Email from Garmin re: map scale and QWERTY for Nüvis

I hope they don't forget to restore the map scale to the nüvi 2xx also!

... about a year ago. Would make data entry a lot better!

I agree. If they can do it for the Street Pilot, they can do it for the Nüvi line-up. I'll bet the code is pretty darned similar and wouldn't take much tweaking at all.

Could it be that Garmin has to license QWERTY per user?

BTW..new here LOVE the site!

qwerty is not licensed.
Fact/

I can't say enough about Garmin. They seem to do everything they can to please their customers.

Do a general search and you'll find that just about every single nuvi owner has been posting the same concerns regarding the NON-QWERTY layout ever since the widescreen 600 series came out - and some even earlier. It can't be that difficult change.... Maybe someone should pass it to the correct individuals again. Support for older products is just as important as the new ones (especially if you want to keep the customers coming back).

Patent: 207,559 (US) issued August 27, 1878 to Christopher Latham Sholes.

more history here:
http://abckeyboard.co.uk/qwerty.htm

I'm not a patient lawyer, but I seem recall patients are only good for 25 years. I'm pretty sure Nuvi can add the QWERTY support with out any licensing or legal issues.

Support is one thing - adding features that the device never had is another. If 660, or any Nuvi owners want a Qwerty keyboard, they can sell their current device and buy a Nuvi 7XX. I have a 750, and you don't see me hollering about Garmin upgrading mine to accept voice commands (like the 8XX series Nuvis can). You pays your money, and you takes your chances!

Joel

It takes both hardware and software changes to add voice commands. All it takes to add a qwerty keyboard is a relatively minor software change. There is really no logical reason for the lack of a qwerty keyboard. Money shouldn't even enter into the equation.

Even if it was a money issue, I'd have been willing to play $10 more for that option, but I'm certainly not paying $200 more for a 7xx GPS with bunch of stuff I have no need of (mp3, bluetooth, traffic, etc).

I just got an Apple IPhone and it has a QWERTY keyboard on it. It gets confusing going from that to my Nuvi 660 without that layout.
Of course I have always had trouble with calculators and telephones, because of their numbering differences.

Phones were numbered backwards to slow you down because the original pushbutton phones were still dial phones. Same for QWERTY. I've read the keyboard was laid out to slow down typists who could type faster than the machine could handle. Funny how we now demand a layout that was designed to be cumbersome!

I disagree, QWERTY was designed to prevent the keys from jamming on a mechanical typewriter. Basically spreading out very common back to back characters. This has been interpreted by many to mean QWERTY was designed to slow down typers.

I read - don't remember where - QWERTY was designed to put the most frequently used letters in a position to be used by the strongest fingers. That would make it more efficient rather than slow you down.

This is how it was taught many years ago in typing class... I'm not saying how many.... just many.

Anyone, ANYONE who is a programmer knows that the GUI for the keys are just buttons with pictures on them. All it would take it someone to drag/drop the buttons into the QWERTY layout, re-build/compile, and it's done. Literally, it would probably be a 10min fix per model.

Since when for the street plots?? Then again it must be for the units above the C340...???

I thought that's what I said. If not, that is what I meant.

That's for the older Street Pilots (26xx, 27xx, 28xx).

not to bring anyone down, but if you think it is so easy, why not write your own code? or for that matter, create your own GPS company, then you can implement every suggestion someone has.

yes, it would be nice, but it takes time from development.

Just a thought.

I was speaking with Garmin on the phone about two months ago (Feb 2008) about the map scale. They told me it was purposely removed to reduce clutter and WILL NOT be restored. They did not like my suggestion about having a configuration option to allow the user to select to have a map scale or not. I was told flat out, NO MAP SCALE.

My new 750 has a map scale. I believe you have to do the 2.7 software update to get it...

Yeah, I know whatcha mean. I work with public school systems and we install (among other things) POS systems in cafeterias. When we switch our pin pads out from the old ones, kids can't figure out what their pin is because the numbers are backwards to what they are use too. They know the placement of the number, not the numbers themselves.

When I called tech support I was told the map scale would be restored on the next version (nuvi 2x0). We'll have to see who was correct.

Please implement QWERTY. One of the few (speaker volume being the other) gripes I have with my Nuvi.

Qwerty or alphabetical is ok with me (it would be nice to have an option for either, but that is just too logical).

What I would love to see is the letters automatically dimming in and out as you type in your poi or street, leaving only possible letters as you type.

Well, I hope that I simply got wrong information. I hope the map scale returns.

I don't know why is all the fighting about here.
The guy sent an email, wishing to have QWERTY on his nuvi. Not made someone with a gun do it.

After all QWERTY has been around as a standard for what... around 50 years and even more...

If you don't want QWERTY, do not apply the firmware that changes it (when it comes out). Simple as that!

I called tech support yesterday evening and was told that they are working on restoring the map scale.

I don't understand when you say they are going to restore the map scale. Did they take it away on an update or was it never there? I have a 750 and it has the map scale.

If QWERTY were an option, I would not use it. I "touch-type" and don't look at the keyboard.

If I had to use a QWERTY keyboard with only one finger, while I looked at the keyboard, I would be lost!

On the other hand the ABCDEF etc. keyboard is easy for me to use on mt GPSr, while using one finger and looking at the keyboard, because I do remember my ABC's!

When I bought my nüvi 200 it displayed a distance scale on the 2D map screens. That feature was removed without warning or notice with the version 3.3 or 3.4 firmware update. If Garmin had informed us that this feature was being removed in the text file that lists the new features or bug fixes, I am sure many would have chosen not to install the update. I think version 2.9 is the latest stable firmare version that still has the map scale.

All valid grievances but obviously posted to the wrong place. Send Garmin your requests. Who knows, with enough requests for scale or qwerty, they might reconsider. Posting it here helps you vent but it doesn't get much accomplished.

Believe me. I have sent Garmin many, many eMails and phone calls about these issues.

I am very happy to hear that ... very good news ... thanks for the update.

farrissr wrote:
I don't understand when you say they are going to restore the map scale. Did they take it away on an update or was it never there? I have a 750 and it has the map scale.

The Nuvi 660 does not currently have a map scale, except in the mode where you can scroll the map. I am not sure if it ever had one on the main screen. I believe it did at one time, I am pretty sure i had it when I first purchased my Nuvi.

Yes, definately call Garmin, however, these forums will help alert potential customers of features that may be important to them before they purchase and whether they are present, not present or working correctly.

I blindly purchased a Garmin Nuvi 660 because I was so happy with my previous Garmins (GPS V and Quest). I did not think I would be downgrading by spending so much money on a Nuvi 660 compared to my past models and the unfortunate turn Garmin has taken in the past few years. I wish I did do research because if I new what I know now, I would have at least considered other Garmin models and likely would have purchased a non-Garmin model. As far as I am concerned I wasted my money on a Nuvi 660.