Comments on: Bye-Bye Garmin StreetPilot (almost) http://www.pcmech.com/article/bye-bye-garmin-streetpilot-almost/ Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rich Mengahttp://www.pcmech.com/article/bye-bye-garmin-streetpilot-almost/comment-page-1/#comment-19567 Rich Menga Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:48:23 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/bye-bye-garmin-streetpilot-almost/#comment-19567 There's a lengthy discussion on the nuvi 7xx series and WAAS: http://www.gpspassion.com/FORUMSEN/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108038The discussion includes Euro-specific info as well.The nuvi 2xx and 2x5 series also does that "wandering" bit periodically when stationary (usually when parked next to a building - especially if there's an overhang).Although I'm guessing you probably already tried this, try 2D viewing mode on the map. Compared to 3D it's always more accurate.Also, one final note: If you happen to be driving a minivan, many models do have extra metal shielding in the windshield/windscreen frame that seriously screws up the GPS reception. It is ordinarily the case that most people who have reception problems are driving one of these vehicles and yes, the external antenna will fix it right quick. There’s a lengthy discussion on the nuvi 7xx series and WAAS: http://www.gpspassion.com/FORUMSEN/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=108038

The discussion includes Euro-specific info as well.

The nuvi 2xx and 2×5 series also does that “wandering” bit periodically when stationary (usually when parked next to a building – especially if there’s an overhang).

Although I’m guessing you probably already tried this, try 2D viewing mode on the map. Compared to 3D it’s always more accurate.

Also, one final note: If you happen to be driving a minivan, many models do have extra metal shielding in the windshield/windscreen frame that seriously screws up the GPS reception. It is ordinarily the case that most people who have reception problems are driving one of these vehicles and yes, the external antenna will fix it right quick.

]]> By: kirkhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/bye-bye-garmin-streetpilot-almost/comment-page-1/#comment-19551 kirk Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:52:10 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/bye-bye-garmin-streetpilot-almost/#comment-19551 Just a note to tell you that my one month old Garmin 760 does NOT have the SiRFstar III chipset. This thing is too slow at hwy speeds, and is NOT wass enabled, probably because of a slow processor (P2 or P3 equivalent?).It appears that Garmin did the old bait and switch routine. All the early 760's that got the glowing reviews had the SiRFstar III chipsets in them. The later units had either MediaTek or something called a Bravo chipset (proprietary to Garmin?).The only way to tell what you have is to access the maintenance menu, and see what is listed. I have to go to the start-up screen, press the battery symbol for 8 to 9 seconds, then hit "next" to see the second screen, which has the version information " nuvi 760 S3... which I took to mean SiRFstar III, but no! You have to press the "more" button at the bottom of the screen and scroll through the next 5 screens to see what the chipset is. Mine is listed (second from the bottom) as "MediaTeck MT3318 GPS Module". My pcb is ver 3.I'm guessing pcb ver 1 is SiRFstar III, ver 2 is Bravo, and ver 3 is MediaTek, with NOTHING to let a consumer know what he's buying; ie. same model number, same packaging.Re: FM Output Signal Strength... It appears that the FM signal strength is adjustable because the Europeans are allowed a stronger output signal than we North Americans. I'll have a chance to test this out tomorrow, but for now, start out in the maintenance screen, then scroll through: the "SW Ver" page, the "Version Info" page, the "Data Card Test" page, the "Audio Test" page, to the "Audio Output Test Page".Under "Audio Out", you have to enable "FM". This will open up a sub-menu showing FM frequency, and next "FM Power". "FM Power" enables the "Up/Down" boxes, that will change the FM Property Value.I'm going to try mine at 115 db, which might be a bit too much. We'll see. While I was on that page, I enabled "FM Stereo", as well as "High Pwr".At the end of the day, my 760 is NOT even close to instant on, and constantly "dithers" when I'm parked, with an average accuracy of 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet). Maybe that's why it comes with an external antenna jack... the internal antenna might be too wimpy even though I drive a Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 convertable. This thing is just about useless on logging roads because it is so inaccurate reading your lat/long for map reading. Just a note to tell you that my one month old Garmin 760 does NOT have the SiRFstar III chipset. This thing is too slow at hwy speeds, and is NOT wass enabled, probably because of a slow processor (P2 or P3 equivalent?).

It appears that Garmin did the old bait and switch routine. All the early 760′s that got the glowing reviews had the SiRFstar III chipsets in them. The later units had either MediaTek or something called a Bravo chipset (proprietary to Garmin?).

The only way to tell what you have is to access the maintenance menu, and see what is listed.
I have to go to the start-up screen, press the battery symbol for 8 to 9 seconds, then hit “next” to see the second screen, which has the version information ” nuvi 760 S3… which I took to mean SiRFstar III, but no!
You have to press the “more” button at the bottom of the screen and scroll through the next 5 screens to see what the chipset is. Mine is listed (second from the bottom) as “MediaTeck MT3318 GPS Module”. My pcb is ver 3.

I’m guessing pcb ver 1 is SiRFstar III, ver 2 is Bravo, and ver 3 is MediaTek, with NOTHING to let a consumer know what he’s buying; ie. same model number, same packaging.

Re: FM Output Signal Strength…
It appears that the FM signal strength is adjustable because the Europeans are allowed a stronger output signal than we North Americans. I’ll have a chance to test this out tomorrow, but for now, start out in the maintenance screen, then scroll through:
the “SW Ver” page,
the “Version Info” page,
the “Data Card Test” page,
the “Audio Test” page,
to the “Audio Output Test Page”.

Under “Audio Out”, you have to enable “FM”. This will open up a sub-menu showing FM frequency, and next “FM Power”. “FM Power” enables the “Up/Down” boxes, that will change the FM Property Value.

I’m going to try mine at 115 db, which might be a bit too much. We’ll see. While I was on that page, I enabled “FM Stereo”, as well as “High Pwr”.

At the end of the day, my 760 is NOT even close to instant on, and constantly “dithers” when I’m parked, with an average accuracy of 10 to 20 meters (33 to 66 feet). Maybe that’s why it comes with an external antenna jack… the internal antenna might be too wimpy even though I drive a Suzuki Sidekick 4×4 convertable. This thing is just about useless on logging roads because it is so inaccurate reading your lat/long for map reading.

]]>