Recommend Me a GPS

Andrew Shadow said:
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.
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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! ;)
 
Uncle Phil said:
interested in how the tariffs end up
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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.
 
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Andrew Shadow said:
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.
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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...
 
Gus1300 said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
ST1100Y said:
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...
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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
RaYzerman said:
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.
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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.
 
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.
 
drrod said:
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.
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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.

ddemair said:
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.
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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
 
drrod said:
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
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'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... :rolleyes:

I for one don't want that, for various reasons... :cautious:
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... 😑
 
Daboo said:
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.


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
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The Garmin 396 is going back. It just doesn't support a GPX route with turn by turn. Like google maps, it just wants to take you to the destination as fast as possible.

Well, maybe it does support it if you create "tracks", but the tracks don't follow roads so creating a full day ride would be excruciating. I don't have the patience.

I'm just looking to create a GPX route on the PC (map my ride or ride with GPS), copy it to the GPS unit and click go. Do the new (and more expensive Garmins) support this?
 
ddemair said:
The Garmin 396 is going back. It just doesn't support a GPX route with turn by turn. Like google maps, it just wants to take you to the destination as fast as possible.

Well, maybe it does support it if you create "tracks", but the tracks don't follow roads so creating a full day ride would be excruciating. I don't have the patience.

I'm just looking to create a GPX route on the PC (map my ride or ride with GPS), copy it to the GPS unit and click go. Do the new (and more expensive Garmins) support this?
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To use the Chinese one, you will have convert the GPX to KML (GPSBabel is a freeware that does it nicely).
 
ddemair said:
I'm just looking to create a GPX route on the PC (map my ride or ride with GPS), copy it to the GPS unit and click go. Do the new (and more expensive Garmins) support this?
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There's nothing mysterious about getting a GPX file into a Garmin Zumo GPS.
  1. Plug the GPS into your computer.
  2. Open the File Manager.
  3. Look for the GPS in the left frame. Internal Storage will show up in the right window frame. Open that.
  4. A number of folders will appear. Open the one titled "GPX"
  5. Drop your file there.
  6. You're done.
Screen shots below.

1778632488330.png

1778632558146.png

1778633009993.png

Of course, you can look for a program that will do that for you, but it'll take far longer. ;)

Chris
 
I find that using the mapping software to send the route to the GPS is easier. One click on one button and it's done.

ddemair said:
The Garmin 396 is going back. It just doesn't support a GPX route with turn by turn. Like google maps, it just wants to take you to the destination as fast as possible.
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Did you buy a Zumo 396 or the 396 Aviation model?
Or maybe you were given inaccurate information.

I don't know the Zumo 396 specifically but I ask because I have two Garmin Zumo GPS's and I have also used a few other brand motorcycle GPS's. All of them easily support turn-by-turn GPX routes. This is a basic function of all motorcycle GPS's that I have used. I can't imagine that GPX routes can not be downloaded in to the 396 just as with all other motorcycle GPS's. If so, this is a very simple thing to do.
 
Daboo said:
There's nothing mysterious about getting a GPX file into a Garmin Zumo GPS.
  1. Plug the GPS into your computer.
  2. Open the File Manager.
  3. Look for the GPS in the left frame. Internal Storage will show up in the right window frame. Open that.
  4. A number of folders will appear. Open the one titled "GPX"
  5. Drop your file there.
  6. You're done.
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Yes, thanks, that's exactly what I did. I can see the entire route as I created it when I go to trip planner, but when I click on "go", it provides turn by turn by way of the fastest route ignoring the specific roads I chose.

I know that seems hard to believe, but I spent an entire afternoon trying to figure out if I was doing something wrong.

I guess I just need to spend more money if I want a GPS that does what I want.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
I find that using the mapping software to send the route to the GPS is easier. One click on one button and it's done.


Did you buy a Zumo 396 or the 396 Aviation model?
Or maybe you were given inaccurate information.

I don't know the Zumo 396 specifically but I ask because I have two Garmin Zumo GPS's and I have also used a few other brand motorcycle GPS's. All of them easily support turn-by-turn GPX routes. This is a basic function of all motorcycle GPS's that I have used. I can't imagine that GPX routes can not be downloaded in to the 396 just as with all other motorcycle GPS's. If so, this is a very simple thing to do.
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Thanks, as I replied to Daboo, I have no problem downloading a GPS route. The Garmin 396 ignores it and just provides its own directions from start to end.
 
I think there's a basic concept about "tracks" that I'm not understanding.

I'm familiar with bicycle GPS units where you can create a GPX route (e.g. ridewithgps), just load it and it will provide turn by turn exactly as it was created.

Apparently, Garmin recalculates the route unless you create tracks. I used the tracks conversion feature on the Garmin, but since I didn't create tracks, it recalculated based on start and end.

Maybe I need to figure out how to use basecamp.
 
drrod said:
Garmin backing away from their auto/MC R&D is not so much dying motorcyclists as it is a plethora of viable options available that are not standalone IMO.
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There is a huge number complaining about the stop/discontinuing of the plotting software on the Garmin forum over here...
(Mac users are in double-trouble as the current version of BaseCamp won't be compatible with their new IOS...)
And most of those open source programs (OsmAnd, Locus, CompeGPS/Two Nav, Qmap, etc...) are simply not user orientated, thus plagued with a steep learning curve...

So many start using portals like https://kurviger.com/en/ to simply consume some convenient pre-digested routes... with obvious issues... a such is never a simple "drop onto your device and go"...

route material from "unknown sources" must always be first imported into your map plotter (MapSource, BaseCamp...) to be edited and recalculated there, before slapping it into your satnav...

I observe the general misconception of " *.gpx being a universal/global standard "...
Not quite, as every provider, programmer and manufacturer adds and alters "his/her" *.gpx with additional data; routing info, road classes, average speed info, etc...
And then you've the issue that all work with different map-set/projections, where way-point positions and road layouts differ... (thus always check/recalculate on your map-plotter prior transfer...)
 
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ddemair said:
Apparently, Garmin recalculates the route unless you create tracks. I used the tracks conversion feature on the Garmin, but since I didn't create tracks, it recalculated based on start and end.
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Unfortunately I have no further suggestion that might be of any value to you. You certainly sound like you have more then enough familiarity to figure out how to use a GPS unit so I am left really confused as to why it doesn't work. As I previously wrote I have no experience with it so if there is someone on here who does have a Zumo 396 it would be nice to hear about their experience with it.

I have done a couple of hundred of thousands of miles navigating with Garmin GPS units following routes that I have created myself and have downloaded to the GPS unit. I have never once created, converted, downloaded, or in any other way used a track in any of my Garmin GPS units. I create routes in either Garmin Mapsource or Basecamp and download them to the GPS unit as GPX files and off I go. I wish that I had access to a 396 to experiment with because I am curious to know what is different about the way that they work.

For what it is worth I am using a Garmin Zumo 550 and a Garmin Zumo 595 and they both do exactly what it is that you seek and with not much effort at all.
 
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