1490 Junction View question>>>

It is there but it is very limited. I just got a 1490T a few weeks ago and on a trip through three states we saw the junction view come up three times and then it was a screen that flashed on and off in about three seconds. I contacted Garmin and was told that it is limited to "major metropolitan areas" - my reaction was if the highways around NYC are not major metro areas then what are? What you do see when it comes up is a photo-like image of the exit area with signage and a clear marking of the lane to take.

What you do get - which I suppose is considered "Lane Assist" is a map depiction of the intersection of exit ramp clearly showing the lanes and where you need to be. This is not bad - but not what I expected and not what Garmin said was a feature on the 1490.

I recently received a 1490 as a gift and the giver said this was one of the selling points for this model. Have used it for about a week (lots of highway) and have never seen this feature in action. I don't live anywhere near as busy as NY and if they are doing this for metro areas that are large then this feature is a bust where I am and shouldn't be advertised.

It maybe something in the works for the future but for now don't count on it.

I've seen it work a few times as well but nothing like the Tom Tom...too darn bad the Tom Tom graphics aren't nearly as nice as the Garmin...oh well!

I'm in the Toronto Canada area.
This "Junction View" appears often
on the highway interchanges.

In the few weeks that I've had my 1490, I've yet to see Junction View. My 2+ year old Navigon had Junction Views all over the place, sometimes even in places where I didn't really think it was necessary. Not sure why Garmin is so far behind in this feature.

Ok, here's what I've noticed owning a Garmin nuvi 765t and having a friend who owns a TomTom with similar features:

TomTom's map data contains more intersections that show the exit signs (what they call lane guidance) in more places than Garmin. That being said, Garmin's junction views (the feature that show's the actual intersection with signs) look much more realistic and more accurate than Tomtom's version of this feature. Also, Garmin has something called lane assist (these are the arrows in the top left hand corner of the screen that represent how many lanes are going to be at the upcoming turn or intersection and which of these lanes you should be in) that shows up in more places than Tomtom's lane guidance does, and it pretty much accomplishes the same thing as showing exit signs. For example, tomtom's lane guidance feature will only work on interstates while I've seen garmin's lane assist (just the lane arrows, not the exit signs) work on state highways and other major roads as well. So honestly, I think Garmin is the winner here, unless you really have to see exit signs as opposed to just knowing which lane you have to be in.

I agree that the "junction view" is not as frequently displayed as the marketing folks would have one believe. In central Ohio I never saw it, and in Southern California, where I happen to be now, it does make frequent, though not constant, appearances.

That said, I much prefer the lane assist feature, and I am delighted I got the 1490T even if that were the only difference between it and my c340.

Traffic has been useful, too, near Denver and LA.

I Zoomed in on the map on the navteq website. It shows all the junction views in the bay area where i live. Check around your location.

I think lane assist is an interesting feature, but it is so limited and infrequent, I wonder why they rolled it out. It is not ready.

clearly a different critter than junction view... like the lane assist and, as I've said many times here, the Garmin graphics are tops...but the junction view is useful as well (such s multiple off ramps all to the right) and the TT is light years ahead.

I am using a 1450 in LA and as a tourist I am enjoying seeing a picture of the exits and where I am to go. This feature will not help me in Iowa for we only have one freeway. My only criticism is that in LA it has to pop up a bit sooner (Fast traffic) and stay longer for one has to watch the road also.

I drive in the NYC/NJ metro area often and can recall seeing junction view once or twice. The always present lane assist (upper left corner) is very useful and usually accurate.

I've had two 1490t units and for some reason I seem to recall the first unit using Junction view much more often. I can't recall my new unit ever showing it.

I haven't seen it in town (Tampa) but when I go to Jacksonville it pops up, mostly around Orlando area.