nuvi 50LM Acting Weird
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 15 years
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Though we've used GPS for several years, I'm still kind of novice.
We had to run up and back to Long Island yesterday and I didn't print reverse directions (we always print out to supplement the Garmin).
While on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, there was a crash so we thought about trying to re-route. Though the nuvi 50 said we were on the BQE, when we tried to add our destination address, it only brought up Maryland. No matter what we did, the nuvi kept on with Maryland. We turned it off for a while and finally it 'knew' we were in Long Island.
On the way home, it seemed the Garmin was trying to put us on 34th Street in Manhattan. That didn't seem right at all, and luckily we were able to get back the same way we went. Not sure about 34th Street, though maybe it was looking to go the FDR to Jersey.
I haven't done a map update for a while so I don't know if the problems were born of that. I logged into the Garmin account and saw there's a map update, but there's no software update pending.
On a plus note, the hot dog poi files from here took us right to the Dog House in Delaware for an excellent dinner near the end of our trip!
It happens
I don't know what to tell you. Sometimes out of the blue any one GPS can get temporarily goofy like this for no discernible reason, just like most electronic devices. I wouldn't send this one in for service just because of this one bad day even if it's still under warranty because you'll just get back somebody else's refurbished 50LM sent in for service which may be more often flakier than yours.
Just keep an eye on it for now. Next trip it may be back to its old self.
You are always wise to know the route, check the GPS' plans for you, and print backup directions as you did here just in case.
JMoo On
Next time try "Detour"
... While on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, there was a crash so we thought about trying to re-route. Though the nuvi 50 said we were on the BQE, when we tried to add our destination address, it only brought up Maryland....
I'm not sure why you think you had to add your destination address. I've owned a couple of nuvis and they both had a "Detour" function. I would assume that your nuvi 50 has it, too.
If it does, then when you came to the crash site and had to change your route, all you had to do is hit the back arrow to take you back to the initial screen. On the initial screen there would have been a "Detour" button that when pressed, would have calculated an alternate route to your current destination.
Phil
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."
Wasn't using the GPS
Because I'm an idiot we weren't using the GPS going up, so that's why we had to add the destination.
Next time, we will pre-program the destination address. Also, thanks for this excellent tip regarding detours. I will check this out locally so we'll know how to use it in new territory.
My lack of knowledge on this feature really shows what a neophyte I am.
I ALWAYS learn new and useful stuff on POI Factory!
Thanks again!!
How to have the 50LM find a detour
It does require the driver (or better, a passenger if available) to handle the 50LM while driving, so of course you want to be careful to do this in safe conditions: on the map screen in the lower left, you see the Go Back arrow. Touch it to return to the Main Screen. Now touch Detour, and the 50LM calculates a new route. The manual warns that sometimes the GPS can't find an alternate for you. It should also warn that the Detour can be worse than the originally planned route, even taking into account whatever problem is prompting you to seek a detour. Sometimes Detour works well; other times it doesn't.
Note that the Detour icon only appears on the Main Screen after you have programmed in a route and the GPS knows where you are. Otherwise, if you hit the Go Back arrow, there is no option to find a Detour.
You can find the manual here, by the way:
The Detour instructions can also be found on the 50LM itself by hitting the question mark icon> ? > [Down arrow] > Navigation > Taking A Detour.
http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/nuvi_30_40_50_EN_OM.pdf
They save money by not putting these things in the box anymore, another sad fact pointing to the decline of civilization.
JMoo On