Setup help required
6 years
|
Hi,
I will be coming over from New Zealand to the US on holiday.
Can a member here confirm the settings I have set on my Garmin Drivesmart 61 is correct or not.
I have set up a trip from Atlanta GA to Detroit MI to test.
Atlanta ----> Nashville ----> Louisville ----> Indianapolis ----> Detroit.
As the unit is preloaded with the Aust and NZ maps only, I do not have the US maps and have loaded the OSM street maps.
Should I buy the Garmin USA maps.
At least I may have the turn arrows etc.
Problem is I want to use the main highway, but on simulation it takes me on other smaller highways.
Do I have to put in WAYPOINTS to "force" the route of the highways I want to actually travel on?
These are the settings I have.
'CALCULATION MODE'
Checked --> Shorter Distance
'AVOIDANCES'
Unchecked --> U-Turns
Unchecked --> Highways
Checked --> Ferries
Checked --> Carpool Lanes
Checked --> Unpaved Roads
'CUSTOM AVOIDANCES'
None
'TOLL ROADS'
Checked --> Always Ask
'RESTRICTED MODE'
Unchecked
Thanks
Shortest distance is your likely problem
Don’t use the shortest distance option; instead use the shortest time. Related story, new GPS, one of these “out of box deals” in the USA. I didn’t realize previous prospective buy has set shortest distance and I used it on a trip from Schenectady NY to Philadelphia PA. It took me right through downtown Princetown NJ, late on a Friday afternoon. What an awful mess but it was shortest distance!
As far a buying a US map set I think it would run about $90. Are you renting a car, if so for how long? If so some of the rental agencies will supply A GPS although the daily charge might be high.
John from PA
Thanks will change the setting
Thanks John.
Mine is listed as "Faster Time"? ---> Minimizes driving time
Yes, I will be renting a car for a month.
Also I want to use the Garmin as I have the complete "Route 66" road trip programmed in by coordinates from a spec sheet that was supplied to me from a tour run sheet.
Would my setting of "Shorter Distance" be OK as I would be avoiding major highways for "Route 66"
I don't mind buying the Garmin US map set as I assume it would be more up to date and more accurate than the USA OSM map which is a few years old.
If this is going make the trip easier.
As you know the trip can get stressful if you are going the wrong way as a tourist.
Open street maps.
Although it has been a while since I tried it, I did not find Open Street Maps to be all that reliable in finding addresses or routing. In general, OSM did not recognize the routing preferences like the Garmin map does. Also, you will not get any lane assistance or Junction views or the other advanced features that the Garmin map has.
One option you might consider is to buy an inexpensive used or refurbished newer low end Garmin model that has preinstalled North America maps. Sometimes on ebay you can pick up a decent device quite cheap and that will give you all the routing features. You can always resell the device on eBay once you are finished with it to recover all or part of the cost.
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
What alandb suggests
One option you might consider is to buy an inexpensive used or refurbished newer low end Garmin model that has preinstalled North America maps. Sometimes on ebay you can pick up a decent device quite cheap and that will give you all the routing features. You can always resell the device on eBay once you are finished with it to recover all or part of the cost.
See https://www.ebay.com/itm/394271334423?epid=1337628871&hash=i... for a 2689LMT at US$60. The nuvi 2689 is a fantastic unit for that price. You would have to investigate getting it shipped to some point that coincides to your travels or perhaps ship to a UPS Store or FedEx and have it held for pickup.
John from PA
"shortest distance" can be unacceptable dirt roads
...
Would my setting of "Shorter Distance" be OK as I would be avoiding major highways for "Route 66"
...
In my experience "shortest distance" can be unacceptable dirt roads.
Atl - DTW
Interstate 75 N to Chattanooga, Tn,
I-24 Chattanooga to Nashville, TN,
I-65 Nashville to Louisville, Ky,
I-71 Louisville to Cincinnati, Oh,
I-75 Cincinnati to Detroit, Mi
This should avoid tolls which require a transponder not on rental cars. Very few toll points are manned now due to costs. They will send a bill to the registered owner if you go through a toll point without a transponder, but the cost is extra. The one toll I'm certain will be crossing the Ohio River, but there may be additional toll points between Toledo and Detroit.
Traffic can be horrendous in Atlanta and Nashville depending on the time.
Illiterate? Write for free help.
Atl - DTW
Interstate 75 N to Chattanooga, Tn,
I-24 Chattanooga to Nashville, TN,
I-65 Nashville to Louisville, Ky,
I-71 Louisville to Cincinnati, Oh,
I-75 Cincinnati to Detroit, Mi
This should avoid tolls which require a transponder not on rental cars. Very few toll points are manned now due to costs. They will send a bill to the registered owner if you go through a toll point without a transponder, but the cost is extra. The one toll I'm certain will be crossing the Ohio River, but there may be additional toll points between Toledo and Detroit.
Traffic can be horrendous in Atlanta and Nashville depending on the time. Each state maintains a welcome center rest area as you enter the state. You can get a free road map from those centers when open. Otherwise, I recommend a Rand-McNally travel atlas available at most book stores and at truck stop locations such as Love's, Pilot, TA and others.
Most rental cars today are equipped with a GPS system so you can enter your route in the car's system. I would use the cities listed as waypoints.
Illiterate? Write for free help.
US Maps
I may just buy the Nth America maps here. About USD40.
This way I can have a simulation play before we travel.
I don't want to be caught short with the OSM maps.
1/ So I can redo my planned route with the AVOID tolls settings and that would bypass the Toll roads then?
2/ Also last question regarding my "Route 66" routes. What would you people set these at?
Most of the trip is on the main highway and a small amount via the Route 66 small towns.
'CALCULATION MODE'
Checked --> Shorter Distance
'AVOIDANCES'
Unchecked --> U-Turns
Unchecked --> Highways
Checked --> Ferries
Checked --> Carpool Lanes
Checked --> Unpaved Roads
Thanks
I'd set
'AVOIDANCES'
Checked --> U-Turns
Unchecked --> Highways
Checked --> Ferries
Checked --> Carpool Lanes
Checked --> Unpaved Roads
Various states have differing laws as it relates to who has the legal right-of-way when doing a "U" turn.
Some states, the vehicle making the "U-Turn" has the right-of-way.
While other stated, I'd someone is making a right hand turn while your doing the ,"U-Turn" the person turning right has the right of way.
So, I disable the "U-Turn" option. Just easier to go around the block abs avoid the issues.
If I must do a u turn, it's almost always into a parking lot and then return to the road and turn right.
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!
Single highway choice
2/ Also last question regarding my "Route 66" routes. What would you people set these at?
Most of the trip is on the main highway and a small amount via the Route 66 small towns.
'CALCULATION MODE'
Checked --> Shorter Distance
'AVOIDANCES'
Unchecked --> U-Turns
Unchecked --> Highways
Checked --> Ferries
Checked --> Carpool Lanes
Checked --> Unpaved Roads
Thanks
I also once contemplated a vacation along a single highway:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/44117
and I think you should read through the entire thread.
I do know that in northern AZ, some portions of the old Rte 66 are unpaved or gravel now, so avoiding unpaved roads may not be what you want to select.
My thought is that the best way to follow a single road, especially a historic road like Rte 66 where the current 66 designation is now on a new highway rather than following segments of the original, is to have one or more good guidebooks on the old Rte 66, a copilot in your vehicle monitoring your location and the book's knowledge of where to divert. Also, at breakfast every day, review your intended route with the historic guidebooks to know when to be especially alert for a departure from the current 66 road.
I highly recommend a stop at Winslow Arizona's old Harvey House, La Posada. At least plan some time to wander the halls for its restored features, current artwork of Tina Mion, and read the text in the hallways for each room which includes the famous people* who have stayed at the hotel. Also, have a meal there in the Turquoise Room. Both La Posada and the Turquoise Room have websites. A search for the artist, Tina Mion, may be of interest, too.
Have fun.
* https://laposada.org/history/
What exactly is the OP’s intended trip?
I highly recommend a stop at Winslow Arizona's old Harvey House, La Posada. At least plan some time to wander the halls for its restored features, current artwork of Tina Mion, and read the text in the hallways for each room which includes the famous people* who have stayed at the hotel. Also, have a meal there in the Turquoise Room. Both La Posada and the Turquoise Room have websites. A search for the artist, Tina Mion, may be of interest, too.
Have fun.
* https://laposada.org/history/
I think the OP needs to define his actual trip. In the original post his “test” trip was from Atlanta to Chicago which does not take him anywhere near Arizona and only hits one of the end points of Rt. 66.
If Rt. 66 is the goal, then https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/road-trips/route... offers some good insight and there is also an app dedicated to the trip at https://www.route66navigation.com/
John from PA
Specific route 66 or the concept
I live in Albuquerque New Mexico, so Route 66 by various meanings is part of my life. I suspect the original poster may not have been referring to any particular Highway, but rather to the general concept of deliberately traveling roads that go down the main streets of small towns instead of using interstate highways for parts of his trip.
personal GPS user since 1992
If you use…
Interstate 75 N to Chattanooga, Tn,
I-24 Chattanooga to Nashville, TN,
I-65 Nashville to Louisville, Ky,
I-71 Louisville to Cincinnati, Oh,
I-75 Cincinnati to Detroit, Mi
This should avoid tolls which require a transponder not on rental cars. Very few toll points are manned now due to costs. They will send a bill to the registered owner if you go through a toll point without a transponder, but the cost is extra. The one toll I'm certain will be crossing the Ohio River, but there may be additional toll points between Toledo and Detroit.
Traffic can be horrendous in Atlanta and Nashville depending on the time.
…this route as outlined, there is no toll when crossing the Ohio river. However, if you continue north on I-65, there is a toll when you cross the Ohio. If I am not mistaken, I-65 is the only toll bridge in Louisville. And I agree, traffic can be terrible in Atlanta and Nashville. Correction: The I-265 bridge is also a toll bridge. I haven’t been that way in years and the last time I traveled that road, it was not a toll bridge.
"Everything I need can be found in the presence of God. Every. Single. Thing." Charley Hartmann 2/11/1956-6/11/2022
Use BaseCamp
Thanks John.
Mine is listed as "Faster Time"? ---> Minimizes driving time
Yes, I will be renting a car for a month.
Also I want to use the Garmin as I have the complete "Route 66" road trip programmed in by coordinates from a spec sheet that was supplied to me from a tour run sheet.
Would my setting of "Shorter Distance" be OK as I would be avoiding major highways for "Route 66"
I don't mind buying the Garmin US map set as I assume it would be more up to date and more accurate than the USA OSM map which is a few years old.
If this is going make the trip easier.
As you know the trip can get stressful if you are going the wrong way as a tourist.
Some years ago, I did Route 66 using one of those routes for "Route 66" using Street Atlas. It required several sections since there were so many waypoints to make the GPS follow the Mother Road.
I suggest you take your coordinates, use Base Camp to create several short routes to follow the road and use Basecamp to load them to your Garmin.
Beware, if you try to take the Sante Fe route, that once you make the turn and come south, that you will need a very capable four wheel drive to complete the journey back to the original route.
Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267
just a test ...
Atlanta to Detroit via Chattanooga, Nashville, Louisville and Indianapolis ...
Seems like the hard way. I-75 connects Atlanta to Detroit directly. No tolls involved, either.
I know it's just a test, but still ...
Garmin DriveSmart 5 My other toys: IMac quad-core i3, Mac Mini M1. MacOS: Sequoia 15.1.1 The dog's name is Ginger.
Rte 66
Our trip is land in Houston, pick up a car and head to New Orleans, down the west side of Florida, across to Miami, the Keys, up to the Space Center, Orlando, Daytona, St Augustine, Jax, Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, Rte 66, exit at Oklahoma, back down to Houston Inter Airport and outta here.
I feel tired typing this already.
For the Rte 66 leg I have every coordinate programmed in from a tour company info spec sheet.
I have friends that have done the tour on this route and the operator supplies you with a turn by turn GPS unit with these coordinates. programmed in.
So hope all goes as planned.
You might want to rethink the "west side of Florida"
Our trip is land in Houston, pick up a car and head to New Orleans, down the west side of Florida, across to Miami, the Keys, up to the Space Center, Orlando, Daytona, St Augustine, Jax, Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, do Rte 66, to Oklahoma, then back down to Houston Inter Airport and outa here.
I feel tired already.
For Rte 66 section I have every coordinate programmed in from a tour company info spec sheet.
I have friends that have done the tour on this route and the operator supplies you with a turn by turn GPS unit with these coordinates. programmed in.
When? You might want to rethink the "west side of Florida" since hurricane Ian passed through. We have friends that have a winter home in Naples and he feels it will be at least 6 months to a year before any resemblance of normalcy.
John from PA
Trip date
Our trip is land in Houston, pick up a car and head to New Orleans, down the west side of Florida, across to Miami, the Keys, up to the Space Center, Orlando, Daytona, St Augustine, Jax, Atlanta, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, do Rte 66, to Oklahoma, then back down to Houston Inter Airport and outa here.
I feel tired already.
For Rte 66 section I have every coordinate programmed in from a tour company info spec sheet.
I have friends that have done the tour on this route and the operator supplies you with a turn by turn GPS unit with these coordinates. programmed in.
When? You might want to rethink the "west side of Florida" since hurricane Ian passed through. We have friends that have a winter home in Naples and he feels it will be at least 6 months to a year before any resemblance of normalcy.
Planning for 2024
Plenty of time for planning
When? You might want to rethink the "west side of Florida" since hurricane Ian passed through. We have friends that have a winter home in Naples and he feels it will be at least 6 months to a year before any resemblance of normalcy.
Planning for 2024
Plenty of time for planning! You might want to review the content at https://wa.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-wa-web/pdfs/driving-cycle..., especially the last page with links to Rt. 66 organizations in individual states. For instance if you click the link for Illinois you will get https://www.il66assoc.org/. Under "What to Do" is map view which gets you to https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/. You can expand the map (use the typical "+/-" symbols and see all the recommended stops along RT. 66 in Illinois, with some pertinent details. If you maximize the map, you'll get https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1LuGf3DcYt8eE6j5H50... which really can be helpful. Clicking on any "pin" gets you details; address, pictures, links, etc.. For instance a pin in Springfield IL gets you the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum at 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701. Lincoln's home is at 413 S 8th St, Springfield, IL 62701 Don't miss them. There are also pins for unique restaurants (The Chili Parlor in Springfield), old time gas stations, etc.
John from PA
I would also highly recommend
When? You might want to rethink the "west side of Florida" since hurricane Ian passed through. We have friends that have a winter home in Naples and he feels it will be at least 6 months to a year before any resemblance of normalcy.
Planning for 2024
Plenty of time for planning! You might want to review the content at https://wa.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-wa-web/pdfs/driving-cycle..., especially the last page with links to Rt. 66 organizations in individual states. For instance if you click the link for Illinois you will get https://www.il66assoc.org/. Under "What to Do" is map view which gets you to https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/. You can expand the map (use the typical "+/-" symbols and see all the recommended stops along RT. 66 in Illinois, with some pertinent details. If you maximize the map, you'll get https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1LuGf3DcYt8eE6j5H50... which really can be helpful. Clicking on any "pin" gets you details; address, pictures, links, etc.. For instance a pin in Springfield IL gets you the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum at 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701. Lincoln's home is at 413 S 8th St, Springfield, IL 62701 Don't miss them. There are also pins for unique restaurants (The Chili Parlor in Springfield), old time gas stations, etc.
Visiting Lincoln’s Tomb in the Oak Ridge Cemetery. It’s very beautiful and informative. People from across the globe visit the resting place of our 16th president.
"Everything I need can be found in the presence of God. Every. Single. Thing." Charley Hartmann 2/11/1956-6/11/2022
As I review this thread...
I see that since your departure location is New Zealand, some of the suggestions to buy a used unit with USA maps off eBay may present a logistics problem. So I'm inclined to think your best option may be to purchase a USA map set a few months prior to your departure, and specifically for your Garmin Drivesmart 61. You might want to "test" that approach now, up to the point of making the actual purchase, to see what the cost may be and to evaluate any "surprises" that may occur.
John from PA
Plenty of time for planning
When? You might want to rethink the "west side of Florida" since hurricane Ian passed through. We have friends that have a winter home in Naples and he feels it will be at least 6 months to a year before any resemblance of normalcy.
Planning for 2024
Plenty of time for planning! You might want to review the content at https://wa.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-wa-web/pdfs/driving-cycle..., especially the last page with links to Rt. 66 organizations in individual states. For instance if you click the link for Illinois you will get https://www.il66assoc.org/. Under "What to Do" is map view which gets you to https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/. You can expand the map (use the typical "+/-" symbols and see all the recommended stops along RT. 66 in Illinois, with some pertinent details. If you maximize the map, you'll get https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1LuGf3DcYt8eE6j5H50... which really can be helpful. Clicking on any "pin" gets you details; address, pictures, links, etc.. For instance a pin in Springfield IL gets you the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum at 212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701. Lincoln's home is at 413 S 8th St, Springfield, IL 62701 Don't miss them. There are also pins for unique restaurants (The Chili Parlor in Springfield), old time gas stations, etc.
Thanks John from PA
Unfortunately I cannot get into https://wa.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-wa-web/pdfs/driving-cycle... as it shows Error/blocked.
I can get into "https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/" and all on that site.
Would you mind linking the the other 6 states on R66 from the AAA main site similar to this "https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/"
The least hassle will be for me to buy the NA map set here. Then I can play around with it and hopefully it comes with updates.
Check your PM
Unfortunately I cannot get into https://wa.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-wa-web/pdfs/driving-cycle... as it shows Error/blocked.
I can get into "https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/" and all on that site.
Would you mind linking the the other 6 states on R66 from the AAA main site similar to this "https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/"
The least hassle will be for me to buy the NA map set here. Then I can play around with it and hopefully it comes with updates.
shelbyaust, I sent you a PM that includes my email address. That link you can't seem to open is a 9 page PDF file so I can simply email it directly to you. It is strange you can't open the link...I can do so right from your text.
The link is to a AAA site, of which I'm not a member. Here is a another AAA site that also has very good info. Hopefully you can open it... https://mwg.aaa.com/via/road-trips/route-66-road-trip
John from PA
Check your PM
Unfortunately I cannot get into https://wa.aaa.com/content/dam/aaa-wa-web/pdfs/driving-cycle... as it shows Error/blocked.
I can get into "https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/" and all on that site.
Would you mind linking the the other 6 states on R66 from the AAA main site similar to this "https://www.il66assoc.org/map-view/"
The least hassle will be for me to buy the NA map set here. Then I can play around with it and hopefully it comes with updates.
shelbyaust, I sent you a PM that includes my email address. That link you can't seem to open is a 9 page PDF file so I can simply email it directly to you. It is strange you can't open the link...I can do so right from your text.
The link is to a AAA site, of which I'm not a member. Here is a another AAA site that also has very good info. Hopefully you can open it... https://mwg.aaa.com/via/road-trips/route-66-road-trip
Hello.
The AAA know that I am not in the US and puts up a pop up to put in a Zip code. I put in my BIL's Jax zip 32258,but it knows the IP address is not in the US.
Sorry, but where do you go for the PM. I am not familiar with this forum setting.
Thanks
Sam
Contact
Hello.
The AAA know that I am not in the US and puts up a pop up to put in a Zip code. I put in my BIL's Jax zip 32258,but it knows the IP address is not in the US.
Sorry, but where do you go for the PM. I am not familiar with this forum setting.
Thanks
Sam
To contact another user when signed in, click on their username and it'll bring you to their account where you can click their View/Track/Contact boxes. Just click the Contact box.
You will not see their email address but they will see yours and if they reply to you, it'll come from their email account.
Google Maps on phone
I always use Google Maps on my phone to check where I am going.
When we used to get to travel I would take the Garmin preloaded with routes. I would also load Google Maps with trips.
While at home I could go look on Google Maps in satellite mode to see the roads I was traveling. This way you know just what the roads look like.
I spent many an hour on my computer planning my trips. I am in the USA and I did buy the Europe maps when I went to Europe for my Garmin. It did make a difference.
The best thing that did help me was looking on my computer to see just where I was going.
If you use Base Camp and buy the USA maps you can make your routs on Base Camp and then send them to Garmin.
It's been a while since I did that but I am sure someone on here can help you with Base Camp if you have not used it.
Mary
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)
Thank You All
Hi.
Thank You all who participated in helping me with planning my future trip to the US.
Great positive team on this forum.
Regards
Sam