Route optimization

 

I just purchased a Nuvi 265wt last month.

I use it for making about 10 via stops and then taking me home.

I first enter my destination and then enter about 10 vias.
This seems to work fine except my route is far from optimized. It will route me in a route that takes me back & forth. I can tell from looking at a map that it is taking much longer than necessary.

I previously owned a Mio and the optimization was very good.

Are there any tricks or techniques that I can use to optimize the route. (Shortest distance)

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Ihor

There was some discussion on

There was some discussion on this in the past see http://www.poi-factory.com/node/19196 .

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Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Optimization vs. Sorting

I read that discussion before I posted. The Nuvi 265 supposedly sorts your Vias & destination by proximity distance not route optimization.

See:
http://www.gpsreview.net/route-optimization-vs-route-sorting...

My experience has been that I do not even get it to route sort. I'ts a zigzag route.
Any suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong?

--
Ihor

Route

The only thing I can think of right now is.

1.Download Extra Poi Editor http://turboccc.wikispaces.com/Extra_POI_Editor
2.If you have via points on a csv or gpx file.Open with Extra Poi Editor or manually put them in EPE.Make sure to include starting point.
3.Once file is loaded highlight the waypoint to start from.
4.Under tools in EPE select Sort by Best Route.
5.Once route is sorted you will get message to open in Notepad.You can print a copy of the list.Close out once completed.
6.Next message will allow you to see Poi List on map.Select yes.
7.Now you should see the route.Now using this as a guide you can input your via points on the gps.Or compare new route with EPE to what the gps shows to your original method.

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Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

When entering Via's, make

When entering Via's, make sure your via is on the right side of the highway or your unit will have you turning around to go the other way to get to it. I have a 265WT and have used this method in the past without any trouble. I zoom in close on the map and touch the screen at locations on the highway to make my Vias, making sure I'm on the right side of the highway each time.
If your are only interested in "shortest route", there is a setting just for that but I would not suggest using it because it may send you down some very odd roads (trails) that you would not otherwise take.
Also, your unit has traffic. The settings may be to "Avoid Traffic" which may account for some of the odd routing.

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Tight lines

Recommend Garmin model

Well, it looks like I will be returning my 265wt.
I like it a lot but the route optimization is impossible. I spoke with Costco and they will take it back.

Can anyone recommend a GPS unit that does good "ROUTE OPTIMIZATION"? NOT route sorting

The difference is here::
http://www.gpsreview.net/route-optimization-vs-route-sorting...

I kind of like Garmin and would like to stick with a Garmin unit but I will get whatever works well optimizing. Traffic is also a must (preferably free lifetime).

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Ihor

Free Lifetime Maps is always

Free Lifetime Maps is always good too.

Agreed

Yes, free lifetime maps is also good.
There are other features that are useful as well.
Then there are the features that are not that useful but are high as a cool factor.

For me, good route optimization and free traffic subscription are high on the list.
Accurate maps
TTS is nice also (street names)
quick satellite acquisition
wireless FM transmission is pretty cool. (I listen to audiobooks when I drive alone.) but not a deal breaker.

I guess everyone has different preferences for features.

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Ihor

I have a 855

I have a Nuvi 855 and this unit has been very good for me. It does route optimization and I picked up a cheap GTM20 traffic receiver from Ebay, so it gives me traffic too. Currently you can pick one up from WalMart or Amazon for $118 (it was on sale last week at WalMart for &98)

try this website

Also try this website for route optimization:
http://findthebestroute.com/RouteFinder.html

You can export your optimized route to your GPS and its FREE smile

So once it's exported - how

So once it's exported - how does it load as a route?

POI loader won't even recognize gpx or csv files on the mac it seems, they just sit there greyed out. :/

I tried the website

It looks like it does the job. It tries all the combinations of different routes and chooses the shortest. I think it chooses the shortest and not the fastest route. I'm not sure yet. I don't think the map includes speed limits in its' database.

I just bought a new Nuvi 765T and will return my 265T to Costco tomorrow.

I entered a 10 address route in the website you recommended and printed it out and will compare the route with the results I get from the 765.

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Ihor

Not only the shortest distance......

Ihop47 wrote:

It looks like it does the job. It tries all the combinations of different routes and chooses the shortest. I think it chooses the shortest and not the fastest route. I'm not sure yet. I don't think the map includes speed limits in its' database.

According to the FAQ:
"Does your application sort the optimized route by duration or distance?
By default we have the route optimizer set to calculate by the shortest time. This means that the route is calcaluted based on the shortest travel time instead of the shortest distance. This option can be changed to calculate based on the shortest distance by selecting the "Distance" button."

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Nuvi 2460LMT

I compared the 2

I just put the same route in:
Findthebestroute.com
and in my new Nuvi 765T

Starting point and endpoint was my home with 9 (via) waypoints in between.
I tried to position the waypoints to make it difficult .

Both were setup to calculate with the "fastest time" rather than the shortest distance.

Results:
Findthebestroute.com : 123 miles in 2hrs 46 min
765T : 96 miles in 2 hrs 09 min

The bottom line is, I will keep the 765T.

On top of that it plays mp3s, which is great for my audiobooks. And it plays them through my radio speakers via FM.

I'm like a pig in "mud". smile

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Ihor

My 770

has a button to optimize route.
Works quite well.

findthebestroute.com

I pasted part of the FAQ from findthebestroute.com (below)
It looks like like it should do pretty well in finding the quickest route.
I was pretty surprised that the 765T did as well as I mentioned earlier.

How does the application works?
The route optimizer was developed to allow users and businesses to find the fastest route between multiple addresses. The application using an unique optimization algorithm we developed and has the power of Google Maps to provide accurate routes and directions.

Why does it takes several few minutes to generate large numbers of addresses?
This is because the application is going through large numbers of combinations. For example with 5 addresses it goes through 120 different address combinations.

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Ihor

Route planning on Mapquest.com

Most of you probably knew this but I was so happy I found this, I just wanted to share anyway.

I went to Mapquest and found this neat feature.
I entered a stating & end address with about 5 via points. Mapquest asks you how you want the route optimized. Fastest, shortest and a few other choices.

I then exported this to my Nuvi as a route,
I then told my Nuvi to optimize again.

I don't know how good the optimization is but probably better than doing it manually.
It's certainly easier entering in all the addresses on a desktop keyboard rather than on a small touchscreen.

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Ihor

Route optimization

Dunno if many of you know this but
there's a nice little application for Windows PC
called --> ITN Converter!

ITN Converter is both,
a route converter (supporting many formats)
and a simple and efficient route planner!

So create a route using desired destinations
and then save your planning as a Garmin File (.gpx)

then load the file in your GPS and enjoy!
Its really amazing!

more info here --> http://fwd4.me/hqW

smile

so you have tried this?

eskro wrote:

Dunno if many of you know this but
there's a nice little application for Windows PC
called --> ITN Converter!

ITN Converter is both,
a route converter (supporting many formats)
and a simple and efficient route planner!

So create a route using desired destinations
and then save your planning as a Garmin File (.gpx)

then load the file in your GPS and enjoy!
Its really amazing!

more info here --> http://fwd4.me/hqW

smile

have you actually used it to create a route?

and did your nuvi recalculate the route and ignore the one you created?

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— (Garmin nuvi 765T) — "people who say money can't buy happiness, don't know where to shop"