60 CS & City Select

[YosemitePaul]

Have just come back from a couple of weeks around Europe, using my 60 and City Select. I have to say how frustrated I was with the set up. I was fortunate that I had a friend with a tank bag and map, without the trusty map, then I think we could have got totally lost.
Not only did the GPS quite obviously send us down the wrong routes, but was far too slow. In towns or on motorways with exits or roads spaced closely together, then the 60 just couldn't keep up. As we made one instructed turn, it tried to compute the next, we found had already gone past it. This then led to ever increasing confusion. Never once did the 60 lead us to the right hotel. I've numerous moans about the system too many to list , and will make sure infuture that I have a trusty map and use the GPS as backup.
In all...... a very dissatisfied 'GPS Customer'!!!!!!

 

[PanEuropean]

Paul:

What cartography were you using? Was it MetroGuide? What version was it? (in other words, how old was it?) I am wondering if your problems arose as a result of using inappropriate or out of date cartography.

Michael

 

[YosemitePaul]

Was the V7 of City Select. So I assume the most up to date. What I'm most concerned about (other than the slow speed) was its quite annoying habit of trying to send me down the wrong road, this was particularly the case on motorways, where there were two intersections, close together. Several times it tried to send us off on the wrong one.
The way I feel at the moment I'd struggle to recommend the 60 and its software to anyone.

 

[PanEuropean]

Hi Paul:

Well, you certainly have the most up to date and most appropriate cartography for your 60.

Honestly, I don't know what else to say. I have never used a 60, and am not at all familiar with it.

Michael

 

[Gecko]

I use the 60c , little brother of the 60cs and have never had a problem with it . Following routes and navigating works fine so it sounds like you have a dodgy unit. I'd have a word with Garmin if I was you because there sounds like there's something not quite right with yours. I've used mine all over Europe and it's been a little gem.

 

[Scottie]

Great Little unit...

I must agree that there has to be a problem with your unit.

I have just returned from central Europe having done 2000+ miles in the old Com Block for where street level mapping is not even available. It performed very well.

The only real problem with the unit is the lack of memory, (the base map is not that accurate and only good for main routes). With street level maps loaded it is incredibly accurate and fast (where we missed a turn, it even managed to take us round a complex motorway cloverleaf back on track).

Our next trip is 3000+ miles and due to lack of memory, it is a bind sorting which maps to drop and which areas you are going to explore and need local street mapping for lodging info etc., but this is the units only real flaw.

It is fair to say it takes months to get used to the Garmin systems, but persevere, you'll be glad you did.

Richard

ps my first unit had to be replaced as it kept 'switching off' (disconcerting at a major road junction) 'They have never been known to go wrong' said the Garmin man.

 

[Gecko]

The switching off problem was a real hassle on th early models - it seemed to be due to the batteries getting loose through vibration. esily solved by a little bit of foam in the battery compartment to hold the batteries tight in place.

I had to send mine back under warranty because the zoom function stopped working.....Mr Garmin said they have never seen that before in fairness though it was replaced with no fuss and very quickly.