What New Garmin Units Or Features Would You Like To See In The Future?

 

I was thinking a bit ago that I would like to see the following:

-A US/North American version of the Garmin Nuvi 4592R Plus

-A newer Garmin Monterra with a better screen

-Garmin RINOs that are a bit smaller

-A Garmin Epix that is thinner and more feature rich

What would you folks like to see in the future?

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I think

I think the days of GPS innovation are pretty much over with Garmin. The profit margin just isn't there to support development of a new line. I feel what you will see in the future is most of what we've seen over the past few years, repackaging and mixing of features.

Smart watches and fitness gadgets are primarily that - gadgets with a short life. They're like cell phones, here today, outmoded and discontinued the next.

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Illiterate? Write for free help.

desired

I would like to see an audio in jack that would be muted when the GPS speaks.

Bluetooth Broadcast & Realtime Traffic

Innovations I would like to see include:

1) Ability of Garmin to broadcast through my car stereo via Bluetooth. Currently I can answer my phone, play Pandora, and even run Google Navigation through my car's Bluetooth. However Garmin does not broadcast over Bluetooth so I have to use the Garmin's speaker instead of my car's. Just seems primitive by today's standards.

2) Realtime Traffic updates like Waze. Nicest thing about using WAZE or Google Navigation is that actual users are constantly updating the navigation route. So if an accident happens, an item falls off a truck and is in the road, or the police set up a speed trap, you know it immediately like WAZE.

3) Integration with you favorite Apps. Wouldn't it be great to be in your favorite app like YELP or GasBuddy and be able to send that information to your Garmin? Imagine picking a hotel in TripAdvisor and have the address sent to Garmin without you having to do anything. Or choosing the gas station with the cheapest gas in GasBuddy that your Garmin immediately starts guiding you towards.

These type of items would justify me to continue to purchase Garmins in the future. Recently I purchased a Nuvi 2699 and justified it by saying it was rather cheap ($189) and I do not have to use all my phone data to navigate. In the future, I am not sure if using phone data will matter as much.

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Garmin Nuvi 2699 with 2017.30 Maps

I would like to see

I would like to see integration into cars, build in top dash board mini usb port that Garmin sit in or your able to fish the power cable into the dash so GPS sit on top. It also need be Wifi or LTE enable to allow update traffic information. It need to Google or Apple auto friendly. A lot of people don't like Factory Navi system because of cost of updating maps and activating of services.

I think I would like to see

I think I would like to see bluetooth broadcast from Nuvi. I cannot think of any other feature because they are already incorporated almost all features these days. Traffic feature is getting better and may not perfect ever.

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Iphone XR, Drivesmart 61,Nuvicam, Nuvi3597

Lots of good ideas. I would

Lots of good ideas. I would like to see it work in conjunction with backup cams and dash cams

better routes

I can still frequently find a better route manually. Wish they would spend more effort on routing.

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___________________ Garmin 2455, 855, Oregon 550t

would love if they can allow

would love if they can allow the languages that are available outside usa to be used in USA. i mean local languages that they have available in other countries.

currently not all languages are available here in USA. this would be big help to immigrant populations as they navigate their journeys.

How about ...

navigation that makes sense .. Thus precluding the need to check navigation by Mapquest/Google first. rolleyes

Nüvi 760

Panache wrote:

I would like to see an audio in jack that would be muted when the GPS speaks.

I'm still using my old nüvi 760. It plays books from audible.com and also plays .mp3 files for music and books. It has an audio out jack that plays through the car stereo. When the GPS gives directions it pauses the playback, gives the directions, then picks up playback just a hair before it left off so there is nothing missed.

I can even use it through the stereo in an older car that doesn't have an audio in jack by using the built-in FM tuner.

These are the reasons I have never "upgraded" to a newer model.

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GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S

Jim1348 wrote: I was

Jim1348 wrote:

I was thinking a bit ago that I would like to see the following:

-A US/North American version of the Garmin Nuvi 4592R Plus

-A newer Garmin Monterra with a better screen

-Garmin RINOs that are a bit smaller

-A Garmin Epix that is thinner and more feature rich

What would you folks like to see in the future?

I would like them to stay firm to gps/glonass as their basic values as phones don't get cell coverage every where.
Monterra is a good try but fell short...They should Partner with Samsung and come out with a phone/gps/wifi type that incorporates all the best of both worlds. Rugged,waterproof,navigate and menu's like a Montana.
no external ant jack which they've had for years. Why drop it now? because of Glonass?
Love the Montana. For hiking. Which Nuvis had an external jack for over cab campers and mounted inside the vechile Nuvi's..signal becomes erratic without one. I use a repeater but it's illegal.

Make It All Work

There are plenty of features, just about anything that can use GPS position data.

But it now needs to work seamlessly and painlessly. Integration with app, smartphones, Bluetooth, ANT wireless accessories, data sharing, etc. needs to WORK. To many glitches, bugs and gotchas. Too many times things just do not work as advertised. Expectations are pumped up, and the product does not deliver.

Look at the problem between numerous Garmin outdoor devices and BaseCamp... if BaseCamp touches a route, the route is frozen and not editable once on the GPS device. This has been going on for years. It is ridiculous that a route made or edited on BaseCamp is no longer editable on the GPS. It is a huge problem for me since I design route with many points and often need to edit the route as the situation arises.

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When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.

bluetooth/fm broadcast

The zumo line has bluetooth ...but... Garmin's bluetooth stack is sketchy. They've done some updates that made it less bad but there is still plenty of room for improvement. I've got one linked with my helmet but almost have to make sure to turn things on in a certain order. I tried linking it with my wife's car but it does not play well with others (it did not like her phone sharing with it but her car had no problem with two phones).

Bring back FM transmitter. That's the only reason that I haven't updated my nuvi since my jeep does not have bluetooth.

Wish List

Without a doubt... I would like to see MORE DETAIL on the maps.

The older Garmin units used to show Park names, Lake names, landmark names and just about all of the street names on the display if you chose to see the 'Most" detail level.

Already mentioned above the

Already mentioned above the mp3/audible player being reintegrated would be nice. Its one feature I miss from my 350.

A USB 3.0 port for faster map update transfers.

Fix the weather app on the Nuvi (I use a 2598) so it displays animated weather from the SmartLink Live Weather subscription when the car is in motion. For some reasons I only see the animated weather when not moving.

Include an option in Garmin Express to backup the entire memory contents of the Nuvi to make restoring the unit easier if the memory becomes corrupted or the user deletes a system file.

Ability to change the microphone sensitivity or boost the sensitivity. Or even better include a port for an external mic and include the external mic so users can put the mic closer to their head/mouth. Have to yell to get my Voice Commands on my 2598 to trigger most of the time.

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Nuvi 2598 | Nuvi 350 | eTrex Vista | eTrex 30x

brightness settings

Separate brightness setting for day and night.

.

bennor3814 wrote:

A USB 3.0 port for faster map update transfers.

Definitely!

Better Traffic

Better coverage and more accurate traffic information.

Working Features

I'd like to see a model with "whiz-bang" features (like Smartphone Link) actually work. And maybe one that allows you to make corrections to maps on-the-fly. grin

I would really like to see

I would really like to see an audio output jack so I can play the Garmin's voice through the car's stereo speakers. That way I could actually HEAR it.

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Bobbo and Linda

USB 3.0

Another call for USB 3.0, especially for downloading video from a NuviCam! Or maybe I should get an external USB 3.0 card reader?

760

robertliles wrote:

I would really like to see an audio output jack so I can play the Garmin's voice through the car's stereo speakers. That way I could actually HEAR it.

Like I said above, this is one of the big reasons I keep my old nüvi 760. I never understood why that functionality was removed.

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GPSMAP 76CSx - nüvi 760 - nüvi 200 - GPSMAP 78S

Features: enjoy!

-ability to PERMANENTLY enable a custom zoom setting. In Boston where one street diverges into 6 its difficult to tell which direction to go since the viewer is not zoomed in enough.

-ability to add external antenna if you are really serious about GPS

-3.5 MM (TRS) INPUT FOR OPTIONAL EXTERNAL MICROPHONE TO IMPROVE VOICE COMMAND ACCURACY AND PHONE CALL CLARITY

-Have the hours of each store posted

-anti-glare coating (a light coat)

-plastic disk with double sided mounting adhesive for better mounting options out of the box.

- I would like to have the current time always be displayed in the top menu so I can reference it when checking the ETA

-In addition to wireless back up...wireless sonar or "smart apps" to open garage door, etc.

-Christopher Joseph
Creative Engineer
ChrisRJoseph@gmail.com

i want

The Nuvi to understand...

Slang and profanity!

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Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

How about...

How about a category choice of "No Category"?

What I would like to see on newer models

As a motor coach operator (Charter Bus Driver), I purchased the Nuvi Dezl 570LMT hoping that it would reroute me around low underpasses, restricted neighborhoods etc. I would love to see a gps made strictly for bus drivers. I do believe that there are as many buses on the road as there are trucks. My 570 takes me miles out of the way for no reason as I have traveled to places that I know. Additionally, there are parkways that buses can travel on but not trucks. Again, you are rerouted far out of the way. Additionally, it could show where buses can legally drop off and park.

be carefull what you wish for

In my ancient Nuvi 770 I can choose any one of many languages for different countries. Only problem that not all of them are TTS voices.

But more importantly, choosing foreign language can cause more troubles than helps. Way the road or places names are read by TTS voice makes them very often impossible to understand. You have to look at screen to see what GPS is talking about. Set for example German language for US map and try to drive.

dell2015 wrote:

would love if they can allow the languages that are available outside usa to be used in USA. i mean local languages that they have available in other countries.

currently not all languages are available here in USA. this would be big help to immigrant populations as they navigate their journeys.

enhanced avoidance choices

I would like to be able to choose "red light and speed cameras" under routing avoidances.

ear buds

I would like to have a ear bud to hear my Garmin device no sense in annoying my passengers in the bus with Garmin noise. I am working on this currently updating it myself. Anyone else have this problem Tom

Same going and teturning

I'd love to see it route you on the return trip, the same ( except reverse, of course) as it routed you for the initial trip.

I appreciate that there are cases where a different route is quicker, especially when there's a freeway involved.

However, when the route is over regular roads, why does it seem to take you along a totally different direction?

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DriveSmart 65, NUVI2555LMT, (NUVI350 is Now Retired)

Concern about hacking

bigpoppa75 wrote:

I would like to see integration into cars, build in top dash board mini usb port that Garmin sit in or your able to fish the power cable into the dash so GPS sit on top. It also need be Wifi or LTE enable to allow update traffic information. It need to Google or Apple auto friendly. A lot of people don't like Factory Navi system because of cost of updating maps and activating of services.

The car makers are starting to be concerned about the risk of a hack that can take control of the car. With a $20-60k vehicle, it's easier to justify.

However, with a $200-400 electronic device, it's not so easy to justify, especially if it has to integrate with various automotive operating systems.

This is similar to the discussion about smart thermostats.

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DriveSmart 65, NUVI2555LMT, (NUVI350 is Now Retired)

I'd like it

to:

Clean the house before I get back

Have dinner prepared

Have the laundry washed, ironed and put away

Have the yard mowed

Oh... I guess those are my tasks.. damn..

--
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

I would like to see all of

I would like to see all of Holddoc's ideas PLUS the Garmin have the ability to download and update without having to take it out of the car and hook it to a computer by connecting to the internet ITSELF.
I would also like to see voice command actually be able to understand what I am asking it to do.

New features..

Having the unit perform as it should would be nice start. Far too many areas that do not show the road ahead as designed.
But, new features..
A pause button while on a route.. I know I can cancel and then go back to "recent".. but that is awkward while driving.

While on a route.. if you "always" take a different way.. remember that! From my house it always directs me go to a main road instead of taking a short cut through the neighborhood saving over half a mile.

Perhaps it is already possible... but "save" a route with multiple stops.

Currently there is a choice of fastest or shortest route.. how about a common sense route option. Not too many back alleys but not an extra 5 mile either..

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Lives in Edmonton AB A volunteer driver for Drive Happiness.ca and now (since June 20 2021) uses a DS65 to find his clients.

What New Garmin Units Or Features Would You Like To See In The F

More detailed maps.

Great questions!

I've got old (8 years?) Nuvi 350 with small 3.5 inch screen and that thing was so WELL designed, so clear view, names of streets, that it's better to read for my failing eyes than my new 5 inch Nuvi 52.

The one and only problem with the old 350 is its GPS reception: some days it takes 10 min to catch, and in big cities it gets goofed up among tall tower buildings.

Garmin, if you read this, you could revive the old little 350 with a new receiver and larger memory. And I would be a buyer. Just leave the graphics as is intact because they have been pure PERFECTION!

My comments on comments:

Panache wrote:

Separate brightness setting for day and night.

YES! But all Garmin units have that done automatically before sunset/sunrise, unless you talk about additional custom settings?

EV Driver wrote:

I would like to be able to choose "red light and speed cameras" under routing avoidances.

Good idea; it should be a custom option, except that in a greedy city, like Chicago, you wouldn't be able to drive anywhere trying to avoid cameras wink

Ralph6410 wrote:

... if you "always" take a different way.. remember that! Perhaps it is already possible... but "save" a route with multiple stops...

That's a brilliant idea! A friend of mine had a Garmin 5 years ago that "remembered" preferred route after 3 times or so. Can't remember which model.

One more suggestion:

Dear Garmin, could you make at least one of the currently sold models, equipped with an output for controlling digital clocks? You could add $10-20 to the price tag to offset your cost. You could license a new proprietary connector and profit on it.

Dedicated GPS-disciplined clock controllers cost hundreds, while a Garmin GPS unit could do the same thing reliably at the fraction of cost. Try one time with one model and see how it sells. I will be a buyer.

Reverse routing, USB cords for in-vehicle power, Custom Avoidanc

Ditto GPS Geek, it would be very useful to be able to reverse a Saved Route for the return trip. I often have three or four waypoints on a trip and would like to return the same exact route without starting from scratch. I can see the technical difficulty in this especially if route points include a East or West-bound interstate point. East and West lanes of an interstate are separate roads as far as the GPS is concerned. I use the saved route App all the time, to plan my route the night before.

Another feature I would like is the "learning" of my preferred roads and routing over them. I remember this being advertised on some models but it never seems to work for me. It would be best if this could be turned on and off, depending if I am working or in my personal vehicle.

I also have a techical problem with the power on the units, I like to use a USB hub to power many devices in my truck and the units attempt to create a data connection so it doesn't work with standard usb cords (no I don't typically use/need the traffic antenna feature). Why can't they be designed take power from a standard non-computer usb cord without going into data mode?

Something else that comes to mind is the "Custom Avoidances" I have set up. Many of these I have selected for when in oversize vehicles. It would be nice to be able to disable them all at once, for when in a car for example. In my 2557LMT I can only disable custom avoidances one-by-one and I have MANY

Well ...

deere478 wrote:

Another feature I would like is the "learning" of my preferred roads and routing over them. I remember this being advertised on some models but it never seems to work for me. It would be best if this could be turned on and off, depending if I am working or in my personal vehicle.

I guess you're talking about myTrends. It'll work if you have a compatible model but only if you follow the rules

https://support.garmin.com/faqSearch/en-GB/faq/content/hGV4x...

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

routing

Better routing - my GPS is a navigation device first and foremost, however, I can generally find a better route myself. For longer trips, I plan my route on my computer, located fuel and hotel stops, then, when I'm finished, I enter it all in my GPS as a route.

The routing needs to be much better:

1. fastest (which my GPS many times does not find) - my GPS thinks this means go to the nearest interstate or major highway
2. shortest
3. scenic
4. blended - half way between shortest and fastest - I think for many people this is the common sense route
5. be able to select US and state highways as preferred over interstates - does not mean avoid interstates, but when time and distance are not grossly different, us US and state highways

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___________________ Garmin 2455, 855, Oregon 550t

Hmmm ...

rigel wrote:

Better routing - my GPS is a navigation device first and foremost, however, I can generally find a better route myself.

Problem here is that what is deemed 'better' by one person would be hated by another. Most PNDs aim to get you to your destination and if they achieve that most folks are happy. There are others who like to minutely plan a route and then send it to their GPS, I'm one of those. How you satisfy those inbetween the two extremes isn't simple, or Garmin or TT would have done it by now smile

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Me too

sussamb wrote:

There are others who like to minutely plan a route and then send it to their GPS, I'm one of those.

Same here, I lay out my route in MapSource and then transfer it to the Nuvi 855. I also save the route file so I can use BaseCamp to transfer to my Nuvi 2797.

I just find MapSource much easier to manipulate than BaseCamp!

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Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

I would dearly like

to have voice activation to all functions...
APPS, ROUTE, everything... avoidance's, being
If it's a button I can touch, I should be able to use voice activation to do it.. none of this half hearted stuff.

I'd also like a bit of a faster processor... sometimes when you miss a turn, the processing time to recompute your new route, you've passed where you should have turned and it starts all over again... a faster processor would resolve that.. maybe more real RAM... not just storage... but real RAM where larger sets are available for processing...

I dunno... maybe having a really nice pink GPS would be nice too!!

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Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

Do you remember when...

BarneyBadass wrote:

I dunno... maybe having a really nice pink GPS would be nice too!!

We could buy a color face cover for the device?!!?

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

Or ...

... just paint it wink

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Where there's a will ... there's a way ... DriveSmart51LMT-S, DriveSmart50LMT-D, Nuvi 2508LMT-D, 1490LMT, 1310, Montana 650T, Etrex 20

Or...

decoupage...

I HAD to look up that word!

GlobeTurtle wrote:

decoupage...

O my.. For those like me:

Decoupage or Découpage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and other decorative elements. Commonly, an object like a small box or an item of furniture is covered by cutouts from magazines or from purpose-manufactured papers.

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Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

Good thing

that my 350 & 370 are still working very well!

Fred

I'd like to see Garmin

I'd like to see Garmin change ETA to include seconds!

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Garmin Drive Smart 61 NA LMT-S
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