"No Matches Found" When Searching For Some Locations

I don't have a nuvi 52 so I'm doing some guessing here but from the owners manual:

http://static.garmin.com/pumac/nuvi_42_52_OM_EN.pdf

check pp 5-9, maybe 8 is best. For some searches like addresses (and maybe your cities, assuming you're in FL right now), City searches may behave like Addresses searches where you need to tap WhereTo/Addresses/if necessary, change the state/Spell City/ etc.

When you set a search for a city, do you see a Change the State option that you need to do before entering a city name? I'm guessing that Florida does not have a Tullahoma or Tijeras which could result in your No Matches message assuming the 52 only searches within your current state unless manually changed.

If you're in FL and all searches for FL locations work but all searches outside of FL fail, then the nuvi must require a manually typed in Change of State before looking within that state. More powerful Garmin devices may not need this but for the nuvi 52, one of the Essential Series of devices, it may have less processing power than the fancier models and thereby requires a smaller search pool when doing a search, hence the need to specify a state before searching rather than searching the entire Lower 49 states suplied with the device.

Craig has the most likely explanation for lack of any search results. A standalone GPS does all of its searching using only the data onboard and you have to match a text string exactly to get a result.

Services like Google Maps are connected with powerful network servers that will find a result even if you search in the wrong state and spell the town wrong. The downside is the cost of the cellular data connection needed to do this.

I am not recommending using a cell phone for navigation. In my opinion the GPS is better even without the server. In planning a trip I use Google Maps on the PC to get all the info right. Then I do a "Set Location" in the GPS to make favorites or saved places for that part of the trip.

One example is a bed & breakfast in Jamesport, New York. Searching in the GPS brought up no result even with a set location. It turned out Jamesport is in Riverhead Township and searching for Riverhead did bring a result.

dobs108

Talk about being a big dummy!

How could I have NOT seen the "State or Country" words under the main three selections?

Geezzz....

Once again... Thanks guys.

Tijeras, be prepared—they're coming soon!

I assume your nuvi 52 has a lifetime map subscription (nuvi 52 LM?). If it does, I would suggest updating your map before the 2 year window closes. If you don't do any updates for 2 years, Garmin considers your device to no longer be in service. Current US / North America map is 2019.10.

When I am looking for a generic address in a distant city... go to Four Square.. lodging.. motels.. search for a known brand.. find one that is in the city you are looking for.. gets you to the city at least.