Garmin Real Directions, does it really works?

 

A few days ago I saw this feature on a Garmin GPS and I was wondering if it really works? I have doubts since sometimes Garmin tries to lead me to a POI that doesn't exist anymore (e.g. gas station). Your feelings about this feature?

Real voice

mehcoib wrote:

A few days ago I saw this feature on a Garmin GPS and I was wondering if it really works? I have doubts since sometimes Garmin tries to lead me to a POI that doesn't exist anymore (e.g. gas station). Your feelings about this feature?

There has been some discussion on this. From Garmin see https://goo.gl/utMUeN .Forum topics http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45474 and http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45490 also http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45538 to ask this question.

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Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

My 2558 has it and I like it

I drive for a living and like the fact that it will say turn at the taco time or another landmark rather than a street since some cities do a crappy job of having street names where you can see them until you're right on them. Some cities almost encourage accidents by their complete lack of judgment on displaying street names so they can be seen well before the intersection.
The garmin is only as good as the information within it and when you buy a "new" one some of the information could be 1+ years old. Gas stations can change names frequently depending on a number of factors and that's why I never download branded station poi files. Having said that though I'd trust a POI file over info in a garmin as it is likely more current.

Yes

I have the real directions on my Garmin Viago app on my smartphone and it works great, very nice useable feature. smile

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Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

Just for you

mehcoib, you sound like the ideal POI Factory member to benefit from this faq:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/44485

The faq has a link to a YouTube video that may be of interest to you. To hear the best of Real Directions, the faq also offers a start and stop point for a simulation you can run with your device.

However, Real Directions is never going to correct road or built-in POI errors (like the out-of-business gas station you observed) with whatever current map you're using.

Another thread to follow:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/44471

Direct link to Youtube vid

Direct link to the Youtube video showing Real Directions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6RGl_-EyY8

I supposedly have this feature on my 2598 and for the life of me I cannot remember if I've ever heard it while driving. either that or I'm just not paying attention to the voice. Will have to run a couple of simulated trips when I get a chance on the 2598 to see if it uses Real Directions.

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

generic prompts vs specific branded prompts.

Although I have heard a few specific branded prompts on my 3597, such as "Turn left at Wells Fargo Bank", they are quite rare in the places I have driven. However, Real Directions also gives some "generic" prompts that are not on Garmin devices without the feature. These prompts are things like "Turn right at the stop light", "Turn left at the end of the street". I find these prompts to be quite helpful compared to my old nuvi's that don't have Real Directions.

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Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon

Works quite well on my nuvi 2598

Here in the SF Bay Area it gives these more specific directions every time I navigate.

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Nuvi 3597 LMT

Thanks for the link

Thanks for posting the video links

I like Real Directions

alandb wrote:

Although I have heard a few specific branded prompts on my 3597, such as "Turn left at Wells Fargo Bank", they are quite rare in the places I have driven. However, Real Directions also gives some "generic" prompts that are not on Garmin devices without the feature. These prompts are things like "Turn right at the stop light", "Turn left at the end of the street". I find these prompts to be quite helpful compared to my old nuvi's that don't have Real Directions.

cagpsfan wrote:

Here in the SF Bay Area it gives these more specific directions every time I navigate.

In the SF Bay area too. Same as cagpsfan, I get frequent specific landmark prompts with Real directions.

I found the Real Directions' prompts clearer and more logical.

A couple more examples in addition to Alan's:

As you approach an intersection but still quite a ways from it, you get:

"Turn left at the end of the street"
"Turn right past the 7-11"
etc.

When you are a few seconds from the making the turn, you get a new and different prompt:

"turn left onto Pine Street"
"turn right at the traffic light"

Another example, when approaching a fork on a freeway and if you are suppose to take the left fork:

Old voice prompt: "keep left"
Real directions: "stay in any of the left three lanes"

Real Directions

I get prompts like "Turn left after the Taco Bell" and "Turn right before the Chase Bank" all the time. Handy!

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Until morale improves the beatings will continue

thank you

I saw the Youtube video but I wanted to know how useful it is in real life so thanks to all of you for your feedbacks, that's definitely a feature that could help.

Yes indeed

Pillowcase wrote:

Another example, when approaching a fork on a freeway and if you are suppose to take the left fork:

Old voice prompt: "keep left"
Real directions: "stay in any of the left three lanes"

Yes indeed, this is the best feature of Real Directions, at least for me in an area where landmarks like store names are not yet built into the current map updates for Real Directions to use.

Yes it works

Real Directions to me is one of the best features by Garmin. Traveling through other states and not being familiar with the area.It is a real plus.

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Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.

Really like Real Directions

While on the interstate, I had the Garmin tell me to stay in the center lane while exiting. I thought that was very helpful since the other two lanes turned either right or left while the center lane allowed you to proceed straight.

I have also had many occasions where it told me to turn right at the red light. This was extremely helpful in a big city where many roads are exiting off. It is nice to have a landmark to turn at.

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Garmin Nuvi 2699 with 2017.30 Maps

Interesting. Is "real

Interesting. Is "real directions" on all the new models?

Here's a list

HowardZ wrote:

Interesting. Is "real directions" on all the new models?

The Garmin faq includes the models with RD:

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?...