NUVI 500 Replacing my Quest
GPS
I was attracted to the NUVI 500 because it is waterproof, Routes can be uploaded from
MapSource, it record tracks and a bicycle mount is available. I wanted to move up from a Quest. The one feature that I
want and is faulty in the NUVI 500 is elevation accuracy. There is a window for elevation on the compass page, but elevation varies +-100
feet in a very short time or distance. Other than that I love the 500. In
3D mode the streets display are double lines. On a bicycle this is great, The Quest give this view when making a turn on a route.
I had Garmin repair my Quest and planned on using the Quest for the bicycle for now and the 500 for the car I have a bike log that uses altitude gain,
speed and distance for calories count and I want elevation gains. However, I
while waiting for the Quest to be repaired, I came to enjoy the NUVI 500. I
bought a copy of Delorme Topo and I am able to upload the tracks as a draw file
and trace a route over it and I get the elevation gain. The Topo will sent
routes to the NUVI. I sent a route but didn't ride yet to see if I get voice. I
think not, but Delorme allow road to be created.
Still some features I miss on the Quest, not able to turn Road Lock off.
When I ride under a overpass, the track line follow the road above for a while
and when riding the trail the line jump to the nearest road. But the 3D has sold
me.
The mount broke at the at the Tee. The company
does have stronger mounts http://search.store.yahoo.net/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=SEMSONS-INC&vwcatalog=SEMSONS-INC&query=Nuvi%20bicycle%20mount&x=12&y=10
The bicycle mount broke on a ride, since I have a lanyard attach, no harm was done to the NUVI. The section with the ball is now attached to my light bar. More information about the CREE led light is here http://www.billcotton.com/luxeon_light_bar_and_gps_mount.htm
Then that section broke. Below I made a form tool to form the ball. more filing an polishing than machining. After all this isn't a ball bearing. Finish part is in the second picture below.
Below: Screen shot of the NUVI with a external power adapter attached after he internal battery was drained
Run time I got with the NUVI 500 on the table for a test. Left screen shot is the NUVI and internal battery. Right screen shot is using Powersource Mobil mini by Xzntrex. It output is 5 volts http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=852-0251&cpc=SCH I ran the NUVI with the power source attach. The NUVI cut off at 7 hours with the Porersource. However, I unplug the Powersource and the NUVI showed three bars. I turn it back on and it ran for two more hours.
This usb powersource was used for the above test. This makes using a NUVI on a bicycle good for longer rides. The car adapter shown above in the kit, output 5 volts. I located a usb "A" mail to mini 18 inches long. I now use this instead of the Garmin car adapter with its 5 foot cable that I was afraid to cut. However, when using this cable the NUVI comes on in computer mode but when the NUVI 500 doesn't see data, it go into Navigation mode. This link tell how to put a resistor in the cable to avoid the computer mode. http://pinouts.ru/GPS/garmin_nuvi_power_pinout.shtml .
Screen shot from a recent ride.
res. 
No need to type in the stats from the ride It is here as a snapshot from the NUVI. Another feature that I am enjoying is the 3D map view The orange lines are Frankford Ave. down and left, Cottoman Ave Right and Roosevelt Blvd. ahead. The blue lines are my track. Ahead it the go tracks and behind the arrow is the return track line. Down side is the name of the streets doesn't show in this view.. I used this features to return via a different route with less traffic. .
Four screen snapshot from the NUVI 500 of the Compass page. In just a few minutes, stand still in my yard I get these changes. Even if the GPS accuracy is proportional, This reading isn't in the track log.
3D view and normal; view with A Eastern Pennsylvania Topo map uploaded
No topo overlay
Topo overlay that comes with NUVI 500 On the map page under Map Info you can choose which map is used.
Sept. 20, 2009 I ordered the 2010 map update on CD. It came and I set up to install the map to my computer. The setup program gave me the impression that it is better to download the map file, The disk in named 'NuMap Onetime" I connect the NUVI to the computer and did the download, I was advise that it would take a long time. The program did every thing without asking me to make choices along the way, after asking if I wanted to load the 2010 map set. When all was done, the program had fill the internal memory and then use the 8 GB microcard to complete the transfer. The new map is also on my computer The program updated the Topo overlay also.
I have added a topo map from this source; http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/lofiversion/index.php?t202628.html and for eastern Pennsylvania and I can see elevation numbers on the contour lines. Now my map page shows three maps, he old and new CN North America and the Pennsylvania Topo Planimatric.
I
have rigged my Quest 1 on my bicycle to use power from my 12 volt light pack http://www.billcotton.com/luxeon_light_bar_and_gps_mount.htm
I am able to use the backlight and voice as I ride. After 4 plus years my quest
is troublesome to use: One, the antenna doesn’t make contact and I use a
external antenna. Two, the power /speaker failed, I adapter a iPod power supply
to the Quest mount then the spring inside of a plunger use for contact
fail. A new power/speaker is one choice @ 57 dollars.
I am trying a Garmin NUVI 750 I read on this list how to upload route from
Mapsource by saving in GPX format to the GPX folder of the NUVI 750. The 750 has
a ball socket to match the windshield mount. I am considering adapt the ball to
my bicycle light above. I don’t see that I can get tracks. I usually download
tracks from all of my rides and post them in my bikelog http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm
I like the size and features of the NUVI series. Is there one that
save tracks? Or does any of the discontinues voice units save tracks? My choice
seems to be the discontinued Quest 2.
>Some of the Nuvi's do support a
tracklog, although it's referred to as a 'trip log' for some reason. The 255
models do, but >I'm not sure which others - and am also not familiar
with the details such as the number of tracks and number of points >per
track. Or
you could just replace your old Quest 1 - Amazon lists a factory
>refurbished one at $88.
Thanks for the reply;
Garmin will repair my Quest 1 for 99 dollars I could get my 2008 City Select
transfer for free, but would have to pay 68 dollars for 2009 City select. I was
told that this is the last map update available for the Quest. Also the car speaker/power
adapter failed and it costs 57 dollar to replace.
The tech at Garmin suggested the NUVI 500 series as a replacement. Water proof,
10 saved routes and the NUVI 500 is preloaded with streets and topo maps
of the US.
My
NUVI 500 came today. I learned from this list how to save tracks and how to
upload and use a route from Mapsource. I will post a page on my webpage soon
with all the information I gather. The 500 was chosen for being water proof,
loaded with Mapsorce of the US with a topo overlay. It save 10 routes I have
uploaded and use one route and it follow the route in bicycle mode just as the
Quest, I use the car adapter on the bicycle just as I did with the Quest. I
Mount the dash adapter on top of my bicycle light it is higher that I like, I
will make changes later.
Too much vibration and the dash mount
didn’t work. I found a bicycle mount; GA-BIKE:
Bicycle / Handlebar Mount for Garmin Nuvi at
http://www.semsons.com/
I am able to mount it on a length of ¾ PVC in a hole for a second 1 watt
LED head lamp on the right side on my 5 watt light mount. The NUVI uses a Micro
SD chip, I found a 8G here http://www.dailysteals.com/
for $7.99 plus shipping.
I am able to upload and download route and tracks from the NUVI 500 the same as with the Quest from my copy of CS 2008. However, the route is stored in “My Data” Tool, down arrow, My Data, Import Route From File, Select file, import. The file is loaded into the routing system. Click ok, Back, Where to, Down Arrow twice, Custom Routes. Then choose route.
Tracks are received in my City Select 2008 map the same as received from my Quest I can join track and copy the tracks to Excel to use in my elevation Gain template. http://www.billcotton.com/MY_rides.htm Altitude Gain Template
The NUVI has six fields on the Trip log the Quest has six fields also, but each can be set to 20 different gps functions. Sunrise, sunset are two that I don't see in other windows. In Bicycle mode the ETA is given for a route and it seems to be about 12 mph the avoids are the same.
I welcome the larger screen and print on the NUVI 500 the NUVI weights 7.6 ounces (215 g) vs the Quest 1 weights 5.5 ounces (155.92g)
I mounted a lanyard on my Quest, I felt the need to mount a lanyard on my NUVI also The picture is below. It is mount with Gorilla tape and a paper clip.
based on a report that the NUVI series doesn't perform in cold weather, I put my NUVI 500 in my freezer for 30 minutes. I left it on. The battery icon show one bar as it warm up it moved up to three bars.
The topo lines are interesting. However, when in the compass mode, the elevation reading change over a wide range quickly, showing a minus reading at a know 200 feet elevation, and it shows in the track log.
It seem that the micro data card could not be access except by computer. I copied the Garmin folder from the NUVI folder to the micro SD folder, (it was listed to take 5 hours, I cancel, the result I copied the folder and two file) I then copied the GPX folder to that Garmin folder The next route I uploaded went to both GPX folders. I deleted the on in the NUVI folder and I was still able to upload the route.
From FAQ;
| : Can I train my Garmin
to provide better estimated times of arrival (ETA)? |
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| Answer: |
| Your device can actually learn from your driving and adapt its internal database to provide better estimates of your arrival time. The device will learn from a driver’s habits and adjust the ETA accordingly. This is done by observing what speed a driver typically drives on each speed category of road and using that data to compute ETA. |
| Question: Can
my Nuvi 5xx series unit offer text to speech navigation? |
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| Answer: |
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Yes, the Nuvi 5xx is capable of offering text to speech navigation. Many devices may need to obtain the latest version of operating software before offering this feature. Please be sure to update your device at: http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp The first part of the process will update the basic firmware on the device. Once this is complete you will see the following screen:
At this point, you will need to close the WebUpdater program. Disconnect the unit from the computer to allow it to process the new firmware. You will see a message saying loader loading, then software loading, and finally a green bar that indicates the software has been uploaded. When the unit has powered on completely, press the power button to turn the device back off. Reconnect the device and re-open WebUpdater. The program will ask if you would like to "re-install the same version" or "check for additional updates". Select check for additional updates to choose the voice languages ending in TTS (text to speech): Once you have loaded these new voices to your device, disconnect the nuvi and allow it to start up. When the device is at the main menu, do the following:
Your device will now speak street names.
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| Last modified on:
05/27/2009 |
| Question: How
does the nüvi 5xx and 7x5 trip log work? |
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| Answer: |
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Trip logs are points automatically stored when the GPS is moving. It is the electronic equivalent of laying down a "breadcrumb trail" to mark the path that has been traveled. You can manage the most current 10,000 points on the nüvi
device itself, beyond 10,000 points the nüvi moves the
oldest trip data into an internal archive file. Up to 20
archive files can be stored internally on the unit. This
means, depending on space available, that the nüvi can
store over 200,000 points of trip data. |
| Question:
How can I load
additional map regions to my Garmin device after I have
updated the preloaded maps? |
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| Answer: |
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If you have updated the preloaded maps on your
device and you would like to install additional map
regions you can send the maps to a blank microSD/SD
card using MapInstall.
The maps will now be sent to the microSD/SD card. |
| Question:
Can I
transfer routes to a nuvi? |
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| Answer: |
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Routes can be created on the computer in MapSource and then transfer them to the nuvi 5xx, 7xx, 8xx, or 5000 series. Conversely, you can create a route on the nuvi 5xx, 7xx, 8xx, or 5000 and then transfer it to MapSource to modify and review. After routes have been transferred to your nuvi 5xx, 7xx, 8xx, or 5000, the route must first be imported before it can be accessed. To do this please follow the steps below:
The unit will now import the selected routes. The routes that were imported can be found in the "Custom Routes" option from the "Where To?" button. |
| Question:
How do
I install mapping to my device with MapSource? |
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| Answer: |
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There are many situations where it may be desirable to install additional mapping to a Garmin GPS. One common program used to transfer mapping to a device is MapSource. This software is available for Windows only*, and can be downloaded for free from the Mapping Software page of the Garmin web site. Once installed, MapSource can be found in Windows under the Start menu > All Programs > Garmin. The instructions below will describe the basic process to load mapping with MapSource.
This may take several minutes to load to the device, depending on the size of the mapping. After MapSource has finished loading maps to the device, you may disconnect the GPS, and the mapping will be available for use on the device. Notes: * To load mapping to a Garmin device from a Mac, please see How do I install mapping to my device with MapInstall? ** Each time mapping is loaded to a device, it replaces any mapping that had been previously loaded (excluding mapping that was preloaded to the device when purchased), so be certain to select all mapping at once needed on the device. *** If your device is not listed, check the connection between the device and the computer, and click the Find Device button. If you continue to have connection issues, please see the article Why doesn't my computer detect my unit when I connect with a use cable? for USB-based devices or Why won't my computer detect my Garmin Serial GPS device? for serial-based devices. |
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| Last
modified on: 09/09/2009 |
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