Recommend Me a GPS

[Uncle Phil]

I started using a Zumo 550 back in 2008. I still use the 550 primarily but I also have a Zumo 595. After reading all of these complaints about misbehaving Garmin units I started thinking that I must be really stupid or really ignorant because I really haven't noticed all of these problems with my units. I am smart enough to realize that I don't have special units. If these problems exist they must be present with my units as well. So, while reading this thread, I was thinking that the next time that I use my GPS I should pay more attention to see if all of these things are happening to me. Then I realized that if I haven't noticed these issues in 18 years of use they can't be causing me much grief. I am not saying that they aren't present, just that they obviously haven't caused me much grief if I haven't been bothered by them to any degree thus far.

Of course all of you guys know that now I will notice that all of these issues are present, and I will be pissed off at all of you guys for bringing them to my attention.
Ignorance WAS bliss.

The thing I have learned from this thread is how differently folks use a GPS for their directional needs.
Something that is a big issue for one is a non-issue for another.
But like you said - it's sort of like a black spec on a white wall - you would never notice it til someone points it out then you can't unsee it!

 

[Gus1300]

interested in how the tariffs end up

the import charge was $54.13 for the order (2 units)

Shipping was $21.40 with a $20 credit, so $1.40. The actual payment went through for more than the posted image above suggested so I'll have the final #s once everything arrives with an invoice.

I'll reach out with any questions! Not due to arrive until early Jun.

 

[ST1100Y]

I started using a Zumo 550 back in 2008. I still use the 550 primarily but I also have a Zumo 595. After reading all of these complaints about misbehaving Garmin units I started thinking that I must be really stupid or really ignorant because I really haven't noticed all of these problems with my units. I am smart enough to realize that I don't have special units. If these problems exist they must be present with my units as well. So, while reading this thread, I was thinking that the next time that I use my GPS I should pay more attention to see if all of these things are happening to me. Then I realized that if I haven't noticed these issues in 18 years of use they can't be causing me much grief. I am not saying that they aren't present, just that they obviously haven't caused me much grief if I haven't been bothered by them to any degree thus far.

Of course all of you guys know that now I will notice that all of these issues are present, and I will be pissed off at all of you guys for bringing them to my attention.
Ignorance WAS bliss.

Its somewhat obvious that Garmin designs their software and navigation logarithms pretty much exclusively with the the US road grid in mind, hence functions get confused, at times useless, on the way more dense, often naturally grown, spiderweb-roadwork here in the old world...
Like the refusal to navigate across an alpine pass, not because of seasonal closures, but over mistaking our tight back-sweeps as "U-turns"...
The odd thing is that it worsens with every new, allegedly improved, superior generation with more and more "features" added they're releasing...

 

[Uncle Phil]

the import charge was $54.13 for the order (2 units)

I'll reach out with any questions! Not due to arrive until early Jun.

So it was $54.13 in addition to the shipping?
I wonder if that was priced based on number of units or just a flat rate.

 

[RaYzerman]

I haven't noticed most of the issues people with Garmins talk about, but there is indeed the odd quirk. I contend that most people's issues are not having enough way/via/shaping points... with sufficient points to shape your route, you can make it take you where you want to go the majority of the time.

 

[drrod]

Its somewhat obvious that Garmin designs their software and navigation logarithms pretty much exclusively with the the US road grid in mind, hence functions get confused, at times useless, on the way more dense, often naturally grown, spiderweb-roadwork here in the old world...
Like the refusal to navigate across an alpine pass, not because of seasonal closures, but over mistaking our tight back-sweeps as "U-turns"...
The odd thing is that it worsens with every new, allegedly improved, superior generation with more and more "features" added they're releasing...

I think Garmin's main market is aviation and marine. The auto and MC market is shrinking so they are not expending a lot of resources on R&D for those. They never were that strong in EU from my experience. TT, Osm, and Here are much better

I haven't noticed most of the issues people with Garmins talk about, but there is indeed the odd quirk. I contend that most people's issues are not having enough way/via/shaping points... with sufficient points to shape your route, you can make it take you where you want to go the majority of the time.

I have found the best way is to put a waypoint (via/shaping?) just before and just after an road/trail junction. With enough points you can ensure that it takes you where you want, not where it wants.

One thing that I think is common with all the gps devices/apps is the fact that you need to put the point exactly on the road/trail. If you are off by a little bit because you don't have the map zoomed in enough it is not hard to put the point on say a service road, The device will take you there. Some programs have the ability to put a slightly misplaced point on the road you want but they are not infallible.

Interesting exercise for those using MRA; there is a tool where you can overlay a route with the Here/Garmin/TT/Osm/Google maps and you can see where the algorithms differ.

 

[ddemair]

I bought the Garmin 396. It's going back. No electronic device sold today should be this slow with a really awful interface. Not to mention one of the worst instruction pamphlets I've ever seen.

Just as an example, the quick start guide never actually even tells you how to turn it on. Once I figured that out (trial and error), I chose to update the maps. It's going to take over 2 hours connected to WIFI. Like, what?

And I still haven't figured out how to import a GPX file.

I feel like I just bought 1990 technology (maybe I did). Garmin should be embarrassed to still be selling this piece of... um, bad thing.

 

[Daboo]

I have found the best way is to put a waypoint (via/shaping?) just before and just after an road/trail junction. With enough points you can ensure that it takes you where you want, not where it wants.

That's what I mentioned earlier. It's worth repeating.

When I was first starting out using a GPS on a motorcycle, I'd have it take me to the intersection of 1st and Main Street, and then perhaps turn left to A street in a mile or so. The problem was that the GPS (a) was slow to respond, and (b) wouldn't give me the next direction till I finished with getting to the intersection. On that GPS (not Garmin or TT), it also didn't give you any indication of the rest of the route. It only took a couple times to put the waypoint just past the intersection.

I feel like I just bought 1990 technology (maybe I did). Garmin should be embarrassed to still be selling this piece of... um, bad thing.

The Garmin 396 was introduced in April 2018. Yup, eight years ago. A lot of things have happened since then, like sending people to the moon.

Chris

 

[ST1100Y]

I think Garmin's main market is aviation and marine. The auto and MC market is shrinking so they are not expending a lot of resources on R&D for those. They never were that strong in EU from my experience. TT, Osm, and Here are much better

'better' from POV of functionality or "convenience" lies always in the eye of the beholder...

I like pre-planning my routes offline(!) on the PC/netbook, edit them en detail, load them onto the device to have it assist me trouble free along the way... exactly why I always preferred the Garmin package...

However is Garmin backing out of this concept, stopped development of their map-plotting software, yet even designing their latest GPS devices XT-2 & XT-3 as not supporting/compatible with BaseCamp anymore, forcing users to their cloud solution with the Tread® App...

I for one don't want that, for various reasons...
And that mentioned Tread App obviously alters *.gpx files during transfer, so the XT's can't handle them/start weird recalculations, hence completely ruin your nice routes just confirms my suspicions...

But yeah... "true" motorcyclists are a dying breed...
People are consumers now, like convenience and being entertained... the swipe and wipe generation prefers pre-digested routes found somewhere on the internet...