Higher End Nuvi Suggested Improvements

I have a Garmin 276C and other than a bulky device size, proprietary memory
card, reliability issues with power plugs & no traffic capability (in any of
that 'marine' line), it's a great GPS for boat, car & off-road (even the
ocassional airplane). I liked it even more when I learned of the
unpublished 'Mode' function when holding the 'Page' button (allowing me to
switch from detailed road maps in 'Automotive' mode to BlueChart or Topo
maps under 'Marine' mode).

So now I'm looking at some of the Nuvis, strictly for auto use, when I
travel - like I don't have enough GPSes already. But I'm a little
under-impressed with the lack of what I see are attractive features in the
276C & later line. I understand that additional features wouldn't be
intended for the 200 or maybe even 300 series.

I'm not sure that my needs/wants are shared by any others or by Garmin's
perceived target market, so I thought I'd bounce them off folks. I listed
them by my personal priority. The first 3 are much higher.

1. Include Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates. These are used
for ground navigation and are the basis for the National Grid System and the
Military Grid Reference System. Oddly, the 680 supports the British
National Grid system, not UTMs - not sure if other models, like the 750 will
support UTMs. Often when responding to disasters or missing persons
searches, UTMs (and eventually NGS) are the primary (often only) supported
coordinate system. Not sure if that's what's being used during the
wildfires, but the NGS is FEMA's baby and UTMs are probably the current
solution. We were using UTMs in Mississippi after Katrina (USCG detailed to
FEMA for 10 weeks).

2. NMEA-0183 data output/input for realtime tracking, track upload & route
download via a PC. We routinely upload search & rescue ground, air, &
vehicle track logs to a PC map program (TopoUSA, Terrain Navigator Pro) to
show search coverage & fidelity of sticking to assigned search patterns.
I'd hate to have to use 2 GPSes in the truck - one to look at, the other for
data.

3. Allow the operator to locate by coordinate (Lat/Long or UTM). Hopefully
the advantage of this is easy to grasp.

4. Routes. I see those are now supported in the 700 series. Nevermind.

5. The other stuff that's lower priority and maybe starts to get into other
product lines:

- Multiple Map Support. Capable of simultaneously supporting City
Select/Navigator & Topo - display
switchable by operator (like that 'Mode' function. May already do this,
hard to tell in the literature.
- Waterproof (IPx7). This would make the device usable on motorcycles and
other exposed vehicles,
or for the occasion when you take it with you out of the car. Starts to
get into the Zumo line, but why
have/learn multiple GPSes just because you have more than one vehicle?
- Weather. Like the Zumo, but bigger screen.

Tim

The typical Nuvi target buyer, from what I can see, is the business
traveler, the soccer mom that want to go to the new mall she heard about,
the vacation traveller that has no clue what the lines on a map are for and
could not find north even at sunrise or sunset. Start throwing terms like
NMEA-0183 data output and you will get blank stares. But hey, it can play
MP-3's.

I think you need to look elsewhere for what you want.

-correcting the maps and speed data about the roads (no body seems
bothered!)
-narrowing the wide purple road in the 3D view and the size of the car
icon
-entering or correcting speed camera locations from the screen
-have some control over the algorithm that selects your route