Garmin Nuvi 500 GPS

Phantom · 07-13-2009, 08:02 AM

[QUOTE=SteveA;99539]
It may be that later models, my 200W is 4 years old, would show more detail.
The unit I have only gives me three choices, Auto, pedestrian, and bicycle. QUOTE]

SteveA -- my understanding is that no matter what you do short of upgrading models will not change your luck. The Garmin 500 & 550 are (to my understanding) the only two Nuvi models that allow a fourth choice; Auto, pedestrian, bicycle & Water. It's the latter setting that you need!

SteveA · 07-13-2009, 08:58 AM

[QUOTE=Phantom;99582]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

It may be that later models, my 200W is 4 years old, would show more detail.
The unit I have only gives me three choices, Auto, pedestrian, and bicycle. QUOTE]

SteveA -- my understanding is that no matter what you do short of upgrading models will not change your luck. The Garmin 500 & 550 are (to my understanding) the only two Nuvi models that allow a fourth choice; Auto, pedestrian, bicycle & Water. It's the latter setting that you need!

I just wish they would have made note of the limitations of the various models. When you're on their site.. it lists the 200W as one of the models that will accept the Winni Map.

No big deal... it was only $10... but I think everyone should know the limitations.

Ross_t · 07-13-2009, 12:50 PM

[QUOTE=SteveA;99590]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

I just wish they would have made note of the limitations of the various models. When you're on their site.. it lists the 200W as one of the models that will accept the Winni Map.

No big deal... it was only $10... but I think everyone should know the limitations.

For the cost of a couple of Starbuck coffee's, it looks like it will indicate your location to hazards and position on the lake. Worth the money when you don't really need a marine gps.

SteveA · 07-14-2009, 07:38 AM

[QUOTE=Ross_t;99620]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

For the cost of a couple of Starbuck coffee's, it looks like it will indicate your location to hazards and position on the lake. Worth the money when you don't really need a marine gps.

Exactly correct. It is what it is. Not a true Nav. aide.

Woodsy · 07-14-2009, 08:28 AM

Steve A...

I have to disagree with you. Your 4 year old Nuvi 200 (bare bones nuvi) may not be the nav aid you want, but the Nuvi 500 most certainly is. You cant expect a $130 GPS to have the same functionality on the water as a marine chartplotter just because you bought a $9.99 map. It displayed the Winni map as requested, and you got to see the markers islands and hazards. The problem is not with the Garmin map, but the functionality of your GPS....

This weekend I ran the Nuvi 500 side by side to my CP-160... The ONLY issue I have found with the Garmin Map vs. The Bizer Map is that the Garmin Map does not delineate NWZ's.... and Bizer's has hazardous areas more clearly marked (asterisks marking known rocks etc).

To my knowledge, no marine GPS will tell you how to get from Point A to Point B on the water just by typing a name into the unit. There are too many variables and potential hazards... You can usually program your prefeered course to a destination in manually....

Woodsy

brk-lnt · 07-14-2009, 08:42 AM

BTW, to anyone interested, I just bought one of these refurb Nuvi 660's for $139 and added the Winnipesaukee map (after you purchase the unit you get a 10% off accessories couple, so the $10 map was only $9

)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16858108290

It was delivered yesterday. After about 2 hours of downloads to update the OS and maps to the latest version, it seems like a steal for $150 for a GPS unit and lake chart.

neckdweller · 07-14-2009, 08:56 AM

I too bought the download after seeing this thread. I took my Garmin Nuvi 650 out for a test drive during the day this weekend and it did what I expected - told me where I was and showed me the appropriate markers. During the day I don't have a need for it, but if I'm out at night this should be a great added thing to have in the boat.

The one issue is the depth lines and the recommended navigation lines can be confusing. I don't plan on using the GPS for my course, but it would be nice to have the recommended course and markers without the depth. Choosing a lower level of detail gets rid of the depth lines but also gets rid of the markers and course line - not a great trade off.

I only put it through one accuracy test - navigating through the graveyard. The recommended course line went perfectly through the gauntlet.

It's not a perfect solution, but for $10 it pretty much does what I need and that's all I can ask for.

Ross_t · 07-14-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neckdweller

I too bought the download after seeing this thread. I took my Garmin Nuvi 650 out for a test drive during the day this weekend and it did what I expected - told me where I was and showed me the appropriate markers. During the day I don't have a need for it, but if I'm out at night this should be a great added thing to have in the boat.

The one issue is the depth lines and the recommended navigation lines can be confusing. I don't plan on using the GPS for my course, but it would be nice to have the recommended course and markers without the depth. Choosing a lower level of detail gets rid of the depth lines but also gets rid of the markers and course line - not a great trade off.

I only put it through one accuracy test - navigating through the graveyard. The recommended course line went perfectly through the gauntlet.

It's not a perfect solution, but for $10 it pretty much does what I need and that's all I can ask for.

I haven't tried out my nuvi 200 on the boat yet. I need to install a 12v outlet. What mode are you running in? Pedestrian or Automobile? does it make a difference?

neckdweller · 07-15-2009, 08:57 AM

I just put it in the boat and switched from the regular Garmin map to the lake map. As mentioned above, it's not going to show you how to get from point A to point B, just show you where you are and the recommended route through areas.

Ross_t · 07-15-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neckdweller

I just put it in the boat and switched from the regular Garmin map to the lake map. As mentioned above, it's not going to show you how to get from point A to point B, just show you where you are and the recommended route through areas.

Do you de-select the regular map or just select both maps?

SteveA · 07-14-2009, 08:47 AM

I agree.. I thought I was clear... my old Nuvi 200w doesn't have the horsepower to display all the features that may be available on the Garmin Winni Map loaded into newer models.

I was just letting folks know that the model Nuvi they have may limit the usefulness.

I spoke w/ a customer service Rep. at Garmin. He told me that the model does control the level of detail shown on the map. Older... less function, Newer more function.

I'm not complaining or being negative... just trying to give a honest assessment of the map on my 200w.

07-13-2009, 08:02 AM	#1
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,936 Thanks: 452 Thanked 603 Times in 340 Posts	[QUOTE=SteveA;99539] It may be that later models, my 200W is 4 years old, would show more detail. The unit I have only gives me three choices, Auto, pedestrian, and bicycle. QUOTE] SteveA -- my understanding is that no matter what you do short of upgrading models will not change your luck. The Garmin 500 & 550 are (to my understanding) the only two Nuvi models that allow a fourth choice; Auto, pedestrian, bicycle & Water. It's the latter setting that you need! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

07-14-2009, 08:28 AM	#5
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,974 Thanks: 80 Thanked 984 Times in 443 Posts	Steve A... I have to disagree with you. Your 4 year old Nuvi 200 (bare bones nuvi) may not be the nav aid you want, but the Nuvi 500 most certainly is. You cant expect a $130 GPS to have the same functionality on the water as a marine chartplotter just because you bought a $9.99 map. It displayed the Winni map as requested, and you got to see the markers islands and hazards. The problem is not with the Garmin map, but the functionality of your GPS.... This weekend I ran the Nuvi 500 side by side to my CP-160... The ONLY issue I have found with the Garmin Map vs. The Bizer Map is that the Garmin Map does not delineate NWZ's.... and Bizer's has hazardous areas more clearly marked (asterisks marking known rocks etc). To my knowledge, no marine GPS will tell you how to get from Point A to Point B on the water just by typing a name into the unit. There are too many variables and potential hazards... You can usually program your prefeered course to a destination in manually.... Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

07-14-2009, 08:42 AM	#6
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,947 Thanks: 545 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	BTW, to anyone interested, I just bought one of these refurb Nuvi 660's for $139 and added the Winnipesaukee map (after you purchase the unit you get a 10% off accessories couple, so the $10 map was only $9 ) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16858108290 It was delivered yesterday. After about 2 hours of downloads to update the OS and maps to the latest version, it seems like a steal for $150 for a GPS unit and lake chart. __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

07-14-2009, 08:47 AM	#11
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	no need to disagree I agree.. I thought I was clear... my old Nuvi 200w doesn't have the horsepower to display all the features that may be available on the Garmin Winni Map loaded into newer models. I was just letting folks know that the model Nuvi they have may limit the usefulness. I spoke w/ a customer service Rep. at Garmin. He told me that the model does control the level of detail shown on the map. Older... less function, Newer more function. I'm not complaining or being negative... just trying to give a honest assessment of the map on my 200w. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

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07-14-2009, 08:56 AM	#7
neckdweller Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough & Southern NH Posts: 133 Thanks: 6 Thanked 37 Times in 18 Posts	I too bought the download after seeing this thread. I took my Garmin Nuvi 650 out for a test drive during the day this weekend and it did what I expected - told me where I was and showed me the appropriate markers. During the day I don't have a need for it, but if I'm out at night this should be a great added thing to have in the boat. The one issue is the depth lines and the recommended navigation lines can be confusing. I don't plan on using the GPS for my course, but it would be nice to have the recommended course and markers without the depth. Choosing a lower level of detail gets rid of the depth lines but also gets rid of the markers and course line - not a great trade off. I only put it through one accuracy test - navigating through the graveyard. The recommended course line went perfectly through the gauntlet. It's not a perfect solution, but for $10 it pretty much does what I need and that's all I can ask for.

07-15-2009, 08:57 AM	#9
neckdweller Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough & Southern NH Posts: 133 Thanks: 6 Thanked 37 Times in 18 Posts	I just put it in the boat and switched from the regular Garmin map to the lake map. As mentioned above, it's not going to show you how to get from point A to point B, just show you where you are and the recommended route through areas.