I Hate My Garmin
Discussion
In both the Swift Sport (integrated) and Viva (aftermarket) we have Garmin satnavs, based on the Garmin LM-50 or similar.
But all too often they seem to select a poor route.
They frequently choose a narrow, twisty, potholed lane that's nominally NSL (60mph) but needs to be driven at 25mph, sometimes for a good few miles, therefore adding considerably to journey times.
Then there's the attempts to route straight through a busy town along as many narrow, twisty, congested roads as possible with double-parked cars and/or vehicles unloading completely blocking the road.
Sometimes the satnav wants to make a turn when the turn doesn't exist and it looks like it hasn't been there for over a decade, if ever.
Estimated journey times often become a fantasy after the above routing options. In fact even when there's no peculiar routing and no abnormal traffic/hold-ups, it often requires me to drive the car like I stole it in order to get there on time.
Then there's the road name at the bottom of the screen - it only shows the road name, unlike the old Binatone satnav we used years ago which showed both road name and road number which I found very useful to confirm that I was still on track when passing through unfamiliar areas.
So I feel the urge to try a different brand of satnav.
It just needs to do the job; no need for fancy options and don't want to use a phone or depend on a phone for its functionality.
Based on past experience the Binatone A505 has my attention but I can't find much information about it.
Any suggestions for a trusty satnav would be appreciated.
Thanks.
But all too often they seem to select a poor route.
They frequently choose a narrow, twisty, potholed lane that's nominally NSL (60mph) but needs to be driven at 25mph, sometimes for a good few miles, therefore adding considerably to journey times.
Then there's the attempts to route straight through a busy town along as many narrow, twisty, congested roads as possible with double-parked cars and/or vehicles unloading completely blocking the road.
Sometimes the satnav wants to make a turn when the turn doesn't exist and it looks like it hasn't been there for over a decade, if ever.
Estimated journey times often become a fantasy after the above routing options. In fact even when there's no peculiar routing and no abnormal traffic/hold-ups, it often requires me to drive the car like I stole it in order to get there on time.
Then there's the road name at the bottom of the screen - it only shows the road name, unlike the old Binatone satnav we used years ago which showed both road name and road number which I found very useful to confirm that I was still on track when passing through unfamiliar areas.
So I feel the urge to try a different brand of satnav.
It just needs to do the job; no need for fancy options and don't want to use a phone or depend on a phone for its functionality.
Based on past experience the Binatone A505 has my attention but I can't find much information about it.
Any suggestions for a trusty satnav would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I never used to have any issues with my Garmin.
Occasionally the route would be questionable but otherwise it was generally fine. The traffic re-routing worked well too.
On the other hand my BMW pro nav (which would have cost 900 quid new) picks some seriously questionable routes, and often the RTTI shows traffic after you have hit it!
Occasionally the route would be questionable but otherwise it was generally fine. The traffic re-routing worked well too.
On the other hand my BMW pro nav (which would have cost 900 quid new) picks some seriously questionable routes, and often the RTTI shows traffic after you have hit it!
niva441 said:
What routing option is set on it. I tend to use a different navigation option using my old MGs then forget to reset it to fast direct afterwards.
From memory, route preferences can be:shortest
fastest
avoid motorways
avoid tolls
Generally there isn't much difference in its choice of route but usually it's set to 'fastest'. I fear that 'shortest' might encourage it to send me along lanes that are no longer passable by vehicles.
"Sometimes the satnav wants to make a turn when the turn doesn't exist and it looks like it hasn't been there for over a decade, if ever."
When did you last update the Garmins? They seem to produce new system firmware every 18 months. Also road priorities change, become one way, or get built on. The council have just built houses over a roundabout near me.
Some of the Gamins (mine) have free lifetime map updates, which also updates POIs and phone numbers.
Download Garmin Express, install to PC and reboot pooter. Then plug in pesky Garmin and check for updates.
I have Suzuki with the new SLDA satnav it came with. The Garmin is much better. :-)
When did you last update the Garmins? They seem to produce new system firmware every 18 months. Also road priorities change, become one way, or get built on. The council have just built houses over a roundabout near me.
Some of the Gamins (mine) have free lifetime map updates, which also updates POIs and phone numbers.
Download Garmin Express, install to PC and reboot pooter. Then plug in pesky Garmin and check for updates.
I have Suzuki with the new SLDA satnav it came with. The Garmin is much better. :-)
I have the same with a Becker Map Pilot - it sent me down a 1 lane county NSL road with 90deg blind corners so I was doing a maximum of 20mph, however it knocked a mile off the 5 mile journey and dumped me out on to a much wider road that went straight to my destination.
The trick is the check the alternative routes on a map view and select an alternative if the primary is down tiny roads.
The trick is the check the alternative routes on a map view and select an alternative if the primary is down tiny roads.
I share this exerience with all my sat navs. I've got a Garmin, the built in Landrover one, and my Android phone.
My Garmin (and the Landy) take me down rediculous B roads just to shave off 1/2 a mile.
In the "old days" when everything was TomTom you could select "Avoid minor roads". That option seems ot have vanished from ALL sat navs now unless someone can enlighten me.
With the Garmin I've got used to ignoring turn instructions if the road looks small.
The Landrover is exactly the same.
Android is a bit better (google maps) but I don't like using my phone as my satnav.
My Garmin (and the Landy) take me down rediculous B roads just to shave off 1/2 a mile.
In the "old days" when everything was TomTom you could select "Avoid minor roads". That option seems ot have vanished from ALL sat navs now unless someone can enlighten me.
With the Garmin I've got used to ignoring turn instructions if the road looks small.
The Landrover is exactly the same.
Android is a bit better (google maps) but I don't like using my phone as my satnav.
Recently 5 of us were at Prescott for a Morgan car event. When we left we all set Satnav for the food stop destination near Brecon. The convoy soon split as we each followed our Satnav! It seems there were 5 routes taken!
Most were Garmin but I am not certain on the route setting options.
When setting a route I usually scan the various ones and choose the best looking one.
Symbo uses it a lot for local work to find addresses. She sets it to avoid motorway. GRRR!
Last year we headed to Cumbria and North of Oswestry ( our usual route) I started to wonder at the route. It took us into Chester and I smelled a rat! Reset it to include motorways and bingo...back to normal route.
I now check settings. I often use a map to design a route and put waypoints etc into Satnav to assist. It comes into its own when nearing the destination.
Earlier comment has reminded me to do an update. Cheers.
Most were Garmin but I am not certain on the route setting options.
When setting a route I usually scan the various ones and choose the best looking one.
Symbo uses it a lot for local work to find addresses. She sets it to avoid motorway. GRRR!
Last year we headed to Cumbria and North of Oswestry ( our usual route) I started to wonder at the route. It took us into Chester and I smelled a rat! Reset it to include motorways and bingo...back to normal route.
I now check settings. I often use a map to design a route and put waypoints etc into Satnav to assist. It comes into its own when nearing the destination.
Earlier comment has reminded me to do an update. Cheers.
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