Not happy with Garmin Nuvi 885 and due for map update

[dmann]

I picked up a Garmin Nuvi 885 last year and I haven't been happy with it from the start. It replaced an older Garmin that I loved, so I thought it would just take some adjustment on my end. I was wrong. I just don't like the thing.

Despite several resets and the fact that the settings are correct, it still wants to pull me off the interstate, run me through crazy sidestreets in some random town just to get me back on the interstate I started from. The routing is sometimes very convoluted. It gets HELPLESSLY confused when I am in a parking lot. I often have to guess which way to go when I am leaving my hotel trying to get to an appointment because it can't tell me anything other than "Continue to route." Helpful. Not.

Now I am due for a map update and rather than spend $80 to bring it current, I'm wondering if I should be looking for a new GPS altogether.

I cover 4 states for work so I rely heavily on it. The only "must have" for me is multiple destination optimization (which means I can plug in a bunch of addresses, indicate which one should be the end location and it will configure the best route. Not all GPS models offer this. I don't care about MP3 players, bluetooth, traffic and the like. The most important thing is the multiple destination optimization and Mac compatibility, of course.

Any thoughts/suggestions/advice?

DM

[bazookaman]

My Garmin does the same thing. I've had a lot of WTF moments with it. Fortunately I generally knew where I was going so it wasn't much of a hassle.

[testcase]

I can sympathize with you. My TomTom 910 pulled something like that when I was driving through Baltimore a couple of years ago. I lost about 30 minutes on that episode. Even thought it was the top of the line when I got it, TomTom still wants to screw me by requiring me to buy map updates I've skipped, before I'm allowed to buy the current map. That's not going to happen. When I back up, the TomTom is clueless although, as long as I'm going forward, it usually gets me out of a parking lot OK. I have the TomTom App on my iPhone so, at least I have the up to date maps there (at 1.5GB+ / upgrade). I doubt my next stand alone will be a TomTom. Their customer service, which used to be outstanding, now sucks. I knew Garmin upgrade fees could be substantial. I've been keeping an eye out for a replacement for my TomTom 910 but, to date, haven't seen anything that would make me open my wallet. Later this summer, I'll be at several different RV rallies and also at AirVenture in Oshkosh. Perhaps I'll find a replacement at one of these events. One requirement in a replacement unit will be free map upgrades. Free traffic upgrades would be nice but, not as important to me as the maps. I used to recommend TomTom highly. Those days are gone.

[macphanatic]

Do you have an iPod touch or iPhone? If so, look at the tomtom car mount and the Magellan gps app. The tomtom has a gps receiver in it so it will work with the Touch. I've been using this combination with my iPhone 4 and have been happy with it so far. The nice part is that the app updates are free. If you use a Touch, make sure that you get an app that includes maps.

[dmann]

I do have an iPhone 4 but have not been inclined to use it as my main GPS. To be honest, though, I can't exactly say why! I'll check out the Magellan app.

DM

[Trouble]

dmann wrote: Any thoughts/suggestions/advice?
DM

Get another GPS.

[olnacl]

I had a Panasonic in dash unit in my last car, The CRV I bought this year came with the Nav pkg and I was looking forward to it, but found the same BS that you are describing. I now wish I'd pulled the Pioneer before selling it.

[testcase]

Using the iPhone4 as a primary GPS is definitely a compromise. That's why I would go for a replacement of my TomTom910 once I find a worthy candidate. I need an extension power cord when I'm using my iPhone (if I want to place it where I prefer). The TT910 also lets me talk to it . That makes navigation changes on the fly easier than when I enter data manually. I may have to forego that feature in a replacement unit.

CORRECTION: my earlier post stated a TomTom 910. The 910 was my first TomTom. I'm currently using a TomTom 920 . The 910 had a hard drive. Also a bigger battery. I could go 6+ hours on my 910's battery. On my 920, 1.5 hours and it dies unless I plug it in.

[graylocks]

i've had two garmins and i must say my old hard-drive based 2620 never did that weird on/off routing. the new 1390 does. from threads here i think every brand of GPS has its quirks. Garmin for me is the devil you know so i stick with it.

for quick trips around town i use my iPhone now. it's not always accurate though i am using the free apps - the included one, MapQuest for Mobile, and NavFree. i'm taking a trip this week that will have me driving milwaukee-madison-chicago-milwaukee. i may just rely on the iPhone as i know that route pretty well anyway and would have printed google maps as a back up.

[Article Accelerator]

testcase wrote:
Using the iPhone4 as a primary GPS is definitely a compromise.

In what way?