Let's help Garmin design their next flagship GPS for us aficionados!!
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 16 years
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I think Garmin should build at least one unit for us! People who like to use our GPS, and know what information we'd like to get rather than the great unwashed masses who just want to know where the next Starbucks is!! Since SO many people are using their cellphones to "navigate", I think Garmin should think about appealing to US - those who for whatever reason, are NOT willing to give up our GPS, but becoming frustrated by what is being offered to us. There are many features no longer available that I would like to see brought back. I'll be glad to start a list and welcome any additions.
1) Minimum 5" screen for my older eyes.
2) Display of up to four data fields, time, speed, altitude, ETA, DTA, etc. (from 276/376)
3) Ability to add Custom Waypoint symbols.
4) Retain ability to adjust our driving style speed limits for various types of roads when route planning
5) Add more voice choices
6) Proximity alarms with voice warnings???
7) I like the magnetic mount on the 3597.
8) I haven't put ANY thought into features I'd be willing to do without, but I'm sure there are several.
9) Needless to say, I hope, continue to accept microSD cards of any reasonable size!
** SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS DIRECTLY TO GARMIN **
Just a quick reminder to submit your ideas directly to Garmin "ideas page" after you share them here.
I hope we can get their attention after all these years of ignorance!
Lets take it seriously this time .. Garmin sales for automotive GPS systems went 15% down this last quarter and it is by far their worst performing category!
They need our ideas more than anytime before so lets spam them with suggestions and new ideas until we see some cooperation!
** To submit your ideas directly to Garmin, follow this link
http://www8.garmin.com/contactUs/ideas/
NuviCam & 3597
Advanced GPS User Wishlist
The OP hit my list of needs on the mark.. I'm an advanced user, over 20 years experience planning long cross country trips, and currently a 3597 owner. I always have the trip data tab open on the right side of the screen to display the similar items as noted in the original post.
One field I have suggested to Garmin via their survey/feedback URL is to display the name of the next visable via... On long trips I usually have researched and picked several possible stopping points for the night and program those in the GPS route via BaseCamp..
I use shaping points to direct the route as I wish to take it, and have the via points that display as a list of possible stops.
The name (due to the length the via point name can now have) would have to display up in the "next turn" title area at the top of the screen with some code intelligence to make dual use of that field e.g. when getting within some range of the next turn, display the turn info, otherwise display name of next visible via. Or have it to be a touchable field that you can flip back and forth between the two pieces of information.
This sort of works now.. If you program in a via and there are no turns between your current location and the next displayed via point, that information will show at the top of the screen.. But if there is a turn between the two, which may be hundreds of miles away on an interstate, that info shows...
The alternative to go into the route data itself is not something I want to do while driving.. Too many buttons to push, taking my eyes off the road.
All posts so far are based
All posts so far are based on GPS users who are unlike the majority of people who buy automotive GPS devices.
Most, and I'm sure Garmin has numbers on this, don't EVER download map updates. Garmin has made the experience too "scrary" with bad updates, too much playing around to make things work again. Ridiculous that Garmin doesn't see the bad PR there.
Almost everyone I know that has a GPS, only uses it to get from point A to point B. And who in their right business mind would present Basecamp to the general public as a solution for routing?
I know at least 3 people who don't have laptops or PC'S, tablets only. There's no way for them to ever get updates from Garmin.
In the long run it's easier for a whole lot of folks to use a built-in car navigation system, and never update it. They DON'T care if every little street is on the map.
Finally, smartphone apps are getting better, but for me the screen is too small. Better to use the PND. But I can see how my wife like the car navigation system better. She doesn't care about all the POI'S, and most people don't either.
I think we tend to judge all GPS usage based on how we would like it to be, not how Garmin sees it. All those bells-and-whisles are not really selling. Garmin auto gps units are down in sales.
I never get lost, but I do explore new territory every now and then.
Up to date maps, and Powersave
Maps that were up to date?
Another vote for maps that are up to date.
I'd also like to see an optional power-save mode. Dim the display if the driver is more than two miles from the next turn or POI.
Re-CAL-culating... "Some people will believe anything they read on the internet" - Abraham Lincoln