Speed Alerts Only When Above Speed Limit?

The question about getting an alert when you exceed the posted speed limit is qute common. Unfortunately the answer always remains the same - NO.

There are at least 2 reasons, first is Garmin doesn't state their displayed speed limit info is always correct. Speed limits change both up and down and they aren't going to go into court with you to defend their data.

The second is it's the way the system works. Some of the newer models will change the color of the speed limit display, but that's as much warning as you'll get. Why? See #1.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/19045

My TomTom does this and beeps at 5mph over the limit - and it was a pain so I turned it off. My 1490T turns the speed limit sign to red if I go over it.

At least it does that... I guess nothing's perfect.

I just switched from 750 to 765T and notice the red speed right away. Think its a great feature

I understand and agree the two reasons.

However, I also treat any driving aid, such as gps, as only a reference. not a set rule. Therefore, I don't see why not Garmin can offer an option to turn on/off the sound and/or visual over speed alerts for the same reason they offer the TTS voice guiding so we can put our eyes on the road instead of watching over instruments all the time. Beside, as I have found out, many roads I travel have different speed limits than my GPS indicated, but most are within 5 MPH difference, few within 10 MPH. In many communities, 5 MPH on a small street and 10 MPH on a major road, are tolerable numbers by the law enforcements.

It's a nice feature but Garmin needs to tweak it (or provide an option to disable it) when using it in Nighttime mode. The red color of the speed numerals is barely visible against the dark color used for the speed data field background which makes for a nice blur/washout effect.

most of the time I look at the map to see when I make the turn next.

I don't know too many people who drive at or below the posted speed limit -- most use the 5 mph over is OK rule, since the local police don't usually bother to ticket unless above this level in city traffic, and 10 or 15 mph over seems to be the level for Interstates patrolled by State Troopers. It would be nice to be able to set a limit band, so you'd get a warning when you exceeded, say 5, 10, or 15 mph over the limit. I find the sign turning red when I'm 1 mph over the limit to be more annoying than helpful, although I really do appreciate the speed limit being displayed (I've found it to be very accurate), since the speed limit signs are few and far between on some roads.

Judge: So officer, you have testified you have NO visual speed estimation training, no radar training and no lidar training. On what grounds, then, did you pull the motorist over for speeding?

Officer: Well Judge, the motorist had a GPS device, and I noticed the speed was displayed in red.

Judge: Guilty.