don't need to see my current speed - I've already got a speedometer. Instead, I'd like to see total distance remaining, or whatever. It should be real easy to add an option for you to pick two options from a list.

This is one of the many features I like about my NUVI 350.

-jgracey

Saw a lot I'd like. Some additional features I'd like to see are a speed warning with user set variables, a one click return to map view from any screen, and a macro-view option for your route.

How many people would like a radar detector built in?

Not me. Not legal in Virginia.

I'd Like a grand Theft Auto version, Without the violence, But have the car smoke tires when i corner, Pop a wheely when i step on it, Slide up to a light with smoking tires when I stop. Give me something to look at instead of just 2 colored maps, Blue at night that hurts my older eyes and Yellow during the day, with green and blue patches any time garmin feels the need to show me a lake that doesn't exist or a park that was sold and is now a Housing development it doesn't know about.

I would like for the time to show on the navigation screen to allow you to see when you pass through a time zone change.Now you have to go to another screen.I did put suggestion into Garmin for this.

Strongly agree!!!

Why can't what this shows be more of an option? There really is no reason why Garmin can't let the user determine more of what information he wants to see when looking at the screen.

I want them to allow you to see traffic on the streets when your driving and not just major highways. my garmin 765t said there was traffic on the freeway and so its faster route was for me to get off freeway and take streets for a while. when i get on the streets there is more traffic then on the freeway and there was road construction (where two lanes were closed off) my estimated arrival time went from 11:02 to 11:26.

>Allow input of a multiplier to Garmin's internal city street and highway speeds. On City Streets it would approximate the impact of traffic lights and stop signs. On highways, it would correct for any tendency to drive above or below the speed limit, if you're prone to speeding, or if you're towing a trailer. This would not be perfect, but it would provide a more realistic calculation of Arrival Time.

>Include an "Menu" Button when you're entering locations, etc. It's very annoying to have to "Back" out of "Where To" etc. On my 350

Not legal in Ontario.

It might be helpful if Miss POI would summarize these suggestions and filter out ones that were a bit unrealistic. She might get a better chance to send these to Garmin's Chief Engineer and ask for feedback, in a reasonable time. She speaks with a good level of authority and as the undisputed leader of a huge following of GPS users.

The option of having a speed warning on all GPS.

Cheers!

how about a unit that actually has every feature they offer in one?

I have always wished the line out/headphone jack was on the cradle.

Id like to see them update the Maps More accurately, there are restaurants I have reported as closed and Renamed and they leave all the old ones in...I have been to many cities..that restaurants...are not where they say they are.

How about, if I buy a new unit and return it because it is defective, recieving a new unit back. Getting a refurb unit back is like a slap in the face. If I wanted refurb, I would have bought one to begin with. This doesn't apply to me, but it does aggrevate me when I read about others trying to get units fixed/replaced.

1- An external volume control. A pain to go into the menu for a quick adjust.

2- Top of the GPS unit should be flat black. Mine is silver and it reflects in the windshield.

Thanks,
ScottVid

Is this possible, does anyone think Garnmin would acknowledge such a list and provide feedback?

I would sure be great if they did!

I noticed someone posted this feature on the 1390T.I pulled up the manual to see how it works.It has the option to post feedback on a internal poi.It is called error reporting and the error will be reported to Garmin once you connect gps to the computer.The internal poi will be removed from future searches.Would be a nice update feature for other models that have not been out that long.

Back in the old days when Garmin had single digit model numbers they showed four data fields and the user could select from the entire list of data on each of these. When I felt like an old man on a road trip, and could not understand why, I used to set one to altitude. Ah, 12,100 feet! That explains it! I set the others to ETA, distance to next and time to next. You could also select north, course, track and lots of other things.

From any screen there should be an escape key to get you all the way back to the map. Sometimes I am three or four steps from a useful display. A button on the case would be even better.

I don't need pop-up warnings to tell me about things I just changed. I especially don't want to have to cancel them.

Garmin still has this feature on their eTrex line, most data fields can be user configured, even the size, big or small numbers. I've found this very useful on many occasions but for some reason it doesn't sppear in the Nuvi lineup.

I just got a 1450 and believe it that poi reporting thing works, I have sent in several outdated poi's, and it has several of the features that are listed above. The file structure in it is totally different than the old 650 i had.

I've also noticed when I enter home as my destination, it doesn't tell me the distance to the left of the green go button. I wish it did. I get around that by entering the address, and I guess I could put it as a favorite as well as home.

Sometimes you have to wait 5-8 seconds or so.

How about a usable fm transmitter. Or at least don't advertise it as a "feature" if it doesn't work.

Bring back the "use habits" like they had on the iQue M5!

Yes maps are the basis of any good GPS and without good updates a GPS is a time machine that only shows the past. I know that Garmin is now offering lifetime maps but without quality updates many people will feel that they are paying for nothing. I don't have a lifetime map option and find that is cheaper to upgrade the GPS than to buy a map update. I have done that once already when I moved from a C330 to the 255W. Like most electronics today, then have a short lifespan. They are cheaper to replace every three to five years. As long as you can put up with the nag screen you are better off to stay away from map updates and you never know what new features then next models will have.

Bob