new nuvi (3597) and Garmin Express -- observations and questions

CraigW, it sounds like your configuration is much like mine (3597 replacing older unit, Garmin air vent mount). I have had the 3597 for about 6 weeks now, so can respond to some of your points.

Regarding the TTS3 voices, it is true that WebUpdater doesn't offer all the voices. But you still don't need Express for that, They are offered on myDashboard via my.garmin.com. As you said though, you do need Express to register the unit and I suspect it is inevitable that we will need to use Express for both map and software updates in the future.

I did not have the update issues with MapUpdater or with the DEM map that you did. So I am not sure what is going on there. But again, Express will probably be necessary for future updates anyway.

I had the same issue with the Garmin vent mount, but with practice, I have found that if I grab the nuvi firmly with fingers on the top and thumb on the bottom, then twist upward, I can release the nuvi from the magnetic mount without loosening the vent mount. I do wish Garmin had made the jaws on the vent mount a little deeper so they would be a little more stable on the vent slat. I do not remove the mount or cradle (just throw a hat over it so it doesn't show from the outside). To help stabalize it, I did put a small piece of double sided foam tape on one side of the jaw. I had done this prior to getting the 3597. I even use this method in my Hyundai which has vertical vent slats and it is still stable.

I have not had any problems with the battery going dead, but I do use my nuvi fairly often. I do have that problem with my 855 if I don't use it at least once a week. On my 3597, I can only get about 1 hour out of it on battery. It seems to drain down pretty quickly.

I bought a cheap hardshell zippered case on Ebay for under $10. It works OK for my purposes.

Good question about opening the case for battery replacement. I don't know the answer, but it looks like it may be difficult. Hopefully someone will enlighten us.

Edit: I found this showing disassembly of the 3597. Looks like you pry the screen away from the case. Don't know if I would be comfortable doing this.

I have had my 3597 since they first came out.

I have the Garmin case for the 3597. Very good quality case and for only $5 more than Alan's "cheap hardshell".

I agree with alanb that you can get the additional voices from myDashboard. In fact, I could never get them from Webupdater or Garmin Express so just quit trying. I've always used myDashboard.

I also agree that I've never had an issue with the battery going dead while in sleep mode. That's true for both my 3597 and 3790. I use the 3597 fairly often but the 3790 can sit for well over a week or 10 days and still fire up.

Don't use a vent mount (bean bag only) so can't comment on that. I think I used Garmin Express for the last update, since MapUpdater didn't work and didn't see any of the issues you have so maybe GE is the way to go.

Thanks for the info.

Getting new TTS3 voices for the 3597, at least for the current iteration of GE, is a bit odd. You need to click the Extras tab, then in the "something like uninstalled voices", you need to select English. This will download and install all the new English language voices with no option, for example, to select only Karen while skipping the rest. Doing it this way gives you many new TTS3 and non-TTS3 voices.

Thanks, alandb, I got three great tips from you:

-I'm not sure if I ever would have discovered the one-hand alandb twist but it does work and I'll stick with it.

-Interesting, the Garmin case I mentioned earlier on sale now at Best Buy turned out to be $12.99 rather than $14.99. It's a Garmin Velcro-sealed case for 5" nuvis and may be the one t92 mentioned. I bought it and like it. I do prefer cases that aren't 3-sided zippers, so the small Velcro tab is best for me.

-Whew, what a find for the tear-down! I agree that I wouldn't do it on a whim today, but 3-5 years down the road if the battery is near-dead, I can see myself trying it--worst case scenario: I break it and buy a new nuvi 13897 and update it with Garmin Express 11.4.0.155 ...or 11.5.1.14 if I wait a day or more...

I did again test the new School Alert built into the 3597. I passed one school along two streets from different directions during school hours. One location didn't alert but the other did--and in addition to giving an alert, it correctly dropped the speed limit from the city's 25mph to a school zone 15mph. When school hours are not in effect, the speed limit remains unchanged although the alert remains.

A couple more tips for anyone buying from the GPS Store soon: do as I say, not as I did:

-If buying a 3597 from the Store for $220--and if you need a case or an airvent or other mount--buy it all together to avoid unneeded shipping charges.

-After ordering my 3597 from the Store and paying for S&H, I later discovered that if you search the site before completing your order that you can find a code to enter for free S&H.

Live and learn--don't cry over spilt milk--etc.

Yeah, I agree. In 3 or more years, I will probably be ready for something new and will risk taking it apart to replace the battery.

Just out of curiosity, I did do a very light pry with my fingernails on the crack between the screen and the case, and could detect a slight movement, so the disassembly may not be as tricky as it seemed from the tutorial. It does make me wonder if the case might fly apart if you dropped it or bumped it the wrong way.

Don't feel too bad about the shipping fee ... it is still an excellent buy and I think you will like your 3597 as much as I do.

Good point. The biggest worry I have now with the 3597 is that its glass front makes me think it's a lot less forgiving in case of a fall when compared to earlier nuvi models, especially when falling onto hard concrete...another reason to have a case when the nuvi is not in actual use.

I have seen on ebay, some expensive silicone skins that may offer protection and can be kept in place even when the nuvi is attached to the mag mount--but for $40 for the silicone, I'm not interested.

I wonder if the thread title could be changed to read "nuvi 3597 and Garmin Express" rather than "GE". I clicked thinking that this was a discussion about Google Earth and its interaction with that nuvi model.

Worked properly at my local school. Info is accurate.

dobs108

Thanks!

Never thought the D file might be a phantom gmapdem!. Found the same on my 3597 about the gmapdem and the D file.

I did the update of 2014.40, first with GE, but it deleted the voice files. I did a second installation with MU. Everything appears to be functioning properly. Then I just noticed about a week ago that the 3D terrain is not showing up. A quick investigation revealed that the gmapdem file is gone.

Copied gmapdem back to the 3597 from a backup also restored the 3D terrain. I am not sure whether GE or MU caused the gmapdem to disappear and the D file to show up. Time stamps indicate it is MU that generated the D file.

Deleted the D file and so far has not seen peculiar effects.

How interesting. When I looked for the D2248000B.IMG file on Google, I got no hits so was lost. (Thank goodness Google has picked up POI Factory threads so folks looking for the file in the future may be directed here.)

I'm not sure that we've totally sleuthed this issue, but it's interesting that we both tried GMU and GE, had voice deletion issues (although ours were from different causes) and that GMU seems to have removed the 3D terrain file but left the D2248000B.IMG file there. I wonder what would happen if we simply renamed the D file to gmapdem.img. It seems (unfortunately, since we're not given any warning of what it plans to do) that the Garmin's map update software will delete files (voices and maybe more) to make room for a full map update. We'll need to monitor this.

Like you, I've deleted the large D file and haven't seen a problem with the 3597 operation or features.

One last question for you: You mention restoring the gmapdem.img from a backup. Was it a backup from a 2014.40 map update or an earlier backup? If from an earlier backup, then gmapdem.img isn't linked to a specific version of City Navigator but is more like the time zone map--and therefore if gmapdem.img is ever lost again, a restoration from any earlier backup will work and that it's not required to use a specific gmapdem.img tied to each unique City Navigator version--so it's more like the Time Zone map rather than being something like the junction view file.

PS--I was perversely happy to read your reply simply to let me know that I wasn't the only person on Earth to have come across the phantom D file. The file is so big that it does really need to be removed to prevent future space problems, especially if future map updates leave the D file in place when doing an update. I wonder how many 3597 owners having done a map update have the D file taking up precious space in their nuvi, especially a problem since the file is in a "hidden system" .system folder that can't be seen without changing the nuvi's and computer's default settings.

Update: I've heard about Google searches that turn up a single result but never seen one until today. A Google search for D2248000B.IMG will (for today, at least) return a single result: this thread.

It's almost a Googlewhack:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Googlewhack

http://www.ewebdiscussion.com/google/771-google-whacking-one...

Just a quick note to thank you all for these contributions.

I have nothing to add/contribute after reading this thread but have learned a lot and if I need it in the future will have it here or in my head.

Keep up the great comments!

I don't have the orphaned .img files on my 3597 like you describe, but I do have an orphaned 746126853.gma file. It is dated 8/22/2013 which is several months before I owned the unit (factory refurb). There is no corresponding .img file, so I have no idea what this file goes with.

Incidentally, if you still have the orphaned .img file, you could use the Windows (DOS) "comp" command line utility to do a binary compare of that file with what you have as the same size DEM file to see if they are indeed the same file. If you are not familiar with the comp utility, just open up a command prompt window, change directory to the folder containing the two files, then type comp /? to see the command format and the various switches you can use.

...but was too lazy to do it. You made me do it. They have the same file contents so a simple rename should work for folks missing the gmapdem but having the D file.

DOS result: Files compare OK

Also checked with the fc command: results - no differences encountered.

Apparently MapUpdater failed to do the correct renaming after the download.

The gmapdem file that I copied back is the original that came with my 3597 that I purchased last October. It is identical to the D file according to DOS "FC /B" command.

As you indicated earlier, a simple rename of the D file should restore properly the gmapdem file.

I continue to learn and be amazed. I see now that School Zone alert locations have three possible offerings, up from the two I had expected:

1) Entering school zone during weekday school hours: alert sounds and displays and speed limit drops to school zone speed.

2) Entering school zone on weekdays before or after school hours: alert sounds and displays but speed limit remains the posted limit for that street.

3) Entering school zone on weekend (this is what surprised me this morning): No audio or visual alert and no speed limit change.

What happened when the school was closed for spring break? That would be a weekday and I'd bet you'd still get the alert sound eventhough it wasn't applicable. If you did, are you going to hear the alert all summer when the school is closed for a couple of months?

My guess right now is that alerts will continue. Time will tell and maybe someone will report their results.

Yes, thanks for the info, I have not used my unit that much only when I travel to Las Vegas or other unknown places so I appreciate the info

I have updated the CN NA maps of my 3597 to 2014.40, using Garmin Map Updater.
This update changed the name of the 3D terrain file from gmapdem.img to D2248000B.
The size of the file remained the same: 608,976 KB.
As I learned from this excellent forum, I renamed this file back to gmapdem.img and it seems to work O.K.
Why Garmin renamed this file? Many of the 3597 users are not aware of this file name change and perhaps do not know, that their device has lost the 3D terrain view feature.

alandb - I do not have the same orphaned file (746126853.gma) as you have, but have 758152535.gma, I have no idea what is it?

I also updated the CN NA maps of my older 3790 to 2014.40, using Garmin Map Updater.
This update did not change the name of the 3D terrain file, it is left the same: gmapdem.img; therefore I think we should not blame the GMU for this file name change.

The 3D terrain view feature is much better, clearer and sharper on the 3790, compared to the newer 3597.
The size of the gmapdem.img file in the 3790 is: 1,198,560KB. (Almost double of the file size in the newer 3597).
I wonder, wether this bigger 3D terrain file would work in the 3597 and provide better, sharper picture ?

I have received the following reply from Garmin, in connection to my post above:

"Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

The 3D terrain maps was changed to a lower resolution image to decrease its size. If the larger file on the 3790 is copied to the 3597, it will probably work. I don't know why the file name was change and until now, I've never heard of any files on a device being changed by the updater."

Out of curiosity, are there others who updated their 3597 maps to 2014.40 and find the 3D terrain map name changed to D2248000B ?

Now I know why the 3D terrain view on the 3597 is not as good than on the 3790.

Thanks for the effort and posting the news.

Darn, now I wish Garmin offered the large 3D terrain map download as they do the large JCV file--for folks willing to manually tweak their device for better displays.

I had the first issue with my 3597LMTHD this weekend. I was returning from a trip to my daughter's home in the Twin Cities. I had entered my home as a destination, then wanted to find a fuel stop 100 miles or so down the road, so was doing a search along the route for the built in fuel POI's. It would display the list, then as I tried to scroll down the list, the screen would lock up. I would need to hold the off button to reboot and start over. I eventually was able to find and add a gas station as a via, but it took several tries and reboots.

Since I got home, I have tried to reproduce this problem, but now it is working perfectly ... go figure.

I do not understand Garmin's philosophy about the unsufficient internal memory capacity of several nuvi models, including my 3597.

-As the map updates keep increasing in size, many devices can not install the full map into the internal memory.
They offer partial maps, or installing on external SD card.

-Garmin created a smaller JCV file (with limited JCV locations) to decrease its size.

-Garmin changed the 3D terrain map (gmapdem.img) to a lower resolution, to decrease its size.
See my previous post above, dated 04/06/2014.

I think it would be more logical to provide 2-4 GB more internal capacity in their devices.
With current memory prices it would perhaps cost Garmin not more, than $2.00 per device.
My new top of the line nuvi 3597 has 8 GB internal memory only.

How much of your 8G is being currently used?

My 3597 has 1.22 GB free space. I have removed all the non English languages and don't have any extra maps or other files on it except a few custom POI's (.gpi file is 16 MB).

jgermann
My 3597 has 1.42 GB free space left, after removing all unnecessary Help, EULA, Text, Keyboard, Themes, Vehicle and Voice files. No custom POI installed.
I would like to copy the larger 1.2 GB 3D terrain file, from the 3790, but it would probably not leave enough space for the next map update.

@cosmopolitan ... the large DEM file would reduce your storage by about .6 Gb. So if you now have 1.44 GB free space, you would still have about .8 GB. This should be enough for a few more map updates which seem to grow by 100 to 200 MB with each new version.

If I could get access to the large DEM file, I would try it on my 3597. If I run out of space, I can always add a SD card.

alan, check your contact e-mail account.

alanb,
I would be glad to send you the large 1.2 GB DEM file from my 3790, if you could explain how to do it?

You can upload the file to a site like http://www.filedropper.com/

Then if alanb wants the file he can give you his e-mail address and you can send him the filedropper link that the service will give you. He can then download the 1.2GB file from there. Filedropper is a free service for up to a 5GB file(s).

I don't think I'd post the Filedropper link on POI-Factory as I don't know their rules for that and I don't know if broadcasting the link to the world would be a good thing either.

Thank you for helping me how to send alandb the large 3D terrain file from my 3790.
Unfortunately, I am not a computer expert and somewhat hesitant to try new methods. Learning new things is not that easy at my age either (I am 83).
Thanks for your kind help.

No Problem, I have uploaded the file to a web site and have let alanb know where to obtain it.

Sorry, is the current 3D terrain file on 3597 of lower quality now?

thegpsstore has a case for $9.95 http://www.thegpsstore.com/GPS-Gear-Soft-Carry-Case-for-43-5...
and an airvent mount for $5.95 http://www.thegpsstore.com/Arkon-Removable-Air-Vent-Mount-fo...

Neither are Garmin brand, but I am assuming they will work just as well. Any thoughts on that? I can get all three items for $235.85.

Like you say, the case looks like it should work well so long as you don't throw it onto sidewalks...but you'd never do that.

Re: the airvent mount. Amazon reviewers like it pretty well--check through the questions and reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Arkon-GN047-Removable-Swivel-Garmin/dp...

Aire vent mounts depend a lot on the location, angle and construction of the air vent. Try a given air vent mount for a week or so before deciding you don't like one. The advantage to the one you list is that it's about 1/3 the price of several others, so if it works well for you, you're doing well. And if you dislike it and want to try a different air vent model, it's not much of a loss. The best reviews for you will be from folks driving your make and model of vehicle. If you don't see a review of it for your model car, ask here and maybe you'll be lucky. Once you've got a good one, the installation is so much cleaner than any other sort of mount--you could save your old friction mounts for vacations with a rental car. The air vent mount I tried first and like enough to keep is the Garmin-branded vent mount. I think if I had hyperactive dogs or kids in the car a lot, I might shy away from an air vent mount since a good whack may break a vent vane.

Who.....me? Never!

There have been many posts on the 3597 since its introduction a year or so ago but this one is by far the most comprehensive and informative thread I’ve seen. Thanks CraigW and all the contributors who provided this useful content.

Here are a few points I’d like to add:

RE Mounts: If anyone is a fan of the RAM mounting system as I am, these two parts easily adapt the 3597 to a RAM 1” ball mount without interfering with Garmin’s nifty magnetic design and USB connector.

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-garmin-g-ball-cradle-connec...
and
http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-diamond-plate-with-1-inch-b...

When bolted together using the included hardware, these two parts will adapt any Garmin unit with a G ball mount to the RAM system. Although a bit pricey, RAM offers a huge assortment of mounting options including vent mounts, suction cups and beanbags, for almost any device and vehicle. (Sorry if this sounds like a promotion)

RE: Cases. The earlier universal 5” Garmin case 010-11793-00 relies on a friction fit and is not designed for units as thin as the 3597 which will easily slip out. Get a case with a flap, zipper or Velcro closure such as Garmin’s 010-11951-00 or equivalent as mentioned earlier in this thread.

RE: The mini USB connector. An earlier post, which I can’t locate, reported on an issue with the mini USB connector on the relatively heavy GTM 60 traffic / power cable pulling out of the 3597’s magnetic mount base during use. I too have had this problem on several occasions. This has also been a failure point for me in the past with my 1490. The fix was to purchase a short 6” mini USB pigtail cable and zip tie it to the G ball stem (or RAM adapter) which acts as a strain relief. I plug the GTM 60 cable into the pigtail instead of the connector on the GPS. I now use this procedure on all my frequently moved Garmin automotive units.

If you go this route, make sure to order a cable with a straight male USB mini connector on one end and a female USB mini on the other such as: http://www.yourcablestore.com/product.asp?itemid=1116&gclid=....

A cable with an UP angled male mini USB (like the one on the GTM 60 cable) will also work such as: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/291134639563?lpid=82

USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cables will work but make sure the cable has all 5 pins connected through.

Be aware that some DOWN, LEFT or RIGHT angled mini USB connectors may not fit into the recessed connector on the 3597’s base.

RE: SD cards. This topic has been done to death over the years at the Factory with a lot of confusing and contradictory information. The most recent and comprehensive post is by jrosnaki: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/14205?page=4

As of 5/2/2014, Garmin continues to recommend an 8GB max SD card in the Nuvi series. https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={18331ce0-4af6-11e3-f27b-000000000000}

For what it’s worth, I’m using a 16GB class 6 card in my 3597 which appears to function normally. I have not exceeded 8GB of data on it yet though. My question is, has anyone actually tested a card larger than 8GB in a 3597? When I say tested, I mean with map, POI or other GPS related files that the unit can read.

Thanks again for all the useful information provided in this thread.

I just did the latest map update (2015.10) on my nuvi 3597 and didn't see the file that everyone talks about being gone after the map upgrade. I'm not totally sure on whether or not I'm missing the 3D displays since I ran a GPS simulator for a route that I knew would go through a big downtown area with buildings and those buildings showed up. I drove through parts of downtown Dallas yesterday and didn't notice any 3D buildings on the display so I'm not real sure what to think. Anyone have any ideas?

Also..if that file is one that I need to keep backed up somewhere where could I get it so I could stash it somewhere on either my laptop or the SD card I have in the GPS.

Thanks..

The file that was removed during the 2015.10 map update was the 3D Terrain map, not the 3D building map. It's the one that shows shaded areas to indicate hills and valleys. The file is gmapdem.img. If your 3597 still shows 3D terrain, it'll likely still have the file.

I may not see any hills and valleys until I do some travelling out West or outside of Texas. It's pretty flat out here!

I'll post any updates I find out and thanks a lot for offering your insight on my question.

@t923347... can I also get large dem file please?

The 3597 doesn't use an SD card.

Is it possible to upload POI files? If so, how?

Thanks

See second post at:

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=148921...

No Nuvi has an SD card but they all have an SD card slot.

On the 3597 the card slot is in the center on the bottom of the unit. It will hold a micro SD card which you need to purchase separately. An 8GB card should be as big as you need and the class of card shouldn't matter much so don't pay extra for a class 10 card when a class 4 is much, much cheaper.

Using Garmin's POIloader software you can install POIs to the Nuvi or to an SD card. A good place to get started would be to review our tutorials. You can find the first POI loading tutorial at:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/30396

Very interesting. If I'm reading it right, the suggestion is that the really large older DEM file and the large file (like what came with the 3597) shows the same amount of detail, but the smaller one just has better compression and is a smaller filesize.

Wow, I know we've taken the Garmin folks to task for some of their self-inflicted wounds, but some of the link's comments are a tad more caustic.

I am not sure if it is just a question of resolution alone. It is possible that Garmin might have cut down down some area in smaller file as they did in smaller jcv file?

I found the file you mentioned on a link that another member graciously provided. If I have to copy that file back to the GPS (nuvi 3597) what folder would I need to put that file in?

Thanks again..