Garmin Nuvi 3790T

I have a 1690 and have had no problems with it. The white pages don't usually come up but I have used Google before and it works fine. CAIO I think is useless. If you are having problems with the unit, call Garmin to get it replaced. I know when they first came out, people were having problems with some of the older units.

My 1690 is nearly a month old. My first step when I got it was to backup all the files. Then I updated the firmware and maps. No problems (other than the ones I create).

White pages works great.. as does Google search. I haven't tried Ciao.

I read that shutdown and reboot issues were cleared by updating the firmware to the latest (3.50 currently). I also read that some issues could arise due to only having 2 Gb storage for all files (US version).

After backing up all the files, I went into the unit directory and deleted the following files:
-GUpdate.gcd
and unused files:
-voice
-vehicle
-help
-EULA
-keyboard

NOTE: delete files at your own risk.

When I finished, I had about 400 Mb free space and have had no problems.

When I first got the 3790T, I didn't like it at all. After playing with it for a few days, I am getting used to the new menu system and am liking it better. My biggest problem right now is that it doesn't respond to my input sometimes. I used to use my fingernail to select a letter when inputting addresses. This unit doesn't recognize the fingernail at all. I also have problems using my finger. Sometimes, it takes several attempts to get it to recognize my selection from a menu. I also am still having problems doing stuff with routes that I used to do on the 760 and 765. I'm sure it is just my not finding the correct menu. I wish the documentation was better. Also, when updating the software, when I disconnect from the computer, it doesn't reboot automatically. I have to turn it on which is contrary with the instructions on the website.

A couple of things:

- currently you can't use the preplanned routing procedures you used with the 7xx models. You can use Trip Planner on the 3790. Garmin says that the old route creation facility will be added back to the 3790 through a firmware update.

- Yes, when you disconnect the 3790 from the PC it needs to be restarted as it doesn't reboot automatically. Annoying but that's the way it is. I suspect there are lots of people that say "I've always wanted it to just shut off when I disconnect"

- Your going to have to learn to use your finger if you want to use the 3790 as like other 'glass screens' it will not respond to a fingernail, same as the fancy new cellphones.

While trying to plan a trip, I am unable to locate my personal POI's. Does anyone know where in this convoluted menu system they are located??

They are under Extras.

Which is where they were in other newer Nuvi's. They haven't been changed or moved and it's the same number of menu taps to get to them:

Where to - Extras - Custom POIs

It's a pretty nice unit, but there's a few minor things that I haven't quite figured out yet.

- The insanely useful "Where To / Near / Current route" option is buried under a quite a few more button presses.

- Why is night mode background grey instead of black? It makes the unit too bright.

- The animations lag the display. When I press a button I want the button press to happen now, not a second or two later after some animation is done.

It's buggy!

- Bug 1: I've been on a trips and the text route overview option was showing me ony the first last pages, but nothing in between. The "Where To/Near/Route" then failed to work.

- Bug 2: The traffic icon seems to go away for a few days at a time.

- Bug 3: Sometimes the zoom level animation gets confused and the entire screen flashes. This pulls my eyes of the road.

- Bug 4: Sometimes the keyboard "Done" button is unselectable when searching POIs by name.

On the plus side, it boots quickly, the display is beautiful, the active mount is perfect, the speaker inside the mount is nice and load.

It does much better speed-based routing because of knowledge of local speed limits. It no longer tries to put me on very slow local roads, because it thinks I might save one minute over the freeway.

The myTrends is cute, but it doesn't seem to realize I go to work or home EVERY day.

The trafficTrends is a good idea, but I have no idea how well it works yet.

I wish it used Google Maps' comprehensive flow data rather than NavTeq's mostly-useless traffic data.

I turn on the 3790 and select Where To and navigate to Trip Planner where I hit the plus sign and indicate I want to start at my present location. Then I hit the plus sign again and now I want to navigate to a POI that I have downloaded from this wonderful site and added to my wonderful 3790 using POILoader. Where is Extras located, or how do I find my POI's? The only options I can find are Where I am now, Address, Points of Interest, Recently Found, Favorites, Intersection, Cities, Browse Map and Coordinates.
Thanks for any help provided.

Oops

You can't. It's a firmware bug.

The way to get around this is to select them BEFORE you start the Trip Planner. Then they will show up in the "Recently Found" list and you can select them from there in the Trip Planner.

After I have built a route and am on the route, I notice that I need fuel and/or am hungry. I want to locate a Flying J or a Cracker Barrel near my route. Is there a work around for that?

Back > Where to? > Menu > Near > My Current Route > Save > down arrow > Extras > Custom POIs > Flying J

Thanks so much. If I can just get this thing to recognize when I touch the screen every time, I might just learn to love it. Motorcycle Mama, You have really helped alot. I thank you.

Motorcycle Mama is awesome

Glad you got it sorted out.

You will be a pro before you know it.

I too am looking to upgrade from my still working Nuvi 200. If this unit isn't all garmin claims yet, what units should I consider for supporting:
traffic
voice input
bluetooth
mp 3 playing (for the talk radio podcasts).
ecoroute
improved (compared to 200) 3 d view while driving

The 7x5 units have been discontinued, so I'd keep an eye on those. The 765T is a bargain right now, and others may be as well.

Only the 8xx's have VR though.

Well for $285 the 885T seems like a good idea but with the MSN Direct ending in 16 months permanently , maybe not. The 765T seems to get panned for bluetooth connectivity issues.

Buy the 885T, and then a new cord after 16 months if needed. A no-brainer.

I just bought this to replace my Tomtom Go 700 which I loved. So far I like the 3790T. It looks really slick and the screen is plenty bright. I used it in daylight and had no problems viewing it although the sun angle wasn't such that it had worst case glare. I used the voice command feature and it is nice but it can be balky and not hear what you are saying. I may need a little training though as it seems to work great for a stretch then go through a period when it can't hear/recognize what you are saying. I think this might mean I just need to learn what volume/cadence etc that it works best with.

I am heading out for a couple day trip later this week and will put it through its paces.

Sorry don't quite follow, you are suggesting to get the 885T enjoy the included MSN Traffic then in the 17th month buy an new receiver and buy a lifetime subscription to XM for example?

No, you just get a new cord, ie GTM-20, 21 etc. $15-20 on EBay.

Not sure of the available traffic subs, but there are 2 main ones in the US. Depending where you are, one can be better than another in areas.

Well rather than saving 15 bucks I preordered the 2360LMT instead. Seems to have all the features of the 775T and 885T with handsfree calling and free FM traffic and free map updates for life for $299. Says "Ships in Q4/2010" so hopefully any day now since we are 2 weeks into Q4. Amazon was same price but didn't mention if in stock or coming soon.

I paid the $20 for the download list from this site...but have yet to be able to see any red light icons...

I feel my hard earned money is for naught. Is there anything I can do to make it work properly? I live in Chicago and these lights are everywhere but unfortunately I am not benefiting from the purchase of this list.......

Can you suggest a fix or issue a refund?

My coverage for Chicago is really good. Send me a note via the contact form or give me a call in the morning and I will help you check your system and get you up and running properly. If you still are not satisfied I will be happy to refund your money.

Miss POI

Did I miss something? I get the warning well ahead of time, had to modify that, drove me nuts. 6 times before I got there and once after the fact. Fixed that. I also get a banner that gives some detail. The icon shows up, but not before the warnings start.
Are you at least being warned about red lights before you approach one?

If you are just talking about seeing the icons you will need to zoom in to see them.Garmin doesn't clutter the screen up with icons.As far as the redlight and speed camer files themselves you should be getting the alert when you get witin the distance the alert is set for.

Hi ,the screen on my 3790 lmt is also to bright at night but my screen changes to a drab olive colour, it is set on auto ,and even at 10% it is still brighter than my previous Nuvis so maybe this is problem with these units ,I am going to contact garmin and ask about this ,does anyone else have this problem

By my observation, the newer the screen technology, the brighter the screen will be. Not only the screens on these Garmin GPS, but also all the cellphones, notebook computers as well.

Way back when I got my first Garmin, I could barely see anything even the brightness was set at 100% during the day time. Now a day, for night time driving, even 0% brightness is still to bright for me on my newer Garmin.

I love mine - if you put in POI's from here make sure that the ICONS are displayed as 256 colors or they will not display no matter how far you zoom in. MS Paint works great for convert the icons to 256.

I like mine that I got on clearance in Nov2012 from J&R Camera, but 3 months later the battery is failing. Also the recharge cable often gets no contact in rental cars.

great unit exvellent for hand held use