Simulated Driving

I just tap the screen and move my location closer to whatever it is I am trying to test.

For some reason it seems to travel at the road speed so a three hour trip could take three hours to simulate - not very good. I had another make GPS that let you speed up the simulation which made a lot of sense. Garmin does not have that feature. It certainly could be changed in a software update but I doubt that Garmin will ever do that.

havent found one (as above). What do you use it for? I've never found a good use for it.

I occassionally test new TourGuides and alerts before hitting the road and finding out I did something wrong, again.

When I add via points to force the unit in taking a specific route I'll then go into the simulation mode to see if all is well or if other vias are needed.

I'll check the entire route by tapping the green bar at the top of the screen. This method is fast and efficient.

As bear007 said it's also a great method to test alerts, wav sounds etc.

it's a great method to test alerts, wav sounds etc.

For those reading this thread who are not familiar with simulation, please look at
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/31482

I goofed around with the simulation mode once or twice and when I saw how long it took to finish, I quit using it.

I really didn't see a real world use for it, for me anyways.

Sorry to hear that.

I am constantly using the GPS Simulation mode for a variety of purposes.

I have written many articles incorporating it's use and the great results you can get with it. They are on the Garmin Tricks, Tips, Work Arounds, Hints, Secrets and Ideas WEB site.

http://bit.ly/garmin_gps_tricks

If you are interested, do a search on 'simulation' or 'simulation' the pages that fall out will have many references and instructions for using your GPS in Simulation mode. It is also a 'must' if you want to establish a 'Set Location' (Set Loc) at a point where your vehicle isn't -- like a distant city.

Gary Hayman

I have an out of town weekend trip coming up with multiple tour stops on saturday and sunday. Though the routes between them may look fine on Google maps and Mapquest that doesn't mean the GPS will route it the same.

Using simulation mode I can quickly SET Loc. to each stop and put the next stop as a destination, or route each day, to check and make sure the routing is the same or at least know what your GPS is going to do before the time comes. After all, there have been many threads on this website alone with people questioning the routing on their GPS.

It is better to check the routing ahead of time rather than having a bunch of motorcycles making u-turns along the highway during the trip. Too many u-turns and you start getting a little reputation amongst your fellow riders.