Junction Views Confusion

1. Your 40 and 40LM use a junction view file with generic intersections. The junction view file mentioned in the FAQ refers to a photoreal junction view file for other devices. This photoreal junction view file replaces the generic intersections with renderings of the actual intersections. Your 40 and 40LM cannot use photoreal junction view files and thus there is no larger file.

2. While it does not affect you since you cannot use photoreal files, other sites do have junction view files for download. They also have pirated maps, thus they cannot be linked here.

3. Lane Assist - the turn arrow in the left corner - is part of the map. Streetpilot C-series devices don't use junction view.

For others who may visit this thread at a later date, here's a link to the abovementioned FAQ:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45292

I've had a Garmin Nuvi 1450 for about eight years. I used the smaller .jcv file for the first four years and the large .jcv file for the last four years. If memory serves, the difference between the two files had nothing to do with the quality of the display but with the number of junctions displayed. It's only a guess, but I'd say the smaller file has only 30% to 40% of the junctions to display vs. the larger file.

Phil

@plunder ... If you throw the small JCV file on your 1450 that you got with the 2018.30 map update, I think you will find that in addition to a greatly reduced coverage in number of junctions, it will contain the old style cartoonish views instead of the nice photo real views you get in the large file. It is that way on my 855 and I think with a map update, you get the same file on your 14xx.

When Garmin first introduced junction views on the 7x5 series in 2008, they only had those "cartoon" type images. It was 2 or 3 years after that that they introduced the photo real views and greatly expanded the coverage.

The nüvi 1xxx series units always came with photoreal junction view. If plunder kept the small junction view file he receives with the map update, alandb would be right in that plunder would receive far less views than with the large file. That is a verifiable fact; there is software available to view the individual junctions in a file.

plunder could not use the junction view file that comes with the Essential line of units, such as the OP's 40 and 40LM, on his device as the images that make up the junction views in that file are in a different format that won't display on the 1xxx units. By the same token, the OP can't use the photoreal junction view files on his Essential device for the same reason.

I'm not sure about the "cartoonish" views alandb speaks of. My recollection of the small jcv file is that they were of the same quality as in the large jcv file just far fewer of them. Perhaps if a 1450 user out there that still uses the smaller file would care to comment.

Phil

OK, I don't have a 14xx device to test, but here is what I get on my 855 for the 2018.30 CN NA map. The screenshots on the left are from the small D3153250A.jcv (25MB) file that came with the map update. The sreenshots on the right are from the large D3060250A.jcv (829MB) file. It was my assumption that the 14xx users get the same file and image quality that I get on the 855 with the map update, but I guess I am incorrect about that.

Nuvi 855 JCV screenshots.

(Notes: Zoom in on the image to see full difference in detail. I accidentally reversed the bottom 2 images, but you can tell by the road signs which goes with which)

When Garmin introduced the photo real views replacing the earlier cartoonish views (about 6 years ago if I recall), there was much discussion about it on this and other forums. Here is one interesting thread I found from 2012: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/36261.

Well, you do get to see the same clouds, treeline and distant mountains in the horizon on every junction. I guess it is one way we can have mountains in Iowa

But seriously, it does show how Garmin can make the file so small by using the same template on every view. On the 400 mile trip I tested this with, the small file actually had the same coverage (number of views) as the large file.

Has there ever been definite proof that the larger file has MORE
junctions than the smaller file. My guess is that the larger file is simply larger because of the picture format.

I see nothing cartoonish about the smaller file images. Who really cares about clouds and mountains. I only need to see a representation of the upcoming exit.

There are cases where I find the context provided by the photo real detail to be helpful. I realize this is a matter of preference so some folks will disagree. Here are a few more examples in Atlanta that demonstrate my point. Again, the small cartoonish file is on the left, the large photo-real file on the right.

More nuvi 855 JCV screenshots

One interesting thing I noticed in capturing these screenshots is that the small file actually had 2 or 3 more views through Atlanta than the large file had. Go figure!

I can attest there are more junctions on the large file. I very closest highway junction to me is OH-2 to OH-44. Note that those are state routes and not interstate routes. The last time I used the small file, about four or five years ago, that junction did not appear. Then I installed the large file and that junction was there. And many, many others.

Phil

Although I also believe that the large file has more JVs than the tiny file offered on the 855, it can be a complex question. Back when I did an experiment, I obtained these results:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/45291

I would be more convinced if you were comparing newer models like the Nuvi series rather than a almost 10 year old 855.

However, I travel to Mentor regularly on RT2, and I will look for the junction mentioned on both my old 50LM and the 2255 and the Drive unit that my wife just got (forget the model #). Maybe with a simulation if I get curious enough.

Much ado about nothing.

The 855 is part of the nuvi series, as is the 7x5 which is the device that Garmin first introduced Junction View on.

That said, I would never recommend using the "large" full screen JCV file on a "newer" device that is designed for split screen, and that would include the low end nuvi 4x devices that the OP referenced. As was stated, the full screen file simply won't work on those devices anyway.

I guess this thread took a turn because those "newer" (6 year old) nuvi 4x devices show the low-res junction view images even though they are split screen, and that led to the discussion about the low res vs photo real versions of JCV files. My apologies to 1reason (who is a new member) for my part in taking this discussion in the wrong direction.

You do have to admit though that discussion of Junction Views always becomes complex and interesting.

These threads on Junction view are like a never ending discussion that rolls around every couple of months and ends up not really clearing anything up.

The last time I had access to a unit that had the full screen junction views, I hated the fact that it only was onscreen for a few seconds, hence, my preference for a split screen view which stays until you either bypass the junction by either ignoring the turn or taking the turn.

In my opinion, the split screen junction views are a big improvement over the original full screen implementation. But there is not universal agreement even on that point ... as some of our members prefer to load the full screen file on their split screen devices. That used to work, but I am not sure it does any more with the latest maps, at least not on all split-screen devices.

Since I have no knowledge or interest in reading the Mac, TomTom, Magellan, and Rand McNally forums, I have them hidden. I've also learned to not read threads in the forums I do monitor that have no interest to me. I will confess it took a while for me to realize I needed to follow these two rules I imposed upon myself but I'm so glad now that I do this.

As written in one of the FAQs here on Junction Views:

...If you don't fit into group 1 or 2, you can ignore all discussion of Large JCV files now and into the future...

Just curious—why read and even post in threads you find tedious?

One consolation is that with time, discussion of the Large JCV, switching JCV files, disabling JVs, etc. will drop to near-zero with the eventual failure or replacement of the older models that receive the tiny fullscreen JCV file and possibly in the future seeing more and more new models that can't even use the large JCV file. For me and my old 855, I decided about 2-3 map updates ago to stop using the Large JCV file and instead keep the tiny JCV file offered with each map update.

Unfortunately I have to agree. It's sad.

When I update the 40 or 40LM, I get a small junction view file.
I don't need to see pretty pictures, clouds or dancing bears.
I just want to see where the turn is and how to make it.

The Garmin 40's are good units and work well. You know the old saying, "if it's not broken, don't fix it", that's my feeling on it but it would be nice to see a few more junctions.

If there is a larger split screen file for 2018.30, I haven't found it.
Garmin doesn't acknowledge anything on their site and I have no idea why they wouldn't have a download section for JCV files. < PERIOD.
So aggravating.

Thank you all for your help and insight & don't miss that turn

I like the photo-realistic view which is presented to me in my ancient 855. At a highway junction I like to see the intersection on the screen just as it appears in real life.

Now with my 2797 I do not get this, an intersection is just shown as an overhead drawing (cartoonish). There are none of the blue exit information signs, it just shows a pink arrow and the lane in pink where I should be. Maybe the 2797 was not produced in large enough numbers to warrant a better JCV.

Having said that the built in GPS has an even more minimalistic display even though VW is using a Garmin based GPS system. The one feature it has is that I can hit one of the radio buttons and it repeats the audio instructions as often as I like. This might be a desirable feature to have on a Garmin GPS.

You can ... just tap the direction arrow top left ...

Next time I'm out using the Garmin I'll give that a try. It may be a while though!

You could probably test it out in simulation mode.

Hmm, I don't think I gave the impression that I thought the threads were "tedious". I think you are mistaken. That said I suppose I read the threads looking for some additional information. If that is not satisfactory then so-be-it.

Sometimes the simple solution evades you.

What you're seeing is the device's Active Guidance feature, essentially a moving Junction View. It's supposed to change as you drive, with the arrow pointing out the correct lane. It takes over for Junction View in most intersections, which is why the static images of Junction View don't regularly appear on your device.

This thread reminds of the "Conjunction Junction, What's Your Function" song of my (misspent) youth.

There is a new JVC file with Drivesmart 51.
It is a halve screen view of the turn but much longer than the other Garmin units or my built in GPS. It mentions the street and the light you must turn at.
It does not show up on MS Explorer so it must be part of the map program and not being changed.
The only thing about this system I hate is they promote Foursquare and Trip advisor which I do not follow or ever will.

The "stop light, stop sign, end-of-road" are part of Garmin's spoken Real Directions which was not offered on your old nuvi 1490:

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

I have no experience with any of the new Drive models to know if other features of Junction View in the several Drives are different than some of the later nuvi models that offered Real Directions.

I tried my 3 (1490, Drive smart, car dash) on the way back from LA and the Drivesmart beat the other 2 . It showed the Junction view earlier and longer. It also found my house where the other 2 would on many occasions tell me I'm home a block away.

I have zero experience with built-in GPS units but do have experience with units as old or older than the 1490 and as new as the just-before Drive models came out.

You may find, if you ever ride with someone who owns one of the newer nuvi models, that the split-screen JV nuvi models show a JV for as long and as soon as your Drive unit. Maybe others with a newer nuvi and a Drive could offer their experience. For sure, the old full-screen nuvi models showed JVs in a way much less useful than these newer split-screen devices.

Regarding finding a specific address, this could be explained by logical vs. door-to-door addressing:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42527

It's great to hear how well the newer Drive models satisfy buyers, especially those moving up from an older unit.

Similarly, for smartphone owners, the newer devices that can link via the Garmin Smartphone Link app, usually find the traffic reports much more useful than any of the earlier FM or HD Garmin Traffic receivers offer.