Unhappy with new 2460LMT - options?

Others, correct me if I'm wrong.

#1 I believe as you've found after the fact, that zoom behaves differently on new new models compared to the older ones. I would be very surprised to hear that any of the newer models behave as you wish.

#2 It was odd when I just saw a master volume on my 2460 unlike the mixer option (voice/media/phone) volume controls of earlier models. I'm not sure if all new nuvis are just master volumed--we'll need to wait for another user to report. However, let me offer an alternative view. I also use a nuvi 855, a nuvi with junction view, but the older full-screen JV that appeared for a very short time, then disappeared. When I received my 2460, one thing that I found wonderful was the addition of the beep when the JV appeared. That eliminated my having to look to the nuvi every few seconds as I was approaching an expected JV to make sure I didn't miss it. Now I don't need to take my eyes off the road until I hear the beep. Somewhat odd to me given your report is that I have my volume set fairly high to hear my TTS voices, yet I find the JV beep a low-to-moderate volume.

#3 You may think you'll like this answer but you won't as you learn more: On the new nuvis, no one can see you enter the Garmin Lock password--that's because to my knowledge, the Garmin Lock feature has been eliminated from new nuvi models.

Given my above thoughts, my guess is that you'll have the same complaints about all new nuvi models and if so, you'll either have to accept them, or go back to your 760 and sleep on the couch for several weeks until someone forgives you (or find somewhere and buy a model somewhat newer than your 760, but still a discontinued model--the 7x5 and 8x5 series comes to mind although I'm not sure how either handles zooms).

[Update] From the 3760 owners manual, I see a discussion of Garmin Lock so I am probably wrong in #3 when I said all new nuvi models do not have that option. More:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/37030

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34395

So the moral of the story is: if desiring Garmin Lock, look to Garmin's web site for each model under consideration and look to the Specs tab, then see if Garmin Lock is offered or not.

Pretty much sums things up. I have a 3790LMT and the 3590LMT. Top of the line 2011 and 2012.
3790LMT, thinner, faster starting,easier to get at custom poi's
3590LMT, larger, slower start-up, more stuff in it that I don't need, faster satellite acquisition.
Will I ever be completely happy? Nope. Garmin gonna build what I want....nope. Now, if I could try before i buy..like a week...lol, I probably wouldn't have gotten the 3590LMT. Oh well...its just money

This may just be wishful thinking on #2, but have you tried updating your firmware and other files?

I did update my 2460 before using it and never found the ba-DEEP too loud. It's possible that a firmware update I installed toned down that sound while maintaining voice volume levels. You have nothing to lose by trying this if you haven't done a firmware or other update to the new 2460.

I agree with you on the zoom. I wish they would let me set it to whatever I wanted, instead of automatically changing it.

Unfortunately this is the behavior on all their recent models now.

I, too, have the 760, 2460, and 3790. My wife now uses the 760, my daughter the 2460, and I use the 3790. Each has their ups and downs and it took me a little bit to adjust, but I like them all. I mainly got the 2460 due to the bigger screen and voice activation. The same for the 3790 and I needed another GPS since my daughter started driving.

The zoom took a little time to adjust as I first thought it was my eye sight, haha. I just know to do that now. Like most of you, I do wish they would have left that alone, especially at my old age, haha.

I have a 2460lmt and have not been real happy with mine. I also have a 1390 and the etrex handheld. After getting the 2460, I ended up getting a smart phone, and after using the gps on the smart phone, I'd say garmin and other gps makers are not going to survive long in the market unless they provide better functionality, consistent interface, and control over their devices. All I need is the mount option for the sandbag on my dashboard and it won't be long before my garmin hits the glovebox.

And before we start with how much better a standalone gps is over a smart phone, I agree with you that each has their benefits, however, I still think the gps makers like garmin need to improve their devices to keep customers happy.

No pun intended, but how do you think that is going to happen? How many different devices do you think they should make? I have 2 units here. I have no use for bluetooth, garmin lock, world clock alarm clock, and voice commands and more. But they have it. I do like some other features. Only these units have them. Point here is, it's a "preference" thing. To get one, you gotta take the others.

To get me from point A to Point B. That is all. Everything else doesn't matter. If you don't like what your GPS doesn't do, get a paper map.

I doubt anyone who owns a Nuvi is entirely pleased with the model they own, as others stated each has its shortcomings for the individual user.

Why don't you go one your local brick & mortar stores and play with the different units to see what suits you best. You will probably only find the newest models and not an older 2460 that you already have but know how it functions.

I have had 3 Nuvis, 1350LMT, and 2 2350LMT's, all have had there problems, and have had 2 Magellans, 1412 and 1470. I now use a 2350LMT and a 1470 Magellan. The problem I have with the 2350LMT is the recalculating problem while in a long route, like Illinois to Florida, recalculations can take a few minutes while driving using the Garmin 2350LMT, during the same route, Illinois to Florida, my Magellan 1470 will recalulate with in a few seconds, to bad Garmin can't have this fast of recalculation times while traveling on long distance trips.

A consistent a user interface, menus and routing across their devices would help.

After upgrading my 2460 to version 3.2, and navigating several routes, I don't believe I have heard the offending junction view alert anymore. (someone will tell me I'm deaf)

Larry

I appreciate everyone's advice. More detail below, but short answer is that I now have a 3790LMT, by way of (very briefly) a 3760LMT.

First, I did update the 2460LMT to latest firmware/voices/maps, did a hard reset, etc. All this had been done prior to my original post a month ago.

Update for Larrypat: A few days ago, I updated the 2460LMT to version 3.2, gave it a test drive (navigating a route that included junction views), and regret to report that the dreaded "ba-DEEP" is still there!

In mid-December, I bought a 3760LMT. Solved problems #1 (it remembers my zoom preferences) and #2 (no "ba-DEEP" when junction views pop up). Still had problem #3 (displays password numbers for a few seconds), but that was my least important gripe, so could live with that.

Having lived in the ancient 760 world for so long - never having seen a junction view screen - I didn't realize how many flavors of junction view exist in Garmin's world. The 2460LMT, which has 8 GB of memory, has the ~450 MB file (maximum size for split-screen junction views). I discovered that the 3760LMT, having only 4 GB of memory, gets a smaller split-screen JV file (~150 MB), with many fewer junctions. I copied the larger file from the 2460LMT, which worked fine. But now, I'd have to keep the 2460LMT around forever just to obtain the larger JV file with each map update.

So after a week, exchanged the 3760LMT for a 3790LMT, which has 8 GB of memory (and hence gets the ~450MB JV file by default). And although they serve little practical purpose, I have to admit that the elevation & 3D-building maps look kinda cool! The higher-res display on the 37xx is pretty nice, too, compared with the older screen technology.

Conclusion: I'm keeping the 3790LMT, and hope to be more active on the forum in the future.

Glad you joined in! I been a member for years, other than contributing a few sound files, am mostly a lurker too. A added benefit to being active is access to speed, and red light cameras. You being from NJ, should surely help with that. POI Factory is a one stop free shopping site for anything GPS related. All the POIs anyone would ever need.