HumVee

LOL...I'm glad you were able to turn around your 765T so quickly, Heat00! Hopefully, that 30% louder speaker on the 1490T will do the trick for you! You also might want to do some research when it comes time to replace your tires. Different tires have different ratings for road noise (but of course traction and handling should be top priority)....

The 7xx series may have more features than the 2xx series nuvi's - but that doesn't mean that the hardware is necessarily newer under the hood. Since the 1490T is brand new, I hope it will prove to be more snappy for you.

MTalvola

It should be. I was messing around with one in Costco recently with a simulated route and the screen draw was MUCH smoother/faster than my old Nuvi 660.

Heat00, in what way was it "slower"? Screen refresh or just "overall"? I've heard complaints of the keyboard not working very well and being hard to press.

BabyDoc

I am quite sure you will find the 1490T's speaker plenty loud. In fact, mine is so loud, I have it set at 70 percent of Maximum and can play the radio quite loud without a problem. If you think the 765T was clear, just wait til you hear the 1490T.

Again, I strongly recommend getting the friction (beanbag) mount for the 1490T. It lets you put the Nuvi anywhere on your dash and then tuck it away on the floor, out-of- sight with a bag over it, so that it won't attract the wrong people when you park your car.

The only thing I think you may miss with the 1490T that the 765T had are the 3-D building views, but with little use for them, I think you probably won't.

Be sure you use WebUpdater and upgrade your firmware as soon as you get your new Nuvi. There was a recent new firmware release ver. 3.60, for the 1490T that fixes a lot of problems some people experienced including rebooting and screen freezes. If you have any trouble aquiring satellites the first time you use your 1490T, place the unit in an open space outside of your car and don't move it. Garmin doesn't warn you that it can take up to 15 minutes to connect to the satellites the first time. After that, it takes only seconds.

I am quite confident, that after you get the 1490T, you will be changing the title of this thread to: the 1490T IS the choice.

BTW, your friend that bought your 765T, should he complain about the volume, refer him to this free software:
TurboCCC - TTSVoiceEditor

It will allow him to raise the volume level in the voice files themselves.
Even so, it won't sound as clear as the 1490T. So I believe you made the right move.

Heat00

sluggish and slow in zooming in and out and just overall. weak compared to my 255WT.

Heat00

Sweet, thanks very much. I need to know more about the firmware update. Any links or instructions are much appreciated. Is it easy to do? I don't want to mess this thing up lol.

Heat00

the only prob with volume on the 765 was during BT. for navi it was more than fine.

BabyDoc

Just go to garmin.com. Search for webupdater which you will need to install. This will help you update your firmware.

Another program, called myDashboard, is also available for download. It is supposed to do the same thing as webupdater. However, most people like the webupdater which allows you to update only the files you want. It explains what the upgrade is doing for you. Dashboard updates everything without giving you a choice of files. For example, with webupdater I can ignore updating certain language files I don't need anyway. Just don't disconnect your Nuvi during the update or interupt it in any way, and you should be fine. After the update, do a safe disconnect of your Nuvi. (Use the safely remove hardware icon at the bottom right of your windows screen)
Then let your Nuvi turn on completely to load in the new firmware.
(see my note about AGENT below)*

Garmin just released version 2010.40 maps which you can get as a free upgrade if you register your Nuvi. Even if you don't register your NUVI, Garmin knows after the first satellite connection when you got it. You have 60 days to then register and download the new map.

*Another free program you need to have your computer is called AGENT. You get that from Garmin, too. Actually Agent is the first program you should download. It will recognize when you connect your Nuvi to your computer. Otherwise updater and dashboard won't work.

MTalvola

What is this thing called "Agent"? Never used or needed it in the 3+ years I've been doing everything from firmware and map updates to loading custom POIs to playing around with voice files. The old webupdater works just fine. Is it the same thing as Garmin Communicator? Now, that I DO need.

Also, I don't think it's been mentioned yet... BACK YOUR NUVI UP. Seriously. Allow all files (hidden) to be viewed in the root directory and copy everything from the Nuvi to a folder on your computer. This has saved MANY people in the past who either deleted something by mistake or ended up with corrupted files. This will not work with OS firmware, however. That resides in non-USB accessible internal memory and can only be updated (or downgraded) with an official Garmin loader.

BabyDoc

Agent just puts a garmin triangle icon in your lower RT corner of your Windows screen. It allerts you when your nuvi is connected. If you click on it, it automatically loads in the dashboard program.

I suppose you can live without it, if you say so. According to my instruction manual, they advised that it was Agent was the first thing I should load in. I am just relaying what the manual says. I think Garmin is now pushing the MyDashboard program over the older WebUpdater. Until I had been on these forums, I didn't even know the older WebUpdater existed. I like it better than the Dashboard, although Dashboard does have something going for it. In one place, you can tell whether you have the latest firmware, mapware, and what your free memory space is on your Nuvi. However, I still prefer to go to the WebUpdater to upgrade the firmware, rather than doing it from the Dashboard, although both work.
You can do the map upgrades from the Dashboard, or check in at MyGarmin.com. Go to MyMaps. Either work.


That's good advice about backing up your Nuvi.

HumVee

BabyDoc, the only program from Garmin I can find is ANT Agent, which is designed to work with Garmin's fitness programs. Is this the application you're thinking of? I think what you're really thinking of is the Garmin Communicator Plugin.

**** Edit ****

LOL...I see MTalvola already addressed this point! That's what I get for getting side-tracked in the middle of a response, and then not refreshing my screen before I submit....

BabyDoc

This is the link:
Garmin | myGarmin Agent Plugin

HumVee

Ah! Interesting that it doesn't come up in a Google search. Garmin must not have it tagged properly. I'm glad you like the app. Personally, I have so many things running in the background already, I'd just as soon not add another. I always know when I plug in my GPS unit, and am comfortable with the steps to log in to myGarmin. That's not meant as a knock against you in any way - I'm a very firm believer that there's many ways to get things done, and that we each must find the way that we are most comfortable with!

Heat00

thanks.

After 3 hours, so far so good except one time it shut down... which is a little concerning.
I definetly miss the feature of different audio out put on the 765 (i.e. navi volume can be set different than bt volume/master volume.) no big deal.

one big item that appears to be missing is the phone book.

The 765t automatically took all or almost all of my 2500 contacts.
the 1490t hasn't taken any or I can't find an option for it.

speaker volume is much louder and although not nearly the same quality of sound as the adp2 whatever, it is much louder so it appears it won't have to go back lol.

still concerned about the shut off though, in the fist day??

perhaps firmware update is needed ?

HumVee

Heat00, definitely update it to the latest firmware version. Firmware updates are specifically to resolve known issues with the device (& very occassionally to provide enhancement).

According to the 1490T Owner's Manual (pg. 21 - 22), and several online reviews I read, your new GPS should be able to access your phone's entire contact list when paired up with Bluetooth. Go to the main menu, then select Phone > Phone Book. It is possible that your phone isn't one of the ones that fully support all of the 1490T's Bluetooth features. What make and model cellular phone do you have?

HumVee

I just found this handy Bluetooth Phone Compatibility link on the Garmin website. Just select your make & model of phone, and your model of Garmin GPS. You then get a listing of which features are compatible between the two devices.

Yikes! Texting capability on the Garmin is one of the listed features! I have no idea which phones & GPS combinations allow this - but if you have one, please be very careful. That sounds like a bad collision waiting to happen (if the driver is the one who happens to be texting). Also, it's illegal in Oregon (as of January, 2010) and many other states. You also must use your cell phone with a handsfree device here. Here is a handy site that lists cell phone driving laws by state.

Heat00

blackberry bold 9700. I don't have an option under phone for phone book?? Weak lol.


worse problem, where I have it mounted, it is losing signal, in and out. have to remount now.

even worse than that, hopefully related, during the time it did have signal, on my way home from work, it had my icon/car, showing on roads close to the one I was actually on. must have been off by about 500 ft at lease and displayed roads that I couldn't even see, saying I was on them.
what the hell is that??????

I'm scared that this thing is messed up... my 255 has never ever had any of these type issues.

I really hope its related to losing signal.

Heat00

ouch, my phone isn't even on the list??? the highest one they have is the blackberry 96xx???

this is sooo weak...

Heat00

could my unit be seriously defective or re-furbished or something??

I sold my 765t to my partner who has a similar (not exactly same) blackberry and upon start up all 2500 went into the nav automatically. my phone is a step up and so is my nav. how can this be? LOL.

HumVee

The Blackberry 9630 is shown with the 1490T having all features except texting. I can't imagine that the 9700 would be less compatible. Try the firmware update - that might resolve all of your issues. Also, it does matter how you're pairing your phone to your GPS. Be sure you're using the Handsfree pairing mode if either your phone or the GPS device allow you to select the option.

Heat00

hmm... i will look. i did have a little trouble pairing. don't remember seeing any options for handsfree pairing anywhere. will look again now.

i really hope the firmware update helps.
downloading map update now but it says 2 hrs still left lol...
ouch.

Heat00

great, now i downloaded all the vehicles, not realizing that they take up the entire memory of the unit lol.
it says i have no free space left
can't do anything right on this thing yet...

at least I got the firmware updated.

tomorrow will be good test. if it keeps showing me on roads that are nearby and not the one i'm actually on... then this bad boy is going back quickly.
one shut down, on and off signal (although this is operator error/mounting), and showing me on the wrong roads.... in first day of ownership lol? acceptable?? maybe not for $300...

and with the newest bold/blackberry I don't even have the phone book option showing ?

am i crazy or just retarded today?

HumVee

I found nothing in the Garmin Knowledgebase regarding your Blackberry/1490T phonebook issue. You should contact Garmin Support. They should be able to definitively tell you how to get your phone book to show up, or let you know it's not possible. As to your icon placement on the map, is your Usage Mode set to Automobile (p. 38)? When you see your vehicle so far off track, how many bars of satellite reception are indicated? Perhaps your chosen mounting location has too much obstruction for the built in GPS receiver?

As to setting different sound volumes, when I'm in the Volume menu for my zumo 660, I have a Mixer button. When I tap on that, I can set different percentage of sound for Navigation and for Media. Do you see anything like that?

About the Bluetooth - what does your Blackberry show as the pairing mode you're in? Is it Hands-free or Headset? If you've selected Headset Pairing, then you're only enabling the most basic capabilities. You need to have Hands-free pairing to enable phone book and other features.

Heat00

I think automobile is chosen. Not at home right now but I will check.
Bt under properties, both headset and handsfree were checked off. Iremoved headset well see if it is fixed.

As for volume, there is no mixer option.

Both of these were ok in the 765 which is why I'm wondering if my unit is bad or are these options just missing? Do you have a 1490? Anyone that has one can tell me quickly.

I'd like to avoid contacting garmin, this thing is only a few days old.

The phone book is not the end of the world, volume no mixer settings sucks bad and showing my car on roads far far from where I actually am is just crazy.

Its too bad I need bt or I would just save 150 and get another 255 which works so much better so far.

Firmware update is done too. Will test more tonite

Heat00

just ordered a pro-clip center mount since there is no where else to mount this thing lol.
at least the mount has the ball so if I have to return unit and get a 765 again I can.
hopefully it is not the case.

HumVee

Heat00, if you end up returning the 1490T, then perhaps you really ought to get another n255 and then purchase a seperate Bluetooth hands-free option. Having everything in one device is convenient - but often times there's too much trade-off in functionality. I just bought a Jabra Cruiser visor clip Bluetooth hands-free speakerphone for my wife, and she loves it. I got it at Costco for $70. It's nice and loud, and there's nothing that needs to go in her ear. To re-pair with her phone when she gets back in the car, all she has to do is tap one button to wake it up. The only bummer is that the voice command feature for searching contacts won't work with her iPhone 3G, so she has to use the phone's contact list to trigger calls (but that's fast and easy on an iPhone). The laughable thing is that the voice command feature works fine with my Windows Mobile phone, and would work with the iPhone if she upgraded to a 3Gs. Yes, she has the latest iPhone OS - but Apple refuses to enable certain features unless you buy new hardware - damn Apple!

Any way, the Jabra Cruiser is plenty loud, and very simple to operate. So think about it!

Heat00

thanks. I guess I was spoiled by what I had before, always had factory installed nav and BT.

The bT is not bad on the 1490, it is loud, bigger problem is the fact that it froze on me the first day I had it and 3 times in 1 day it showed me on roads I wasn't even near. that shouldn't be on any model nav and i've never seen it.
i will double check the setting but I'm 99% sure all is set right.
only possible cause I could think of is that it was mounted kind of low at the time and was in and out of signal. hopefully that was causing the errors, will find out tomorrow when I drive some.

HumVee

Yeah, low mounting will obstruct the GPS receiver's ability to lock onto satellite signals, since it needs clear line of sight from the GPS unit to the sky - at least enough to get locks onto at least 4 satellites to provide accurate positional data. If your GPS unit had an external antenna adapter, you could mount it anywhere and run the external antenna outside to the roof of the car for best reception. Unfortunately, it's not available on all models. Your 765T had it...maybe you can swap back with your friend, and he can pay you the difference? Of course, you'd be back to that sluggish response you complained about on the interface.... If you do get something with external antenna capability, you can pick up an external antenna for about $20. This Gillson is pretty good, and the rubberized magnet does a good job of keeping it in place - but lots of people don't even bother putting it on the outside of the car, they just place it on the dashboard, close to the windshield.

Heat00

lol always something. i will wait for my proclipmount and see how we do then before deciding.