Using Nuvi 3597 while plugged in PC

The 3597 has a magnetic power mount that has a Mini USB connector on the powered mount. The Nuvi 3597 also has a Mini USB port on the back of the unit. Rather than connecting the Mini Usb cable to the USB connector on the back of the Nuvi, try putting the Nuvi on the powered mount, then connect the mini USB connector to the USB connector located on the mount.

Let us know if this worked for you.

That does indeed work. Thanks for the tip. I actually use the wall adapter from my old 350 plugged into the power mount of the 3597 but your suggestion of using the USB cable plugged into the mount works just as well.

So to summarize:

USB cable plugged in to the back of the Nuvi 3597 and it goes into USB mode

USB cable plugged in to the magnetic mount and the Nuvi 3597 goes into GPS mode.

Thanks for confirming, I wasn't 100% positive it would work since I don't own a 3597.

I too can use the wall charger (Garmeni OEM) from my 660 to plug into my 2460 mounted on the power mount to use the Nuvi in normal mode.
To get the 2460 to work in normal mode on the computer I use the cable from my 660 that has a mini USB and mount the 2460 in the powered mount.

Unlike the 3597, the 2460 has a micro USB connector on the unit and I'm unable to use the chord that came with the 2460 that has a mini USB connector to connect to the power cradle.

I'm sure you know this already, having or have owned a 2460. I mention this so others may benefit from the information.

I have an 8XX series nuvi, and this procedure works for me. On WIN XP put the PC into "Standby" mode, or on WIN 7 put the PC into "Sleep" mode first. After the PC goes dormant, plug your nuvi into one of the USB ports on your PC, using your mini-USB to USB cable. It will look like the nuvi has gone into "data/mass storage mode" after you plug it in, but be patient and wait a bit longer, and the nuvi will revert to GPS mode, loading maps, etc. like you've just mounted it in it's cradle/stand in your car. You can then bring your PC out of "Sleep" or "Standby" mode by pressing the "Power On/Off" button, and it will not see the nuvi plugged into it. As I said, this procedure works for me. YMMV.
Good luck.

Great stuff..... this is working great.

Mind you I have to wait over 75 seconds before the Nuvi revert back to gps mode but it work.

Thanks for all the answers.

I didn't have the opportunity to try the one with the cradle and don't really want to remove the cradle from the car when I need to work with my laptop and my GPS. Anyway, I am sure that this is an alternate solution that would be working just fine for me.

You don't need to bring the whole mount in to your computer from the car. Just pop the cradle off the ball mount. It's just the magnetic cradle that you need.