Slow location updating? From the videos I've seen, it looks like your current location is updated only every few seconds, instead of the 2-3 times a second of other gps's. Is this correct? Or just an illlusion of the poor internet video? Slow location updating? From the videos I've seen, it looks like your current location is updated only every few seconds, instead of the 2-3 times a second of other gps's. Is this correct?... » Read More Slow location updating? From the videos I've seen, it looks like your current location is updated only every few seconds, instead of the 2-3 times a second of other gps's. Is this correct? Or just an illlusion of the poor internet video? « Show Less
78408
The maps are constantly updated as you drive, but the screen does occasionally seem to jump, but it is not distracting because the "jump" is so small. The motion is similar to other GPS's I have used like a Garmin or a Mio.
78409
I would think there is a "zoom" function or else it would be really really unuser-friendly
78410
Another issue I would like addressed: is there a 'zoom in' feature? One reviewer (I think the CNET one) noted that the 'view' always remained the same scale, which made it a bit difficult to find the correct turns, etc., in a congested road area.
78411
Yes there is a "zoom" feature, you can freely press the + and - button to zoom in and out. HOWEVER: the dash express lacks the ability (unlike most other gps's) to dynamically zoom in and out depending on if your slowing down or speeding up (particularly in upcoming corners). this is a feature that they have hinted about adding in the neat future with their first feature upgrade.
78412
I dont think you can really visualize that though. I'm guessing that the location is constantly being updated in your system but the screen/map might not reflect that. Also i think it depends on your resolution and the aspect of your current screen (ie, how detailed is the map being shown, is it in a street view or is it in a city view, etc). It wouldn't make sense if you are in a "zoomed-out" view and your car icon is constantly (2,3 times in a second) being refreshed and moves. Unless you are driving at like 200mph or using your GPS on an airplane...
78413
I think the Amazon info points out a zoom button, but check out the review on Engadget.com:http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/dash-express-review/They have galleries of in-use photos.
383188
You should chill out. You sound like someone who was raised on microwaved food and too much television. My update DVDs only took two days. They were massive files. I was thankful that I did not have to download them. I have had absolutely no problem with Garmin's customer service either. Probably has something to do with the polite tone I used to address them. I had no problem with the updates wiping out my favorites, but I will say that it warned me to back them up. Maybe you missed that same warning? How would you like it if someone circumvented customer service and bothered you with a petty issue like this? The actual IT people have a lot more to do than listen to your complaints. Also, why must the IT people all have wives? Did you ever think that in the "modem age" women would be allowed outside of their houses....Heaven forbid we let them work in IT at Garmin! Cheers, Bkcraft PS Nice extended use of punctuation. You wouldn't frequent MySpace, by any chance, would you?
1398101
Hmm i guess it says there is GPS in the title. How does it work?? I have this product. I also don't know how to update the information.
864846
Yes, the LM after the model number means Lifetime Maps, but you need an E-mail address to get the notices of map updates and downloads. Plus the timed to update you GPS, usually takes about one hour on a 64-bit PC the first time you update. Did this help ? Also it is an awesome GPS system.
487472
This GPS has 2 ways of getting traffic updates. The FM receiver in the power cord needs no subscription. It updates on fewer roads and at @15 min intervals. The GPS also has a built-in receiver that updates every 2 minutes and on more roads. This second traffic update feature requires the "Live" subscription. Chris
869807
I just recently purchased the Magellan and have been promised lifetime updates, so have not had that experience. I am not totally sold on the device as it has misdirected me several times to an incorrect location. I complained to the company and was told to download maps AGAIN which I have done and am still having problems. However I purchased the product more than 30 days ago so it cannot be returned. I also find it not very easy to use, which my family agrees with as they all use another product. Has anyone else had trouble with this device.
947745
Hi Steve,I didn't update the maps and during my trip on the 4th of July weekend, I didn't need to as the navi was correct in all directions I went to. I will update on my next road trip to Seattle, WA. Hope that helps. Take care.RH
1859958
You hide this in a geocache, and it will send out a signal that can be picked up by another gps. So you don't actually have to find it, you could have It so when you get within 20-30 feet it automatically gives them new coordinates. It would work really well in a multi cache.
2152135
Yes, you can "Set location" for somewhere else, but I don't recall how to do that. I guess find the address, and maybe the "Set location" option pops up then? But mine finds satellites fairly quickly, even if it's been turned off. If it takes more than 5 minutes, turn it off and start over. Mine usually finds them in a minute or less. I think it does it faster if you turn it on before you start moving. HTHS--
1212319
I have the same issue so I emailed the seller asking him about the lifetime map updates that I couldn't find the website. He responded back with the unit already had the newest map installed and he would send me the link when a new update comes out.
1483462
I think I may understand your issue; the satellite signal strength changes over and over even though you're not moving. My particular unit takes some time now and again to finally latch on to a satellite signal. I've never really watched nor been concerned with the signal strength since the unit seems to be functioning perfectly. You don't mention your surroundings, however. I can tell you that inner city with all of the signal-blocking tall buildings for the GPS to deal with, I have had the unit be unusable. Is it possible this is contributing to your signal strength variations?
1248107
I've owned this unit (before "lifetime Maps and Traffic) for about a year and a half now. I've updated my maps approx once per quarter when Garmin makes them available. The updates take a while, but they do, in fact, offer them. When I got mine I had to purchase "lifetime maps" as an additional option. The units of today are almost all including lifetime map updates as part of the unit.For the price here on the Gold Box ....... It's a steal! Go for it.
485281
EARL -- curious about the time line in your post. I see that on the Magellan site they show Map Upgrade v45 as being the most current. If I read your post correctly, that upgrade was originally released in Dec 2011 and then retracted and in Feb you still didn't have it? That would suggest the current Map Upgrade v45 is at BEST 5 months old (if they released it February 19th
485283
Magellan rarely proivides map updates. I purchased 2 5045LMs in 2010 and have received only ONE map update. With Lifetime Map Updates they are supposed to occur 4 times a year, but I have only received 1. Not good for their Lifetime Map Updates.
1018250
What's up Frank! Hope you're doing well. I think you might have to update the maps. I am not a specialist, but I recently recieved a message on my GPS startup screen to update the map (have yet to do so). Last year when this issue happened, the map update helped fix address issue, temporarily. Gramin offers free up-to-date maps on their website. Overall it is a good GPS for finding LOCAL locations. I have found that once you'd been to the area with the GPS on, it records the satellite points for faster access in the future. Make sure you flip open the antennae (square flap) to connect. Accuracy is like 7.65900/10 and has internal issues like the one Frank talked about. The GPS itself (internal software) is 5/10. It's okay and has bugs when you are typing in the address. It only accepts a specific format for addresses (something like zip code, city, house #, street name). I would recommend it only if you are looking for something cheap and are somewhat are familiar with the compass rose and major landmarks in the city.
342183
The time on mine always resets after I turn it off and back on. However, it always sets to the correct date, and exactly one hour behind the correct time regardless of what I've set it to. It's almost as if it has a way to automatically set the time, but has the wrong time zone or daylight saving time set. I thought it might be getting the info from the GPS; but I recently traveled to a different time zone, and it reset the time to two hours behind. In other words, it didn't know that I traveled to a different time zone.
2272329
Yes, it does have traffic updates. However it is difficult to determine the accuracy of those traffic reports, because conditions are constantly changing, so by the time you arrive at the area that had an earlier-displayed slowdown, you'll never know if things cleared up or got worse moments before you arrived at the location. After driving ~6000 miles on a northeastern road trip last summer (areas with lots of traffic), my impression is that the traffic updates were largely accurate and helpful.Oh, by the way, we didn't get traffic capabilities that require extra equipment or subscriptions. We just got the basic model. Yes, it does have traffic updates. However it is difficult to determine the accuracy of those traffic reports, because conditions are constantly changing, so by the time you arrive at the area that had an earlier-displayed slowdown, you'll never know if things cleared up or got worse moments before you arrived at the location. After driving ~6000 miles on a northeastern road trip last summer (areas with lots of traffic), my impression is that the traffic updates were largely accurate and helpful.Oh, by the way, we didn't get traffic capabilities that require extra equipment or... » Read More Yes, it does have traffic updates. However it is difficult to determine the accuracy of those traffic reports, because conditions are constantly changing, so by the time you arrive at the area that had an earlier-displayed slowdown, you'll never know if things cleared up or got worse moments before you arrived at the location. After driving ~6000 miles on a northeastern road trip last summer (areas with lots of traffic), my impression is that the traffic updates were largely accurate and helpful.Oh, by the way, we didn't get traffic capabilities that require extra equipment or subscriptions. We just got the basic model. « Show Less