Newbie from GA

dennisg · 07-04-2008, 9:18 AM

Happy 4th. I just purchased a Garmen 850 - 2 days ago. Still trying to figure out what "extras" I need to load on it. I'd appreciate any feed back.

I'm in metro Atanta and travel in N. GA, TN, AL. The 850 did not come with MS Direct so I wonder if it's a good investment. Other things??? I could not get a bluetooth version right away but I'll live with it.

Sugesstions on what to add and where to get it? Thanks.
dennisg

Max · 07-04-2008, 12:36 PM

Welcome to the site Dennis

as far as extras go, what are you after?

I don't typically end up changing the software too much, usually get a couple of different mounting options or other stuff like that. I have MSN direct too (on my Nuvi 680, don't have an 8xx myself).

Speaking of MSNdirect, its convenient but not necessary. The nicest thing I like about it is that it will point you to the nearest gas station with the cheapest gas

dennisg · 07-04-2008, 1:41 PM

Max, Thanks for the reply. I waited for the 8XX series to come out because of the battery and I read that the speech recognition was improved or "fixed"
I have used it twice in the past 2 days to visit homeowners ( I give quotes on under deck rain diversion systems) and I wind up going to usually nice neighborhoods, out of the city. Since many of these are newly developed areas, I was just wondering if there were any add on's that would be helpful. I'm not hiking or camping much anymore ( I'm retired from the military) and have seen enough of the boonies.

At present I just need to locate new sub divisions and get a track on gas, track tie ups, etc. I saw this Garmin FM TMC for traffic and then I saw some stuff on MSN Direct. Since I have to buy both of them I was looking for input and the pro's and con's.

As to mounts. My Nuvi has fallen off the windshield mount twice! Cleaned the mount area, cleaned the suction cup. Still fell off after I thought it was mounted solidly. Are there other mounts that may work better?

Enjoy the 4Th.
dennisg

Max · 07-05-2008, 10:38 AM

Hmm, unless things have changed, the MSN Direct should handle traffic AND gas, movies, stocks, etc.

I have a couple FM TMC devices and an MSN direct device and the MSN seems to get the info faster provided I'm in a bright service area.

When you say it fell off the windshield mount, do you mean the suction isn't holding to the windshield or the unit isn't holding to the ball mount?
(dumb question, but you are flipping the lever on the suction cup, right?)

I typically fog my suction cup (just breathe on it for a second to get it moist) then stick it on. Truthfully I hate the Garmin suction cups though, as the ones I have had end up leaving rubber on the windshield eventually and lose their suction permanently. If you're looking for something better, I have tried the Arkon suction mounts (link below)

</title><html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>Garmin GPS Mount | Garmin Nuvi Car Holder | Garmin Nuvi Removable Air Vent Mount

and had very good success. I actually have one stuck to the inside back window of my truck that I stuck there back in January with a weighted/magnetic EVdO antenna on it just to see how well it would hold - and it's still holding, haven't had to restick it yet.

dennisg · 07-05-2008, 8:22 PM

Thanks for the obvious question regarding the suction cup. Yes. I am engaging the lever fully down and locked. The entire unit came down. Mount and all. This morning I did go out and use alcohol and a clean microfiber cloth to clean the area. I drove with it on for about 2 hours today. Seemed to hold up OK.

I used to have one of those tri suction mount radar units in my car and it would occasionally to the same thing. Now it's mounted in the grill and on the back plate frame...so no more problem.

I installed the MSN Direct today. Didn't really test it out. Just a short run to the store - 2 miles at most.

I have to see people at there homes to bid work for them and every 6 months the subdivisions and new roads move further out. Plus I'm getting calls for some areas in metro Atlanta that I rarely travel too. Couple days ago it took me right to the house...actually it was more like a mansion.

Thanks for the tip on the mounts. We'll I've got to walk my dogs so they can watch Animal Planet before they go to sleep.

Appreciate the tips.

dennisg

mjcorwin · 07-08-2008, 3:36 PM

The best mount that I have found for my Nuvi is the G3 from Pro.Fit. It attaches inside the dash bezel (no damage and can be removed) so it is super sturdy. It comes with an optional "J STEM" that you can use (I do) for more adjustability.

VSM Photo Gallery

I live in MN where suction cups are illegal, so I started using the disk included with the Nuvi. That didn't work well so I tried the air vent mounts, and they fall off a lot (like the suction cup) and eventually it cracked the air vent. I did a lot of investigating online and the G3 seemed to be the best option available.

dennisg · 07-09-2008, 5:46 AM

Thanks for the info. I have on 02 Navigator and it only shows 03 and newer. I ordered it and we'll see if it works. I apprecaite the link. I sent it to my neighbor, who has a Nuvi, and I think he already ordered one for his car.

Do you happen to know if you keep the cable plugged in if it will draw down your car battery after a couple days?? I had not gone out over the weekend and when I tried to start the car it gave me a little grinding. New battery in it so I was just wondering. I unplugged the cable. Car is starting fine now.

Thanks again for the link.
dennisg

07-04-2008, 9:18 AM	#1
dennisg Join Date: Jul 04 2008 Location: GA Posts: 4	Newbie from GA Happy 4th. I just purchased a Garmen 850 - 2 days ago. Still trying to figure out what "extras" I need to load on it. I'd appreciate any feed back. I'm in metro Atanta and travel in N. GA, TN, AL. The 850 did not come with MS Direct so I wonder if it's a good investment. Other things??? I could not get a bluetooth version right away but I'll live with it. Sugesstions on what to add and where to get it? Thanks. dennisg

07-04-2008, 12:36 PM	#2
Max 'tis the season for seat time Join Date: Dec 28 2006 Location: Near Boston, Ma. Posts: 873 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Newbie from GA Welcome to the site Dennis as far as extras go, what are you after? I don't typically end up changing the software too much, usually get a couple of different mounting options or other stuff like that. I have MSN direct too (on my Nuvi 680, don't have an 8xx myself). Speaking of MSNdirect, its convenient but not necessary. The nicest thing I like about it is that it will point you to the nearest gas station with the cheapest gas __________________ Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.

07-04-2008, 1:41 PM	#3
dennisg Join Date: Jul 04 2008 Location: GA Posts: 4	Re: Newbie from GA Max, Thanks for the reply. I waited for the 8XX series to come out because of the battery and I read that the speech recognition was improved or "fixed" I have used it twice in the past 2 days to visit homeowners ( I give quotes on under deck rain diversion systems) and I wind up going to usually nice neighborhoods, out of the city. Since many of these are newly developed areas, I was just wondering if there were any add on's that would be helpful. I'm not hiking or camping much anymore ( I'm retired from the military) and have seen enough of the boonies. At present I just need to locate new sub divisions and get a track on gas, track tie ups, etc. I saw this Garmin FM TMC for traffic and then I saw some stuff on MSN Direct. Since I have to buy both of them I was looking for input and the pro's and con's. As to mounts. My Nuvi has fallen off the windshield mount twice! Cleaned the mount area, cleaned the suction cup. Still fell off after I thought it was mounted solidly. Are there other mounts that may work better? Enjoy the 4Th. dennisg

07-05-2008, 10:38 AM	#4
Max 'tis the season for seat time Join Date: Dec 28 2006 Location: Near Boston, Ma. Posts: 873 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Newbie from GA Hmm, unless things have changed, the MSN Direct should handle traffic AND gas, movies, stocks, etc. I have a couple FM TMC devices and an MSN direct device and the MSN seems to get the info faster provided I'm in a bright service area. When you say it fell off the windshield mount, do you mean the suction isn't holding to the windshield or the unit isn't holding to the ball mount? (dumb question, but you are flipping the lever on the suction cup, right?) I typically fog my suction cup (just breathe on it for a second to get it moist) then stick it on. Truthfully I hate the Garmin suction cups though, as the ones I have had end up leaving rubber on the windshield eventually and lose their suction permanently. If you're looking for something better, I have tried the Arkon suction mounts (link below) </title><html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>Garmin GPS Mount \| Garmin Nuvi Car Holder \| Garmin Nuvi Removable Air Vent Mount and had very good success. I actually have one stuck to the inside back window of my truck that I stuck there back in January with a weighted/magnetic EVdO antenna on it just to see how well it would hold - and it's still holding, haven't had to restick it yet. __________________ Nothing free is good, nothing good is free.

07-05-2008, 8:22 PM	#5
dennisg Join Date: Jul 04 2008 Location: GA Posts: 4	Re: Newbie from GA Thanks for the obvious question regarding the suction cup. Yes. I am engaging the lever fully down and locked. The entire unit came down. Mount and all. This morning I did go out and use alcohol and a clean microfiber cloth to clean the area. I drove with it on for about 2 hours today. Seemed to hold up OK. I used to have one of those tri suction mount radar units in my car and it would occasionally to the same thing. Now it's mounted in the grill and on the back plate frame...so no more problem. I installed the MSN Direct today. Didn't really test it out. Just a short run to the store - 2 miles at most. I have to see people at there homes to bid work for them and every 6 months the subdivisions and new roads move further out. Plus I'm getting calls for some areas in metro Atlanta that I rarely travel too. Couple days ago it took me right to the house...actually it was more like a mansion. Thanks for the tip on the mounts. We'll I've got to walk my dogs so they can watch Animal Planet before they go to sleep. Appreciate the tips. dennisg

07-08-2008, 3:36 PM	#6
mjcorwin Join Date: Jul 08 2008 Location: Here Posts: 2	Re: Newbie from GA The best mount that I have found for my Nuvi is the G3 from Pro.Fit. It attaches inside the dash bezel (no damage and can be removed) so it is super sturdy. It comes with an optional "J STEM" that you can use (I do) for more adjustability. VSM Photo Gallery I live in MN where suction cups are illegal, so I started using the disk included with the Nuvi. That didn't work well so I tried the air vent mounts, and they fall off a lot (like the suction cup) and eventually it cracked the air vent. I did a lot of investigating online and the G3 seemed to be the best option available.

07-09-2008, 5:46 AM	#7
dennisg Join Date: Jul 04 2008 Location: GA Posts: 4	Re: Newbie from GA Thanks for the info. I have on 02 Navigator and it only shows 03 and newer. I ordered it and we'll see if it works. I apprecaite the link. I sent it to my neighbor, who has a Nuvi, and I think he already ordered one for his car. Do you happen to know if you keep the cable plugged in if it will draw down your car battery after a couple days?? I had not gone out over the weekend and when I tried to start the car it gave me a little grinding. New battery in it so I was just wondering. I unplugged the cable. Car is starting fine now. Thanks again for the link. dennisg

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