Lost Speaking Street Names???

Go into your settings and see which voice you're using. Many newer Garmin devices come with only two English language voices, possibly Samantha and Michelle. Look for and choose only a voice that states "Speaks Street Names" or "Speaks Real Directions." My guess is that somehow your device switched from possibly Samantha to Michelle and if so, you need to return to Sam.

More info on voices including how to add all possible English language voices:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42708

Another advantage with using Garmin Real Direction voice it will also place a silver "speech bubble" icon on the map of your device which helps pinpoint the location of any landmarks mentioned. This icon can be pressed to repeat the instruction.

Here is a video from Garmin on Real Directions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6RGl_-EyY8&en-us= I prefer the Samantha voice because it offers both Garmin Real Directions & Garmin Real Voice.

Both Garmin Real Directions & Garmin Real Voice
American English - Samantha
British English - Serena
Danish - Ida
Dutch - Claire
European French - Virginie
European Spanish - Monica
German - Anna
Spanish - Paulina

Before you get allaswey and others too excited, many features of Real Directions are available only in some large cities and other areas. With my nuvi 3597, Real Directions do advise me of stop signs, stop lights and end of roads but where I live, I receive no landmarks and therefore have never seen a silver bubble pointing out such a landmark.

Also, I have yet to hear what Real Voice actually is. When it first came out, I did try out Samantha and Serena and didn't hear anything different from earlier versions of their voices so I went back to my preferred voice.

Even with only speaking 'stop sign,' etc., I do like Real Directions. However, I still remain convinced that Real Voice is Garmin marketing hype and suggest that all owners try each English language voice for a while, being careful to only select those that speak street names or use Real Directions, then select the one preferred.

More on RD:

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

It is time to get excited if you happen to live in a area that the maps allowed a lot of landmarks for directions if you like that feature. I have had the opportunity in my travels to experienced the feature a few times but not as much as I would like. Sure each map released adds a little more each time just like they do for school zones. So be prepared and have a Real Direction voice installed.

O boy, so much to learn when moving to a new unit (even if it's still not the most current.

I did change the voice a couple of times and am now using Michelle, which accounts for lock of street names. I'll go back tomorrow when I get a change to play. I do miss Karen, too bad they didn't upgrade it, but it probably would cost more royalties or something.

Now to go read more about Real ... .

Thanks folks!

Just looked at the suggest info on Real... and noticed there is a Karen. Can't wait till I get home to investigate.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. You also may want to review this from Garmin Support. https://support.garmin.com/faqSearch/en-US/faq/content/1kJfN...

Yes indeed, you should be able to restore Karen. With your device attached to the computer and selected in Garmin Express, go to the Tools & Content section, then click the Optional Updates, then Language Files, then English, then Install. It does require free space on the device and it will take some time since I think the only option offered is to install all voices rather than just being able to select Karen only.

Let us know how it works for you. I also use Karen's voice.

& unfortunately haven't heard her pronounce one single landmark yet

I have gotten a few in some trips I have taken.Believe in some past posts a few other reported also. One thing that happen to me right after the map update. I was taking a trip and using the usual back road to get on the interstate. This one right turn I have taken many times that always said turn right on xxx road. This time with new updated maps I got the usual instruction a short distance from the turn. Then once I got to the area is said turn slight right. I looked at my wife and said what did Samantha say to make sure the old hearing hadn't failed.Never had heard that one before.

I'm pretty sure I had a Turn Sharp Right command in the past on National Forest Roads so they've got the options covered.

Loaded the English Voice updates with Garmin Ex, then connected with WebUpdater and found GE gave me the most current Voices, so I'm good. I had not explored the Tools of GE, so thanks for pushing me to look there.

The Garmin Support site Charlesd45 provided lists the Voices with Real Directions & Garmin Real Voice, and those with only Real Directions. Several responders here provided the same info. The one bummer I found is Karen is a Real Directions voice. I'll try Samantha too for comparison. I generally use my Nuvi for travel, so it wouldn't be a major loss to not have Real Voice, but I'll play with it.

Thanks for all the help, now to go driving and see (ops, hear) the results.

PS
Speaking of Voices, my wife recently saw Karen on Wikipedia, then asked if I liked the voice because of the pronunciation or because of how she looks. I said the voice of course!

...of course!

PS: I'd like to hear your thoughts on the latest Sam. In an older thread, I tried it and to me it sounded like Slow English which I found quite annoying:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/46653

https://www.newsinslowenglish.com/

Regarding Real Voice with Real Directions English voices, besides American Sam there's only British Serena.

Sounds like you well on your way to customizing the device to your preferences. Good luck and post if you need anymore help.

Here in the San Francisco Area South Bay, I do get landmark prompts from time to time with Samantha. There is a 76 gas station at an intersection in our neighborhood. I get three prompts when approaching: at ~ 0.3 mile away, I get "right/left turn onto xxx street", then "right turn after the 76" when ~ tenth of a mile away. And another, "right turn at the traffic light" when 100-200 ft from the turn. I get also prompts such as "right/left turn before the Wells Fargo", etc.

Thanks for posting this info Pillowcase.Nice to hear that the feature is working in some areas. Maybe some other members getting Landmarks in their voice instructions also and would like to share the information.