Garmin Shortcomings...and Here Comes the Nuvi 3790

I have been following with interest the latest fragments of information about the forthcoming new Nuvi 3790 (part of the 3700 series), partly out of curiosity for what new features it might contain, but also due to my perverse wondering of whether Garmin will simply continue to produce another new, inadequate product.

My perception is that since the Nuvi 750/760 series and 255/265 (introduced in 2007 and 2008, respectively), Nuvis have GENERALLY been produced with a lessened range of features, and which operate less reliably: I specifically consider lessened “map detail” and likelihood of unit “freeze ups” the greatest shortcomings: Nuvis used to have 5 levels of detail, but recent ones have only 3 levels, a basis for much online complaint. The first widespread drop in Garmin reliability was with the 755/765 units, many of whose owners continue to be frustrated with poor touchscreen operations, let alone the widespread North American satellite glitches / freezeups in Summer 2009, which rendered thousands of units totally inoperable…and mandated returns for exchange/repair by Garmin. The freeze glitch was corrected within about two weeks, but unreliable touchscreen presses continue to plague many owners, despite an apparent Garmin promise to finally correct that with a software update this past March.

While Garmin did produce the generally reliable 8xx series of 850/880 and 855/885 (touchscreens are OK, and Voice Commands are considered the best among GPS brands) , they and the 1200, 1300, and 1400 series have less map detail than their predecessors AND I frequently read online complaints about “freezes” in the 855 and 1xxx series models. And let us not forget the widespread daily online complaints with a wide variety of Nuvis that suffer from “screen lag,” whereby drivers arrive at turns and intersections up to several hundred feet before their Nuvi car icon does (resulting in constant confusion: “Is this where I am supposed to turn...?” [Meanwhile, Nuvis do NOT have the seemingly very simple feature of an audible beep sound to counter this flaw, to announce the exact moment when to execute turns. This feature WAS in older Nuvis, and exists in current Tomtoms.] I consider that all the shortcomings regarding map detail, touchscreen mis-sensitivity, unit freezeups, and screen lag are major flaws that seriously hinder the usefulness of those Nuvis so afflicted, and are a cause of constantly expressed online frustration, and product exchanges and returns to Garmin.

The Nuvi 3790
I have just reviewed the online Manual for Garmin’s newest Nuvi, the 3790, and wish to comment on what I consider several pathetic components, both on the product itself, as well as the Manual. Specifically, my comments address one incomprehensible instruction for determining “satellite strength,” and two other features of “Voice Commands” and “Reporting an Error.“ [My comments are drawn from the “Nuvi 3700 Series Owners Manual,” which can be downloaded at: http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/nuvi3760T_OwnersManual.pdf

I offer this example of apparent stupidity by Garmin from Page 4 of the new Manual:
“Acquiring Satellites”
The (green bar icon) bar indicates satellite strength.
1. Go outdoors to an open area, away from tall buildings and trees.
2. If necessary, turn on your device.”

One has to wonder at instruction #2: Is it REALLY “necessary” to TURN ON the device? What alternative is there to being…“IF necessary?” Duh!

“Voice Commands”
But I Digress: A major reason for this post is the severely limited “Voice Commands” feature in the new 3790. Voice Commands are apparently limited to a single purpose, which is to “FIND ADDRESS” or “FIND BY NAME.” Pages 19-21 detail a meticulous process whereby users are directed to use five steps regarding “FIND:”

1. Speak a customized “Wake Up Phrase.”
2. Speak “Find By Name”(i.e., Starbucks) or “Find Address” (no detail is offered for operation of this term, so one can assume the user will have to learn by experimentation)
3. Speak a “line number” (from screen choices)
4. Speak an Option (apparently the only choices are “Navigate” and “Call,” i.e., activate a Bluetooth connected phone)

Voice Commands thus no longer offer the extensive range of commands in the 8xx series, whereby I can use 36 commands to operate a wide variety of Nuvi functions, including Next Turn, List all turns on route, Trip Computer, Go Home, View Map, Zoom map in/out, adjust Volume, Detour, Routes, Tools, Where To, and Help. Besides the two functions in the 3790 of just…Find Address and Place By Name, the older units also offer the ability to FIND City, Favorite, Nearest, Place by Category, Favorites, and Recently Found. So much for a “new and improved” Nuvi. [All of my comments on “Voice Commands” are based on owning the Nuvi 855, which I love for allowing operation of a wide variety of functions without having to touch the Nuvi while driving (if I choose). This is much safer than reaching for the Nuvi at highway speeds, or even while moving slower on local streets, and thus avoiding the increasingly criticized “multitasking” with electronic devices while driving.]

There are two attractive improvements in Voice Commands, which (1) are that users can create their own detailed phrase to “wakeup” the Nuvi to receive spoken commands, and (2) a remote band is no longer needed (apparently) to strap to the steering wheel, in order to “wakeup” the Nuvi.

“Reporting an Incorrect Point of Interest”
I also call attention to the following supposed “feature” in the 3790 (Page 11): “Reporting an Incorrect Point of Interest.” Thus…“When your search results contain an outdated or incorrect point of interest, you can remove the location from future searches.” Specifically, the Manual states: touch “Report Error…and the location is removed from future searches.” This merely prevents the user from accessing an erroneous POI again, but in fact, does NOT REPORT this location to anyone or anywhere. [Reporting of erroneous POIs or street/highway errors is a feature of some Tomtoms, when units are connected to the internet.] This has to be ONE of the most useless “features” seen in recent Nuvis; I consider this on a par with 3-D building displays and “Eco Routing.” [By the way, 3 pages (p. 32-35) of the new manual is devoted to detailing the widely ignored function (in other Nuvis) of Eco Routing. In comparison, there is just 1 page (p. 15) regarding the truly vital function of “Trip Planning,” which used to be known as “Routes,” but is now offered without any helpful illustrations, as exists in other Manuals).

Of course, my comments are based only on the Manual itself, which, like all recent Garmins, is severely limited in terms of instructions, examples, and graphic illustrations (such as screen pictures detailing the multiple features and operational steps). I await reports from those who actually buy this product, and report their actual usage: Perhaps the Voice Commands will actually be substantially greater than indicated in the Manual, although I cannot tell from reading this new Manual. Actually, I look forward to reading all facets of operation of the Nuvi 3790…and comparing them to features on predecessor units. In particular, I am curious as to apparently improved “Junction Views,” whereby I have seen more photo realistic picture samples (online) than exist with current Nuvis.

Just in case Garmin corporate staff happen to read this discussion: I can’t help but also identify MANY other problems that afflict many Garmin owners: Inadequate Manuals in general (poorly detailed examples of operations, insufficient graphic illustrations), long waits of at least 30 minutes for all telephone support, software updates that sometimes introduce new glitches, no corporate presence on internet forums to comment on widespread Nuvi problems, initially small number of lane assistance and junction views across the US and Canada, low volume from unit speakers, unreliable operation of Traffic Assistance and Detours, and poor and unexplainable variations in routing.

Simple Suggestions for Garmin to Improve All Nuvis
And in the While I’m At It Category: The only reason I wrote this material is because I actually harbor very faint hope that somehow, someday, Garmin will significantly improve its products. Sure, my own biases and stilted opinions abound and will differ in many ways from others, BUT I do believe that I have correctly identified significant Nuvi problems that a great majority of owners agree with. I continue to be hopeful that Garmin execs may someday agree with the bulk of my statements (as well as the resulting comments appended to this thread), and will incorporate changes for the good of all. It is only because I want to have a better Nuvi available the next time that I buy, that I make this effort. [And Yeah, to let off just a wee bit of steam!]

How can Garmin not realize its Manuals need a simple list of helpful tips to overcome the most common problems?...like: Hold BACK button down to quickly return to Main Menu, be sure to select voices marked TTS for unit to speak commands, press Turn Arrow to see and hear Next Turn Command. These are just some of the most common frustrations voiced by your customers, over and over again. Oooh, everyone else can join in to offer even more suggestions!

How many users would praise Garmin if ALL Nuvis had an audible BEEP for “Turn Here?” Further, why cannot Garmin create some alternate phrases that users could select to replace “Recalculating?” Offer a widely desired option to display either Next Turn Name OR Current Road/Street at the top of ALL Nuvi screens. Offer a widely desired, customizable window on ALL Nuvis for time of arrival, distance to next turn, elevation, etc. [ If necessary for additional software memory dedicated to the forgoing functions, delete less used “features” like 3-D buildings and Eco Routing.] Why is Garmin so stubborn that it has not previously recognized these complaints and reacted with appropriate changes to its Nuvis?

And NO, Garmin, you don’t have to reward me for these ideas: Instead, thank internet discussion forums like this for the constant exchange of complaints about, and suggestions on how to improve your products! Just imagine how much longer your telephone hold times would be, and how many more thousands of Nuvis would be returned to Garmin out of disgust, if it were not for internet discussion forums...that help us learn to operate your products? I consider internet forums responsible for most of what I have learned about my Nuvi, and how to get the most out of it, instead of the pathetic online Manual. End of latest Garmin rant.