Performance in New York City I have an old Garmin Quest which always loses the signal when in an area where there's a lot of tall buildings (Manhattan, Chicago). Do the new Garmins work any better? Its a real problem when I enter the city a couple turns from my destination, just to hear "Lost Satellite Transmission..." Performance in New York City I have an old Garmin Quest which always loses the signal when in an area where there's a lot of tall buildings (Manhattan, Chicago). Do the new Garmins work any... » Read More Performance in New York City I have an old Garmin Quest which always loses the signal when in an area where there's a lot of tall buildings (Manhattan, Chicago). Do the new Garmins work any better? Its a real problem when I enter the city a couple turns from my destination, just to hear "Lost Satellite Transmission..." « Show Less
1254246
I have the Nuvi 660 and have not had any problems in Manhattan. It uses the Sirf III chipset which is more sensitive. I had the Streetpilot III before and had trouble. Hope that helps.
1254247
MSN Direct reception is still terrible in the New York City metro area. The Garmin GTM20 FM receiver works flawlessly (I own both cables). The MSN Direct receiver simply won't work when the vehicle engine is running. It's a well documented issue for Garmin, but they've been pretty hush as to a solution (or even publicly acknowledging an issue exists. It's the #1 metro market in the country, and they (Microsoft AND Garmin) continue to advertise this product as working in New York City.Save your money and get the 660 with the GTM 20 receiver.
1254248
Gregg I just read your review. I live on SI and travel all over 5 Boroughs, NJ and PA for baseball and to NJ for work. I'm ready to spend the $$ (have a Nuvi 350) for the MSN traffic - did it get any better? Thanks
1254249
Thanks Michael, that really helps. I'll probably step up to the 660 or 680 also.
776230
This is probably far too late to help you, but I have the 680 in NYC, and the MSN Direct reception is horrendous.
1254250
Gosh -- thank you for the above feedback! I was just about to get the 680. Does anyone know if they have fixed the problem in New York City? If they haven't, I better save the money and get the 660!
1443772
I also live in Cleveland and own several garmins including this one. The question is do you have it plugged into the car charger cord? The traffic system requires the proper garmin charging cable that not only acts as the antenna, but also activates the traffic advisories.
1848641
I can't get mine to avoid tolls.perhaps because it's in truck mode.?as far as weigh stations it misses half of them.. but I believe if you turn before the scale it will reroute you.? Maybe around it?I really like garmin but not much help for trucks..
782840
I've tried using it in New York for the past day and it's so-so. When it can get satellite reception (which is spotty, I guess due to the tall bldgs.), it does help me walk around. It does a good job telling me where the subway entrances are, which exits from the subway to use, etc. It definitely doesn't always choose the best subway route and sometimes it is just wrong (like telling me to get off at a stop which is on a different line, which it did once). Overall, I don't really think it was worth the money. I spend as much time entering destinations (and my current location because it can't locate satellites so often) into it as I probably would just looking at a map. So, Pros: -When it gets reception, it's good for walking around the city. -Finds subway entrances -Helps with getting out of the subway and getting going in the right direction, which can otherwise be kind of disorienting, since you've been underground and don't know which way you're facing. -Counts off each stop that you have to pass before you get off a train to transfer or get out of the subway. Cons: -Reception is so spotty here that sometimes, it's just a list of directions. -Doesn't have a 'sleep' mode for when you stick it in your pocket and walk or sit on the bus and don't need to be looking at it. -Isn't always accurate. -Doesn't always pick the best subway routes. But I would guess that it does get me to the location at least 90% of the time. You just have to be sure you know a little bit about where you're going to make sure it seems right.
1496698
No, you need to be in an area where traffic updates are offered. And that's only in selected cities. See Garmin's website.
1927267
Garmin Locate remembers your position when you take it out of the mount. So, for example, at Disneyland you wouldn't have to remember where you parked your car if you take it out of the mount and take it with you. I think hotfix has to do with getting satellite location quickly when turning the unit on. I took S. Lee's advice and went with the 765t. Glad I did, I really like it. I didn't need all of the features as well, but I do like the Garmin locate feature and multi-point routing. I basically chose a couple features over a slight size/weight decrease in the new models. They're both pretty small anyway. Garmin Locate remembers your position when you take it out of the mount. So, for example, at Disneyland you wouldn't have to remember where you parked your car if you take it out of the mount and take it with you. I think hotfix has to do with getting satellite location quickly when turning the unit on. I took S. Lee's advice and went with the 765t. Glad I did, I really like it. I didn't need all of the features as well, but I do like the Garmin locate feature and multi-point routing. I basically chose a couple features over a slight size/weight decrease in the new models. They're both... » Read More Garmin Locate remembers your position when you take it out of the mount. So, for example, at Disneyland you wouldn't have to remember where you parked your car if you take it out of the mount and take it with you. I think hotfix has to do with getting satellite location quickly when turning the unit on. I took S. Lee's advice and went with the 765t. Glad I did, I really like it. I didn't need all of the features as well, but I do like the Garmin locate feature and multi-point routing. I basically chose a couple features over a slight size/weight decrease in the new models. They're both pretty small anyway. « Show Less
97826
Unfortunately it looses signal if there is a tree canopy overhead, and we are not even talking about a thick canopy. On trails surrounded by trees it performs much worse than the Suunto Ambit, or even the Forerunner 610. This is my main issue with this product and the reason i downgraded it to 2 starts (I love the features and especially the Running Dynamics, but a GPS that uses signal is not very helpful...).
809834
I do not know about your particular GPS model, but when I bought my City Navigator back in June 2014, I went to Garmin's web site, searched for City Navigator, and when I found this particular model, I saw a list of compatible devices. I looked on this web site: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-road-maps/city-navigator-nt/c452-c454-c496-p1.html. Good luck. It would be nice if Amazon had this information, wouldn't it?
1722188
I would suggest you do the system update right away. I used mine for a trip from Baltimore to Toronto, and I definitely should have done the update (because there are now roadways which weren't there a few years ago when this model released). Do the updates and your Garmin will work better than ever.
1483462
I think I may understand your issue; the satellite signal strength changes over and over even though you're not moving. My particular unit takes some time now and again to finally latch on to a satellite signal. I've never really watched nor been concerned with the signal strength since the unit seems to be functioning perfectly. You don't mention your surroundings, however. I can tell you that inner city with all of the signal-blocking tall buildings for the GPS to deal with, I have had the unit be unusable. Is it possible this is contributing to your signal strength variations?
1571921
I am going to Italy and bought the 1370T. I planned to use in pedestrian mode as well as for driving. I've tested it several times in pedestrian mode in a couple of different locations and it failed every time. Sent me in the opposite direction, missed turns, and doesn't recalculate on it's own. You have to go back to the main screen and do it manually. I don't know - maybe I got a lemon. I'm leaving in less than 2 weeks. I'll either return it and try another unit or hope it works better in driving mode. I was looking at the Tom Tom XLL, which also has European maps preloaded, but it gets mixed reviews as well. Seems a perfect GPS is yet to be created. I am going to Italy and bought the 1370T. I planned to use in pedestrian mode as well as for driving. I've tested it several times in pedestrian mode in a couple of different locations and it failed every time. Sent me in the opposite direction, missed turns, and doesn't recalculate on it's own. You have to go back to the main screen and do it manually. I don't know - maybe I got a lemon. I'm leaving in less than 2 weeks. I'll either return it and try another unit or hope it works better in driving mode. I was looking at the Tom Tom XLL, which also has European maps preloaded, but it gets... » Read More I am going to Italy and bought the 1370T. I planned to use in pedestrian mode as well as for driving. I've tested it several times in pedestrian mode in a couple of different locations and it failed every time. Sent me in the opposite direction, missed turns, and doesn't recalculate on it's own. You have to go back to the main screen and do it manually. I don't know - maybe I got a lemon. I'm leaving in less than 2 weeks. I'll either return it and try another unit or hope it works better in driving mode. I was looking at the Tom Tom XLL, which also has European maps preloaded, but it gets mixed reviews as well. Seems a perfect GPS is yet to be created. « Show Less
2153543
Be sure to have a look at the coverage maps for each system.They seem to only work if you are near a major city so far.
95781
I bought these maps for Japan. Found that it only covered major cities. Ended up not using it at all. Years ago I bought a Garmin GPS from Amazon that had the European maps pre-installed. Did use that in Europe and it was a godsend. Europe, like Japan, lacks street signs a lot. However, neither was very good for walking. You'd need a GPS designed for walking. The Garmin has a setting for walking, though I never used it. Sorry for not being of much help.
1927264
That seems to be some basic stuff they've taken away. I emailed Garmin as well as Amazon to see if I can get someone to say they are wrong, or maybe amazon can fix their description. A lot of money to spend if it is false. After reading reviews, some say they have the features, and some say they don't. Maybe they are more "previews" than "reviews." I was in particular looking forward to the garmin locate feature, as well as the routing features. I also like the new size of the 1300 series. Thank you for posting this info, I hope to find some answers from Amazon or Garmin. That seems to be some basic stuff they've taken away. I emailed Garmin as well as Amazon to see if I can get someone to say they are wrong, or maybe amazon can fix their description. A lot of money to spend if it is false. After reading reviews, some say they have the features, and some say they don't. Maybe they are more "previews" than "reviews." I was in particular looking forward to the garmin locate feature, as well as the routing features. I also like the new size of the 1300 series. Thank you for posting this info, I hope to find some answers from Amazon or Garmin.
2010035
It does not give traffic. I have no idea where you live, but in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan market i say "who cares?". When the original cord with the traffic reception worked, the best I could hope for is that - after I'd been sitting still on a Beltway for 1/2 hour - it would say "traffic ahead". I'm glad to be rid of it. With regard to your specific model, I can't be sure. Having said that, I'd really be quite surprised if it didn't work. For me, this has been a great replacement charger at a fraction of the cost of a charger that has the traffic receiver. But if the traffic notifications actually work for you in your area, you might want to buy one from Garmin. It does not give traffic. I have no idea where you live, but in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan market i say "who cares?". When the original cord with the traffic reception worked, the best I could hope for is that - after I'd been sitting still on a Beltway for 1/2 hour - it would say "traffic ahead". I'm glad to be rid of it. With regard to your specific model, I can't be sure. Having said that, I'd really be quite surprised if it didn't work. For me, this has been a great replacement charger at a fraction of the cost of a charger that has the traffic receiver.... » Read More It does not give traffic. I have no idea where you live, but in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan market i say "who cares?". When the original cord with the traffic reception worked, the best I could hope for is that - after I'd been sitting still on a Beltway for 1/2 hour - it would say "traffic ahead". I'm glad to be rid of it. With regard to your specific model, I can't be sure. Having said that, I'd really be quite surprised if it didn't work. For me, this has been a great replacement charger at a fraction of the cost of a charger that has the traffic receiver. But if the traffic notifications actually work for you in your area, you might want to buy one from Garmin. « Show Less
1044807
I called Garmin a few weeks ago and they sent me a new mount almost overnight. It is new and improved. They were very nice about it.
2010033
It does not give traffic. I have no idea where you live, but in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan market i say "who cares?". When the original cord with the traffic reception worked, the best I could hope for is that - after I'd been sitting still on a Beltway for 1/2 hour - it would say "traffic ahead". I'm glad to be rid of it. With regard to your specific model, I can't be sure. Having said that, I'd really be quite surprised if it didn't work. For me, this has been a great replacement charger at a fraction of the cost of a charger that has the traffic receiver. But if the traffic notifications actually work for you in your area, you might want to buy one from Garmin.